Patent Publication Number: US-2023164932-A1

Title: Housing element, combination of a pressure compensation element and a housing element, and method for producing such a combination

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of international application number PCT/EP2021/069468 filed on 13 Jul. 2021 and claims the benefit of German application number 10 2020 119 211.8 filed on 21 Jul. 2020. 
     The present disclosure relates to the subject matter disclosed in international application number PCT/EP2021/069468 of 13 Jul. 2021 and German application number 10 2020 119 211.8 of 21 Jul. 2020, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present invention relates to a housing element, which comprises a housing wall and a receiving structure for a pressure compensation element, wherein the receiving structure comprises a through-opening for the passage of a gas. 
     Such a housing element serves to close an opening in a housing that comprises at least one further housing part, for example a housing body, in addition to the housing element. 
     By means of the pressure compensation element that is insertable into the housing element, it is possible to produce a pressure compensation between an inside space enclosed by the housing and an outside space of the housing. 
     In known housing elements of the aforementioned kind, there is the problem that liquid collects on the pressure compensation element mounted on the housing element and may impair the function of the pressure compensation element. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a housing element of the kind stated at the outset is created, which is configured such that the collection of liquid on a pressure compensation element mounted on the housing element is prevented or at least reduced. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, provision is made in a housing element with the features of the preamble of claim  1  that the receiving structure comprises at least one pressure compensation element abutment face that is raised, at least in sections, relative to an outer face of a base region of the housing wall. 
     Underlying the present invention is the concept of reducing or completely preventing the collection of liquid on a pressure compensation element mounted on the housing element by the pressure compensation element being arranged on a pressure compensation element abutment face that is arranged raised relative to an outer face of a base region of the housing wall of the housing element. 
     In contrast to the arrangement of the pressure compensation element on a pressure compensation element abutment face that is arranged at the same level as the outer face of the base region or even at a lower level than the outer face of the base region, the collection of liquid on the pressure compensation element is hereby reduced or completely prevented and the discharge of liquid from the pressure compensation element onto the base region of the housing wall of the housing element is promoted. 
     Each point of the pressure compensation element abutment face has an offset V along a thickness direction of the base region of the housing wall relative to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall. 
     Seen from the outer face of the base region of the housing wall, this offset V is directed outwardly, i.e., toward the outside space side of the housing element. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made that the receiving structure comprises a raised web extending around the pressure compensation element abutment face. 
     Such a raised web is preferably provided with at least one discharge opening. 
     It is particularly favorable if the web is provided with two or more discharge openings, in particular with three or more discharge openings, particularly preferably with four or more discharge openings. 
     Each discharge opening may be configured, e.g., as a recess that opens at an upper rim of the web. 
     Here, the upper rim of the web is a rim of the web that points away from the outer face of the base region of the housing wall of the housing element. 
     It is particularly favorable for the discharge of liquid from the pressure compensation element if the pressure compensation element abutment face is inclined, at least in sections, relative to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall. 
     The pressure compensation element abutment face is preferably inclined as a whole relative to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall. 
     The angle of inclination α by which the pressure compensation element abutment face is inclined relative to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall is preferably smaller than 30°, in particular smaller than 10°, particularly preferably smaller than 5°. 
     Furthermore, provision is preferably made that the angle of inclination α is greater than 1°, particularly preferably greater than 2°. 
     In a particular embodiment of the invention, provision is made that the receiving structure of the housing element comprises two partial pressure compensation element abutment faces that are inclined relative to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall and have mutually different slope directions. 
     Adjoining partial pressure compensation element abutment faces together form a pressure compensation element abutment face of the receiving structure. 
     Here, provision may be made, for example, that at least two of the partial pressure compensation element abutment faces of the receiving structure adjoin one another along a crest line and slope down from the crest line along mutually different slope directions. 
     Here, the crest line preferably runs through the longitudinal central axis of the through-opening of the receiving structure. 
     For example, a first partial pressure compensation element abutment face slopes down from this crest line along a first slope direction up to a first lowest point of the pressure compensation element abutment face, while a second partial pressure compensation element abutment face slopes down from the crest line along a second slope direction oriented opposite to the first slope direction up to a second lowest point of the pressure compensation element abutment face. 
     In this case, liquid from the pressure compensation that is mounted on the housing element can discharge from the pressure compensation element in two opposite slope directions. 
     The receiving structure is preferably formed in one piece with the housing wall, in particular in one piece with the base region of the housing wall. 
     The receiving structure is preferably formed by reshaping part of the housing wall. 
     The reshaping operation by which the receiving structure is formed from part of the housing wall may comprise, in particular, an embossing operation, a bending operation, or a deep-drawing operation. 
     The minimum offset V min  by which the lowest part of the pressure compensation element abutment face is offset outwardly in the thickness direction of the base region relative to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall may be smaller than the material thickness d of the housing wall in the base region of the housing wall. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the invention, provision may be made that the minimum offset V min  by which the lowest point of the pressure compensation element abutment face is offset outwardly in the thickness direction of the base region relative to the abutment face of the base region of the housing wall is greater than the material thickness d of the housing wall in the base region. 
