The invention relates to an electrical device comprising a metal device housing and at least one electrical component which is located in the metal device housing.
The invention is based on the object of specifying an electrical device which allows the interior of the device to be ventilated and vented and, in spite of this, ensures adequate fire protection in the event of a fire.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by an electrical device having the features as claimed in patent claim 1. Advantageous refinements of the electrical device according to the invention are specified in dependent claims.
Accordingly, the invention makes provision for there to be an opening in the metal device housing, a ventilation element which allows the interior of the device housing to be ventilated and vented through at least one aeration channel of the ventilation element being inserted into said opening, wherein the ventilation element is composed of a material of which the volume increases, and as a result the at least one aeration channel closes, when an activation temperature is reached in the event of said material being heated.
A significant advantage of the electrical device according to the invention is that it is possible to ventilate and vent the interior of the device owing to the use of the ventilation element which is provided according to the invention. Ventilation or venting in this way advantageously makes it possible to prevent water of condensation forming in the interior of the device or to discharge water of condensation, which has been produced, again by ventilation and venting.
A further significant advantage of the electrical device is that adequate fire protection is ensured in spite of the presence of an opening in the device housing. If, specifically, the device catches fire, the material which is provided according to the invention reaches a prespecified activation temperature and then its volume increases; this leads to the ventilation element being closed, so that said ventilation element is hermetically sealed. Therefore, supply of oxygen and therefore boosting of the fire within the electrical device are prevented.
Since particularly stringent requirements in respect of fire protection are in place in the vehicle sector, in particular in the rail vehicle sector, it is considered to be advantageous when the electrical device forms a component of a vehicle, in particular of a rail vehicle.
The electrical device is preferably arranged within the vehicle.
The electrical device preferably contains a drive component or an electrical actuation component for a drive component of the vehicle.
The electrical device can form, for example, a switchgear cabinet which contains at least one electrical switching element. As an alternative or in addition, the electrical device can form a distributor cabinet which contains at least one electrical distributor element.
The material of which the volume increases when the activation temperature is reached preferably expands when it is heated. The material is preferably an intumescent material.
In order to allow the aeration channel to be reliably closed, it is considered to be advantageous when the at least one aeration channel, at least in sections, is arranged in the material and passes through said material.
In order to allow the ventilation element to be fitted in the opening in the device housing in a simple manner, it is considered to be advantageous when the ventilation element comprises a metal ring which is inserted into the opening in the metal device housing, and when the metal ring supports the material.
The air is preferably deflected through at least 180° in the aeration channel. In a refinement of this kind, it is advantageously possible for the ingress of water into the interior of the device to be made more difficult.
According to a particularly preferred refinement of the electrical device, provision is made for the aeration channel to have at least one inner channel opening on the inside of the device and at least one outer channel opening on the outside of the device, and for the channel openings to not overlap as seen perpendicular to the opening area of the opening in the device housing.
The invention further relates to a rail vehicle comprising an electrical device. According to the invention, provision is made for there to be an opening in a metal device housing of the electrical device, a ventilation element which allows the interior of the device housing to be ventilated and vented through at least one aeration channel of the ventilation element being inserted into said opening, wherein the ventilation element has a material of which the volume increases, and as a result the at least one aeration channel closes, when an activation temperature is reached in the event of said material being heated.
In respect of the advantages of the rail vehicle according to the invention, reference should be made to the above statements in connection with the electrical device according to the invention since the advantages of the electrical device according to the invention substantially correspond to those of the rail vehicle according to the invention.
The invention further relates to a method for ventilating an electrical device comprising a metal device housing in which at least one electrical component is located. In respect of a method of this kind, provision is made, according to the invention, for the interior of the device housing to be ventilated and vented by an aeration channel in a ventilation element, which is inserted into an opening in the metal device housing, provided that the temperature in the region of the ventilation element is below a prespecified activation temperature, and the at least one aeration channel is closed due to an increase in the volume of a material of the ventilation element when the prespecified activation temperature is reached or exceeded.
In respect of the advantages of the method according to the invention, reference should be made to the above statements in connection with the electrical device according to the invention since the advantages of the electrical device according to the invention substantially correspond to those of the method according to the invention.
The invention will be explained in greater detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments in which, by way of example,
For the sake of clarity, the same reference symbols are always used for identical or comparable components in the figures.
The ventilation element 50 comprises a metal ring 60 which comprises a flange section 70 and also a screw section 80. The flange section 70 is situated on a sealing ring 90 which is arranged between the flange section 70 and the outside 100 of the housing wall 110 of the metal device housing 25.
The screw section 80 of the metal ring 60 extends through the opening 40 in the housing wall 110 of the metal device housing 25 and is fixed in the opening 40 by means of a nut 120. Said figure shows that the nut 120 bears on the inside 130 of the housing wall 110 of the device.
An aeration channel 160 which has an inner channel opening 170 on the inside of the device and also has a large number of outer channel openings 180 on the outside 100 of the device extends through the ventilation element 50. It is possible to ventilate and vent the interior of the electrical device 20 according to
If there is a fire in the interior of the electrical device 20 according to
As further shown in
Said figure further shows the nut 120 which is screwed onto the screw section 80 of the metal ring 60 and, together with the flange section 70, holds the ventilation element 50 against the housing wall 110.
The sealing ring 90, illustrated in
In contrast to the exemplary embodiment according to
Otherwise, the exemplary embodiment according to
Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail by preferred exemplary embodiments, the invention is not restricted by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived from said examples by a person skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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102012207013.3 | Apr 2012 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2013/056882 | 4/2/2013 | WO | 00 |