Humidifying device for transferring water from waste air of a waste air flow to supply air of a supply air flow

A humidifying device for transferring water and/or water vapour from waste air of a waste air flow to supply air of a supply air flow is provided. In the compensating chamber of the housing of the humidifying device, at least one spreading means is arranged, which spreads apart the plate stack of the humidifying device and the housing cover closing the housing in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to German patent application DE 10 2020 207 147.0, filed Jun. 8, 2020, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to humidifying devices for transferring water and/or water vapour from waste air of a waste air flow to supply air of a supply air flow.

BACKGROUND

A generic humidifying device is described in the document DE 10 2013 020 503 A1, wherein the same in a housing comprises a plate stack with water vapour permeable membranes, which are arranged between or on individual plates. The housing comprises columns for holding the plate stack, wherein the connection between columns and the individual plates takes place via laterally protruding connecting lugs, which project into a receiving groove. Disadvantageous, in this shape is that the plate stack built-up out of the individual plates is relatively difficult to produce with dimensional and shape accuracy, so that this can only positioned and adequately fixed in the housing with sufficient accuracy with relatively major expenditure.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an object of the disclosure to improve or at least provide another embodiment of a humidifying device. Attempts are to be made in particular to offset the dimensional and shape inaccuracies of the plate stack that arise during the manufacture.

In the present disclosure, this object is achieved by a humidifying device for transferring water from waste air of a waste air flow to supply air of a supply air flow as described herein.

A basic idea of the disclosure lies in offsetting the dimensional and shape inaccuracies of the plate stack through a spreading means automatically equalising differences in length.

For this purpose, a humidifying device for transferring water and/or water vapour from waste air of a waste air flow to supply air of a supply air flow, in particular for a fuel cell, is provided, which comprises a plate stack having a longitudinal extent along a longitudinal axis. This plate stack has individual plates that are separate and are touchingly and congruently stacked onto one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The individual plates in turn each comprise a fluid-permeable membrane for transferring water and/or water vapour from waste air enriched with water and/or water vapour of a waste air flow to supply air to be enriched with water and/or water vapour of a supply air flow. Furthermore, it is provided that the humidifying device is equipped with a housing that forms at least one housing opening, practically two housing openings. In the assembled state of the humidifying device, the plate stack is completely inserted into the housing through one of these housing openings. The respective or all housing openings are sealed completely, i.e., fluid-tightly by at least one housing cover. According to an aspect of the disclosure, a compensating chamber is formed in the direction of the longitudinal axis between the housing cover and the plate stack, in which at least one, preferentially exactly one single spreading means is arranged, which spreads the plate stack and the housing cover apart, in the direction of the longitudinal axis. By the spreading apart, i.e., through an automatic change in length of the spreading means, dimensional and shape inaccuracies that occur in particular in the direction of the longitudinal axis during the manufacture of the individual plates and/or the assembling of the individual plates to form the plate stack, in particular height dimension deviations of the individual plates or of the plate stack, can be offset. What is referred to as height dimension deviation can be considered as difference between the planned standard dimension of an individual plate or of the plate stack and the actually achieved actual dimension. In practice, these dimensional and shape inaccuracies, in particular the height dimension deviation, can amount to some micrometres up to some millimetres. By offsetting these, the plate stack can be advantageously positioned and fixed relatively easily in the housing.

With respect to the longitudinal axis, the spreading means can fix the plate stack in a non-positive and positive-locking manner. By fixing the plate stack in the longitudinal direction, it can be advantageously achieved, besides the offsetting of the dimensional and shape inaccuracies, that the plate stack, in particular with respect to the housing and/or of the housing cover, is practically immovable or immovable. Further fixing means for fixing the plate stack can therefore be omitted, which further improves the assembly friendliness of the humidifying device according to the disclosure.

Practically, the spreading means can non-positively and positively support itself on the plate stack and/or on the housing cover. Thus, the spreading means touchingly supports itself on the plate stack and/or on the housing cover. By way of this, the spreading means is relatively favourably arranged within the housing of the humidifying device.

Further practically, the spreading means can be integrally embodied with the plate stack and/or with the housing cover. By way of this, the plate stack and/or the housing cover can form a one-piece assembly unit with the spreading means, which favours for example the assembly of the humidifying device.