     Furthermore, provision may be made that the minimum offset V min  by which the lowest point of the pressure compensation element abutment face is offset outwardly relative to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall is substantially equal to the material thickness d of the housing wall in the base region of the housing wall. 
     The housing element in accordance with the invention is suited, in particular, for use in a combination that comprises a pressure compensation element and a housing element in accordance with the invention, wherein the pressure compensation element is preferably arranged on the receiving structure of the housing element. 
     The pressure compensation element preferably comprises a pressure compensation membrane, which is arranged on the pressure compensation element abutment face of the housing element. 
     The pressure compensation element membrane may be configured as a semipermeable membrane. 
     The pressure compensation element membrane may be configured as a film. 
     The pressure compensation element membrane is preferably connected to the pressure compensation element abutment face by substance-to-substance bond. 
     In particular, provision may be made that the pressure compensation element membrane is adhesively bonded to the pressure compensation element abutment face. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made that the pressure compensation element comprises a protective cap, which covers the pressure compensation element membrane. 
     The protective cap preferably consists of a metallic material, for example a steel material or an aluminum material. 
     Such a protective cap may comprise at least one ventilation channel. 
     Provision is preferably made that the protective cap comprises two or more ventilation channels, in particular three or more ventilation channels, particularly preferably four or more ventilation channels. 
     Each ventilation channel preferably extends from an outside space-side fluid receiving space of the pressure compensation element up to an outlet opening of the respective ventilation channel. 
     The outside space-side fluid receiving space is preferably arranged on the pressure compensation element membrane located opposite the through-opening of the receiving structure of the housing element. 
     The outside space-side fluid receiving space of the pressure compensation element is preferably arranged substantially centrally on the pressure compensation element. 
     The at least one ventilation channel preferably extends from the outside space-side fluid receiving space of the pressure compensation element, for example in the radial direction, up to the outer periphery of the pressure compensation element. 
     A plurality of ventilation channels of the protective cap, which are in alignment with one another in their longitudinal direction, may together form a longer rectilinear ventilation channel. 
     In a particular embodiment of the invention, provision is made that the protective cap comprises two intersecting ventilation channels. 
     The ventilation channels may, in particular, intersect in the region of an outside space-side fluid receiving space of the pressure compensation element 
     In particular embodiments of the invention, provision is made that the protective cap comprises a collar, which laterally covers a rim of the pressure compensation element membrane. 
     In this way, in particular, a rim of the pressure compensation element membrane on the peripheral side can be protected from environmental influences. 
     The protective cap of the pressure compensation element may, in particular, be connected to the pressure compensation element membrane of the pressure compensation element by substance-to-substance bond. 
     In particular, provision may be made that the protective cap is adhesively bonded to the pressure compensation element membrane. 
     For example, provision may be made that, preferably substantially planar, regions of the protective cap that are located outside of the ventilation channel or ventilation channels of the protective cap are connected to the pressure compensation element membrane by substance-to-substance bond, particularly preferably adhesively bonded to the pressure compensation element membrane. 
     The present invention further relates to a method for producing a combination of a housing element and a pressure compensation element. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, such a method is created, by means of which a combination of a housing element and a pressure compensation element is produced in which a collection of liquid on the pressure compensation element is reduced or completely prevented. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a method for producing a combination of a housing element and a pressure compensation element is provided, wherein the method comprises the following:
         reshaping a housing wall of the housing element for forming a receiving structure;   producing a through-opening in the region of the receiving structure, wherein the receiving structure comprises at least one pressure compensation element abutment face that is raised, at least in sections, relative to an outer face of a base region of the housing wall;   arranging a pressure compensation element membrane of the pressure compensation element on the at least one pressure compensation element abutment face.       

     In a particular embodiment of this method in accordance with the invention, provision is made that a protective cap is arranged on the side of the pressure compensation element membrane of the pressure compensation element that faces away from the receiving structure of the housing element. 
     Further preferred embodiments of such a method for producing a combination of a housing element and a pressure compensation element have already been described above in connection with particular embodiments of the housing element in accordance with the invention and particular embodiments of the combination in accordance with the invention of a pressure compensation element and a housing element. 
     The method in accordance with the invention is suited, in particular, for producing the combination in accordance with the invention of a housing element and a pressure compensation element. 
     In a particular embodiment of the claimed invention, a housing element is produced by a reshaping operation and is provided with a connection geometry or receiving structure for a pressure compensation element. 
     The pressure compensation element may, in particular, be adhesively bonded onto the receiving structure of the housing element. 
     By arranging the pressure compensation element on a pressure compensation element abutment face that is raised relative to an outer face of a base region of a housing wall of the housing element, a collection of liquid on the pressure compensation element can be reduced or completely prevented, thereby avoiding an impairment to the function of the pressure compensation element. 
