Self-positioning insulated flame

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat-insulating flame-retardant sleeve for protecting components therein and a manufacturing method thereof. The cannula includes a tubular member having a circumferentially continuous wall, a straight cylindrical inner surface of the wall defining an internal cavity extending along a central longitudinal axis between opposite ends of the opening. At least one end cap is secured to at least one of the opposite ends. The at least one end cap has at least one resilient tines extending radially inward from an outer surface of the end cap sufficient to engage an elongate member extending into the lumen of the tubular member. At least one end cap is made of silicone.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 422,078, filed on November 3, 2022, and the priority of U.S. Application No. 18 / 386,453, filed on November 2, 2023. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention generally relates to a tubular sleeve assembly that provides thermal and flame - retardant protection for components housed therein, and more particularly, to a tubular sleeve assembly that includes at least one self - positioning member for maintaining the tubular sleeve assembly in a selectively releasable fixed position around the component housed and protected therein. Background Art

[0004] Components of an electric vehicle battery pack and components located near the battery pack, such as electrical components and fluid conduits, require a high degree of thermal and flame - retardant protection if located within or near the battery pack. This is because battery packs such as lithium - ion batteries have the potential to enter a thermal runaway state, which, if not suppressed, can produce flames and hot gases exceeding 800°C.

[0005] What is needed is an economical, flexible, and easy - to - assemble thermal insulation tubular sleeve that can withstand the above - mentioned thermal and flame conditions. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermal - insulating and flame - retardant sleeve for protecting components therein from heat and flame. The thermal - insulating sleeve has a tubular member that includes a circumferentially continuous wall, the inner surface of the wall defining an inner cavity that extends along a central longitudinal axis between opposite open ends. At least one end cap is connected to at least one of the opposite ends. The end cap has at least one elastic prong that extends radially inward from the outer surface of the end cap for engaging a long - shaped member extending into the inner cavity of the tubular member. The end cap is made of silicone.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, at least one end cap includes a pair of end caps, where a single end cap is connected to a single one of the opposite ends of the tubular member.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, the circumferentially continuous wall has an outer surface, and the sleeve further includes an outermost silicone coating bonded to the entire outer surface.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, the circumferentially continuous wall is a textile wall.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, the textile wall is woven, knitted, or braided.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, the circumferentially continuous wall is a non-woven flexible wall.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, the non-woven flexible wall is made of a flexible resin material, so that the wall can be freely bent and laid along an arc path.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, the non-woven flexible wall and at least one end cap form a silicone integral molding material component.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a sleeve for protecting a component in the inner cavity of the sleeve is provided. The method includes forming a tubular member having a circumferentially continuous wall, the inner surface of the wall defining an inner cavity that extends between opposite ends along a central longitudinal axis. In addition, at least one end cap made of silicone is connected to at least one of the opposite ends.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method may include connecting separate silicone end caps to each of the opposite ends respectively.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method may include forming a circumferentially continuous wall having an outer surface and bonding a silicone resin coating to the outer surface.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method may include molding at least one end cap to be adhesively connected to the circumferentially continuous wall.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method may include molding at least one end cap and the circumferentially continuous wall into a single integral material component.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method may include forming the circumferentially continuous wall into a textile wall.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method may include interweaving, braiding or knitting monofilaments and / or multifilaments with each other to form the textile wall.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method may include molding at least one end cap including a pair of end caps, and each of the opposite ends is molded with a separate end cap.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method may include molding the circumferentially continuous wall and at least one end cap with silicone.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method may include molding the circumferentially continuous wall and a pair of end caps located at opposite ends of the circumferentially continuous wall of silicone. Description of the Drawings

[0024] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood when considered in conjunction with the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments and best modes, appended claims and drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a heat-insulating sleeve for protecting components therein, constructed according to one aspect of the present invention; Figure 1A is similar to Figure 1 and shows a heat-insulating sleeve for protecting components therein, constructed according to another aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 is Figure 1 or Figure 1A a perspective view of the heat-insulating sleeve in Figure 2A is Figure 2 a schematic perspective view of the heat-insulating sleeve in , with the end caps removed from the heat-insulating sleeve in the figure for clarity; Figure 3 is an end view of an end cap of a heat-insulating sleeve constructed according to one aspect of the present disclosure; Figure 3A is Figure 3 a perspective view of the end cap; Figure 4A is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a heat-insulating sleeve for protecting components therein, constructed according to one aspect of the present invention; and Figure 4B is similar to Figure 4A and shows a heat-insulating sleeve for protecting components therein, constructed according to another aspect of the present invention. Detailed Description

