Vent plug fixing device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a breathable plug fixture (102) adapted to simultaneously prevent the passage of liquid and allow the passage of gas. The breathable plug securing device includes a securing portion (104) having an aperture (106) arranged to receive a plug portion (108), and one or more outer resilient clips (110) having a surface complementary to a substrate surface. A plug portion (108) is associated with the aperture. The plug portion includes a resilient external thread (112) sized to form an interference push fit with the aperture.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a ventable plug fixing device suitable for simultaneously preventing the passage of liquids and allowing the passage of gases. BACKGROUND

[0002] Electric vehicles are increasingly provided with electric drive modules to convert stored battery power into movement of the wheels. The electric drive modules house mechanical components that need to be cooled and lubricated, typically by oil. The system cannot operate in a closed configuration due to oil expansion and also allows vapours, such as water vapour, to escape from the system.

[0003] Due to the moving parts, oil splashes around inside the electric drive module and this can cause oil droplets to become suspended or dispersed, presenting a risk of escape through any vents or filters provided by the system. SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a ventable plug fixing device suitable for simultaneously preventing the passage of liquids and allowing the passage of gases, the ventable plug fixing device comprising: a fixing portion comprising an aperture arranged to receive a plug portion and one or more external resilient clips having a surface complementary to a substrate surface; a plug portion associated with the aperture, the plug portion comprising a resilient external thread sized to form an interference push fit with the aperture. The ventable plug fixing device provides a fitting that can be push fit or clipped into a panel of a vehicle, thereby forming a fluid (gas and liquid) tight seal between the panel and the ventable plug fixing device.

[0005] Suitably, the ventable plug fixing device further comprises a lock arranged to fix the position of the plug portion relative to the fixing portion, such that the plug portion can be held in a given position (for example in an open position or a closed position or an intermediate position), thereby resisting accidental operation.

[0006] Preferably, the surface complementary to the substrate surface is a threaded surface to assist removal of the ventable plug fixing device, as in the case of a push fit, the ventable plug can subsequently remove the ventable plug fixing device from the panel by rotating the ventable plug fixing device out of the threaded surface.

[0007] Suitably, the resilient external thread allows the passage of gases but prevents the passage of liquids when in use, thereby allowing for example water vapour to escape but retaining oil droplets.

[0008] Suitably, the gas permeable plug fixing device further comprises at least one guide portion arranged to facilitate receipt of the plug portion by the fixing portion. This ensures correct assembly of the plug portion within the fixing portion and avoids misalignment.

[0009] Preferably, the gas permeable plug fixing device further comprises at least one resilient seal arranged to compress against the substrate surface in use and exert a tension between the fixing portion and the substrate surface. This ensures a fluid-tight seal between the gas permeable plug fixing device and the substrate surface.

[0010] Suitably, the plug portion is captured by the fixing portion thereby preventing misalignment of the plug portion.

[0011] Suitably, the plug portion is sized to push fit within the fixing portion, thereby ensuring that the plug portion can be assembled by an operator without the need for additional movement or tools.

[0012] Preferably, the resilient external thread provides a conduit to one side for liquid to return to. The resilient external thread allows, for example, droplets of oil that have collected on the flanks of the thread to slowly flow down the resilient external thread and drip from the gas permeable plug fixing device, for example, into an oil tank.

[0013] Suitably, the fixing portion further comprises a frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Embodiments of the present application will now be described, by way of example only, below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] Figure 1 A cross-section of a gas permeable plug fixing device is shown.

[0016] Figure 2 A gas permeable plug fixing device is shown A) aligned with a substrate prior to assembly and B) assembled to a substrate.

[0017] Figure 3 A partial cross-section of a gas permeable plug fixing device is shown A) in an unlocked position and B) in a locked position.

[0018] Figure 4 A cross-section of an alternative gas permeable plug fixing device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience and is not intended to limit the application. The words "right," "left," "lower," "upper," "front," "back," "up," "down," and "down" refer to the directions referenced in the drawings and are with respect to the orientation of the components described when assembled and installed. The words "inner," "inwardly," "outer" and "outwardly" refer to the directions toward and away from the designated centerline or geometric center (e.g., central axis) of the described element, the specific meaning being apparent from the context of the specification.

[0020] Further, as used herein, the terms "connected," "attached," "coupled," and "mounted" are intended to include direct connections between two members, as well as indirect connections through one or more other members. The terms include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

[0021] Further, unless otherwise stated, the use of ordinal adjectives such as "first," "second," and "third," etc., merely indicate different instances of similar objects, and do not imply that the objects so described must be in a given order in time, space, in ranking, or in any other manner.

[0022] Similar reference characters refer to similar features throughout the description.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 , a gas permeable plug retainer 102 is provided that is adapted to simultaneously prevent the passage of liquids (typically oil) and allow the passage of gases (such as water vapor).