     The pressure compensation element abutment face is preferably oriented, at least in sections, obliquely to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall of the housing element. 
     It is thereby made possible that liquid that has collected on the pressure compensation element discharges from the pressure compensation element along the slope direction of the pressure compensation element abutment face that is sloped at least in sections. 
     The raised pressure compensation element abutment face is preferably produced by a reshaping operation, for example an embossing operation, a bending operation, or a deep-drawing operation. 
     The pressure compensation element abutment face may comprise one partial pressure compensation element abutment face oriented obliquely to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall of the housing element or two or more partial pressure compensation element abutment faces oriented obliquely to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall. 
     The pressure compensation element abutment face may be surrounded by a web, which preferably protects a peripheral face of a pressure compensation element membrane of the pressure compensation element. 
     This web may comprise a discharge opening at one or more locations, through which liquid from the pressure compensation element can flow onto the outer face of the base region of the housing wall of the housing element. 
     The receiving structure of the housing element is preferably surrounded by the base region of the housing wall of the housing element. 
     Provision is preferably made that the base region of the housing wall of the housing element directly adjoins the receiving structure of the housing element. 
     The outer face of the base region of the housing wall of the housing element is preferably of substantially planar configuration. 
     The pressure compensation element may comprise a protective cap. 
     The protective cap may be connected to a pressure compensation element membrane of the pressure compensation element and/or to the receiving structure of the housing element by substance-to-substance bond. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made that the protective cap is connected to the pressure compensation element membrane of the pressure compensation element and/or to the receiving structure of the housing element by adhesion. 
     The protective cap may comprise one or more ventilation channels, which serve to and/or aerate and/or ventilate the protective cap or the pressure compensation element. 
     Such a ventilation channel may be configured, e.g., as a bead. 
     The protective cap may comprise a collar, which projects beyond a peripheral rim of a pressure compensation element membrane of the pressure compensation element, in order to protect said peripheral rim of the pressure compensation element membrane. 
     Such a collar may be formed, in particular, by a reshaping operation, for example by an embossing operation, a bending operation, or a deep-drawing operation on the protective cap. 
     The housing element may be configured, in particular, as a housing cover. 
     The protective cap may comprise a metallic material. The protective cap is preferably made of a metallic material. 
     If the minimum offset V min  of the pressure compensation element abutment face of the receiving structure of the housing element relative to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall of the housing element is smaller than the material thickness d of the housing wall in the base region, the receiving structure is preferably produced by an embossing operation. 
     If the minimum offset V min  of the pressure compensation element abutment face of the receiving structure of the housing element relative to the outer face of the base region of the housing wall of the housing element is equal to or greater than the material thickness d of the housing wall in the base region, the receiving structure is preferably produced by a bending operation or a deep-drawing operation. 
     Further features and advantages of the invention are subject matter of the subsequent description and the graphical representation of exemplary embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    shows a perspective depiction of a combination of a housing element and a pressure compensation element, wherein the housing element comprises a housing wall and a receiving structure for the pressure compensation element, wherein the receiving structure comprises a through-opening for the passage of a gas and at least one pressure compensation element abutment face that is raised relative to an outer face of a base region of the housing wall, with the viewing direction toward the outside space side of the housing element; 
         FIG.  2    shows a plan view of the combination of the housing element and the pressure compensation element from  FIG.  1   , with a view to the outside space side of the housing element; 
         FIG.  3    shows a perspective exploded depiction of the combination of the housing element and the pressure compensation element from  FIGS.  1  and  2   , wherein the housing element, a pressure compensation element membrane of the pressure compensation element, and a protective cap of the pressure compensation element are depicted spaced at a distance from one another along a longitudinal central axis of the receiving structure; 
         FIG.  4    shows a sectional longitudinal cut through of the combination of the housing element and the pressure compensation element from  FIGS.  1  to  3   , along line  4 - 4  in  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  5    shows a perspective depiction of the pressure compensation element from  FIGS.  1  to  4   , with the viewing direction toward a bottom side of the pressure compensation element membrane of the pressure compensation element that faces away from the protective cap of the pressure compensation element; 
         FIG.  6    shows a perspective depiction of the protective cap of the pressure compensation element from  FIG.  5   , with the viewing direction toward a bottom side of the protective cap that faces toward the pressure compensation element membrane in the mounted state of the pressure compensation element; 
         FIG.  7    shows a perspective depiction of the housing element from  FIGS.  1  to  4   , with the viewing direction toward an outside space side of the housing element; 
         FIG.  8    shows a perspective depiction of a second embodiment of a combination of a housing element and a pressure compensation element, wherein the protective cap of the pressure compensation element comprises a collar, which laterally covers a peripheral rim of the pressure compensation element membrane; 