[0025] Referring more particularly to the drawings, Figure 1 and Figure 1A respectively show heat-insulating sleeves 10, 10A including a tubular member 12, constructed according to one aspect of the present invention, for protecting a component 16 at least partially received within a lumen defined by an inner surface of the tubular member 12 from extreme heat (including radiant heat, flames), and further providing protection from contamination and vibration, wherein there is at least one self-retaining positioning member, hereinafter referred to as an end cap 14, on the tubular member 12 ( Figure 1 the heat-insulating sleeve 10 in includes an end cap 14, and Figure 2The thermal insulation sleeve 10A therein includes two end caps 14), and the member 16 can be an electrical sensor, a fluid conduit, an electrical connector, or a similar member. The thermal insulation sleeves 10, 10A can be bent and slid along the longitudinal axis 22 of the elongated member 24 (such as a fluid conduit or a wire harness) so as to fix the thermal insulation sleeves 10, 10A to the desired protection position around the member 16. The thermal insulation sleeves 10, 10A have a high degree of flexibility, so they can be laid on the non-linear, arc-shaped bends and corners of the elongated member 24 and surround these parts as needed. The thermal insulation sleeves 10, 10A are configured to be releasably fixed in the protection position through the engagement of the end caps 14 with the outer surface of the elongated member 24 until it is necessary to selectively slide the thermal insulation sleeves 10, 10A away from the protection position. While axially sliding the thermal insulation sleeves 10, 10A along the longitudinal axis 22, one or more flanges 26 (also called tines) of the end caps 14 can be freely flexed substantially along the opposite axial direction as needed to allow the thermal insulation sleeves 10, 10A to move axially along the longitudinal axis 22, for example, when maintenance of the member 16 may be required. During use, the sleeve 12 can be held in its protection position by the frictional engagement between the free ends of the tines 26 and the outer surface of the elongated member 24 without auxiliary fasteners such as tapes or adhesives. Therefore, the assembly of the thermal insulation sleeves 10, 10A becomes simple and aesthetically pleasing, and is also economical in terms of manufacturing and use.

[0026] The length of the tubular member 12 can be arbitrarily selected. The tubular member 12 includes a circumferentially continuous inner wall 28, which includes an inner surface 20 and an outer surface 30. The tubular member 12 further includes an outermost silicone resin coating 32 bonded to the entire outer surface 30. According to one aspect of the present invention, the inner wall 28 can be composed of a textile layer, and the textile layer can be a material woven, knitted, or braided from any desired monofilament and / or multifilament. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the circumferentially continuous wall 28 can be configured as a non-textile flexible wall (which can be freely arranged and bent relative to the longitudinal axis 22). Such a non-textile flexible wall 28 can be formed of a flexible resin material. According to another aspect, the non-textile flexible wall 28 of the sleeves 10', 10A' can be entirely formed of silicone resin, together with the end caps 14 as a single, integral molded material (Figure 4A shows one end cap 14; Figure 4B shows two opposite end caps 14). The circumferentially continuous wall 28 can be manufactured with any desired wall thickness according to the nature and severity of heat exposure in the expected environment, and can form a thermal insulation air gap G between the member 16 and the inner surface 18 of the tubular member 12, thereby enhancing the thermal protection of the member 16.

[0027] The end cap 14 can be separate from the tubular member 12 or integrally formed with the tubular member 12. The end cap 14 is shown as a separate member made of a material different from that of the tubular member 12, by way of example only and not limitation, and has a tubular portion 34 and at least one (shown as a plurality in the figure by way of example only and not limitation) resilient flange (also referred to as a finger or tooth 26), which resilient flanges extend radially inwardly from the outer surface of the end cap 14 (such as the tubular portion 34) so as to abut against the elongate member 24. Whether the end cap is formed separately or integrally with the tubular member 12, the inner diameter d1 extending between the free ends of the teeth 26 can form a line-to-line fit or a slight interference fit with the outer diameter d2 of the elongate member 24. Thus, d1 can be equal to or slightly less than d2, thereby providing a self-aligning function for the thermal insulation sleeves 10, 10A, 10A', 10B' relative to the elongate member 24. The tubular portion 34 shown is sized to receive one or both open ends 36a, 36b of the tubular member 12. Here, it is contemplated that the tubular portion 34 can also be sized to fit over the outer surface 30 of the tubular member 12.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing the sleeves 10, 10A, 10A', 10B' for protecting a member 16 received within the inner cavity 18 of the sleeve. The method includes forming a tubular member 12 having a circumferentially continuous wall 28, the inner surface 20 of which defines an inner cavity that extends along a central longitudinal axis 22 between opposite ends 36a, 36b. In addition, at least one end cap 14 made of silicone is attached to at least one of the opposite ends 36a, 36b.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method can include separately mounting individual silicone end caps 14 to the opposite ends 36a, 36b, respectively.