[0024] The gas permeable plug retainer includes a retainer portion 104 that includes an aperture 106 arranged to receive a plug portion 108 and one or more external resilient clips 110 having a surface complementary to a surface of the substrate. A frame can be provided to form the body of the retainer portion 104 and the aperture 106 can be formed in the frame. The frame also provides a substrate from which the external resilient clips 110 can be formed or attached. The retainer portion 104 provides a connection between the gas permeable plug retainer 102 and the vehicle. A seal (not shown in Figure 1 Figure 2 ​The at least one resilient seal 208 is arranged to compress against the substrate surface in use and to exert tension between the fixing portion and the substrate surface. This prevents accidental separation of the component. The at least one resilient seal 208 also provides a better seal as the pressure increases, as the increase in pressure causes greater compression of the seal between the fixing portion 104 and the substrate.

[0025] The outer resilient clip 110 provides a gripping means for the fixing portion 104 to grip and hold within the vehicle substrate. By making the outer resilient clip 110 resilient, the fitting time of the breathable plug fixing device 102 is reduced, as the fixing portion 104 can simply be pushed into place by a "snap fit" (i.e. the component does not need to be screwed or welded into place). The surface complementary to the substrate surface (i.e. the surface of the vehicle that the fixing portion 104 is fitted to) is a threaded surface, so as to provide a more effective connection between the components.

[0026] As the location of the breathable plug fixing device 102 can experience a relatively elevated temperature by virtue of the driving means heating up in use, the fixing portion 104 should be formed from a material suitable to cope with such temperatures, such as a suitable plastic.

[0027] The plug portion 108 is associated with the aperture. The breathable plug fixing device 102 can be supplied with a plug portion 108 that is captured in or partially inserted into the aperture by the fixing portion 104. The plug portion has a resilient external thread 112 that is sized to form an interference push fit with the aperture. In this way, the plug portion 108 can be fitted to the aperture simply by pushing the plug portion 108 into the aperture. Thus, the aperture does not comprise a complementary thread and can have a smooth side wall. The resilient external thread 112 can act as a conduit for oil returning to the vehicle, which can slowly trickle down the resilient external thread.

[0028] The breathable plug fixing device further comprises a lock 206 arranged to fix the position of the plug portion relative to the fixing portion. The lock ensures that the plug portion 108 is securely held in place in the aperture of the fixing portion 104 and does not inadvertently come free from the fixing portion 104, for example by road vibrations. The lock can take the form of a slot into which a tooth can be rotated, similar to a bayonet fitting. The rotation to achieve a secure lock can be minimal, for example reference Figure 3The lock can be engaged by rotating a quarter turn or less. Preferably, the lock can be engaged manually without the need for any additional tools. The plug portion 108 can be provided with an interface to engage with a tool such as a spanner, hex key, star driver or any similar to allow the plug portion 108 to be rotated which can operate the lock 206 or allow the plug portion 108 to be rotated out of the bore via the resilient external thread.

[0029] Preferably, the resilient external thread allows gas to pass through but prevents liquid from passing through when in use. This can be achieved by selecting an appropriate pitch or number of teeth of the thread to provide a labyrinth or maze through which liquid cannot pass but gas can pass.

[0030] The gas permeable plug fixing device can further comprise at least one guide portion 204 arranged to facilitate the fixing portion receiving the plug portion. The at least one guide portion 204 can be a slot and an extension member arranged on the plug portion or the fixing portion respectively. The guide portions ensure correct positioning and assembly of the components and also stop rotation of the components in the bore.

[0031] Figure 2 Assembly of the gas permeable plug fixing device 102 is shown. The fixing portion 104 is pushed into a threaded hole in, for example, a vehicle. Next, the gas permeable plug fixing device 102 is pushed fully into the fixing portion 104. Next, the gas permeable plug fixing device 102 can be locked by manually rotating the plug portion 108 as shown in Figure 3 .

[0032] Figure 4 An alternative gas permeable plug fixing device 102 is shown in Figure Figure 1 . The gas permeable plug fixing device 102 is also suitable for preventing liquid from passing through and allowing gas to pass through simultaneously and shares many similar features with the gas permeable plug fixing device 102 of

[0033] The gas permeable plug fixing device comprises a fixing portion 104 comprising a bore 106 arranged to receive a plug portion 108. The plug portion 108 is associated with the bore and comprises a resilient external thread 112 dimensioned to form an interference push fit with the bore.

[0034] The resilient external thread further comprises one or more wing portions 402 arranged between a root 114 and a crest 116 of the resilient external thread. Here, the root 114 and the crest 116 refer to the properties of the thread. The root 114 is the bottom of the groove between the two side surfaces of the thread and the crest 116 is the protruding part (outermost) of the thread. The flank 118 is the surface of the thread connecting a given crest 116 and root 114.

[0035] The purpose of the wing 402 is to capture dispersed oil droplets so that these flow down the wing 402 onto the elastomeric external thread 112 and then drip down back into the drive unit. The wing or wings are thus arranged to capture liquid droplets and / or direct the captured liquid droplets.

[0036] The wing or wings can be arranged within the pitch of the elastomeric external thread, i.e. the valley formed between two respective crests 116.

[0037] The wing or wings can be arranged between the major thread diameter and the minor thread diameter of the elastomeric external thread, i.e. between the crest 116 and the root 114 of the elastomeric external thread 112.

[0038] To achieve the above arrangements, the wing or wings are attached to at least one flank of the elastomeric external thread and thus in the path of any dispersed oil droplets that escape the elastomeric external thread. The wing or wings thus at least partially obstruct the gap (or valley as previously described) formed between the opposing flanks of the elastomeric external thread.

[0039] The plug portion can further be provided with a gas permeable membrane, although this is not essential. The gas permeable membrane can allow gas to escape but capture any residual dispersed oil droplets that escape the plug portion. The gas permeable membrane can be any suitable gas permeable membrane such as an aluminium filter, a non-woven web, a membrane or a sintered filter. The gas permeable membrane can be added on top of the plug portion and locked, overmoulded, welded or otherwise suitably secured to the plug portion with a cap.

[0040] By using a gas permeable plug fixing device 102 of Figure 1 ( Figure 1 a gas permeable membrane similar to that of Figure 4 and the above described plug portion of Figure 4 any attached filters are kept cleaner by preventing oil droplets from contaminating the filters and thus can allow for a longer time between maintenance.

[0041] The gas permeable plug securing device 102 can be adapted to simultaneously prevent the passage of liquid and allow the passage of gas. The gas permeable plug securing device comprises a securing portion 104 comprising an aperture 106 arranged to receive a plug portion 108. The plug portion 108 is associated with the aperture. The plug portion comprises a resilient external thread 112 sized to form an interference push fit with the aperture. The resilient external thread further comprises one or more wings arranged between a root 114 and a crest 116 of the resilient external thread. The one or more wings can be arranged within the pitch of the resilient external thread. Alternatively or additionally, the one or more wings are arranged between a major thread diameter and a minor thread diameter of the resilient external thread. The plug portion can further be provided with a gas permeable membrane. The one or more wings can be arranged to trap liquid droplets and / or direct trapped liquid droplets. The one or more wings can be attached to at least one flank of the resilient external thread. The one or more wings can at least partially obstruct a gap formed between opposing flanks of the resilient external thread.

[0042] Those skilled in the art will understand that the foregoing detailed description has been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only, and not in limitation, and that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims. Various modifications to the foregoing detailed description are possible.

[0043] In the specification and claims of this application, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations thereof, mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and they do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout this specification and claims the word "comer" means "to include". Wherein the context requires, the singular "comer" can include the plural. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, such as "a" or "an", this is to be understood as applying to a single or to a plurality of the referenced item, unless the context requires otherwise.

[0044] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the application are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features and / or steps disclosed herein (and any other variations thereof unless otherwise indicated) can be combined in any combination, except variations that would render the features and / or steps inoperable or that would be otherwise incompatible. The application is not limited to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The application extends to any novel one, or any novel combination of the features disclosed in the specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract or drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A breathable plug fixing device (102), the breathable plug fixing device being adapted to simultaneously prevent liquid passage and allow gas passage, the breathable plug fixing device comprising: A fixing portion (104) includes an opening (106) and one or more external elastic clips (110), the opening being arranged to receive a plug portion (108), the one or more external elastic clips having a surface complementary to the substrate surface. A plug portion (108) is associated with the orifice and includes an elastic external thread (112) that is sized to form an interference fit with the orifice.

2. The breathable plug fixing device as described in claim 1, wherein, The breathable plug fixing device further includes a lock (206) arranged to fix the position of the plug portion relative to the fixing portion.

3. The breathable plug fixing device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, The surface complementary to the substrate surface is the threaded surface.

4. The breathable plug fixing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The elastic external thread allows gas to pass through but prevents liquid from passing through during use.

5. The breathable plug fixing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The breathable plug fixing device further includes at least one guide portion (204) arranged to facilitate the fixing portion receiving the plug portion.

6. The ventilable plug fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ventilable plug fixing device further comprises at least one resilient seal (208) arranged to press against a substrate surface in use and to apply tension between the fixing portion and the substrate surface.

7. The breathable plug fixing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The plug portion (108) is captured by the fixing portion (104).

8. The breathable plug fixing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The size of the plug portion (108) is determined to be inserted into the fixed portion (104).

9. The breathable plug fixing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The resilient external thread (112) provides a conduit for the return of liquid to the side of the breathable plug fixation device (102).

10. The breathable plug fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The fixed portion (104) further includes a frame.

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