         FIG.  9    shows a plan view of the combination of the housing element and the pressure compensation element from  FIG.  8   , with the viewing direction toward the outside space side of the housing element; 
         FIG.  10    shows a perspective exploded depiction of the combination of a housing element and a pressure compensation element from  FIGS.  8  and  9   , wherein the housing element, a pressure compensation element membrane of the pressure compensation element, and the protective cap of the pressure compensation element are depicted spaced at a distance from one another along a longitudinal central axis of the receiving structure for the pressure compensation element; 
         FIG.  11    shows a sectional longitudinal cut through of the combination of the housing element and the pressure compensation element from  FIGS.  8  to  10   , along line  11 - 11  in  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  12    shows a perspective depiction of the pressure compensation element from  FIGS.  8  to  11   , with the viewing direction toward a bottom side of the pressure compensation element that faces toward the receiving structure of the housing element in the mounted state of the pressure compensation element; 
         FIG.  13    shows a perspective depiction of the protective cap of the pressure compensation element from  FIGS.  8  to  12   , with the viewing direction toward a bottom side of the protective cap that faces toward the pressure compensation element membrane in the mounted state of the pressure compensation element; 
         FIG.  14    shows a perspective depiction of the housing element from  FIGS.  8  to  11   , with the viewing direction toward the outside space side of the housing element; 
         FIG.  15    shows a sectional longitudinal cut corresponding to  FIG.  4    through a third embodiment of a combination of a housing element and a pressure compensation element, wherein the protective cap of the pressure compensation element comprises a collar, which laterally covers a rim of the pressure compensation element membrane, and wherein the pressure compensation element abutment face of the receiving structure of the housing element is oriented substantially in parallel to an outer face of a base region of the housing wall; 
         FIG.  16    shows a sectional longitudinal cut corresponding to  FIG.  4    through a fourth embodiment of a combination of a housing element and a pressure compensation element, wherein a protective cap of the pressure compensation element comprises a collar, which laterally covers a rim of a pressure compensation element membrane of the pressure compensation element, and wherein the receiving structure comprises two partial compensation element abutment faces that are inclined relative to an outer face of a base region of the housing wall of the housing element, said partial pressure compensation element abutment faces having mutually different slope directions; 
         FIG.  17    shows a sectional longitudinal cut corresponding to  FIG.  15    through a fifth embodiment of a combination of a housing element and a pressure compensation element, wherein the housing wall of the housing element has a smaller material thickness d than in the third embodiment depicted in  FIG.  15   ; 
         FIG.  18    shows a sectional longitudinal cut corresponding to  FIG.  16    through a sixth embodiment of a combination of a housing element and a pressure compensation element, wherein a housing wall of the housing element has a smaller material thickness d than in the fourth embodiment depicted in  FIG.  16   ; and 
         FIG.  19    shows a sectional longitudinal cut corresponding to  FIG.  4    through a seventh embodiment of a combination of a housing element and a pressure compensation element, wherein a housing wall of the housing element has a smaller material thickness d than in the first embodiment depicted in  FIG.  4   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The same or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals in all Figures. 
     A combination, depicted in  FIGS.  1  to  7    and denoted as a whole with  100 , of a housing element  102  and a pressure compensation element  104  serves to close an opening in a housing (not depicted as a whole) by means of the housing element  102 , said housing comprising at least one further housing part, for example a housing body, in addition to the depicted housing element  102 , and to produce a pressure compensation between an inside space enclosed by the housing and an outside space of the housing by means of the pressure compensation element  104 . 
     The housing element  102  is configured, e.g., as a housing cover  106 . 
     The housing element  102  may comprise one or more fastening means through-openings  108  through which, in the assembled state of the housing, fastening means, for example screws, can extend in order to, preferably releasably, fix the housing element  102  to another housing part. 
     The housing element  102  comprises a housing wall  110  that is preferably configured, at least in sections, in the form of a plate  112 . 
     The housing wall  110  preferably consists of a metallic material, for example a steel material or an aluminum material. 
     An aluminum material may be an aluminum alloy or substantially pure aluminum. 
     The housing wall  110  comprises an outer face  116  arranged on an outside space side  114  of the housing element  102 , said outer face  116  preferably being of substantially planar configuration. 
     The housing element  102  further comprises a receiving structure  118  for accommodating the pressure compensation element  104 . 
     As can best be seen in  FIGS.  3  and  7   , the receiving structure  118  comprises a pressure compensation element abutment face  120 , which is of raised configuration relative to the outer face  116  of the base region  112  of the housing wall  110  surrounding the receiving structure  118 . 
     The pressure compensation element abutment face  120  is thus offset outwardly by an offset V along a thickness direction  124  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  relative to the outer face  116 . 
     Furthermore, the pressure compensation element abutment face  120  is inclined by an angle α relative to the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110 . 
     The offset V min  outwards along the thickness direction  124  of the base region  122  relative to the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  is thus minimum at a point  126  of the pressure compensation element abutment face  120  depicted on the left in the sectional view of  FIG.  4   , while the offset V max  outwards along the thickness direction  124  of the base region  122  relative to the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  is maximum at a point  128  of the pressure compensation element abutment face  120  depicted on the right in  FIG.  4   . 
