Sealing arrangement, battery box or control box, motor vehicle and method for producing a sealing arrangement

In order to provide a seal arrangement, in particular for sealing a first fluid space from a second fluid space or a plurality of fluid spaces, which on the one hand can be produced in a simple and cost-effective manner and also allows reliable sealing of a first fluid space from a second fluid space, it is proposed that the seal arrangement comprises the following: A sealing element for arrangement between a first object and a second object, the sealing element comprising two or more sealing element components which can be or are connected directly or indirectly to one another and which each comprise a base body part and a resilient sealing body part arranged on the base body part, the base body parts of the sealing element components preferably forming a dimensionally stable base body of the sealing element, and the resilient sealing body parts of the sealing element components forming a resilient sealing body for providing a sealing function of the sealing element.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to a seal arrangement, in particular a seal arrangement for sealing a first fluid space from a second fluid space or a plurality of fluid spaces. The seal arrangement comprises a sealing element for arrangement between a first object and a second object.

BACKGROUND

So-called carrier gaskets or metal elastomer gaskets which are used for providing a seal between two components or objects are known from the prior art.

These carrier or metal-elastomer gaskets known from the prior art usually have an in particular metal base body and a resilient sealing body arranged on the base body. By means of such carrier or metal-elastomer gaskets, two objects can be connected to one another in a simple sealing manner in the region of a planar connecting surface, in which case it is preferably possible to avoid introducing a groove into the components for fastening a sealing element. Tolerance problems when introducing the groove therefore do not arise. In contrast to a liquid seal, which is often chosen when components that have a planar connecting surface are to be connected, carrier or metal-elastomer gaskets can also be dismantled comparatively easily.

In addition, objects to be connected to one another, in particular metal objects to be connected to one another, can be through-contacted through the metal base body of a carrier or metal-elastomer gasket. Increased electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) can thus be provided by means of the carrier or metal-elastomer gasket. As a result, carrier or metal-elastomer gaskets are growing in popularity.

The sealing bodies of the carrier or metal-elastomer gaskets are usually injection molded onto an in particular annular, preferably metal, base body in an injection molding process. The size of an injection molding tool to be used, in particular the size of a required injection molding machine, is determined, among other things, by the size or dimension of the base body.

So far it has not been possible, for example, to produce carrier or metal-elastomer gaskets for battery boxes in electric vehicles, since these cannot be produced in one piece in known injection molding tools and/or injection molding machines due to their size and/or dimensions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a seal arrangement which on the one hand can be produced in a simple and cost-effective manner and also allows reliable sealing of a first fluid space from a second fluid space.

This object is achieved by a seal arrangement having the features of claim1.

The sealing element of the seal arrangement comprises in particular two or more sealing element components which can be or are connected directly or indirectly to one another and which each comprise a base body part and a resilient sealing body part arranged on the base body part.

The sealing element components can in particular be connected directly or indirectly to one another in such a way that the sealing element components complement one another to form the sealing element. In particular, the sealing element components rest against one another at least in part, preferably with abutment, in a circumferential direction in particular in an abutment region between two sealing element components.

Within the context of this description and the accompanying claims, a direct connection of the sealing element components is understood to mean in particular that the sealing element components are or can be connected to one another without using additional components.

Within the context of this description and the accompanying claims, an indirect connection of the sealing element components is understood to mean in particular that the sealing element components are or can be connected to one another by means of one or more additional components.

For example, it is conceivable that the sealing element components are connected to one another indirectly via the first and/or the second object, in particular by arrangement of the sealing element components between the first and the second object.

It may be favorable, for example, if the sealing element components can be connected to one another indirectly by positioning the sealing element components relative to the first object and/or relative to the second object, for example by positioning the sealing element components on the first object and/or on the second object by means of one or more positioning projections.

The base body parts of the sealing element components form in particular a preferably dimensionally stable base body of the sealing element.

In particular, the base body parts of the sealing element components form a base body for providing a load-bearing function of the sealing element.

Within the context of this description and the accompanying claims, a load-bearing function is understood to mean in particular a transmission of compressive forces, in particular between two objects or components.

The resilient sealing body parts of the sealing element components preferably form a resilient sealing body for providing a sealing function of the sealing element.

The base body of the sealing element is preferably annular, in particular annularly closed, when the sealing element components are connected to one another.

The sealing element components preferably form segments of an annularly closed sealing element.

In particular, the interconnected sealing element components complement one another to form a closed annular shape.

Within the context of this description and the accompanying claims, an annular shape is understood to mean in particular a closed shape of the sealing element. The annular shape of the sealing element can in particular be a circular ring shape or a shape deviating from a circular ring shape.

Since the sealing element components can be connected to one another, with the base body parts forming a base body and with the sealing body parts forming a sealing body, the resilient sealing body parts can preferably be molded onto a base body part in an injection molding process due to the smaller size or dimension of the individual sealing element components. The individual sealing element components can then be connected to form a sealing element. This can make it possible in particular for the resilient sealing body parts to be able to be produced in a comparatively small injection molding tool and/or a comparatively small injection molding machine.

The base body and/or the base body parts are preferably made of an at least approximately inflexible or rigid material.

The sealing element and/or the base body of the sealing element are preferably flat.

The sealing element and/or the base body extend in particular at least approximately along a plane, in particular along a main extension plane, of the sealing element.

The resilient sealing body and/or the resilient sealing body parts are preferably produced by injection molding, by compression molding and/or by transfer compression molding.

In particular, the resilient sealing body and/or the resilient sealing body parts are injection molded onto the base body and/or onto the base body parts.

Within the context of this description and the accompanying claims, injection molding means in particular a connection of the base body parts to the sealing body parts, with the resilient sealing body parts being produced in an injection molding process in such a way that they are attached to the base body and/or to the base body parts.

The resilient sealing body and/or the resilient sealing body parts are in particular injection molded parts.