It is practical, furthermore, when the spreading means, with respect to the housing, with respect to the plate stack and with respect to the housing cover forms a separate individual component. By way of this, the respective spreading means is a separate individual part, which can be for example favourably replaced or provided by an external supplier.

In particular, the mentioned compensating chamber can be framed, transversely to the longitudinal axis, by a surrounding housing portion of the housing at least in sections. Here, the spreading means can support itself on the respective housing portion and practically on the housing cover and/or on the plate stack in a non-positive and positive-locking manner.

Practically, the spreading means can comprise a separate compression spring touchingly supporting itself on the housing cover, in particular a helical compression spring, a separate sealing plate and a separate plate seal. The compression spring practically extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis through the compensating chamber and touchingly supports itself on the sealing plate, wherein the sealing plate, with the compensating chamber, is moveably mounted on the housing in the direction of the longitudinal axis from the inside. On its side facing away from the compression spring, the sealing plate caries the plate seal which subjected to force by the compression spring touchingly lies on the plate stack in order to thus seal the plate stack against the compensating chamber. This has the advantage that the plate stack is preloaded by the spring in the direction of the longitudinal axis and in particular that the compensating chamber with respect to the plate stack, in particular regarding the waste air of the waste air flow and the supply air of the supply air flow, is fluidically separated. Thus, waste air and/or air cannot enter the compensating chamber. Practically, the compression spring is embodied integrally with the housing cover.

Further practically, the spreading means can comprise at least one leaf spring embodied integrally with the housing cover, a separate sealing plate and a separate plate seal, wherein the at least one leaf spring extends angularly, in particular at an angle of 45°, with respect to the longitudinal axis, through the compensating chamber towards the sealing plate. Because of this, the leaf spring can touchingly support itself on the sealing plate. Within the compensating chamber, the sealing plate is slide-moveably or moveably mounted from the inside on the housing in the direction of the longitudinal axis. On a side facing away from the spring, the sealing plate carries the plate seal which, subjected to force by the leaf spring, touchingly lies on the plate stack in order to seal the plate stack against the compensating chamber. This also has the advantage that the plate stack is preloaded by the spring in the direction of the longitudinal axis and in particular that the compensating chamber, with respect to the plate stack, in particular with respect to the waste air of the waste air flow and the supply air of the supply air flow, is fluidically separated. Thus, waste air and/or supply air cannot enter the compensating chamber.

Practically, the sealing plate can be formed by a pot body, which has a round or square pot base. The same is framed by a pot wall surrounding the pot base completely or at least in sections, which pot wall projects from the pot base at a right angle or angularly. The plate seal is realised through a flat round or square gasket that is formed in one piece and in terms of area is congruently formed with the pot base. The plate seal can for example be glued to or welded to the sealing plate.

Further practically, the spreading means can comprise a separate hose seal, a separate sealing plate and a separate plate seal, where in the hose seal touching supports itself on the housing cover and on the housing. Furthermore, the hose seal runs transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis completely around about the same. It is provided, furthermore, that the hose seal extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis through the compensating chamber and is touchingly supported on the sealing plate. Within the compensating chamber, the sealing plate is slide-moveably or moveably mounted on the housing in the direction of the longitudinal axis from the inside. On a side facing away with respect to the house seal, the sealing plate carries the plate seal, wherein this plate seal, subjected to force by the hose seal, touchingly lies on the plate stack in order to seal the plate stack against the compensating chamber. It is conceivable that the hose seal is individually inserted during the assembly of the humidifying device. This also has the advantage that the plate stack is preloaded in the direction of the longitudinal axis and in particular that the compensating chamber, with respect to the plate stack, in particular with respect to the waste air of the waste air flow and the supply air of the supply air flow, is fluidically separated. Thus, waste air and/or supply air cannot enter the compensating chamber.

