Venting Device

Abstract

A venting device for insertion into an opening ( 2 ) of an enclosure having a wall ( 3 ) with an interior surface and an exterior surface comprises a body ( 11; 21; 31 ) having an insertion portion ( 12; 22; 32 ) for insertion into the opening ( 2 ) of the enclosure and a head portion ( 13; 23; 33 ). The body ( 11; 21; 31 ) has a passageway ( 14; 24; 34 ) that extends through the insertion portion ( 12; 22; 32 ) and the head portion ( 13; 23; 33 ) for passage of a fluid from the enclosure ( 7 ) to the ambient environment ( 6 ). The venting device further comprises an air permeable, water impermeable venting element ( 15; 25; 35 ) covering the passageway ( 14; 24; 34 ). An engagement section ( 16; 26; 36 ) is arranged circumferentially about the insertion portion ( 12; 22; 32 ) for engagement with the wall ( 3 ) of the enclosure. The engagement section ( 16; 26; 36 ) is radially deformable so as to provide a resisting force against withdrawal from the wall ( 3 ) when the venting device ( 10; 20; 30 ) is inserted in the opening ( 2 ), whereby the engagement section ( 16; 26; 36 ) is specifically adapted to permit insertion of the venting device ( 10; 20; 30 ) into openings of enclosures with different wall thicknesses.

1 . A venting device for insertion into a opening of an enclosure having a wall with an interior surface and an exterior surface, the venting device comprising:
 a body having an insertion portion for insertion into the opening of the enclosure and a head portion, the body having a passageway extending through the insertion portion and the head portion for passage of a fluid from the enclosure to the ambient environment,   an air permeable, water impermeable venting element covering the passageway, and   an engagement section arranged circumferentially about the insertion portion for engagement with the wall of the enclosure, the engagement section being radially deformable so as to provide a resisting force against withdrawal from the wall when the venting device is inserted in the opening, wherein the engagement section is adapted to permit insertion of the venting device into openings of enclosures with different wall thicknesses.   
     
     
         2 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The venting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the insertion portion comprises a structural core section and the engagement section, wherein the structural core section comprises a first material having a first modulus of elasticity and the engagement section comprises a second material having a second modulus of elasticity lower than the first modulus, the engagement section further comprising a plurality of radial engagement members spaced apart along the length of the insertion portion and radially extending from the insertion portion. 
     
     
         16 . The venting device according to  claim 15 , wherein the cross-section of the engagement members reduces in width from a radially inner base to a radially outer free end. 
     
     
         17 . The venting device according to  claim 16 , wherein the engagement members each have a substantially triangular cross-section. 
     
     
         18 . The venting device according to  claim 17 , wherein the surfaces of the engagement members facing the head portion are substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the insertion portion. 
     
     
         19 . The venting device according to  claim 15 , wherein the radial engagement members form a saw-tooth profile on the engagement section. 
     
     
         20 . The venting device according to  claim 15 , wherein the engagement members are pliable. 
     
     
         21 . The venting device according to  claim 15 , wherein the engagement members radially extend from the insertion portion along the circumference of the insertion portion so as to provide radial sealing lips when the venting device is inserted in an opening of an enclosure. 
     
     
         22 . The venting device according to  claim 15 , wherein the engagement section comprises three or preferably four or more, preferably five, engagement members with a pitch of about 1 mm. 
     
     
         23 . The venting device according to  claim 15 , wherein the engagement section and the engagement members comprise a thermoplastic elastomer material or rubber and the structural core comprises a thermoplastic polymer or copolymer selected from the group of polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyester, polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         24 . The venting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the engagement section comprises two or more radial locking elements radially extending from the insertion portion of the body of the venting device, the radial locking elements being for engagement with the interior surface of the wall of the enclosure, wherein at least two of the radial locking elements are positioned at differing distances from the head portion of the body of the venting device. 
     
     
         25 . The venting device according to  claim 24 , wherein the radial locking elements are formed as flexural arms. 
     
     
         26 . The venting device according to  claim 24 , wherein at least two, preferably three or more, radial locking elements are positioned at the same distance from the head portion and are arranged uniformly about the circumference of the insertion portion. 
     
     
         27 . The venting device according to  claim 24 , wherein the head portion comprises an axially deformable gasket for axially sealing the head portion against the exterior surface of a wall of an enclosure. 
     
     
         28 . The venting device according to  claim 27 , wherein the gasket is formed in a bellows-like manner. 
     
     
         29 . The venting device according to  claim 27 , wherein the gasket has a variability in height of at least 1 mm. 
     
     
         30 . The venting device according to  claim 24 , wherein the body comprises a thermoplastic polymer or copolymer selected from the group of polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyester, polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         31 . The venting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the air permeable, water impermeable venting element comprises a porous membrane, preferably a PTFE membrane. 
     
     
         32 . The venting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the venting device is adapted for integration into enclosures with wall thicknesses differing by at least up to 1 mm, preferably by up to 3 mm. 
     
     
         33 . The venting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the venting device is adapted for integration into enclosures with differing wall thicknesses from 1 m to at least 4 mm.