Description:FIELD
The present invention relates to battery frames, more specifically sealing mechanisms for battery frames.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Typically, a battery pack comprises a battery frame which is configured to accommodate various battery modules and a battery management system module. In order to impart sufficient rigidity and strength to the battery pack frame and light-weight construction, a ribbed configuration is commonly preferred. Additionally, to facilitate the mounting of diverse electronic components, such as high-voltage connectors or various connecting modules, the panels of the battery frame are equipped with at least one window.
The incorporation of these windows onto the panels of the battery frame, which are inherently interconnected with the ribbed configuration, introduces a potential vulnerability. Specifically, during activities such as washing or exposure to heavy rain, there exists a risk of water ingress or seepage into the battery frame. This could adversely impact the electrical connections within the frame, potentially leading to short circuits in the various connectors or electronic components housed therein.
Therefore there is felt a need for a sealing element that can alleviate the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a sealing element for a battery frame.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a sealing element for a battery frame which eliminates the risk of water ingress or seepage during exposure of the battery frame to water.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a sealing element for a battery frame which is compliant with water resistance requirements to ensure the overall safety and performance of the battery pack.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a sealing element for a battery frame which has a ribbed configuration. The battery frame has a window configured thereon for housing at least one high voltage connector therein. The window is open to at least one opening defined between the ribs of the battery frame. The sealing element comprises a plug configured to be lockably inserted in the window. The plug is configured to be inserted in the opening to block the opening. The sealant is configured to be injected in the opening, around the plug to facilitate sealing of the opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A sealing element, of the present disclosure, for a battery frame will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of the battery frame provided with the sealing element, of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of the sealing element of Figure 1; and
Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the element of Figure 2.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
10 battery frame
20 window
20A edge of the window
100 plug
105A, 105B arms
107 bridge
110 recess
115 leg
120 clip
125 reinforcing rib
150 aperture
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including”, “includes” and “having” are open-ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The battery frame (10) has a ribbed configuration. The battery frame (10) further has a window (20) configured thereon for housing at least one high voltage connector therein. The connector(s) are configured to be in electric configuration with the batteries placed in the battery frame (10). However, the window (20) is open to at least one opening defined between the ribs of the battery frame (10). As a result, the high voltage connector(s) is also in direct contact with the opening defined between the ribs.
At times, there are probabilities of water seepage in to the battery frame (10), and inadvertently into the opening(s), thereby placing the connector(s) at the risk of electric failure.
The present disclosure therefore envisages a sealing element for the battery frame (10) which can help protect the high voltage connector(s) from electric failure. The sealing element will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 3.
The sealing element comprises a plug (100) configured to be lockably inserted in the window (20). The plug (100) is configured to be inserted in the opening to block the opening. The sealing element further comprises a sealant configured to be injected in the opening, around the plug (100), to facilitate sealing of the opening.
In an embodiment, the plug (100) includes a pair of arms (105A, 105B) interconnected to each other with the help of a bridge, at a spaced apart distance from each other to define a recess (110) therebetween. The arms (105A, 105B) are configured to block the opening in an inserted configuration of the plug (100).
In another embodiment, each arm has a convex configuration, thus defining an arcuate shaped recess (110).
In yet another embodiment, the width of the recess (110) varies between 4mm to 7mm.
In an embodiment, an aperture (150) is configured on the battery frame (10) such that the aperture (150) is coaxial to the aperture (150) in an inserted configuration of the plug (100). The aperture (150) receives the sealant therein. Since the aperture (150) is coaxial to, the sealant is also received in the recess (110) from where it spreads between the two arms (105A, 105B) of the plug (100), and seals any clearances between the opening and the arms (105A, 105B).
In another embodiment, the diameter of the recess (110) is slightly greater than the dimensions of the aperture (150). In yet another embodiment, the diameter of the aperture (150) varies between 5mm to 8mm.
In an embodiment, the sealant is allowed to cure for at least 24 hours.
In another embodiment, the plug (100) includes a reinforcing rib (125) provided between the arms (105A, 105B) and the leg (115).
In an embodiment, the plug (100) includes a leg (115) configured to extend from a first arm of the pair of arms (105A, 105B). The leg (115) has a hook-shaped clip (120) configured on an operative free end of the leg (115). The clip (120) is configured to facilitate fastening of the plug (100) on an edge (120) of the window (20) before the sealant is injected.
In an embodiment, the plug (100) is of polymer. In another embodiment, the plug (100) is of flame retardant Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, in particular Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene ER460.
In an embodiment, the sealant is of a water resistant material. In another embodiment, the sealant is of polyurethane.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described hereinabove has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a sealing element for the battery frame which:
• eliminates the risk of water ingress or seepage during exposure of the battery frame to water; and
• is compliant with water resistance requirements to ensure the overall safety and performance of the battery pack.
The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Any discussion of materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation. , Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A sealing element for a battery frame (10) having a ribbed configuration, the battery frame (10) having a window (20) configured thereon, the window (20) being open to at least one opening defined between the ribs of the battery frame (10), said sealing element comprising:
• a plug (100) configured to be lockably inserted in the window (20), said plug (100) configured to be inserted in the opening to block the opening; and
• a sealant configured to be injected in said opening, around said plug (100) to facilitate sealing of the opening.
2. The sealing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plug (100) includes a pair of arms (105A, 105B) interconnected to each other at a spaced apart distance from each other to define a recess (110) therebetween, said arms (105A, 105B) being configured to block the opening in an inserted configuration of said plug (100).
3. The sealing element as claimed in claim 2, wherein an aperture (150) is configured on the battery frame (10) coaxial to said aperture (150) in said inserted configuration of said plug (100), for receiving said sealant therein.
4. The sealing element as claimed in claim 2, wherein said plug (100) includes a leg (115) configured to extend from a first arm of the pair of arms (105A, 105B), said leg (115) having a hook-shaped clip (120) configured on an operative free end thereof, said clip (120) configured to facilitate fastening of said plug (100) on an edge (120) of the window (20).
5. The sealing element as claimed in claim 2, wherein the width of said recess (110) varies between 4 mm to 7 mm.
6. The sealing element as claimed in claim 3, wherein the diameter of said aperture (150) varies between 5mm to 8mm.
7. The sealing element as claimed in claim 4, wherein said plug (100) includes a reinforcing rib (125) provided between said arms (105A, 105B) and said leg (115).
8. The sealing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plug (100) is of polymer.
9. The sealing element as claimed in claim 8, wherein said plug (100) is of flame retardant Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene.
10. The sealing element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealant is of polyurethane.
Dated this 04th day of January, 2024

_______________________________
MOHAN RAJKUMAR DEWAN, IN/PA – 25
of R.K.DEWAN & CO.
Authorized Agent of Applicant

TO,
THE CONTROLLER OF PATENTS
THE PATENT OFFICE, AT MUMBAI