Practically, the spreading means can be formed from a cured solid sealant, a separate sealing plate and a separate plate seal. Here, the housing has at least one clear filling opening through which the uncured liquid sealing means flows or can flow into the compensating chamber, wherein the uncured liquid sealant practically completely or completely fills up the compensating chamber, so that on the one hand it is touchingly arranged on the sealing plate that is arranged within the compensating chamber and on the other hand on the housing cover and on the housing. The flowed-in uncured liquid sealant is volume-expandingly cured, so that the cured sealant can subject to pressure force and spread apart the sealing plate and the housing cover in the direction of the longitudinal axis, wherein the plate seal is arranged on the sealing plate. The sealant can be formed by a foam or by a silicone and in particular swell up during curing. Furthermore, the mentioned filling opening can be either sealed by a separate plug or preferably sealed by the cured sealant itself. Furthermore, the sealing plate and the plate seal can be embodied as integral assembly unit which, prior to the final assembly of the humidifying device, can be glued to the plate stack, as a result of which the final assembly of the humidifying device is simplified. This also has the advantage that the plate stack is preloaded in the direction of the longitudinal axis by the volume-expanded sealing means and, in particular, that the compensating chamber, with respect to the plate stack, in particular with respect to the waste air of the waste air flow and the supply air of the supply air flow, is fluidically separated. Thus, waste air and/or supply air cannot enter the compensating chamber.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the housing, with respect to the longitudinal axis, has a square or round housing cross section that is constant in terms of area in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Obviously, other housing cross sections are also conceivable. Additionally, it can be advantageous when the mentioned membranes of the humidifying device are oriented parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Practically, the humidifying device comprises at least two membranes that in practice a plurality of membranes will be employed in a single humidifying device.

Practically, the housing cover can be formed by a round or square flat rim part with a central projecting cover curvature, wherein the cover curvature and the flat rim part delimit a curvature volume, wherein the housing cover in the assembled state of the humidifying device is arranged on the housing so that the cover curvature projects away from the housing in the direction of the longitudinal axis and that the curvature volume enlarges the volume of the compensating chamber. Furthermore, the housing cover in the assembled state of the humidifying device can be arranged on the housing so that the cover curvature projects towards the plate stack in the direction of the longitudinal axis and that the curvature volume diminishes the volume of the compensating chamber.

Another basic idea of the disclosure, which can be realised additionally or alternatively to the basic idea mentioned further up can lie in providing a humidifying device for transferring water and/or water vapour from waste air of a waste air flow to supply air of a supply air flow, wherein this humidifying device is equipped with a plate stack having a longitudinal extent along a longitudinal axis. The plate stack has individual plates that are separate and are touchingly and congruently stacked onto one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis, which for transferring water and/or water vapour from waste air enriched with water and/or water vapour of a waste air flow to supply air enriched with water and/or water vapour of a supply air flow have a fluid-permeable membrane each. Furthermore, this humidifying device is equipped with a housing that forms at least one housing opening, wherein the plate stack is completely inserted in the housing through a housing opening of these housing openings. Furthermore, at least one housing cover is provided, which completely seals the housing openings, in particular, this one housing opening. In the direction of the longitudinal axis between this housing cover and the plate stack, a plate seal, that is, in particular, arranged completely in the interior of the housing, is arranged. It is substantial for the disclosure that this housing cover is designed as closure cover, and that the plate seal is touchingly arranged on this closure cover. The closure cover is completely inserted into the housing through this one housing opening and from the inside, in particular with an inner lateral surface of the housing pointing radially to the inside with respect to the longitudinal axis pressed or wedged or welded or glued to the housing.

Practically, the closure cover can be produced of metal material, plastic material or composite material. Further practically, at least one common air passage can be formed on the closure cover and the plate seal, which completely penetrates the closure cover and the plate seal. The air passage for its part is formed by a hollow cylindrical connector extending parallel or coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis and a passage opening extending parallel or coaxially with respect to the longitudinal axis. The plate stack can be subjected to the waste air flow or the supply air flow through the air passage. Preferably, the connector is integrally arranged on the closure cover, the passage opening is preferably arranged integrally on the plate seal. Practically, the passage opening, and the connector are oriented aligned with one another, so that they can be flowed through.

The housing formed, in particular, in one or multiple parts is practically formed of at least one housing wall or of multiple in particular materially bonded contiguous housing walls. If the housing is formed of a single housing wall it is practically a cylinder housing that is rotation-symmetrical with respect to an axis of rotation. In the case that the housing is formed of multiple in particular materially bonded contiguous housing walls, it is practically a rectangular housing box that is hollow on the inside or complex in shape. In any case, the housing can be formed of a plastic material, a metal material or a composite material and in particular, within the scope of a manufacturing method that is suitable for the respective material, be cost-effectively produced.

