sealing plug

Abstract

The application discloses a sealing plug. The sealing plug is used for sealing a hole on a panel. The sealing plug comprises a plug body, at least two retaining arms and a sealing part. The plug body has a central axis and a supporting part arranged around the central axis. Each of the at least two retaining arms extends downward from the bottom of the supporting part of the plug body and has a retaining part. The retaining part extends downward and inclines away from the central axis. The sealing part is arranged on the outer edge of the supporting part of the plug body. The sealing body is made of a metal material, and the sealing part is made of a material with a melting point temperature lower than that of the metal material. The sealing plug can seal the hole on the panel and substantially seal the hole through the plug body when the ambient temperature is high.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a sealing plug, and in particular to a sealing plug for use in a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] In a vehicle, especially a vehicle using a battery as a driving energy source, a sealing plug is needed to separate a space where the battery is placed from a space inside the vehicle cabin. SUMMARY

[0003] The exemplary embodiments of the present application can solve at least some of the technical problems in the prior art. For example, the present application provides a sealing plug for sealing a hole in a panel. The sealing plug includes a plug body, a support portion disposed around a central axis, at least two retaining arms, and a sealing portion. Each of the at least two retaining arms extends downward from a bottom of the support portion of the plug body and has a retaining portion. The retaining portion extends downward and away from the central axis. The sealing portion is disposed on an outer edge of the support portion of the plug body. The plug body is made of a metal material, and the sealing portion is made of a material having a melting point temperature lower than that of the metal material.

[0004] According to the sealing plug of the present application, when the sealing plug is installed in the hole in the panel, the retaining portions of the at least two retaining arms are located below the panel, the support portion and the sealing portion are located above the panel, and the sealing portion contacts the panel, thereby sealing the hole by the sealing plug.

[0005] According to the sealing plug of the present application, the sealing portion is made of a flexible material.

[0006] According to the sealing plug of the present application, the sealing portion is made of rubber or plastic.

[0007] According to the sealing plug of the present application, the sealing portion is made of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

[0008] According to the sealing plug of the present application, the at least two retaining arms each have a root portion connected to the support portion, and the root portion is located at a distance r from the central axis that is less than a radius R of the hole in the panel.

[0009] According to the sealing plug of the present application, the support portion of the plug body includes a support body portion and an outer edge disposed around the support body portion. The outer edge includes at least two first outer edge portions and at least two second outer edge portions. The at least two first outer edge portions extend outward and downward from the support body portion. The at least two second outer edge portions are spaced apart from the at least two first outer edge portions and extend along an extension direction of the support body portion, and the at least two retaining arms are disposed corresponding to the at least two second outer edge portions, respectively.

[0010] According to the sealing plug of the present application, the lowest point of the free end of each of the at least two first outer rim portions is located in the same plane as the lower surface of each of the at least two second outer rim portions.

[0011] According to the sealing plug of the present application, the plug body further includes an insertion portion, the support portion is disposed around the insertion portion, and the at least two retaining arms are disposed around the insertion portion, the insertion portion being configured to be insertable into the hole of the panel.

[0012] According to the sealing plug of the present application, the plug body is integrally formed of sheet metal.

[0013] According to the sealing plug of the present application, the at least two retaining arms are two retaining arms, the two retaining arms being symmetrically disposed about a central axis of the plug body.

[0014] According to the sealing plug of the present application, the at least two retaining arms are four retaining arms, the four retaining arms being uniformly disposed along a circumferential direction of the plug body.