The sealing element is preferably a carrier gasket, in particular a plastics carrier gasket, and/or a metal-elastomer gasket.

The resilient sealing body preferably comprises one or more sealing lips.

It may be favorable if the sealing lips of the resilient sealing body are annularly closed.

For example, it is conceivable that a sealing lip, in particular an annularly closed sealing lip, of the resilient sealing body is arranged on an inner edge of the base body.

A sealing lip arranged on an inner edge of the base body is in particular a primary sealing lip.

A sealing lip of the resilient sealing body arranged on an inner edge of the base body forms in particular a main sealing region of the sealing element.

A main sealing function of the sealing element can preferably be provided by means of a sealing lip arranged on an inner edge of the base body.

Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that a sealing lip, in particular an annularly closed sealing lip, of the resilient sealing body is arranged on an outer edge of the base body.

A sealing lip arranged on an outer edge of the base body is in particular a secondary sealing lip.

A sealing lip arranged on an outer edge of the base body forms in particular an additional sealing region of the sealing element.

An additional sealing function of the sealing element can preferably be provided by means of a sealing lip arranged on an outer edge of the base body, in particular in addition to a main sealing function of a sealing lip arranged on an inner edge of the base body.

By means of a sealing lip arranged on an outer edge of the base body, sealing against splashing water can be implemented, for example.

The one or more sealing lips preferably protrude beyond the base body of the sealing element, in particular on both sides, in a direction extending perpendicularly to a main extension plane of the sealing element.

It may be favorable in particular if a sealing lip, in particular an annularly closed sealing lip, of the resilient sealing body is arranged on both an inner edge of the base body and an outer edge of the base body.

A sealing lip arranged on an inner edge of the base body preferably has, in a direction extending perpendicularly to a main extension plane of the sealing element, a height which is greater than a height of a sealing lip arranged on an outer edge of the base body in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane of the sealing element.

A resilient sealing body part of a sealing element component preferably comprises one or two sealing lip portions.

For example, it is conceivable that the resilient sealing body part comprises a sealing lip portion, which is arranged on an inner edge of the base body part of the relevant sealing element component.

Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the resilient sealing body part comprises a sealing lip portion, which is arranged on an outer edge of the base body part of the relevant sealing element component.

It may be favorable if the sealing lip portions of the resilient sealing body parts of the sealing element components of the sealing element each form an annularly closed sealing lip of the resilient sealing body when the seal arrangement is in an assembled state.

In one embodiment of the invention, the sealing element components can be connected to one another in a puzzle-like and/or form-fitting manner, in particular for producing one or more annularly closed shapes of the base body.

The sealing element components can in particular be releasably connected.

The sealing element components can preferably be connected to one another by direct or indirect connection of the base body parts, in particular at an abutment region of the base body parts.

Within the context of this description and the accompanying claims, an indirect connection of the base body parts is understood to mean in particular a connection of the base body parts by means of resilient sealing body parts arranged on the base body parts.

Within the context of this description and the accompanying claims, a direct connection of the base body parts is understood to mean in particular a connection of the base body parts directly to one another, i.e., in particular no resilient sealing body part is required to connect the base body parts.

In one embodiment of the invention, the sealing element comprises a plurality of identical sealing element components and/or a plurality of identical base body parts and/or a plurality of identical resilient sealing body parts.

It is in particular conceivable that two or more, in particular all, sealing element components are completely identical. In particular, both the base body parts and the resilient sealing body parts are then also completely identical.

Alternatively, it is in particular possible for two or more, in particular all, base body parts to be identical, but for the resilient sealing body parts to be designed differently from one another.

Alternatively, it is possible for the base body parts to be designed differently, but with two or more, in particular all, resilient sealing body parts being identical.

Ideally, the number of different components required for the seal arrangement can thus be reduced overall, with the seal arrangement being able to be produced more cost- effectively overall. A seal arrangement can preferably be provided with a sealing element that can be produced according to a modular principle, so that sealing elements in different geometries can be implemented by means of a modular system.

In one embodiment of the invention, the base body parts each comprise one or more, in particular two, connecting portions for connecting the base body parts to one another.

The connecting portions are preferably formed in one piece with the base body parts.

The base body parts can preferably be connected in a form-fitting manner by means of the connecting portions.

In particular, the base body parts can be connected in a puzzle-like manner by means of the connecting portions.

The connecting portions are preferably designed to be complementary to one another in such a way that they engage in one another in a form-fitting manner when the base body parts are connected to one another.

In one embodiment of the invention, the base body parts can be connected to one another, in particular plug-connected, in a direction perpendicular to a main extension plane of the sealing element.

The base body parts can preferably be connected to one another in an assembly direction, which in particular extends perpendicularly to the main extension plane of the sealing element.

The connecting portions each have in particular one or more, in particular two, undercut portions.

The undercut portions are preferably designed in such a way that base body parts connected to one another are coupled, in particular form-fittingly connected, in the region of the connecting portions in a direction parallel to the main extension plane of the sealing element.

Base body parts connected to one another are preferably in particular form-fittingly anchored in the region of the connecting portions in a direction parallel to the main extension plane of the sealing element.

The connecting portions preferably each have a connecting portion geometry, with two connecting portions being designed to be complementary to one another in such a way that one connecting portion has a positive shape of the connecting portion geometry and one connecting portion has a negative shape of the connecting portion geometry.

The positive shape and the negative shape of the connecting portion geometry are preferably designed to be complementary to one another.

The positive shape and/or the negative shape of the connecting portion geometry is in particular a dovetail geometry.

In particular, it may be favorable if the connecting portions and/or the connecting portion geometry are symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry.

In particular, only two connecting portions of a seal arrangement correspond to one another in each case.