Practically, the humidifying device can be provided for use within a fuel cell system of a vehicle.

Further practically, at least one housing cover can be moulded onto the housing, so that this housing cover and the housing define a one-piece assembly. The term “moulding on” can signify that the said housing cover is produced as a separate component and, for example by gluing or welding, is joined in one piece with the housing in a materially bonded manner. By way of this, a housing opening provided for this housing cover on the housing can be sealed with this housing cover completely and in particular in a fluid-tight manner. However, it can also be provided that the said housing cover and the housing are a joined primary moulding so that they therefore form a monolithic assembly. However, it is practically provided in both cases that in the assembled state of the humidifying device the plate stack can be or are completely inserted into the housing through one or a further one of these housing openings. By way of this, the housing is quasi open towards at least one side. This or this further housing opening, in the assembled state of the humidifying device, is sealed with a or a further housing cover completely, i.e., in a fluid-tight manner. In the case that the one housing cover and the housing are a joined primary moulding and the housing delimits or forms a single housing opening through which the plate stack can be inserted or is inserted into the housing, merely a single housing cover has to be provided. Because of this, the humidifying device can be cost-effectively realised with a relatively low number of components. The measures described above can also be employed with the other housing covers proposed according to an aspect of the disclosure, in particular, regardless of their shaping. In particular, the measures described above can also be employed when the housing cover or the housing covers is realised by a closure cover according to the above description.

In summary, it should be noted: the present disclosure preferentially relates to a humidifying device for transferring water and/or water vapour of waste air of a waste air flow to supply air of a supply air flow. It is substantial for the disclosure that in the compensating chamber of the housing of the humidifying device at least one spreading means is arranged, which spreads the plate stack of the humidifying device and the housing cover closing the housing apart in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

Further important features and advantages of the disclosure are obtained from the drawings and from the associated figure description by way of the drawings.

It is to be understood that the features mentioned above and still to be explained in the following cannot only be used in the respective combinations stated but also in other combinations or by themselves without leaving the scope of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein same reference numbers relate to same or similar or functionally same components.

FIGS.1to7show multiple exemplary embodiments for humidifying devices according to the disclosure, which are each preferentially suitable for use within a fuel cell system of a vehicle and here, as a whole, are marked with a reference number1. Humidifying devices1serve in practice for transferring water and/or water vapour of moist waste air of a waste air flow2to dry supply air of a supply air flow3. For the sake of simplicity, the waste air flow2and the supply air flow3, are merely illustrated inFIG.1by a pair of arrows, in fact in practice the waste air flow2and the supply air flow3snake through the humidifying device1intersecting one another multiple times. In practice, the humidifying device1according to the disclosure, is interconnected exemplarily with a fuel cell that is not illustrated here such that by means of the humidifying device1supply air enriched, i.e., moistened with water and/or water vapour, is provided on the fuel cell via a connector31of the humidifying device1. With the moistened supply air, a polymer electrolyte membrane of the fuel cell can be moistened there for example. During the operation of the fuel cell, oxygen practically reacts with hydrogen giving off energy to form the reaction products water and/or water vapour, which, in the form of moist waste air, flows out of the fuel cell. So as not to lose this waste air from the fuel cell unutilised, it can be made to flow into the humidifying device1as waste air flow2through a further connector of the humidifying device1.

The humidifying device1for its part is fed with dry supply air via a further connector of the humidifying device1. In order to moisten the supply air by means of the humidifying device1, it is provided to transfer water and/or water vapour from the waste air of the waste air flow2enriched with water and/or water vapour flowing through the humidifying device1to the supply air of the supply air flow3to be enriched, for the purpose of which the waste air flow2and the supply air flow3are conducted past one another crossing multiple times. Following the transfer, the utilised waste air of the waste air flow2can flow out of the humidifying device1through a further connector of the humidifying device1and the moistened supply air utilised at the fuel cell as described above.