[0030] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method can include forming a circumferentially continuous wall 28 having an outer surface 30 and bonding a silicone coating 32 to the outer surface 30.

[0031] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method can include molding at least one end cap 14 and bonding it to the circumferentially continuous wall 28.

[0032] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method can include molding at least one end cap 14 and the circumferentially continuous wall 28 as a single piece of material.

[0033] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method can include forming the circumferentially continuous wall 28 as a textile wall.

[0034] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method may include interweaving, braiding, or knitting monofilaments and / or multifilaments with each other to form the textile wall 28.

[0035] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method may include molding at least one end cap 14 (including a pair of end caps 14), with a separate end cap 14 molded at each of the opposite ends 36a, 36b respectively.

[0036] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method may include molding the circumferentially continuous wall 28 and at least one end cap 14 entirely with silicone resin.

[0037] According to another aspect of the present invention, the method may include molding the circumferentially continuous wall 28 and a pair of end caps 14 located at the opposite ends 36a and 36b of the circumferentially continuous wall 28 with silicone resin.

[0038] Obviously, in accordance with the above teachings, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible. Thus, it is to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A heat-insulating and flame-retardant sleeve for protecting components therein, comprising: A tubular member comprising a circumferentially continuous wall, the inner surface of which defines a lumen extending along a central longitudinal axis between opposite ends; and at least one end cap attached to at least one of said opposite ends, the end cap having at least one resilient prong extending radially inwardly from the outer surface of the end cap for engaging a elongate member extending into the lumen of said tubular member, wherein the end cap is made of silicone.

2. The heat-insulating and flame-retardant sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the at least one end cap comprises a pair of end caps, and one individual end cap of the pair of end caps is connected to one individual end of the opposite ends.

3. The heat-insulating and flame-retardant sleeve according to claim 2, wherein the circumferentially continuous wall has an outer surface, and the heat-insulating and flame-retardant protective sleeve further comprises an outermost silicone resin coating bonded to the entire outer surface.

4. The heat-insulating and flame-retardant sleeve according to claim 2, wherein the circumferentially continuous wall is a textile wall.

5. The heat-insulating and flame-retardant sleeve according to claim 4, wherein the textile wall is woven, knitted or braided.

6. The heat-insulating and flame-retardant sleeve according to claim 2, wherein the circumferentially continuous wall is a non-textile flexible wall.

7. The heat-insulating and flame-retardant sleeve according to claim 6, wherein the non-textile flexible wall is made of a flexible resin material.

8. The heat-insulating and flame-retardant sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the non-textile flexible wall is made of silicone resin.

9. The heat-insulating and flame-retardant sleeve according to claim 8, wherein the non-textile flexible wall and the at least one end cap are formed as a single integral molded material part.

10. The heat-insulating and flame-retardant sleeve according to claim 9, wherein the at least one end cap comprises a pair of end caps, and one individual end cap of the pair of end caps is located at one individual end of the opposite ends.

11. A method for manufacturing a sleeve for protecting a component accommodated in the inner cavity of the sleeve, comprising: Form a tubular member having a circumferentially continuous wall, the inner surface of said circumferentially continuous wall defining said lumen, said lumen extending along a central longitudinal axis between opposite ends; and Attach at least one end cap made of silicone to at least one of said opposite ends.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising connecting individual silicone resin end caps to each of the opposite ends.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising bonding a silicone resin coating to the outer surface of the circumferentially continuous wall.

14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising molding the at least one end cap to be adhesively connected to the circumferentially continuous wall.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising molding the at least one end cap and the circumferentially continuous wall into a single integral material part.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising molding the at least one end cap including a pair of end caps, each of the opposite ends being molded with a separate end cap.

17. The method according to claim 12, further comprising forming a circumferentially continuous wall into a textile wall.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising interweaving, braiding or knitting monofilaments and / or multifilaments with each other to form the textile wall.

19. The method according to claim 12, further comprising forming the circumferentially continuous wall into a non-textile wall.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising forming the circumferentially continuous wall with silicone resin.

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