Preferably, in each case only two connecting portions are designed to be complementary to one another, i.e., they have a mutually complementary connecting portion geometry with a positive shape and a negative shape that is complementary thereto. In particular, different connecting portion geometries are provided. This prevents the base body parts and/or the sealing element components from being incorrectly connected to one another. A sealing element can thus preferably be provided which is easy to produce, in particular easy to assemble.

In one embodiment of the invention, each sealing element component comprises a one- piece resilient sealing body part and one or more base body parts, a plurality of base body parts of a sealing element component being connected to one another in particular by means of the one-piece resilient sealing body part of the relevant sealing element component.

Each sealing element component comprises in particular only a single one-piece resilient sealing body part.

All the base body parts of a relevant sealing element component are preferably connected to one another by means of the single one-piece resilient sealing body part.

A plurality of base body parts of a relevant sealing element component are connected to one another, for example, by injection molding the resilient sealing body part onto the base body parts.

Preferably, the base body parts of a sealing element component can be made smaller. In particular, the base body parts can thus be produced cost-effectively, for example by punching and/or injection molding.

In one embodiment of the invention, the resilient sealing body has one or more sealing lips, in particular a sealing lip arranged on an inner edge of the base body and/or a sealing lip arranged on an outer edge of the base body.

In one embodiment of the invention, the sealing lip arranged on an inner edge of the base body has a first sealing lip height in a direction perpendicular to a main extension plane of the sealing element, and the sealing lip arranged on an outer edge of the base body has a second sealing lip height in a direction perpendicular to a main extension plane of the sealing element, the first sealing lip height being greater than the second sealing lip height.

In one embodiment of the invention, the resilient sealing body parts each comprise one or two coupling portions for coupling mutually abutting or mutually overlapping resilient sealing body parts.

It may be favorable if the coupling portions of the resilient sealing body parts of two sealing element components connected to one another can be placed against one another, in particular can be connected to one another in a sealing manner.

The one or the two coupling portions of a resilient sealing body part comprise in particular a central coupling portion and one or more, in particular two, edge coupling portions.

By means of the one or more edge coupling portions, a particularly tight coupling of the sealing lip portions of the resilient sealing body parts of two sealing element components connected to one another can preferably be implemented.

For example, it is conceivable that the central coupling portion is arranged between two edge coupling portions.

The coupling portion of a resilient sealing body part comprises, for example, an inner edge coupling portion, a central coupling portion, and an outer edge coupling portion.

In one embodiment of the invention, the one or more, in particular the two, edge coupling portions of a coupling portion each comprise one or more additional sealing lips, in particular for sealing in the region of an abutting joint.

It may be favorable if only the two edge coupling portions of a single coupling portion of a resilient sealing body part of a relevant sealing element component comprise an additional sealing lip.

In particular, the two edge coupling portions of another coupling portion of the resilient sealing body part of the relevant sealing element component do not comprise an additional sealing lip.

Improved sealing in the region of the edge coupling portions can preferably be achieved by means of the one or more additional sealing lips.

Sealing lip portions of different sealing element components of the sealing element can preferably be coupled to one another by means of the edge coupling portions, in particular in a sealing manner.

In particular, it is conceivable that sealing lip portions of a sealing lip arranged on an inner edge of the base body can be coupled to one another by means of the inner edge coupling portion.

It may also be favorable if sealing lip portions of a sealing lip arranged on an outer edge of the base body can be coupled to one another by means of the outer edge coupling portion.

It may be favorable if the resilient sealing body parts have, in the coupling portion, in particular in the central coupling portion, in a direction extending perpendicularly to a main extension plane of the sealing element, a height which is greater than a base body height of the base body in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane of the sealing element.

For example, it is conceivable that the resilient sealing body parts have, in the coupling portion, in particular in the central coupling portion, in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane of the sealing element, a height which is at least approximately 5%, preferably at least approximately 10%, greater than the base body height of the base body in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane of the sealing element.

For example, it is also conceivable that the resilient sealing body parts have, in the coupling portion, in particular in the central coupling portion, in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane of the sealing element, a height which is at most approximately 20%, preferably at most approximately 15%, greater than the base body height of the base body in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane of the sealing element.

The resilient sealing body parts preferably have, in the central coupling portion in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane of the sealing element, a height which is smaller than a height of one or more sealing lips of the resilient sealing body in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane of the sealing element.

In particular, the resilient sealing body parts have, in the central coupling portion in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane of the sealing element, a height which is smaller than a height of the resilient sealing body parts in the edge coupling portions.

A height of the resilient sealing body parts in the central coupling portion in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane of the sealing element is preferably smaller than a height of a sealing lip arranged on an inner edge of the base body and/or smaller than a height of a sealing lip arranged on an outer edge of the base body.

A height of the resilient sealing body parts in a direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane of the sealing element in the one or more edge coupling portions preferably corresponds to a height of a relevant sealing lip.

The coupling portions are designed in particular in such a way that the resilient sealing body parts rest against one another in a sealing manner in the region of the coupling portions when the sealing element components and/or the base body parts are connected to one another, in particular when the sealing element is arranged in a sealing manner between a first object and a second object.

Preferably, the coupling portions each have a coupling geometry.

In particular, the coupling portions of two resilient sealing body parts each have a mutually complementary coupling geometry.

The fact that the resilient sealing body parts have, in the coupling portion, in a direction extending perpendicularly to a main extension plane of the sealing element, in particular a height which is greater than a base body height of the base body in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane of the sealing element can preferably make it possible for the resilient sealing body parts of two interconnected sealing element components to be at least partially compressible when the sealing element is arranged between two objects.

In particular, the coupling geometries of the coupling portions of two resilient sealing body parts can be placed against one another in a sealing manner.

The coupling geometry of the coupling portions has in particular no undercuts in the assembly direction of the sealing components and/or the base body parts, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to a main extension plane of the sealing element. Preferably, when the base body parts are assembled or connected, the resilient sealing body parts can therefore be placed against one another in a sealing manner in a direction perpendicular or inclined, i.e., transverse, to the main extension plane.

Preferably, the base body parts with resilient sealing body parts arranged thereon can be connected by means of the connecting portions in a direction perpendicular to the main extension plane, without a connection of the base body parts being impeded by undercuts of the coupling geometry.

The coupling geometry is, for example, a chamfer or an inclined surface, i.e., a surface arranged obliquely to the main extension plane.

Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the coupling geometry is stepped or corrugated.

In one embodiment of the invention, the resilient sealing body is arranged on one edge or on a plurality of edges of the base body.

The resilient sealing body is preferably arranged on an inner edge surrounded by the base body and/or on an outer edge surrounding the base body.

In the case of a base body of the sealing element that is annularly closed in the assembled state of the seal arrangement, the resilient sealing body is preferably arranged on an inner edge of the base body, in particular on a circumferential inner edge of the base body, but in particular is interrupted in the region of the base body parts and/or the resilient sealing body parts.

The resilient sealing body arranged on an inner edge of the base body comprises or forms in particular a primary sealing lip of the resilient sealing body arranged on the inner edge of the base body.

It may be favorable if, in the case of a base body of the sealing element that is annularly closed in the assembled state of the seal arrangement, the resilient sealing body is arranged on an outer edge of the base body, in particular on a circumferential outer edge of the base body, but in particular is interrupted in the region of the base body parts and/or the resilient sealing body parts.

A resilient sealing body arranged on an outer edge of the base body comprises or forms in particular a secondary sealing lip of the resilient sealing body arranged on the outer edge of the base body.

In particular, it is conceivable that the resilient sealing body is also arranged on an outer edge of the base body surrounding the base body of the sealing element.

The resilient sealing body parts are preferably arranged on an edge of the base body parts, in particular by injection molding (so-called edge molding).

In one embodiment of the invention, the resilient sealing body parts each extend along an edge of a base body part, in particular along an edge of an abutment region of the base body parts.

The resilient sealing body parts preferably also extend in particular along an edge of the connecting portions of the base body parts. In particular, a course of the resilient sealing body parts in the region of a connecting portion follows the connecting portion geometry.

The resilient sealing body parts are preferably arranged on a positive shape and/or on a negative shape of the connecting portion geometry of the connecting portions.

In particular, a resilient sealing body part is arranged on both the positive shape and the negative shape in each case of the connecting portion geometry of the connecting portions.

Alternatively, it is conceivable that a resilient sealing body part is arranged only on the positive shape or only on the negative shape of the connecting portion geometry of the connecting portions.

The resilient sealing body parts are arranged in particular on an abutment region of the base body parts and preferably form an abutting joint there.

Within the context of this description and the accompanying claims, an abutment region of the base body parts is understood to mean in particular a joint region of the base body parts.

It is thus conceivable that in the abutment region of the base body parts, a resilient sealing body part is arranged on only one base body part.

Alternatively, it is conceivable that a resilient sealing body part is arranged on each of the two base body parts in the abutment region of the base body parts, with the two resilient sealing body parts having a mutually complementary coupling geometry.

For example, it is conceivable that each base body part is assigned a resilient sealing body part. The number of sealing body parts thus corresponds in particular to the number of base body parts.

In one embodiment of the invention, the resilient sealing body parts of the sealing element components each comprise one or more, for example two, positioning projections.

The positioning projections of a resilient sealing body part of a sealing element component preferably protrude beyond the base body of the sealing element component, in particular in a direction extending perpendicularly to a main extension plane of the sealing element.

All the positioning projections of a resilient sealing body part of a sealing element component preferably protrude beyond the base body of the sealing element component on the same side of the sealing element component.

It may be favorable if the sealing element components and/or the sealing element can be positioned relative to the first object and/or relative to the second object by means of the positioning projections.

Preferably, the sealing element components are movable in a direction extending parallel to a main extension plane of the sealing element, in order to position said sealing element components relative to the first object and/or relative to the second object and/or relative to further sealing element components due to the positioning projections of the resilient sealing body part of a relevant sealing element component.

In one embodiment of the invention, the base body has a constant base body height in a direction perpendicular to the main extension plane of the sealing element.

The base body height is in particular uniform, i.e., the base body preferably has a uniform height in the height direction.

For example, the base body has a base body height in the range of from 1 to 3 mm, in particular in the range of from 1.5 to 2 mm.

In one embodiment of the invention, the resilient sealing body comprises an elastomer material or is made of an elastomer material, the elastomer material preferably being an ethylene acrylate rubber (AEM), an ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), an acrylate rubber (ACM), a fluorine rubber (FKM), a hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR), a liquid silicone, in particular liquid silicone rubber (LSR), or a silicone rubber (MVQ), in particular a vinyl methyl polysiloxane.

It may be favorable if the elastomer material comprises a mixture of one or more of the rubber materials mentioned above.

In one embodiment of the invention, the base body is made of a metal base body material or comprises a metal base body material, the metal base body material being in particular steel or aluminum.

Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the base body is made of a plastics base body material or comprises a plastics base body material. For example, it may be favorable if the plastics base body material is a fiber-reinforced plastics material, for example a glass- fiber-reinforced plastics material.

The plastics base body material preferably comprises or is made of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), in particular fiber-reinforced polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyamide 6 (PA6) and/or polyamide 6.6 (PA6.6).

In one embodiment of the invention, the base body and/or the base body parts are produced by punching and/or by laser cutting and/or by water jet cutting and/or by manual cutting or in that the base body and/or the base body parts are produced by injection molding.

If the base body is made of a plastics base body material or comprises a plastics base body material, it is conceivable that the base body, in particular the base body parts of the base body, are produced from a plastics base body material in a first production step by means of an injection molding process, with the resilient sealing body, in particular the sealing body parts of the resilient sealing body, subsequently being injection molded onto the base body.

For example, it is conceivable that the sealing element components of the sealing element are produced in a two-component injection molding process.

In particular, the base body parts are first produced from a first plastics material by means of an injection molding process, with the sealing body parts made of a second plastics material then being injection molded onto the base body parts.

It is conceivable that the base body parts and the resilient sealing body parts are produced in the same injection molding tool.

It may also be favorable if the base body parts and the resilient sealing body parts are produced in injection molding tools that are different from one another.

It is also conceivable that the base body parts are produced in a first cavity of an injection molding tool, with the resilient sealing body parts then being produced in a second cavity of the same injection molding tool, for example by changing one or more mold parts of the injection molding tool.

Alternatively or additionally, it is in particular conceivable that the base body and/or the base body parts are produced by injection molding, in particular if the base body is made of a plastics material.

The base body and/or the base body parts are preferably produced entirely from sheet metal material by punching and/or laser cutting.

In particular, no further method steps for producing the base body and/or the base body parts are carried out.

The connecting portions of the base body parts are therefore preferably also produced by punching and/or laser cutting.

The invention also relates to a battery or control box.

Within the context of this description and the accompanying claims, a battery box is understood to mean in particular a housing for one or more batteries, in particular batteries of an electric motor vehicle.

Within the context of this description and the accompanying claims, a control box is understood to mean in particular a housing for one or more control components and/or one or more control devices.

Another object of the invention is therefore to provide a battery or control box in which a sealing element is mounted simply and securely and a first fluid space can thus be reliably sealed from a second fluid space.

This object is achieved by a battery or control box having the features of claim19.

The battery or control box comprises a seal arrangement according to any of claims1to18.

The sealing element is arranged in particular in a sealing manner between a box base part and a box cover.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle.

Another object of the invention is therefore to provide a motor vehicle in which a sealing element is mounted simply and securely and a first fluid space can thus be reliably sealed from a second fluid space.

This object is achieved by a motor vehicle having the features of claim20.

The motor vehicle comprises one or more seal arrangements according to any of claims1to18, in particular a battery or control box according to claim19.

The invention also relates to a method for producing a seal arrangement for sealing a first fluid space from a second fluid space or a plurality of fluid spaces.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a method for producing a seal arrangement with which a seal arrangement can be produced in a simple and cost-effective manner and which allows reliable sealing of a first fluid space from a second fluid space.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim21.

The method comprises in particular the following: providing a plurality of sealing element components, each of which comprises a base body part and a resilient sealing body part arranged on the base body part; direct or indirect connection, in particular puzzle-like connection and/or form-fitting connection, of the sealing element components to one another.

The sealing element components are preferably connected directly or indirectly to one another in such a way that the sealing element components complement one another to form the sealing element.

It may be favorable if the sealing element components rest against one another at least in part in a circumferential direction, in particular in an abutment region between two sealing element components.

It may also be favorable if the sealing element components rest against one another with abutment in a circumferential direction, in particular in an abutment region between two sealing element components.

If the sealing element components are connected to one another indirectly by means of one or more additional components, it can be provided that the sealing element components that are indirectly connected to one another do not undercut one another in an abutment region. The sealing element components are in particular indirectly connected to one another in a form-fitting manner.

It may be favorable if the connected sealing element components form a preferably closed, in particular annularly closed, sealing element.

In particular, the method steps are carried out in the specified order.

Each individual sealing element component provided is preferably smaller and/or shorter than the sealing element which is formed by the sealing element components in the connected state of the sealing element components.

It may be favorable if one or more, in particular all, provided sealing element components each have smaller dimensions in a main extension plane than the finished sealing element when this is formed in the connected state of the sealing element components.

It may be favorable if the dimensions of one or more, in particular all, provided sealing element components are smaller in one, two or all three spatial directions than the dimensions of the sealing element as a whole when this is formed by the sealing element components in the connected state of the sealing element components.

In one embodiment of the method, the sealing element components are produced as components which are separate from one another, a resilient sealing body part being molded onto one or more base body parts in an injection molding process, or a resilient sealing body part being connected to one or more base body parts by means of compression molding or by means of compression transfer molding.

When producing the base body parts, connecting portions are preferably produced for the form-fitting connection of the base body parts.

The base body and/or the base body parts are produced in particular by punching and/or by laser cutting, in particular from a sheet metal material.

The resilient sealing body parts are preferably injection molded onto an edge of the base body parts.

Further preferred features and/or advantages of the invention are the subject matter of the following description and embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

The same or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference signs in all figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG.1shows a seal arrangement designated as a whole by100.

The seal arrangement100is used in particular to seal a first fluid space102from a second fluid space104, for example in a battery or control box106of a motor vehicle108, in particular an electric motor vehicle.

The seal arrangement100comprises an embodiment of a sealing element110shown inFIGS.1to8for arrangement between a first object112, for example a box lid of the battery or control box106, and a second object114, for example a box base part of the battery or control box106.

The sealing element110comprises a preferably dimensionally stable base body116and a resilient sealing body118arranged on the base body116.

The sealing element110is thus in particular a so-called carrier gasket, in particular a plastics carrier gasket, and/or a so-called metal-elastomer gasket.

On the base body116, the sealing element110comprises a total of four through- openings120through each of which a connecting element, in particular a screw, can be inserted to connect the first object112to the second object114.

The sealing element110comprises two sealing element components122which can be or are, as shown inFIG.1, connected directly to one another.

The sealing element components122each comprise a base body part124and a resilient sealing body part126arranged on the base body part124.

The base body parts124of the sealing element components122form the base body116and thus provide a load-bearing function of the sealing element110.

The resilient sealing body parts126of the sealing element components122form the resilient sealing body118and thus provide a sealing function of the sealing element110.

The base body parts124of the base body116each comprise in particular two connecting portions128for connecting the base body parts124to one another.

The base body parts124can preferably be connected to one another, in particular plug- connected, in a direction perpendicular to a main extension plane130of the sealing element110shown inFIG.4, in particular in an assembly direction132.

The resilient sealing body118and/or the resilient sealing body parts126preferably comprise an elastomer material133or are made of an elastomer material133. The elastomer material133is in particular an ethylene acrylate rubber (AEM). Alternatively or additionally, the elastomer material133is an ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), an acrylate rubber (ACM), a fluorine rubber (FKM), a hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR), a liquid silicone, in particular liquid silicone rubber (LSR), or a silicone rubber (MVQ), in particular a vinyl methyl polysiloxane.

The base body116and/or base body parts124are made in particular from a metal base body material135or comprise a metal base body material135. The metal base body material135is in particular steel or aluminum.

Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable that the base body116and/or the base body parts124are made of a plastics base body material or comprise a plastics base body material.

The base body116and/or the base body parts124are preferably produced entirely by punching and/or laser cutting from a metal base body material135, for example sheet metal material, so that in particular no further method steps for the production of the base body116and/or the base body parts124need to be carried out.

The connecting portions128of the base body parts124are preferably also produced by punching and/or laser cutting.

During the production of the embodiment of the sealing element110shown inFIGS.1to8, the resilient sealing body parts126of the resilient sealing body118are preferably each injection molded onto a base body part124in each case in an injection molding process. When the resilient sealing body parts126are injection molded onto the base body parts124, the resilient sealing body parts126of different sealing element components122are in particular not connected to one another.

In the injection molding process, in particular only the single resilient sealing body parts126are injection molded onto the base body parts124and the sealing element components122are thus formed.

In the embodiment of the sealing element110shown inFIGS.1to8, the sealing element components122are already connected to one another by means of the connecting portions128.

The base body116of the sealing element110is preferably annular, in particular annularly closed.

Since the base body116and/or the base body parts124are made in particular from an at least approximately inflexible or rigid material, preferably from a metal base body material135, the base body116can in particular provide the load-bearing function of the sealing element110.

As can be clearly seen inFIGS.1and4to8, the sealing element110and/or the base body116are preferably flat.

The sealing element110and/or the base body116extend in particular at least approximately along the main extension plane130(cf.FIG.4).

In order to produce the annularly closed shape of the base body116shown inFIGS.1to8, the sealing element components122can be connected to one another, in particular in a puzzle-like and/or form-fitting manner.

A puzzle-like connection of the sealing element components122is achieved in particular by the connecting portions128of the base body parts124.

The sealing element components122, which can in particular be releasably connected to one another, can preferably be connected to one another directly or indirectly, in particular at an abutment region134of the base body parts124.

In the embodiment of the sealing element110shown inFIGS.1to8, the base body parts124are connected to one another indirectly via the resilient sealing body parts126arranged on the base body parts124.

For this purpose, the resilient sealing body parts126are preferably not injection molded onto only one peripheral inner edge136of the base body116.

Rather, the resilient sealing body parts126are also injection molded onto an edge138of the base body116or the base body parts124in the region of the connecting portions128.

However, it is also conceivable to connect the base body parts124directly to one another in the abutment region134and thus to provide the resilient sealing body parts126only on the inner edge136of the annularly closed base body116.

FIGS.1to8show that the base body parts124can be connected to one another by means of the connecting portions128, preferably in a puzzle-like and/or form-fitting manner.

The connecting portions128are in particular designed to be complementary in such a way that the connecting portions128and/or the resilient sealing body parts126arranged thereon engage in one another in a form-fitting manner when the base body parts124are connected to one another in the assembly direction132.

In order to connect the base body parts124to one another, the connecting portions128each have in particular two undercut portions140.

As can also be seen inFIG.3, the connecting portions128are preferably symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry142.

The undercut portions140are in particular arranged and designed in such a way that base body parts124connected to one another are coupled, in particular form-fittingly connected, in the region of the connecting portions128in a direction parallel to the main extension plane130of the sealing element110.

For this purpose, the undercut portions140undercut one another in a direction extending parallel to the plane of symmetry142.

Base body parts124connected to one another are therefore in particular form-fittingly anchored in the region of the connecting portions128in a direction parallel to the main extension plane130of the sealing element110.

The connecting portions128preferably each have a connecting portion geometry144.

Two connecting portions128are in particular designed to be complementary to one another in such a way that one connecting portion128has a positive shape145of the connecting portion geometry144and one connecting portion128has a negative shape147of the connecting portion geometry144(cf.FIG.2).

In the embodiment of the sealing element110shown inFIGS.1to8, the connecting portion geometry144is designed in particular in a puzzle-like manner.

Alternatively, it is conceivable that the connecting portion geometry144, i.e., the positive shape145and/or the negative shape147, have in particular a dovetail geometry.

In order to be able to facilitate assembly of the sealing element110, in particular only two connecting portions128correspond to one another, i.e., only two connecting portions128each have a mutually complementary connecting portion geometry144.

In particular, only one connecting portion geometry144is provided for sealing element components122and/or base body parts124to be connected, i.e., the positive shape145and negative shape147of the connecting portions128are designed to complement one another. Sealing element components122and/or base body parts124can thus in particular not be connected to one another incorrectly.

As can also be seen inFIGS.1to8, the resilient sealing body parts126are preferably interrupted in the abutment region134and form an abutting joint149there (cf.FIG.2).

The resilient sealing body parts126therefore each extend in particular along an edge138of a relevant base body part124.

As mentioned above, in the embodiment of the sealing element110shown inFIGS.1to8, the resilient sealing body parts126extend along the inner edge136and along an edge138of the connecting portions128of the base body parts124.

In particular, a course of the resilient sealing body parts in the region of the connecting portions128follows the connecting portion geometry144.