InFIG.1, a perspective view of a humidifying device1cut approximately in half, according to a first exemplary embodiment is shown. Initially, it comprises a plate stack5having a longitudinal extent along a longitudinal axis4, which comprises individual plates6that are separate and touchingly stacked onto one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis4. The individual plates6each carry a fluid-permeable membrane7, which serve for transferring water from waste air enriched with water of the waste air flow2to supply air to be enriched with water of the supply air flow3. As is noticeable inFIGS.1and2, the humidifying device1comprises a preferentially one-piece housing8, which exemplarily forms two housing openings9, of which however merely a single one is shown here. This one housing opening9is rectangular in shape although a housing opening9configured round is also conceivable in principle. At any rate, the described plate stack5is completely inserted into the housing8through this housing opening9, so that it is completely framed, protected and supported by the housing8all around.

Furthermore, the humidifying device1comprises at least one housing cover10that is embodied congruently with at least one of the housing openings9, which housing cover10can close this one housing opening9completely, in particular in a fluid-tight manner. In the direction of the longitudinal axis4, between the housing cover10installed on the housing8on the housing opening9and the plate stack5a compensating chamber11is defined. A single spreading means12is exemplarily received in the compensating chamber11. This spreading means12spreads the plate stack5and the housing cover10apart in the direction of the longitudinal axis4.

According toFIGS.1and2it is exemplarily provided to embody the spreading means12in multiple parts, for it is formed by a separate helical compression spring14touchingly supporting itself on the housing cover10, a separate sealing plate14and a separate plate seal16. The compression spring14extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis4completely through the compensating chamber11, so that it touchingly supports itself on the one hand on the housing cover10and on the other hand on the sealing plate15. Within the compensating chamber11, the sealing plate15is movably mounted on the housing8from the inside in the direction of the longitudinal axis4. On a large side facing away from the compression spring it carries the plate seal16, which is produced for example from elastic sealing material. The plate seal16is subjected to force via the sealing plate15by the compression spring14and in the direction of the longitudinal axis4touchingly clamped onto the plate stack5, so that the plate stack5is fixed in the direction of the longitudinal axis4and so that the plate stack5is quasi sealed against the compensating chamber11.

FIG.3shows in a lateral view, likeFIG.2, a humidifying device1according to a further exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. It differs from the preceding exemplary embodiment in particular by a structurally changed spreading means12. Here, the same is namely formed by a leaf spring17integrally embodied with the housing cover10, a separate sealing plate15and a separate plate seal16, wherein the sealing plate15and the plate seal16are embodied identically with respect to the preceding exemplary embodiment. In any case it is noticeable that the leaf spring17comprises at least two leaf spring legs, each of which extend angularly, in particular each at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the longitudinal axis4or the housing cover10, through the compensating chamber11towards the sealing plate in order to touchingly lie against the sealing plate15there and in order to sealingly clamp the plate seal16onto the plate stack5.

The sealing plate15shown inFIGS.1to3is exemplarily formed by a pot body18which comprises an obviously rectangular pot base19, which is framed by a completely surrounding pot wall20. The pot wall20exemplarily projects away from the pot base19at a right angle, wherein the plate seal16is realised by a flat elastic gasket21that is formed in one piece and congruently with the pot base19in terms of area.

FIG.4shows in a lateral view, likeFIGS.2and3, a humidifying device1according to the disclosure in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment. This too differs from the preceding exemplary embodiments in particular through a structurally modified spreading means12. Here, the same is formed by a separate elastic hose seal22, a separate sealing plate15and a separate plate seal16. The hose seal22is equipped with elastic material properties and touchingly arranged on the housing cover10, on the housing8and on the sealing plate15. It runs completely around the compensating chamber11for example along the housing opening9and expands in the direction of the longitudinal axis4through the compensating chamber11in order to lie against the sealing plate15in a touchingly supported manner. Within the compensating chamber11, the sealing plate15is movably mounted on the housing8from the inside in the direction of the longitudinal axis4and carries the plate seal16on a large side facing away with respect to the hose seal22. This plate seal16is subjected to force via the sealing plate15by the hose seal22, as a result of which the plate seal16is touchingly clamped onto the plate stack5. By way of this, the plate stack5can quasi be sealed against the compensating chamber11.