     In the first embodiment depicted in  FIGS.  1  to  7   , the minimum offset V min  of the pressure compensation element abutment face  120  relative to the outer face  116  is smaller than the material thickness d of the housing wall  110  in the base region  122 . 
     For example, provision may be made that V min  is smaller than half, in particular smaller than a fourth, of the material thickness d of the housing wall  110  in the base region  122 . 
     The maximum offset V max  of the pressure compensation element abutment face  120  relative to the outer face  116  is preferably also smaller than the material thickness d of the housing wall  110  in the base region  122 . 
     Provision is preferably made that V max  is smaller than half, in particular smaller than a third, of the material thickness d of the housing wall  110  in the base region  122 . 
     The angle of inclination α by which the pressure compensation element abutment face  120  is inclined relative to the substantially planar outer face  116  is preferably smaller than 30°, in particular smaller than 10°, particularly preferably smaller than 5°. 
     Furthermore, provision is preferably made that the angle of inclination α is greater than 1°, particularly preferably greater than 2°. 
     The receiving structure  118  for the pressure compensation element  104  further comprises a raised web  130  extending around the pressure compensation element abutment face  120 . 
     As can best be seen in  FIGS.  3  and  7   , the web  130  is provided with at least one discharge opening  132 . 
     The web  130  is preferably provided with two or more discharge openings  132 , for example with at least three discharge openings  132 , particularly preferably with at least four discharge openings  132 . 
     Here, a discharge opening  132   a  is preferably arranged adjacent to the lowest point  126  of the pressure compensation element abutment face  120  at which the pressure compensation element abutment face  120  has the smallest offset V min  relative to the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110 . 
     A discharge opening  132   b  is preferably arranged adjacent to the highest point  128  of the pressure compensation element abutment face  120  at which the pressure compensation element abutment face  120  has the greatest offset V max  relative to the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110 . 
     The two discharge openings  132   a  and  132   b  are preferably located diametrically opposed to one another. 
     Further discharge openings  132   c  and/or  132   d  may be arranged between the discharge openings  132   a  and  132   b  in the peripheral direction of the web  130 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, provision is made that the discharge openings  132  are distributed substantially equidistantly along the periphery of the web  130 . 
     The discharge openings  132  serve to allow liquid that has collected in the pressure compensation element  104  to discharge through the web  130  onto the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  of the housing element  102 . 
     The discharge openings  132  may be configured, e.g., as recesses  134 , which extend from an upper rim  135  of the web  130  in the direction toward the pressure compensation element abutment face  120 . 
     As can best be seen in  FIG.  4   , the receiving structure  118  further comprises a through-opening  136 , which extends from an inner face  140  of the receiving structure  118  that faces toward an inside space side  138  of the housing element  102  through the full material thickness of the housing wall  110  and opens at the pressure compensation element abutment face  120  of the receiving structure  118 . 
     The passage opening  136  is preferably arranged substantially centrally on the pressure compensation element abutment face  120 . 
     The passage opening  136  may extend in a direction substantially parallel to the thickness direction  124  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110 . 
     The material thickness d of the housing wall  110  is preferably smaller than 5 mm, in particular smaller than 4 mm, particularly preferably smaller than 3 mm. 
     Furthermore, the material thickness d of the housing wall  110  is preferably greater than 0.5 mm, in particular greater than 0.8 mm, particularly preferably greater than 1.2 mm. 
     The receiving structure  118  is produced on the housing element  102 , for example, by a reshaping operation, for example an embossing operation, a bending operation, or a deep-drawing operation, being performed on the material of the housing wall  110  in the region of the housing wall  110  in which the through-opening  136  is to be arranged, in order to form the receiving structure  118  with the raised pressure compensation element abutment face  120 . 
     Then, the passage opening  136  is separated out of the material of the housing wall  110 , for example by drilling, milling, cutting, preferably by means of a laser, or by punching. 
     In principle, the through-opening  136  may also first be separated out of the material of the housing wall  110 , for example by drilling, milling, cutting, preferably by means of a laser, or by punching, and then a reshaping operation may be performed on the remaining material of the housing wall, by which the receiving structure  118  with the raised pressure compensation element abutment face  120  relative to the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  is formed. 
     Such a reshaping operation may be, in particular, an embossing operation, a bending operation, or a deep-drawing operation. 
     This pressure compensation element  104  to be arranged on the receiving structure  118  comprises a pressure compensation element membrane  140 . 
     The pressure compensation element membrane  140  may be configured, in particular, as a semipermeable membrane. 
     The outer contour of the pressure compensation element membrane  140  corresponds substantially to the outer contour of the pressure compensation element abutment face  120  of the receiving structure  118  of the housing element  102 , such that the pressure compensation element membrane  140 , in the mounted state of the pressure compensation element  104 , substantially completely covers the pressure compensation element abutment face  120  and the through-opening  136  of the receiving structure  118 . 
     In order to fix the pressure compensation element membrane  140  to the receiving structure  118 , provision is preferably made that the pressure compensation element membrane  140  is connected to the receiving structure  118  by substance-to-substance bond, for example by adhesion. 
     As can best be seen in  FIG.  4   , the thickness of the pressure compensation element membrane  140  (including the adhesive layer between the pressure compensation element membrane  140  and the pressure compensation element abutment face  120 , as the case may be) corresponds substantially to the height of the web  130  in the region of one of the discharge openings  130  over the pressure compensation element abutment face  120  or is less than this height, such that the peripheral face of the pressure compensation element membrane  140  is laterally covered and thus protected from environmental influences by the web  130  of the receiving structure  130 . 
     The pressure compensation element  104  further comprises a protective cap  142 , which covers the pressure compensation element membrane  140 , such that a top side  144  of the pressure compensation element membrane  140 , which faces away from the pressure compensation element abutment face  120 , is also protected. 
     The protective cap  142  comprises at least one ventilation channel  146 . 
     Such a ventilation channel  146  serves to aerate and/or to ventilate the pressure compensation element  104 . 
     Provision is preferably made that such a ventilation channel  146  extends from an outside space-side fluid receiving space  148  up to an outlet opening  150  on the periphery of the protective cap  142 . 
     The outside space-side fluid receiving space  148  is preferably arranged such that, in the mounted state of the pressure compensation element  104 , it is located opposite the through-opening  136  of the receiving structure  118  of the housing element  102 . 
     As can best be seen in  FIG.  1  to  3  or  6   , provision may be made that the protective cap  142  comprises a plurality of ventilation channels  146 , which extend radially outwardly from the outside space-side fluid receiving space  148  up to the outer periphery of the protective cap  142 . 
     The fluid receiving space  148  is preferably arranged substantially centrally on the protective cap  142 . 
     The outlet openings  150  of the ventilation channels  146  of the protective cap  142  are preferably each arranged in alignment with a respective one of the discharge openings  132  of the web  130  of the receiving structure  118  of the housing element  102 . 
     In particular, provision may thus be made that an outlet opening  150   a  of a first ventilation channel  146   a  is in alignment with the discharge opening  132   a , which is arranged adjacent to the lowest point  126  of the pressure compensation element abutment face  120 . 
     An outlet opening  150   b  of a second ventilation channel  146   b  is preferably in alignment with the discharge opening  132   a,  which is arranged adjacent to the highest point  128  of the pressure compensation element abutment face  120 . 
     The outlet openings  150   c  and  150   d  of a third ventilation channel  146   c  and of a fourth ventilation channel  146   d,  respectively, are preferably in alignment with the discharge openings  132   c  and  132   d,  respectively, of the web  130 , which are arranged along the periphery of the web  130  between the discharge openings  132   a  and  132   b.    
     The ventilation channels  146  are provided, for example, by part of a disc-shaped protective cap preform being bent out of the plane of a top side  152  of the protective cap  142 . 
     This reshaping operation may be a bending operation, an embossing operation, or a deep-drawing operation. 
     In the graphically depicted embodiment, the first ventilation channel  146   a  and the second ventilation channel  146   b  are in alignment with one another, such that they can be seen as one single rectilinear ventilation channel  146 ′ that extends from the outlet opening  150   a  up to the outlet opening  150   b.    
     Furthermore, the third ventilation channel  146   c  and the fourth ventilation channel  146   d  are preferably in alignment with one another, such that these ventilation channels together can be seen as one rectilinear ventilation channel  146 ″ that extends from the outlet opening  150   c  up to the outlet opening  150   d.    
     The two rectilinear ventilation channels  146 ′ and  146 ″ cross or intersect in the region of the outside space-side fluid receiving space  148  of the protective cap  142 . 
     The protective cap  142  preferably consists of a metallic material, for example a steel material or an aluminum material. 
     An aluminum material may be an aluminum alloy or substantially pure aluminum. 
     The material thickness of the protective cap  142  is preferably smaller than the material thickness d of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  of the housing element  102 . 
     The material thickness of the protective cap  142  is preferably smaller than 1.0 mm, in particular smaller than 0.8 mm, particularly preferably smaller than 0.5 mm. 
     Furthermore, the material thickness of the protective cap  142  is preferably greater than 0.1 mm, in particular greater than 0.2 mm, particularly preferably greater than 0.3 mm. 
     In the operation of the pressure compensation element  104 , a preferably gaseous fluid, for example air, can travel through the through-opening  136  of the receiving structure  118  of the housing element  102  from an inside space-side fluid receiving space  154 , which is arranged on the inside space side  138  of the housing element  102 , to the pressure compensation element membrane  140  and through the pressure compensation element membrane  140  into the outside space-side fluid receiving space  148  of the pressure compensation element  104 . 
     From the outside space-side fluid receiving space  148 , the fluid travels through the ventilation channels  146  in the protective cap  142  to the outlet openings  150  of the ventilation channels  146  and from there to the outside space side  114  of the housing element  102 . 
     A second embodiment, depicted in  FIGS.  8  to  14   , of a combination  100  of a housing element  102  and a pressure compensation element  104  differs from the first embodiment depicted in  FIGS.  1  to  7    in that the protective cap  142  comprises a collar  156 , which laterally covers a peripheral rim  158  of the pressure compensation element membrane  140 . 
     As can best be seen in the sectional view in  FIG.  11   , the collar  156  projects in the radial direction beyond the web  130  of the receiving structure  118  of the housing element  102 , such that a gap  160  remains between the collar  156  of the protective cap  142  on the one hand and the web  130  of the receiving structure  118  of the housing element  102  on the other hand, through which gap  160  fluid can travel from the ventilation channels  146  of the protective cap  142  to the outside space side  114  of the housing element  102  or can travel from the outside space side  114  of the housing element  102  into the ventilation channels  146  of the protective cap  142  of the pressure compensation element  104 . 
     In this embodiment, the web  130  of the receiving structure  118  of the housing element  102  preferably has the same height everywhere along its periphery, which substantially corresponds to the thickness of the pressure compensation element membrane  140  (including an adhesive layer between the pressure compensation element membrane  140  and the pressure compensation element abutment face  120 , as the case may be). 
     In this embodiment, in principle, fluid arranged on the top side  144  of the pressure compensation element membrane  140  is therefore able to discharge onto the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  of the housing element  102  at any point of the web  130 . 
     In all other respects, the second embodiment depicted in  FIGS.  8  to  14    of a combination  100  of a housing element and a pressure compensation element  104  corresponds with respect to structure, function, and production method with the first embodiment depicted in  FIGS.  1  to  7   , to the preceding description of which reference is made in this regard. 
     A third embodiment, depicted in  FIG.  15   , of a combination  100  of a housing element  102  and a pressure compensation element  104  differs from the second embodiment depicted in  FIGS.  8  to  14    in that the pressure compensation element abutment face  120  of the receiving structure  118  is not inclined relative to the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  of the housing element  102 , but instead is oriented substantially in parallel to the outer face  116 . 
     In all other respects, the third embodiment depicted in  FIG.  15    of a combination  100  a housing element  102  and a pressure compensation element  104  corresponds with respect to structure, function, and production method with the second embodiment depicted in  FIGS.  8  to  14   , to the preceding description of which reference is made in this regard. 
     In a variant of the third embodiment, provision could also be made that the protective cap  142  comprises no collar  156 , but instead the ventilation channels  146  open at their respective outlet openings  150  on the outside space side  114  of the housing element  102 . 
     A fourth embodiment depicted in  FIG.  16    of a combination  100  of a housing element  102  and a pressure compensation element  104  differs from the second embodiment depicted in  FIGS.  8  to  14    in that the receiving structure  118  of the housing element  102  comprises not one single pressure compensation element abutment face  120  with a constant inclination relative to the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  of the housing element  102 , but instead comprises two partial pressure compensation element abutment faces  161   a  and  161   b  inclined relative to the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110 , said partial pressure compensation element abutment faces  161   a  and  161   b  adjoining one another along a crest line  164  and sloping down from the crest line  164  along mutually different slope directions  162   a  and  162   b,  respectively. 
     The two partial pressure compensation element abutment faces  161   a  and  161   b  together form the pressure compensation element abutment face  120  of the receiving structure  118 . 
     The crest line  164  preferably runs through the longitudinal central axis of the through-opening  136  of the receiving structure  118 . 
     The partial pressure compensation element abutment face  161   a  depicted on the left in  FIG.  16    slopes down from this crest line  164  along a slope direction  162   b  running from right to left in  FIG.  16    toward a first lowest point  126   a  of the pressure compensation element abutment face  120 . 
     Furthermore, the second partial pressure compensation element abutment face  161   b  slopes down from the crest line  164  along a slope direction  162   b  running from left to right in  FIG.  16    toward a second lowest point  126   b  of the pressure compensation element abutment face  120 . 
     In this embodiment, the crest line  164  preferably runs in parallel to the second rectilinear ventilation channel  146 ″ and substantially perpendicularly to the first rectilinear ventilation channel  146 ′. 
     In this embodiment, the web  130  protecting the peripheral rim of the pressure compensation element membrane  140  may be omitted. 
     In this embodiment, liquids located on the top side  144  of the pressure compensation element membrane  140  flow to substantially the same extent via the first lowest point  126   a  and via the second lowest point  126   b  of the pressure compensation element abutment face  120  onto the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  of the housing element  102  when the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  is oriented substantially horizontally. 
     In all other respects, the fourth embodiment depicted in  FIG.  16    of a combination  100  of a housing element  102  and a pressure compensation element  104  corresponds with respect to structure, function, and production method with the second embodiment depicted in  FIGS.  8  to  14   , to the preceding description of which reference is made in this regard. 
     A fifth embodiment depicted in  FIG.  17    of a combination  100  of a housing element  102  and a pressure compensation element  104  differs from the third embodiment depicted in  FIG.  15    in that the minimum offset V min  of the pressure compensation element abutment face  120  relative to the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  of the housing element  102  along the thickness direction  124  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  is equal to or greater than the material thickness d of the housing wall  110  in the base region  122 . 
     In this embodiment, the receiving structure  118  of the housing element  102  transitions into the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  not in a step, but along a slope  166 . 
     The angle of inclination β of the slope  166  relative to the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  is preferably more than 20°, in particular more than 30°, particularly preferably more than 40°. 
     Furthermore, the angle of inclination β of the slope  166  relative to the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  is preferably less than 70°, in particular less than 60°, particularly preferably less than 50°. 
     The reshaping operation by means of which the receiving structure  118  of the housing element  102  is produced in this embodiment is preferably a bending operation or a deep-drawing operation. 
     In all other respects, the fifth embodiment depicted in  FIG.  17    of a combination  100  of a housing element  102  and a pressure compensation element  104  corresponds with respect to structure, function, and production method with the third embodiment depicted in  FIG.  15   , to the preceding description of which reference is made in this regard. 
     A sixth embodiment depicted in  FIG.  18    of a combination of a housing element  102  and a pressure compensation element  104  differs from the fourth embodiment depicted in  FIG.  16    in that the minimum offset V min  of the partial pressure compensation element abutment faces  161   a  and  161   b  relative to the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  of the housing element  102  along the thickness direction  124  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  is equal to or greater than the material thickness d of the housing wall  110  in the base region  122 . 
     In this embodiment, the receiving structure  118  of the housing element  102  therefore transitions into the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  not in a step, but along a slope  166 . 
     The angle of inclination β of the slope  166  relative to the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  is preferably more than 20°, in particular more than 30°, particularly preferably more than 40°. 
     Furthermore, the angle of inclination β of the slope  166  relative to the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  is preferably less than 70°, in particular less than 60°, particularly preferably less than 50°. 
     The reshaping operation by means of which the receiving structure  118  of the housing element  102  is produced in this embodiment is preferably a bending operation or a deep-drawing operation. 
     Furthermore, in the sixth embodiment depicted in  FIG.  18   , provision may be made that the protective cap  142  of the pressure compensation element  104  comprises no collar  156 , which laterally covers a peripheral rim  158  of the pressure compensation element membrane  140 . 
     Instead, provision may be made that the ventilation channels  146  of the protective cap  142  open at their peripheral outlet openings  150  directly on the outside space side  114  of the housing element  102 . 
     In all other respects, the sixth embodiment depicted in  FIG.  18    of a combination  100  of a housing element  102  and a pressure compensation element  104  corresponds with respect to structure, function, and production method with the fourth embodiment depicted in  FIG.  16   , to the preceding description of which reference is made in this regard. 
     A seventh embodiment depicted in  FIG.  19    of a combination  100  of a housing element  102  and a pressure compensation element  104  differs from the first embodiment depicted in  FIGS.  1  to  7    in that the minimum offset V min  of the pressure compensation element abutment face  120  relative to the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  of the housing element  102  along the thickness direction  124  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  is equal to or greater than the material thickness d of the housing wall  110  in the base region  122 . 
     In this embodiment, the receiving structure  118  of the housing element  102  therefore transitions into the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  not in a step, but along a slope  166 . 
     In this embodiment, due to the inclination of the pressure compensation element abutment face  120  relative to the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110 , the angle of inclination β of the slope  166  relative to the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  may vary along the periphery of the receiving structure  118 . 
     The angle of inclination β preferably has its smallest value β min  adjacent to the lowest point  126  of the pressure compensation element abutment face  120  and its greatest value β max  adjacent to the highest point  128  of the pressure compensation element abutment face  120 . 
     The smallest angle of inclination β of the slope  166  relative to the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  is preferably more than 20°, in particular more than 30°, particularly preferably more than 40°. 
     Furthermore, the smallest angle of inclination β min  of the slope  166  relative to the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  is preferably less than 70°, in particular less than 60°, particularly preferably less than 50°. 
     The greatest angle of inclination β max  of the slope  166  relative to the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  is preferably more than 40°, in particular more than 50°, particularly preferably more than 60°. 
     Furthermore, the greatest angle of inclination β max  of the slope  166  relative to the outer face  116  of the base region  122  of the housing wall  110  is preferably less than 85°, in particular less than 80°, particularly preferably less than 70°. 
     The reshaping operation by means of which the receiving structure  118  of the housing element  102  is produced in this embodiment is preferably a bending operation or a deep-drawing operation. 
     In principle, the protective cap  142  may comprise a collar  156  in the seventh embodiment depicted in  FIG.  19   , too, which laterally covers a peripheral rim  158  of the pressure compensation element membrane  140 . 
     In all other respects, the seventh embodiment depicted in  FIG.  19    of a combination  100  of a housing element  102  and a pressure compensation element  104  corresponds with respect to structure, function, and production method with the first embodiment depicted in  FIGS.  1  to  7   , to the preceding description of which reference is made in this regard.