[0015] The sealing plug of the present application is capable of sealing a hole in a panel and substantially sealing the hole with the plug body even when the ambient temperature is high. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] These and other features and advantages of the present application can be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the sealing plug of the present application, viewed from above to below;

[0018] Figure 1B is a perspective view of the sealing plug shown in Figure 1A , viewed from below to above;

[0019] Figure 1C is an exploded view of the sealing plug shown in Figure 1A ;

[0020] Figure 2A is a perspective view of the plug body of the sealing plug shown in Figure 1C , viewed from above to below;

[0021] Figure 2B is a perspective view of the plug body of the sealing plug shown in Figure 1C , viewed from below to above;

[0022] Figure 3A is a front view of the sealing plug shown in Figure 1A ;

[0023] Figure 3B is Figure 1A a side view of the seal plug shown in

[0024] Figure 3C is Figure 3A a cross-sectional view of the seal plug shown in Figure 3A along line A-A in

[0025] Figure 3D is Figure 3B a cross-sectional view of the seal plug shown in Figure 3B along line B-B in

[0026] Figure 4A is an assembly view of the seal plug installed in the faceplate;

[0027] Figure 4B is Figure 4A an exploded view of the seal plug and the faceplate shown in

[0028] Figure 5A shows a cross-sectional view of the seal plug as placed over the faceplate;

[0029] Figure 5B shows a cross-sectional view of the seal plug as the first and second retaining arms contact the walls of the hole in the faceplate but have not yet deformed;

[0030] Figure 5C shows a cross-sectional view of the seal plug as the first and second retaining arms contact the walls of the hole in the faceplate and have deformed;

[0031] Figure 5D shows a cross-sectional view of the seal plug as installed onto the faceplate and held in place;

[0032] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the seal plug of the present application;

[0033] Figure 7 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the seal plug of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Various specific embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification. It should be understood that although directional terms such as "upper," "lower," "top," "side," and "bottom" are used in this application to describe various example structural parts and elements of this application, their use is merely for illustrative purposes and is based on the example orientations shown in the drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in this application can be arranged in different orientations, these directional terms are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered limiting. In the following drawings, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts, and similar reference numerals are used for similar parts.

[0035] Figure 1A This is a top-down perspective view of one embodiment of the sealing plug of this application. Figure 1B yes Figure 1A The diagram shown is a perspective view of the sealing plug 100 viewed from below. Figure 1C yes Figure 1A An exploded view of the sealing plug 100 is shown to illustrate its specific structure. (See attached image.) Figures 1A-1C As shown, the sealing plug 100 includes a plug body 102, a first retaining arm 106, a second retaining arm 107, and a sealing portion 104. The first retaining arm 106 and the second retaining arm 107 extend from the support portion 218 of the plug body 102 (as shown). Figures 2A-2B The bottom of the plug body 102 extends downwards. The sealing part 104 is annular and is provided on the outer edge 222 of the support part 218 of the plug body 102 (see Figure 104). Figures 2A-2B Specifically, the sealing portion 104 surrounds and encloses the outer edge 222 of the support portion 218 of the plug body 102.

[0036] Figure 2A yes Figure 1A A perspective view of the plug body 102 of the sealing plug 100 as seen from top to bottom; Figure 2B yes Figure 1A The diagram shows a perspective view of the plug body 102 from bottom to top, illustrating the specific structure of the plug body 102. (See diagram below.) Figures 2A-2B As shown, the plug body 102 is generally bowl-shaped and has a central axis X. The plug body 102 includes a support portion 218 and an insertion portion 250 extending downward from the support portion 218. The support portion 218 is disposed around the insertion portion 250, which is generally cylindrical with a closed bottom and an open top. The support portion 218 and the insertion portion 250 together form the bowl-shaped plug body 102. Specifically, the insertion portion 250 includes a base plate 212, an inclined portion 214, and a side wall 216 arranged sequentially from top to bottom. The base plate 212 is generally circular. The inclined portion 214 is disposed around the lateral edge of the base plate 212 and extends upward and outward for a certain distance. The side wall 216 is disposed around the upper edge of the inclined portion 214 and extends upward for a certain distance.

[0037] The support portion 218 comprises a support body portion 260 and an outer edge 222 disposed around the support body portion 260. The outer edge 222 of the support portion 218 is the outer edge 222 of the plug body 102. The support body portion 260 is disposed around the top of the side wall 216 and extends outwardly in a direction perpendicular to the central axis X of the plug body 102 by a distance. The outer edge 222 is disposed around the support body portion 260.

[0038] The outer edge 222 of the plug body 102 comprises two first outer edge portions 204, 205 and two second outer edge portions 208, 209. The first outer edge portion 204 and the first outer edge portion 205 are respectively disposed between the second outer edge portion 208 and the second outer edge portion 209. In other words, the two first outer edge portions 204, 205 and the two second outer edge portions 208, 209 are spaced apart. The specific structure of the two first outer edge portions 204, 205 and the two second outer edge portions 208, 209 will be introduced below in combination with Figures 3A-3D .

[0039] Figure 3A is a front view of the sealing plug 100, Figure 1A is a side view of the sealing plug 100, showing the relative positional relationship of the sealing portion 104, the insertion portion 250 of the plug body 102 and the two retaining arms 106, 107. Figure 3B is a sectional view of the sealing plug along the A-A line in Figure 1A is a sectional view of the sealing plug along the B-B line in Figure 3C is a sectional view of the sealing plug along the B-B line in Figure 3A is a sectional view of the sealing plug along the B-B line in Figure 3A is a sectional view of the sealing plug along the B-B line in Figure 3D is a sectional view of the sealing plug along the B-B line in Figure 3B is a sectional view of the sealing plug along the B-B line in Figure 3B is a sectional view of the sealing plug along the B-B line in Figures 3A-3D is a sectional view of the sealing plug along the B-B line in

[0040] As shown in Figure 3A -3D, the two first outer edge portions 204, 205 of the plug body 102 respectively extend outwardly and downwardly from the support body portion 260 by a distance. The free ends 332, 333 of the two first outer edge portions 204, 205 are the lowest ends on the two first outer edge portions 204, 205, and the free ends 332, 333 are located on the same horizontal plane.

[0041] As shown in Figure 3A- As shown in the 3D view, the first holding arm 106 and the second holding arm 107 respectively extend downward from the bottom of the support portion 218 of the plug body 102 and are symmetrically arranged relative to the central axis X of the plug body. Specifically, the first holding arm 106 comprises a root portion 310, a vertical portion 312, a holding portion 314 and a contraction portion 316. The root portion 310, the vertical portion 312, the holding portion 314 and the contraction portion 316 are sequentially connected. The root portion 310 is connected to the bottom of the support portion 218, and the vertical portion 312 extends vertically downward from the root portion 310 by a distance. The holding portion 314 extends downward and outward from the bottom of the vertical portion 312 by a distance, so that the holding portion 314 is bent outward relative to the vertical portion 312 in a direction away from the central axis X. The contraction portion 316 extends downward and inward from the bottom of the holding portion 314 by a distance, so that the contraction portion 316 is bent inward relative to the holding portion 314 in a direction toward the central axis X. The second holding arm 107 has the same structure as the first holding arm 106. Specifically, the second holding arm 107 comprises a root portion 311, a vertical portion 313, a holding portion 315 and a contraction portion 317. The root portion 311, the vertical portion 313, the holding portion 315 and the contraction portion 317 are sequentially connected. The root portion 311 is connected to the bottom of the support portion 218, and the vertical portion 313 extends vertically downward from the bottom of the plug body 102 by a distance. The holding portion 315 extends downward and outward from the bottom of the vertical portion 313 by a distance, so that the holding portion 315 is bent outward relative to the vertical portion 313 in a direction away from the central axis X. The contraction portion 317 extends downward and inward from the bottom of the holding portion 315 by a distance, so that the contraction portion 317 is bent inward relative to the holding portion 315 in a direction toward the central axis X. The distance between the root portions 310, 311 of the first holding arm 106 and the second holding arm 107 and the central axis X is r. The distance between the bottom ends of the contraction portions 316, 317 and the central axis X is r1. The distance between the bottoms of the holding portions 314, 315 (i.e., the portions where the holding portions 314, 315 meet the contraction portions 316, 317) and the central axis X is r2. Here, r is less than r2, and r1 is less than r2.

[0042] The arrangement of the holding portions 314, 315 allows the sealing plug 100 to be held in the hole 406 of the faceplate 402 by the holding portions 314, 315 (as shown in the 2D view). Figure 5D The arrangement of the contraction portions 316, 317 allows the two holding arms 106, 107 to be deformed toward the central axis X without the need for manual squeezing, so that the holding portions 314, 315 can pass through the hole 406. The contraction portions and the holding portions together form a bent shape that can facilitate an increase in the holding force of the holding portions 314, 315 when the sealing plug 100 is installed in place.

[0043] As shown in the 2D view, Figure 3DAs shown, the holding portions 314, 315 and the contracting portions 316, 317 of the two holding arms 106, 107 are opposite to the inclined portion 214 of the insertion portion 250 of the plug body 102. Due to the arrangement of the inclined portion 214, the two holding arms 106, 107 have more deformation space and are easier to seal the insertion operation of the plug 100.

[0044] The two second outer edge portions 208, 209 respectively extend outwardly along the extension direction of the support body portion 260 of the support portion 218, i.e. the horizontal direction shown in the figure, by a distance. The two first outer edge portions 204, 205 and the two second outer edge portions 208, 209 are arranged such that the lowest point of the free end 332 (i.e. the distal end) of the first outer edge portion 204, the lowest point of the free end 333 (i.e. the distal end) of the first outer edge portion 205, the lower surface 334 of the second outer edge portion 208 and the lower surface 335 of the second outer edge portion 209 are located on the same horizontal plane.

[0045] The sealing portion 104 is a circular ring which wraps around the outer edge 222 of the plug body 102. In the embodiment of the present application, the sealing portion 104 sufficiently wraps around the two first outer edge portions 204, 205 and the two second outer edge portions 208, 209. The sealing portion 104 can be made of a flexible material with a melting point temperature lower than metal. For example, the sealing portion 104 can be made of rubber or plastic. More specifically, the sealing portion 104 can be made of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. As an example, the sealing portion 104 can be connected to the outer edge 222 of the plug body 102 by injection molding.

[0046] In the embodiment of the present application, the plug body 102, the first retaining arm 106 and the second retaining arm 107 can be formed from a piece of sheet metal by processes such as punching, shearing, bending, etc. The forming process is as follows, for example. First, the insertion portion 250 of the plug body 102 is formed by punching a notch in the sheet metal. Subsequently, a region of the sheet metal around the top of the insertion portion 250 is selected as the support body portion 260 of the support portion 218, and the sheet metal around the periphery of the support body portion 260 is sheared into four parts, of which the opposite two parts are used to form the first outer edge portions 204, 205, and the other opposite two parts are used to form the second outer edge portions 208, 209, the first retaining arm 106 and the second retaining arm 107. For the two sheet metal parts that form the second outer edge portions 208, 209, the first retaining arm 106 and the second retaining arm 107, first they are trimmed to the appropriate lengths, and then they are bent to form the first retaining arm 106 and the second retaining arm 107 and the second outer edge portions 208, 209 as shown in the drawing. For the two sheet metal parts that form the first outer edge portions 204, 205, first they are trimmed to the appropriate lengths, and then they are bent downward to form the inclined first outer edge portions 204, 205. Since the second outer edge portions 208, 209 are twice as thick as the first outer edge portions 204, 205, by inclining the first outer edge portions 204, 205, the lowest point of the free end 332 (i.e. the distal end) of the first outer edge portion 204, the lowest point of the free end 333 (i.e. the distal end) of the first outer edge portion 205, the lower surface 334 of the second outer edge portion 208 and the lower surface 335 of the second outer edge portion 209 can be brought to the same level.

[0047] Figure 4A is an assembled view of the sealing plug 100 installed in the panel 402, Figure 4B is Figure 4A is an exploded view of the assembled view shown. As Figures 4A-4B shown, the panel 402 has a circular hole 406. The hole 406 has a wall 410. The sealing plug 100 is moved from the top of the panel 402 downward into the hole 406 and is held in place. The process of installing the sealing plug 100 to the panel 402 is described in detail below with reference to Figures 5A-5D

[0048] Figures 5A-5D are cross-sectional views of the sealing plug 100 in different relative positions during installation in the panel 402. Figure 5A ​A cross-sectional view is shown of the sealing plug 100 as it is placed over the panel 402 to illustrate the relative size relationship of the sealing plug 100 to the hole 406 in the panel 402. Specifically, the hole 406 has a radius R. The radius R of the hole 406 is greater than the distance r1 of the bottom end of the constricted portion 317 from the central axis X, and the radius R of the hole 406 is less than the distance r2 of the bottom of the retaining portion 315 (i.e., the portion of the retaining portion 315 where it meets the constricted portion 317) from the central axis X. That is, in the embodiment shown, the distance 2r1 between the bottom ends of the constricted portions 316, 317 of the two retaining arms is less than the diameter 2R of the hole 406, so the bottom ends of the constricted portions 316, 317 can be inserted into the hole 406 in an unforced, free state. The distance 2r2 between the bottoms of the retaining portions 314, 315 of the two retaining arms is greater than the diameter 2R of the hole 406, so the retaining portions 314, 315 of the two retaining arms need to be deformed by a force to be inserted into the hole 406. Figures 5A-5D In the embodiment shown, the distance 2r1 between the bottom ends of the constricted portions 316, 317 of the two retaining arms is less than the diameter 2R of the hole 406, so the bottom ends of the constricted portions 316, 317 can be inserted into the hole 406 in an unforced, free state. The distance 2r2 between the bottoms of the retaining portions 314, 315 of the two retaining arms is greater than the diameter 2R of the hole 406, so the retaining portions 314, 315 of the two retaining arms need to be deformed by a force to be inserted into the hole 406.

[0049] Figure 5B A cross-sectional view is shown of the sealing plug 100 as the bottom ends of the constricted portions 316, 317 of the first retaining arm 106 and the second retaining arm 107 contact the wall 410 of the hole 406 of the panel 402, but have not yet been subjected to an external force. As shown, the bottom ends of the constricted portions 316, 317 of the two retaining arms 106, 107 have been inserted into the hole 406, and the constricted portions 316, 317 have subsequently contacted the wall 410 of the hole 406. Figure 5B As shown, as the sealing plug 100 continues to move downward, the bottom ends of the constricted portions 316, 317 of the two retaining arms 106, 107 are inserted into the hole 406, and subsequently, the constricted portions 316, 317 contact the wall 410 of the hole 406.

[0050] Figure 5C A cross-sectional view is shown of the sealing plug 100 as the bottom ends of the constricted portions 316, 317 of the first retaining arm 106 and the second retaining arm 107 contact the wall 410 of the hole 406 of the panel 402, but have not yet been subjected to an external force. As shown, the bottom ends of the constricted portions 316, 317 of the two retaining arms 106, 107 have been inserted into the hole 406, and the constricted portions 316, 317 have subsequently contacted the wall 410 of the hole 406. Figure 5C As shown, as the sealing plug 100 continues to move downward, the bottom ends of the constricted portions 316, 317 of the two retaining arms 106, 107 are inserted into the hole 406, and subsequently, the constricted portions 316, 317 contact the wall 410 of the hole 406.

[0051] Figure 5D A cross-sectional view is shown of the sealing plug 100 as the bottom ends of the constricted portions 316, 317 of the first retaining arm 106 and the second retaining arm 107 contact the wall 410 of the hole 406 of the panel 402, but have not yet been subjected to an external force. As shown, the bottom ends of the constricted portions 316, 317 of the two retaining arms 106, 107 have been inserted into the hole 406, and the constricted portions 316, 317 have subsequently contacted the wall 410 of the hole 406. Figure 5DAs shown, after the holding portions 314 and 315 of the first holding arm 106 and the second holding arm 107 reach below the hole 406, since the distance 2r between the roots 310 and 311 of the first holding arm 106 and the second holding arm 107 is smaller than the diameter 2R of the hole 406, the sealing plug 100 can continue to move downward, and the wall 410 of the hole 406 no longer exerts an external force on the first holding arm 106 and the second holding arm 107, and the first holding arm 106 and the second holding arm 107 return to the initial state (i.e., no deformation occurs). The sealing plug 100 continues to move downward until the bottom of the sealing portion 104 contacts the panel 402. At this time, the bottoms and the contracted portions 316 and 317 of the holding portions 314 and 315 of the first holding arm 106 and the second holding arm 107 are below the panel 402, and the sealing portion 104 is above the panel 402.

[0052] Subsequently, the operator can use a heating component (not shown) to heat the sealing portion 104, so that the sealing portion 104 melts and adheres to the upper surface of the panel 402. This can enable the sealing plug 100 to be connected to the panel 402 and seal the hole 406 through the plug body 102 of the sealing plug 100.

[0053] The plug body 102, the first holding arm 106 and the second holding arm 107 of the sealing plug 100 of the present application are formed by sheet metal stamping and bending, which can simplify the processing technology and reduce manufacturing costs. In addition, metal can provide strong heat resistance, so as to ensure that when the sealing plug 100 faces a high temperature, even if the sealing portion 104 in the sealing plug 100 is gasified by the high temperature, the support portion 218 of the plug body 102 can still cover the hole 406 of the panel 402 and also ensure high sealing performance. Specifically, when the ambient temperature of the sealing plug 100 is high, the sealing portion 104 can melt to gasification, and the sealing portion 104 disappears. Since the shortest distance r3 from the outer edge 222 of the plug body 102 to the center axis X is greater than the radius R of the hole 406, the first outer edge portions 204 and 205 and the two second outer edge portions 208 and 209 of the plug body 102 can all lap on the upper surface of the panel 402, without causing the sealing plug 100 to be pulled out of the hole 406. Since the lowest point of the free end 332 (i.e., the distal end) of the first outer edge portion 204, the lowest point of the free end 333 (i.e., the distal end) of the first outer edge portion 205, the lower surface 334 of the second outer edge portion 208, and the lower surface 335 of the second outer edge portion 209 are located on the same horizontal plane (refer to FIG. 6), the sealing plug 100 can be prevented from being pulled out of the hole 406. Figures 3A-3C), so that the first outer edge portion 204, 205 and the second outer edge portion 208, 209 can contact the upper surface of the panel 402, so that all parts of the outer edge 222 of the plug body 102 can contact the upper surface of the panel 402, and a substantially sealing ring can also be formed by the outer edge 222 of the plug body 102, so that the plug body 102 can seal the hole 406. Thus, the sealing plug 100 of the present application can well adapt to a high-temperature working environment, and can realize the function of sealing the hole 406 of the panel even if the ambient temperature is high.

[0054] It should be noted that, since the plug body 102, the first retaining arm 106 and the second retaining arm 107 in the embodiment of the present application are formed by a piece of metal plate through processes such as sheet metal stamping, shearing and bending, the second outer edge portion 208, 209 has a thickness of two layers of metal plates, and the first outer edge portion 204, 205 has a thickness of only one layer of metal plate. Therefore, the first outer edge portion 204, 205 is inclinedly arranged, so that the lowest point of the free end 332 (i.e. the distal end) of the first outer edge portion 204, the lowest point of the free end 333 (i.e. the distal end) of the first outer edge portion 205, the lower surface 334 of the second outer edge portion 208 and the lower surface 335 of the second outer edge portion 209 are located on the same horizontal plane. Those skilled in the art can understand that, in other embodiments, the sealing plug in the embodiment of the present application can also be formed without processes such as sheet metal stamping, shearing and bending, so that the first outer edge portion 204, 205 and the first outer edge portion 204, 205 in the sealing plug can form a continuous outer edge, and can be arranged to have the same thickness, which can be both flat or both inclinedly arranged so that the lowest points of the lower surfaces of the outer edges (i.e. the first outer edge portion 204, 205 and the first outer edge portion 204, 205) of the support portion 218 are located on the same plane. Thus, when the sealing portion 104 disappears, the lower surface of the outer edge 222 can abut against the panel 402 to seal the hole 406 of the panel 402 by the outer edge 222 of the support portion 218.

[0055] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the sealing plug 600 of the present application. Figure 6 The sealing plug 600 shown is substantially the same as Figure 5D The sealing plug 100 shown has substantially the same structure as Figure 5DThe difference between the shown sealing plug 100 and the sealing plug 600 is that the first retaining arm 106 and the second retaining arm 107 of the sealing plug 600 are configured to be still in the deformed state when the sealing plug 600 is installed to the panel 402 and held in place (i.e. the sealing portion 604 of the sealing plug 600 contacts the panel 402). At this time, the wall 410 of the hole 406 still exerts an outward force on the first retaining arm 106 and the second retaining arm 107, so that the panel 402 is clamped by the first retaining arm 106 and the sealing portion 604, and the second retaining arm 107 and the sealing portion 604. The positioning of this clamping takes advantage of the characteristics of metal that can provide stronger rigidity and deformable ability, so that the sealing plug 600 can be better fixed in the hole 406. To this end, compared with the sealing plug 100 shown in the figure, Figure 5D the sealing plug 600 shown in the figure is different in size. Figure 6 For example, compared with the sealing plug 100 shown in the figure, Figure 5D the vertical portion 312, 313 of the two retaining arms 106, 107 of the sealing plug 600 shown in the figure is set to be shorter. Figure 6 For another example, compared with the sealing plug 100 shown in the figure, Figure 5D the inclination angle of the retaining portion 314, 315 of the two retaining arms 106, 107 of the sealing plug 600 shown in the figure is set to be larger with respect to the vertical portion 312, 313. Figure 6 For another example, compared with the sealing plug 100 shown in the figure, the inclination angle of the retaining portion 314, 315 of the two retaining arms 106, 107 of the sealing plug 600 shown in the figure is set to be larger with respect to the vertical portion 312, 313.

[0056] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of still another embodiment of the sealing plug 700 of the present application. Figure 7 The sealing plug 700 shown in the figure is different from the sealing plug 100 shown in the figure in that Figure 1A the sealing plug 100 shown in the figure is substantially the same in structure, and the same parts will not be described again. The sealing plug 700 shown in the figure is different from the sealing plug 100 shown in the figure in that Figure 1A the sealing plug 700 comprises four retaining arms 701, 702, 703, 704, four first outer edge portions (not shown) and four second outer edge portions (not shown). The four retaining arms 701, 702, 703, 704 are uniformly arranged along the circumference of the plug body 102. Each of the four first outer edge portions is arranged above a corresponding one of the four retaining arms 701, 702, 703, 704. The four second outer edge portions are arranged between the four first outer edge portions. In other words, the four second outer edge portions are arranged in a spaced-apart manner with the four first outer edge portions. When the operator presses the sealing plug 700 into the hole 406, the four retaining arms 701, 702, 703, 704 can better disperse the external force exerted by the wall 410 of the hole 406 on the retaining arms, so that the sealing plug 700 has better stability.

[0057] Although the sealing plug with two retaining arms or four retaining arms is shown in the present application, it can be understood by those skilled in the art that the sealing plug with at least two retaining arms falls within the protection scope of the present application. In addition, the number of the first outer edge portions and the number of the second outer edge portions are the same as the number of the retaining arms and are arranged at intervals. For example, three retaining arms can also be provided, which are uniformly arranged along the circumference of the plug body, and have three first outer edge portions corresponding to the three retaining arms one by one, and a second outer edge portion arranged between the two adjacent first outer edge portions.

[0058] Although only some features of the present application are illustrated and described herein, various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art. It should be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the spirit and scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A sealing plug (100), characterized in that The sealing plug (100) comprises: a plug body (102) having a central axis (X) and a support portion (218) disposed about the central axis (X), the support portion (218) comprising a support body portion (260); at least two retaining arms (106, 107) each extending downwardly from a bottom of the support portion (218) of the plug body (102) and having a retaining portion (314, 315) extending obliquely downwardly away from the central axis (X); and a sealing portion (104) disposed on an outer edge (222) of the support portion (218) of the plug body (102); wherein the outer edge (222) of the support portion (218) comprises at least two first outer edge portions (204, 205) extending obliquely outwardly and downwardly from the support body portion (260); wherein the plug body (102) is made of a metallic material, and the sealing portion (104) is made of a material having a melting point temperature lower than the metallic material.

2. The sealing plug (100) according to claim 1, wherein: the sealing plug (100) is used to seal a hole (406) on a panel (402); wherein the sealing plug (100) is configured such that, when the sealing plug (100) is installed in the hole (406) on the panel (402), the retaining portions (314, 315) of the at least two retaining arms (106, 107) are located below the panel (402), the support portion (218) and the sealing portion (104) are located above the panel (402), and the sealing portion (104) contacts the panel (402), thereby sealing the hole (406) by the sealing plug (100).

3. The sealing plug (100) according to claim 2, wherein: the sealing portion (104) is made of a flexible material.

4. The sealing plug (100) according to claim 3, wherein: the sealing portion (104) is made of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

5. The sealing plug (100) according to claim 2, wherein: the at least two retaining arms (106, 107) each have a root portion (310, 311) connected to the support portion (218), the root portion (310, 311) being located at a distance (r) from the central axis (X) that is less than a radius (R) of the hole (406) on the panel (402).

6. The sealing plug (100) according to claim 2, wherein: the outer edge (222) of the support portion (218) is configured such that, when the sealing portion (104) disappears, a lower surface of the outer edge (222) is capable of abutting against the panel (402) to seal the hole (406) on the panel (402) by the outer edge (222) of the support portion (218).

7. The sealing plug (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that: the outer edge (222) is arranged around the support body portion (260); the outer edge (222) further comprises: at least two second outer rim portions (208, 209) arranged spaced apart from the at least two first outer rim portions (204, 205) and extending in the extension direction of the support body portion (260), wherein the at least two retaining arms (106, 107) are arranged corresponding to the at least two second outer rim portions (208, 209), respectively.

8. The sealing plug (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that: the lowest point of the free end of each of the at least two first outer rim portions (204, 205) and the lower surface of each of the at least two second outer rim portions (208, 209) lie in the same plane.

9. The sealing plug (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that: the plug body (102) further comprises an insertion portion (250) extending downward from the support portion (218), the support portion (218) being arranged around the insertion portion (250) and the at least two retaining arms (106, 107) being arranged around the insertion portion (250), the insertion portion (250) being configured to be insertable into the hole (406) of the panel (402).

10. The sealing plug (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that: the plug body (102) is integrally formed by sheet metal.

11. The sealing plug (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that: the at least two retaining arms (106, 107) are two retaining arms arranged symmetrically about a center axis (X) of the plug body (102).

12. The sealing plug (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that: the at least two retaining arms (106, 107) are four retaining arms arranged uniformly along a circumferential direction of the plug body (102).

13. A sealing plug (100), characterized in that the sealing plug (100) comprises: a plug body (102) having a center axis (X), an insertion portion (250) and a support portion (218) arranged around the center axis (X) and the insertion portion (250) such that the plug body (102) defines a bowl shape, wherein the support portion (218) comprises a support body portion (260) and has at least two outer rim portions, each of the at least two outer rim portions defining a bottom surface along a bottom of the support portion (218); at least two retaining arms (106, 107), each of the at least two retaining arms (106, 107) extending downwardly from the bottom of the support portion (218) of the plug body (102) and having a vertical portion (312) parallel to the central axis (X) and extending perpendicularly from the bottom surface, and each of the at least two retaining arms (106, 107) having a retaining portion (314, 315), wherein each of the retaining portions (314, 315) extends downwardly from the vertical portion (312) inclined relative to the bottom surface in a direction away from the central axis (X); and a sealing portion (104) disposed on an outer edge (222) of the support portion (218) of the plug body (102); wherein the outer edge (222) of the support portion (218) includes at least two first outer edge portions (204, 205) extending outwardly and downwardly inclined from the support body portion (260); wherein the plug body (102) comprises a metallic material, and the sealing portion (104) comprises a material having a melting point lower than that of the metallic material.

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