FIG.5shows in a lateral view, likeFIGS.2to4, a humidifying device1in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, wherein the difference with respect to the preceding exemplary embodiments here lies in that the spreading means12is structurally modified. According toFIG.5, the spreading means12is namely formed by a cured sealant23, by a separate sealing plate15and by a separate plate seal16. Furthermore, the housing8, in contrast with the preceding housings8, has at least one filling opening24. Through this filling opening24, liquid (uncured) sealing23can be flowed into the compensating chamber11as part of the assembly of the humidifying device1in particular so that it completely fills up the compensating chamber11. By way of this, it is ensured that the sealant23is touchingly arranged or flowed-on, on the one hand on the sealing plate15arranged within the compensating chamber11and on the other hand on the housing cover10and on the housing8. The liquid sealant23can cure, automatically or, externally activated, in a volume-expanding manner so that in the cured state it spreads apart the sealing plate15and the housing cover10in the direction of the longitudinal axis4. Furthermore it can completely seal the filling opening24. By way of this, the plate seal16arranged on the sealing plate15can, subjected to force, lie against the plate stack5in order to quasi seal the plate stack5against the compensating chamber11.

The preceding exemplary embodiments have in common that the housing cover or housing covers10are each formed by a round or square flat rim part26with a centrally projecting cover curvature27, seeFIGS.1and2. The cover curvature27and the flat rim part26delimit or form a curvature volume28. According toFIGS.1and2, it is noticeable that the housing cover10, in the assembled state of the humidifying device1, is arranged on the housing8so that the cover curvature27projects away from the housing8in the direction of the longitudinal axis4. By way of this, the curvature volume28and the volume of the compensating chamber11can add up, i.e., become larger. Furthermore, it can also be provided, according toFIGS.3and5, that the housing cover10, in the assembled state of the humidifying device1, is arranged on the housing8so that the cover curvature27projects in the direction of the longitudinal axis4towards the plate stack5into the housing8. By way of this, the volume of the compensating chamber11diminishes by the curvature volume28. Only the humidifying device1according to the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG.4has a flat housing cover10.

Furthermore,FIG.6shows in a lateral view, as inFIGS.2to5, a humidifying device1in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The same, too, differs from the preceding exemplary embodiments. Here, it is exemplarily provided that the spreading means12is completely replaced by a housing cover10or formed by the same. For this purpose, the housing cover10is formed as closure cover29and inserted or slid into the housing8through the housing opening9and furthermore pressed or wedged or welded or glued to the housing8from the inside. On one of its two large sides, the closure cover29carries a plate seal16which in the installed state of the closure cover29is touchingly laid against the plate stack5in order to seal the plate stack5against the surroundings. InFIG.6, it is also noticeable that the closure cover29and the plate seal16are equipped with a single air passage30, which completely penetrates the same along the longitudinal axis4. The air passage30serves for conducting through the waste air flow2or the supply air flow3mentioned at the outset. The air passage30is exemplarily formed by a hollow cylindrical connector31that extends parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis4and a passage opening32which extends parallel with respect to the longitudinal axis. The connector31for its part is integrally formed on the closure cover29, the passage opening32for its part is integrally formed on the plate seal16. The connector31and the passage opening32are orientated aligned with one another so that fluid can flow through.

Finally,FIG.7shows a humidifying device1according to a further exemplary embodiment, which is substantially constructed analogously to the humidifying device1illustrated inFIGS.1and2, so that the above explanations in this regard can also be incorporated here. The humidifying device1according toFIG.7differs from the preceding exemplary embodiments by the particularity described in the following that the housing cover10is moulded onto the housing8. By way of this, the housing cover10and the housing8form a one-piece monolithic assembly. Exemplarily, the housing cover10and the housing8are produced by a common primary moulding, for example by means of injection moulding to near the final contour. In order for the said plate stack7to be insertable into the housing8it is provided, furthermore, but not illustrated inFIG.7, that the housing8comprises at least one housing opening through which the plate stack5can be completely inserted into the housing8. By way of this, the housing is quasi open towards at least one side. This housing opening, in the assembled state of the humidifying device1, with a housing cover, is completely sealed, i.e., in particular in a fluid-tight manner. Because of this, the humidifying device1can be cost-effectively realised with a relatively low number of components.

It is understood that the foregoing description is that of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims.