Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present subject matter relates to a power unit, more particularly, a ventilation valve for the power unit.
BACKGROUND
[002] In recent times, rising rate of pollution is motivating automobile manufacturers to manufacture an efficient and non-polluting vehicle. In order to propel such a vehicle, conventionally an electric battery is used. However, prolonged use of the electric battery reduces lifespan of the electric battery and leads to continuous change of the electric battery.
[003] In conventional vehicles, the battery is packaged under a seat assembly of the vehicle. In such vehicles, the battery gets heated up after prolonged use and consequently the temperature of the battery increases, which in turn causes thermal runaway.
[004] During thermal runaway, the battery gets overheated and exothermic reactions occurs resulting in the battery explosion. The explosion of the battery is triggered by exhaust gases formed inside the battery due to the exothermic reactions which in turn leads to thermal runaway of the battery.
[005] Conventionally, a breather valve is provided on a cover assembly of the battery which regulates the pressure inside the battery box. The breather valve releases the pressure induced in the battery during the thermal runaway. The breather valve opens during a thermal runaway of the battery and releases the excess pressure on the battery caused during thermal runaway.
[006] However, the breather valve is unable to release the exhaust gases trapped inside the battery. These exhaust gases raises the temperature of the battery and increases the rate of explosion of the battery during the thermal runaway.
[007] In a known art, a battery box is provided with a breather valve on peripheral sides of the battery. This configuration in turn blocks or restricts the pathway for cooling the battery from sides and hence increases the overall temperature of the battery.
[008] Hence it is an object of the present invention to provide a location for accommodating a ventilation valve on the battery box and to overcome other related problems known in the art.
[009] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a location of the ventilation valve which is easy to assemble and does not require major modifications in the design of the battery unit.
[010] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a location of the ventilation valve which does not interfere with wiring and electronic units of the battery unit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[011] The present subject matter provides a location for mounting a ventilation valve of a power unit for escape of trapped exhaust gases inside the power unit during a thermal runaway. The ventilation valve being disposed on a top cover or a bottom cover of a power unit casing.
[012] As per an aspect of the present invention, a power unit casing comprising a top cover, a bottom cover, and one or more side covers. The top cover, the bottom cover, and the one or more side covers are attached through one or more fasteners to form the power unit casing. The top cover is configured to have a top face and a plurality of side faces. A ventilation valve is disposed on an exterior surface of the top cover for release of exhaust gases from the power unit casing to an outside environment.
[013] As per an embodiment, the bottom cover comprising a front face and a plurality of side walls, and the ventilation valve is disposed on the front face. The plurality of side walls extends integrally upwards from the front face towards a plurality of cells and the plurality of cells are disposed inside the power unit casing.
[014] As per another embodiment, the top face of the top cover is integrally formed with the plurality of side faces and the plurality of side faces is configured to extend integrally downward from the top face.
[015] As per another embodiment, the ventilation valve is disposed on one end of the top face of the top cover and the one end of the top face is disposed opposite to a plugs and cords collector.
[016] As per another embodiment, the ventilation valve is received and attached inside a first hollow slot and the first hollow slot is integrally formed on one of the plurality of side faces and on the top face of the top cover. The ventilation valve is received and attached inside a second hollow slot and the second hollow slot is integrally formed on the front face of the bottom cover.
[017] As per another embodiment, the ventilation valve is rigidly and securely fitted inside the first hollow slot of the top cover. The ventilation valve is rigidly and securely fitted inside the second hollow slot of the bottom cover.
[018] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[019] The present invention is described with reference to figures. This invention is implementable in all types of power unit and specifically to the power unit used in two-wheeled, three wheeled, and four wheeled vehicles. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components. Further, the inventive features of the invention are outlined in the appended claims.
[020] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a power unit casing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[021] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a top cover of the power unit casing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[022] Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the top cover of the power unit casing in an exploded view of the ventilation valve, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[023] Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of the power unit casing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[024] Figure 5 illustrates a bottom view of a bottom cover of the power unit casing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[025] Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the power unit casing with the ventilation valve being disposed on the bottom cover of the power unit casing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[026] Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. While examples and features of disclosed principles are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the following detailed description be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims.
[027] The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[028] The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure. Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the claims.
[029] Additionally, all numerical terms, such as, but not limited to, “first”, “second”, “third”, “primary”, “secondary”, “main” or any other ordinary and/or numerical terms, should also be taken only as identifiers, to assist the reader's understanding of the various elements, embodiments, variations and/or modifications of the present disclosure, and may not create any limitations, particularly as to the order, or preference, of any element, embodiment, variation and/or modification relative to, or over, another element, embodiment, variation and/or modification.
[030] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[031] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a power unit casing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The power unit casing (100) being configured to hold and accommodate a power unit (not shown). The power unit being a battery in one embodiment. The battery comprising one or more cells (not shown) being disposed inside the battery and the one or more cells generating heat and exhaust gases due to chemical reactions caused during thermal runaway of the one or more cells. The power unit casing (100) comprising a top cover (106), a bottom cover (108), and one or more side covers (102, 104) attached with each other through one or more fasteners (not shown) to form the power unit casing (100). The one or more side covers (102, 104) includes a plurality of fins (103) for cooling of the one or more cells during operation of the battery. The one or more side covers (102, 104) being a single part in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the one or more side covers (102, 104) being split parts and the one or more side covers (102, 104) being attached through the one or more fasteners. The top cover (106) is configured to be attached to a top surface of the one or more side covers (102, 104) and the bottom cover (108) is configured to be attached to a bottom surface of the one or more side covers (102, 104) through the one or more fasteners.
[032] Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a top cover of the power unit casing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the top cover of the power unit casing with a ventilation valve in exploded view, in accordance with another embodiment of the present subject matter. For brevity, figures 2 and 3 will be discussed together. The top cover (106) comprising a top face (112) and a plurality of side faces (116, 118, 114. The plurality of side faces (116, 118, 114) includes a left side and a right side face (114). The left side and the right side face (114) is configured to extends along the length of the top face (112). The plurality of side faces (116, 118, 114) further includes a front peripheral side (118) and a rear peripheral side (116). The plurality of side faces (116, 118, 114) being configured to extend integrally downwardly from the top face (112). The plurality of side faces (116, 118, 114) are integrally formed with the top face (112). The top cover (106) is configured to receive a ventilation valve (120). The ventilation valve (120) is disposed on one of the front peripheral side (118) and the rear peripheral side (116) of the plurality of side faces (116, 118, 114).
[033] The ventilation valve (120) is also disposed on one end of the top face (112) of the top cover (106) in one embodiment. The one end of the top face (112) is disposed opposite to a collector (202). In one embodiment, the collector (202) is a plugs and cords collector or a heat sink. The location of the ventilation valve (120) on the top cover (106) enables ease of escape of exhaust gases formed during thermal runaway due to chemical reactions occurring in the one or more cells disposed in the battery. The exhaust gases being lighter in density than air, the exhaust gases floats above. Therefore, the ventilation valve (120) being disposed on the top cover (106) ensures ease of exit of the exhaust gases towards outside environment. The ventilation valve (120) being disposed on the top cover (106) prevents complex designing of the top cover (106) and also provides ease of assembly of the power unit casing (100) without any major modifications in the existing layout and design of the power unit casing (100). The ventilation valve (120) is configured to have an exit port (212) for release of the exhaust gases. The exit port (212) opens during release of the exhaust gases and thereby prevents explosion of the battery during thermal runaway.
[034] Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of the power unit casing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The power unit casing (100) also includes a connector port (200) disposed on the peripheral front face (118) (shown in fig.2) of the top cover (106) in one embodiment. The ventilation valve (120) is received and attached inside a first hollow slot (124). The first hollow slot (124) being integrally formed on the one of the plurality of side faces (116, 118, 114) and the top face (112) of the top cover (106). In one embodiment, the one or more side covers (104) is a split part comprising a first side cover (104a) and a second side cover (104b). The one or more side covers (104), the top cover (106), and the bottom cover (108) are attached through the one or more fasteners.
[035] Figure 5 illustrates a bottom view of the bottom cover (108) of the power unit casing (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the power unit casing (100) with the ventilation valve (120) being disposed on the bottom cover (108) of the power unit casing (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. For brevity, figures 5 and 6 are discussed together. The bottom cover (108) is configured to have a front face (108a) and a rear face (108b). The bottom cover (108) also includes a plurality of side walls (108c). The plurality of side walls (108c) surrounding the front face (108a) and the rear face (108b) and the plurality of side walls (108c) extending upwardly from the front face (108a) towards the one or more cells of the battery. The ventilation valve (120) is received and attached inside a second hollow slot (not shown). The second hollow slot (not shown) is integrally formed on the front face (108a) of the bottom cover (108).
[036] Various embodiments of the invention provide a power unit casing comprising a ventilation valve being disposed on a top cover and a bottom cover of the power unit casing for release of exhaust gases to outside environment during a thermal runaway event.
[037] The present invention is a power unit casing comprising a top cover, a bottom cover, and a one or more side covers. The top cover, the bottom cover and one or more side covers are attached through one or more fasteners to form the power unit casing. The top cover is configured to have a top face and a plurality of side faces. A ventilation valve is disposed on an exterior surface of the top cover for release of exhaust gases from the power unit casing to an outside environment.
[038] The present claimed invention solves the technical problem of prevention of explosion of the battery disposed in the power unit casing due to accumulation of exhaust gases in the battery during the event of thermal runaway.
[039] Specifically, the claimed location of the ventilation valve being disposed on the top cover and the bottom cover provides of ease of release of the exhaust gases as the exhaust gases being of lighter density than air floats up or down and thereby the exhaust gases gets released easily from the power unit casing to the outside environment.
[040] Additionally, the location of the ventilation valve does not interfere with cooling of the battery disposed in the power unit casing and the battery gets cooled from atmospheric air being circulated on the one or more side covers of the power unit casing.
[041] The present invention also provides technical advantages of the ventilation valve being disposed in the power unit casing without major modifications or structural changes to the structure of the power unit casing.
[042] The present invention also provides technical advantages the ventilation valve being easily accessible and exhaust gases being readily released to the outside environment without any external machinery or electrical connections.
[043] In light of the above-mentioned advantages and the technical advancements provided by the disclosed power unit casing, the claimed steps as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed steps enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Further, the claimed steps clearly bring an improvement in the functioning of the power unit casing and the battery disposed in the power unit casing itself as the claimed steps provide a technical solution to a technical problem.
[044] While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes in form, connection, and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

Reference Numerals:


100: Power unit casing

102, 104: One or more side covers
103 plurality of fins
106: top cover
108: bottom cover
112: top face
114, 116, 118: plurality of side faces
120: ventilation valve
124: first hollow slot
200: connector port
202: plugs and cords collector
212: exit port
104a, 104b: first side cover, second side cover
108a: front face
108b: rear face
108c: plurality of side walls
, Claims:We claim:
1. A power unit casing (100), said power unit casing (100) comprising:
a top cover (106);
a bottom cover (108); and
one or more side covers (102, 104);
wherein said top cover (106), said bottom cover (108), and said one or more side covers (102, 104) being configured to be attached through one or more fasteners to form said power unit casing (100);
wherein said top cover (106) being configured to have a top face (112) and a plurality of side face (114, 116, 118);
wherein, a ventilation valve (120) being disposed on an exterior surface of said top cover (106) for release of exhaust gases from said power unit casing (100) to an outside environment.
2. The power unit casing (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bottom cover (108) being configured to have a front face (108a) and a plurality of side walls (108c) wherein said ventilation valve (120) being disposed on said front face (108a).

3. The power unit casing (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said top face (112) of said top cover (106) being integrally formed with said plurality of side faces (114, 116, 118) and said plurality of side faces (114, 116, 118) being configured to extend integrally downwardly from said top face (112).

4. The power unit casing (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said plurality of side walls (108c) being configured to extend integrally upwardly from said front face (108a) towards a plurality of cells, said plurality of cells being disposed inside said power unit casing (100).

5. The power unit casing (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ventilation valve (120) being disposed on one end of said top face (112) of said top cover (106), said one end being disposed opposite to a plugs and cords collector (202).

6. The power unit casing (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ventilation valve (120) being received and attached inside a first hollow slot (124), said first hollow slot (124) being integrally formed on one of said plurality of side face (114, 116, 118) and said top face (112) of said top cover (106).

7. The power unit casing (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said ventilation valve (120) being received and attached inside a second hollow slot, said second hollow slot being integrally formed on said front face (108a) of said bottom cover (108).

8. The power unit casing (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said ventilation valve (120) being rigidly and securely fitted inside said first hollow slot (124).

9. The power unit casing (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said ventilation valve (120) being rigidly and securely fitted inside said second hollow slot.