In the embodiment of the sealing element110shown inFIGS.1to8, the resilient sealing body parts126are arranged on both the positive shape145and the negative shape147of the connecting portion geometry144of the connecting portions128, i.e., a resilient sealing body part126is arranged on both the positive shape145and the negative shape147.

Alternatively, it is conceivable that a resilient sealing body part126is arranged only on the positive shape145or only on the negative shape147of the connecting portion geometry144of the connecting portions128.

If a resilient sealing body part126is arranged on each of the two base body parts124in the abutment region134of the base body parts124, the resilient sealing body parts126each comprise in particular a coupling portion146for coupling resilient sealing body parts126that rest against or overlap one another.

Such coupling portions146can be seen clearly in particular inFIG.5and in the alternative detailed views inFIGS.6to8.

The coupling portions146are designed in particular in such a way that the resilient sealing body parts126rest against one another in a sealing manner in the region of the coupling portions146when the sealing element components122and/or the base body parts124are connected to one another, in particular when the sealing element110is arranged between the first object112and the second object114.

The coupling portions146each have a coupling geometry148.

Preferably, the coupling portions146of the resilient sealing body parts126of two sealing element components122connected to one another can be placed against one another, in particular can be connected to one another in a sealing manner.

The one or two coupling portions146of the resilient sealing body part126of a sealing element component122preferably each comprise a central coupling portion151and an edge coupling portion153(cf.FIG.2).

As can be seen in particular inFIGS.6to8, two resilient sealing body parts126each have a mutually complementary coupling geometry148.

The coupling geometry148of the coupling portions146has in particular no undercuts in the assembly direction132of the sealing element components122and/or the base body parts124.

Preferably, when the base body parts124are assembled or connected, the resilient sealing body parts126can be placed against one another in a sealing manner in a direction perpendicular or inclined, i.e., transverse, to the main extension plane130of the sealing element110.

In particular, the base body parts124with resilient sealing body parts126arranged thereon can be connected by means of the connecting portions128in the assembly direction132, without a connection of the base body parts124being impeded by undercuts of the coupling geometry148.

In the embodiment of the sealing element110shown inFIGS.1to6, the coupling geometry148is designed, for example, as a chamfer150or as an inclined surface152. The chamfer150or inclined surface152is arranged in particular at an angle β in the range of from approximately 40° to approximately 70° to the main extension plane130of the sealing element110.

In particular, it may be favorable if the chamfer150or the inclined surface152is arranged at an angle β of approximately 45° to the main extension plane130of the sealing element110(cf.FIG.6).

In the embodiments of the coupling portion146shown inFIGS.7and8, the coupling geometry148is stepped or tiered and has a step154(cf.FIG.7) or two or more steps154(cf.FIG.8). However, it is also conceivable for the coupling geometry148to be corrugated.

If a resilient sealing body part126is provided in the abutment region134only on one base body part124, preferably no coupling geometry148is required.

In the embodiment of the sealing element110shown inFIGS.1to8, the resilient sealing body118comprises a sealing lip160which is arranged on the inner edge136of the base body116.

In an assembled state of the seal arrangement100, the sealing lip160is in particular annularly closed.

The sealing lip160preferably protrudes beyond the base body116of the sealing element110, in particular on both sides (cf.FIG.5), in a direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane130of the sealing element110.

It may be favorable if a resilient sealing body part126of a sealing element component122comprises a sealing lip portion162.

By means of the edge coupling portion153, a particularly tight coupling of the sealing lip portions162of the resilient sealing body parts126of two sealing element components122connected to one another can preferably be implemented.

The sealing lip portions162of the resilient sealing body parts126of the sealing element components122of the sealing element110preferably each form an annularly closed sealing lip160of the resilient sealing body118when the seal arrangement100is in an assembled state.

In particular, no sealing lip160is arranged on an outer edge164of the base body116in the embodiment of the sealing element110shown inFIGS.1to8.

The sealing lip160arranged on the inner edge136of the base body116has a first sealing lip height166in a direction perpendicular to the main extension plane130of the sealing element110(cf.FIG.5).

The base body116has a base body height168in a direction perpendicular to the main extension plane130of the sealing element110.

The base body116preferably has a base body height168in the range of from approximately 1 to approximately 3 mm, in particular in the range of from approximately 1.5 to approximately 2 mm.

The resilient sealing body parts126have, in the coupling portion146, in particular in the central coupling portion151, in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane130of the sealing element110, in particular a height170which is greater than the base body height168in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane130of the sealing element110.

For example, it is conceivable that the resilient sealing body parts126have, in the coupling portion146, in particular in the central coupling portion151, in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane130of the sealing element110, a height170which is at least approximately 5%, preferably at least approximately 10%, greater than the base body height168in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane130of the sealing element110.

For example, it is also conceivable that the resilient sealing body parts126have, in the coupling portion146, in particular in the central coupling portion151, in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane130of the sealing element110, a height170which is at most approximately 20%, preferably at most approximately 15%, greater than the base body height168in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane130of the sealing element110.

The fact that the resilient sealing body parts126have, in the coupling portion146, in particular in the central coupling portion151, in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane130of the sealing element110, in particular a height170which is greater than a base body height168in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane130of the sealing element110can preferably make it possible for the resilient sealing body parts126of two interconnected sealing element components122to be at least partially compressible when the sealing element110is arranged between two objects112,114.

In particular, the coupling geometries148of the coupling portions146of the resilient sealing body parts126of two sealing element components122connected to one another can be placed against one another in a sealing manner.

It may be favorable if the sealing lip height166in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane130of the sealing element110is greater than the height170of the resilient sealing body parts126in the coupling portion146, in particular in the central coupling portion151.

A height of the resilient sealing body parts126in the edge coupling portion153in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane130of the sealing element110preferably corresponds to the height of the sealing lip170.

As can be clearly seen inFIGS.1and3, the sealing element components122are almost identical.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS.1to8, the sealing element110comprises two identical base body parts124.

The resilient sealing body parts126of the sealing element110are almost identical, but are designed differently in the abutment region134, in particular in the region of the coupling portions146.

A resilient sealing body part126is assigned to each base body part124, so that the number of resilient sealing body parts126corresponds in particular to a number of base body parts124.

An embodiment of the sealing element110shown inFIGS.9to17differs from the embodiment of the sealing element110shown inFIGS.1to8mainly in that an in particular annularly closed sealing lip160is arranged not only on the inner edge136of the base body116but also on the outer edge164of the base body116.

The sealing lip160arranged on the inner edge136of the base body116is in particular a primary sealing lip172.

The sealing lip160of the resilient sealing body118arranged on the inner edge136of the base body116forms in particular a main sealing region of the sealing element110.

A main sealing function of the sealing element110can preferably be provided by means of the sealing lip160arranged on the inner edge136of the base body116.

The sealing lip160arranged on the outer edge164of the base body116is in particular a secondary sealing lip174.

The sealing lip160arranged on the outer edge164of the base body116forms in particular an additional sealing region of the sealing element110.

An additional sealing function of the sealing element110can preferably be provided by means of the sealing lip160arranged on the outer edge164of the base body116, in particular in addition to the main sealing function of the sealing lip160arranged on the inner edge136of the base body116.

By means of the sealing lip160arranged on the outer edge164of the base body116, sealing against splashing water can be implemented, for example.

The sealing lip160arranged on the inner edge136of the base body116preferably has, in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane130of the sealing element110, a sealing lip height166awhich is greater than a sealing lip height166bof the sealing lip160arranged on the outer edge164of the base body116in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane130of the sealing element110.

In the embodiment of the sealing element110shown inFIGS.9to17, the two coupling portions146of a resilient sealing body part126comprise in particular a central coupling portion151and two edge coupling portions153, in particular an inner edge coupling portion153aand an outer edge coupling portion153b(cf.FIGS.14to17).

In particular, the central coupling portion151is arranged between the two edge coupling portions153a,153b.

Sealing lip portions162of different sealing element components122of the sealing element110can preferably be coupled to one another by means of the edge coupling portions153a,153b.

In particular, it is conceivable that sealing lip portions162of the sealing lip160arranged on the inner edge136of the base body116can be coupled to one another by means of the inner edge coupling portion153a.

Sealing lip portions162of the sealing lip160arranged on the outer edge164of the base body116can preferably be coupled to one another by means of the outer edge coupling portion153b.

The two edge coupling portions153a,153bof the coupling portion146preferably comprise one or two additional sealing lips176. The additional sealing lips are used in particular for sealing in the region of the abutting joint149.

It may be favorable if the inner edge coupling portion153acomprises two additional sealing lips176and/or if the outer edge coupling portion153bcomprises two additional sealing lips176.

Preferably, only the two edge coupling portions153a,153bof a single coupling portion146of a resilient sealing body part126of a relevant sealing element component122comprise an additional sealing lip176.

It may therefore be favorable if the two edge coupling portions153a,153bof a second coupling portion146of the resilient sealing body part126of the relevant sealing element component122do not comprise an additional sealing lip176.

Improved sealing in the region of the edge coupling portions153a,153bcan preferably be achieved by means of the additional sealing lips176. In particular, a sealing function of the sealing lips160, in particular the primary sealing lip172and/or the secondary sealing lip174, can be ensured in the region of the abutting joint149.

In the embodiment of the sealing element110shown inFIGS.9to17, the resilient sealing body parts126of the sealing element components122preferably each comprise one or more, for example two, positioning projections178.

The positioning projections178of a relevant resilient sealing body part126of a sealing element component122preferably protrude beyond the base body116of the sealing element component122, in particular in the direction extending perpendicularly to the main extension plane130of the sealing element110.

It may be favorable if all positioning projections178of a relevant resilient sealing body part126of a sealing element component122protrude beyond the base body116of the sealing element component122on the same side of the sealing element component122.

The sealing element components122and/or the sealing element110can preferably be positioned relative to the first object112and/or relative to the second object114by means of the positioning projections178.

In particular, the sealing element components122are movable in the direction extending parallel to the main extension plane130of the sealing element110, in order to position said sealing element components relative to the first object112and/or relative to the second object114and/or relative to further sealing element components122due to the positioning projections178of the resilient sealing body part126of a relevant sealing element component122.

Otherwise, the embodiment of the sealing element110shown inFIGS.9to17corresponds to the embodiment of the sealing element110shown inFIGS.1to8, and therefore reference is made to the above description thereof.

An embodiment of the sealing element110shown inFIGS.18to24differs from the embodiment of the sealing element110shown inFIGS.9to17mainly in that each sealing element component122comprises a one-piece resilient sealing body part126and a plurality of base body parts124, a plurality of base body parts124of the relevant sealing element component122being connected to one another by means of the one-piece resilient sealing body part126of the relevant sealing element component122.

All of the base body parts124of a relevant sealing element component122are preferably connected to one another by means of a single, one-piece resilient sealing body part126, for example by injection molding the resilient sealing body part126onto the base body parts124.

The base body parts124of a relevant sealing element component122can preferably be made smaller if a plurality of, for example two, base body parts124of a relevant sealing element component122are connected to one another by means of the one-piece sealing body part126. In particular, the base body parts124can thus be produced -cost- effectively, for example by punching.

In the embodiment of the sealing element110shown inFIGS.18to24, the edge coupling portions153preferably comprise only one additional sealing lip176.

Otherwise, the embodiment of the sealing element110shown inFIGS.18to24corresponds to the embodiment of the sealing element110shown inFIGS.9to17, and therefore reference is made to the above description thereof.

Overall, a seal arrangement100having a sealing element110can be provided, which seal arrangement can be produced in a simple and cost-effective manner and which allows a simple and reliable sealing of a first fluid space102from a second fluid space104.