Battery cover fastener, battery back and method of securing cover to battery pack

Abstract

A fastener for an electric vehicle (EV) battery pack cover is provided. The fastener includes an elongate body having opposing first and second ends and upper and lower surfaces extending between the first and second ends. A first leg and a second leg extend from the first end portion and the second end portion, respectively. First and second retention features are disposed at distal ends of the first and second legs, respectively. The first retention feature and the second retention feature are insertable through an opening in the pack cover and a corresponding opening in the pack housing. The first retention feature and the second retention feature are engageable with a surface of the housing or the cover to clamp the cover to the housing. A battery pack for an electric vehicle including the fastener and a method of securing a cover to an electric vehicle battery pack using the fastener are also provided.

Description

Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 63 / 536,967, filed September 7, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to battery packs for electric vehicles (EVs), and more particularly to fasteners for securing a cover / cap to a battery pack. BACKGROUND

[0003] Electric vehicles use battery packs comprising a plurality of battery cells to store and provide a source of power to drive the vehicle. The battery cells are housed within a housing of the battery pack. EV battery packs typically have a removable cover / cap that covers and encloses an opening of an internal space within the housing of the battery pack. On average, about 80 fasteners are required to secure the cover / cap to the battery pack housing in order to enclose the battery cells of the battery pack within the housing. At the same time, the cover / cap seals the battery pack with a joint seal (gasket or similar). In order to provide a sufficient leak-proof seal from the external environment (including moisture, dust, etc.), the cover / cap should compress the seal against the surface of the battery housing such that the seal is sandwiched between the cover / cap and the housing. Typically, the fasteners used to secure the cover / cap to the battery pack and compress the seal are bolts. However, both installation cycle time and cost are of concern when using bolts to install the cover / cap to the battery pack housing. Therefore, there is a need for a faster, easier, and less costly fastener for securing the cover / cap to the battery pack. SUMMARY

[0004] An improved fastener for an electric vehicle (EV) battery pack cover is provided. The fastener includes an elongated body having opposite first and second ends, and upper and lower surfaces extending between the first and second ends. A first leg extends from the first end, and a second leg extends from the second end. A first retaining feature is disposed at the distal end of the first leg, and a second retaining feature is disposed at the distal end of the second leg. The first retaining feature is configured to be insertable through a first opening in the battery pack cover and a corresponding first opening in the battery pack housing, and is configured to engage with a surface of the battery pack housing or a surface of the battery pack cover. The second retaining feature is configured to be insertable through a second opening in the battery pack cover and a corresponding second opening in the battery pack housing, and is configured to engage with a surface of the battery pack housing or a surface of the battery pack cover. When the first and second retaining features engage with the surface of the battery pack housing or the surface of the battery pack cover, the first and second retaining features clamp the battery pack cover to the battery pack housing.

[0005] In a specific embodiment, each of the first retaining feature and the second retaining feature is a flexible elastic element including a pair of inwardly facing protrusions, wherein each protrusion includes a clamping surface and a chamfered surface.

[0006] In a specific embodiment, each of the first retaining feature and the second retaining feature includes a release tab.

[0007] In a specific embodiment, the elongated body includes at least one spring-loaded member protruding away from the lower surface.

[0008] In some embodiments, each spring member is a cantilever tab extending parallel to the first leg and the second leg.

[0009] In some embodiments, each spring member includes at least one fork at its end.

[0010] In some embodiments, the fastener includes two of the spring-loaded members.

[0011] In some embodiments, the springback member is a single flexible strip connected between the first end and the second end of the elongated body.

[0012] In some embodiments, each spring member is a cantilever tab extending perpendicularly to the first leg and the second leg.

[0013] In a particular embodiment, each springback member extends from one side of the elongated body between the first end and the second end.

[0014] In a specific embodiment, the elongated body, the first leg and the second leg, as well as the first retaining feature and the second retaining feature, are all part of a monolithic element formed by partially bending a metal part.

[0015] A battery pack for an electric vehicle (EV) is also provided. The battery pack includes a housing defining an internal chamber and having an opening providing access to the internal chamber. A plurality of battery cells are arranged in the internal chamber. A seal is arranged around the periphery of the opening. A cover covers the opening and clamps the seal between the housing and the cover. The battery pack also includes a first opening in the cover and a corresponding first opening in the housing, and a second opening in the cover and a corresponding second opening in the housing. The battery pack also includes fasteners as described in the preceding paragraphs. The fasteners are insertable through the first opening in the cover and the corresponding first opening in the housing, and are also insertable through the second opening in the cover and the corresponding second opening in the housing. The fasteners can engage with the housing or the first and second openings in the cover to clamp the cover to the housing and press the seal between the cover and the housing.

[0016] In a specific embodiment, the first opening and the second opening in the cover have a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or a polygonal shape.

[0017] In a specific embodiment, the first opening in the cover and the corresponding first opening in the battery pack housing have complementary circular, elliptical, or polygonal shapes, and the second opening in the cover and the corresponding second opening in the battery pack housing have complementary circular, elliptical, or polygonal shapes.

[0018] In a specific embodiment, the corresponding first opening and the corresponding second opening in the battery pack housing are cuts in the outer edge of the battery pack housing.

[0019] In some embodiments, each cut includes a straight surface.

[0020] A method for securing a cover to an electric vehicle (EV) battery pack is also provided. The method includes disposing the cover onto a housing of the battery pack to cover a compartment opening in the housing. The cover includes a first opening, and the housing includes a corresponding first opening; the cover also includes a second opening, and the housing also includes a corresponding second opening. Fasteners as described in the preceding paragraphs are pre-assembled onto the cover such that a first retaining feature of the fastener is inserted into the first opening in the cover, and a second retaining feature of the fastener is inserted into the second opening in the cover. The method further includes aligning the first opening in the cover with a corresponding first opening in the housing and aligning the second opening in the cover with a corresponding second opening in the housing. The method further includes pushing the fastener toward the cover to insert the first retaining feature into the corresponding first opening in the housing, thereby engaging the first retaining feature with a surface of the housing adjacent to the corresponding first opening, and to insert the second retaining feature into the corresponding second opening in the housing, thereby engaging the second retaining feature with a surface of the housing adjacent to the corresponding second opening. The engagement of the first and second retaining features with the housing clamps the cover to the housing.

[0021] In a specific embodiment, the method further includes arranging the seal between the housing and the cover, wherein the fastener is used to clamp the cover to the housing to press the seal between the cover and the housing.

[0022] In other embodiments, the method includes providing a fastener as described in the preceding paragraphs. The method further includes distributing the cover onto the housing of the battery pack to cover an opening in the housing. The method further includes inserting a first retaining feature of the fastener through a first opening in the cover and a corresponding first opening in the housing. The method further includes inserting a second retaining feature of the fastener through a second opening in the cover and a corresponding second opening in the housing. The method further includes engaging the first retaining feature with a surface of the housing adjacent to the corresponding first opening or a surface of the cover adjacent to the first opening. The method further includes engaging the second retaining feature with a surface of the housing adjacent to the corresponding second opening or a surface of the cover adjacent to the second opening. The engagement of the first and second retaining features with the housing or the cover clamps the cover to the housing.

[0023] In a specific embodiment, the first retaining feature and the second retaining feature are inserted simultaneously. Attached Figure Description

[0024] When considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the various advantages and aspects of this disclosure can be understood with reference to the following detailed description, in which: Figure 1 This is a perspective view of fasteners for securing a battery pack cover to a battery pack housing according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a fastener according to other embodiments of this disclosure; Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a fastener according to other embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a fastener according to other embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 5 This is a perspective view of a fastener according to other embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 6 This is a perspective view of a fastener according to other embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 7 It is a perspective view of the fasteners that secure the cover to the battery pack housing and press the seal between the cover and the battery pack housing; Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating a method of securing the cover to the battery pack using fasteners; Figure 9 This is a side view of the fasteners securing the cover to the battery pack; Figure 10 It is a plan view of the fasteners that secure the cover to the battery pack; Figure 11 It is a cross-sectional view of the fasteners that secure the cover to the battery pack; Figure 12 This is a perspective view of a fastener securing the cover to the battery pack according to other embodiments of this disclosure; Figure 13 This is a perspective view of fasteners securing the cover to the battery pack according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 14 This is a perspective view of a fastener securing the cover to the battery pack according to other embodiments of this disclosure; Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the method of releasing fasteners from the cover and battery pack housing; Figure 16 These are perspective views of fasteners according to other embodiments of the present disclosure; and Figure 17 This is a perspective view of a fastener according to other embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0025] A fastener is provided for a battery pack cover in an electric vehicle (EV). (Reference) Figures 1 to 17In the figures, the same reference numerals denote corresponding parts in several views, and fasteners are shown and generally indicated by 10. Fastener 10 elastically deforms to provide clamping force for securing the cover / cap / cover to the battery pack housing, as described in more detail below. Fastener 10 is also designed for quick assembly onto the cover and the battery back housing, thereby reducing cycle time for securing the cover to the battery pack. Some features of fastener 10 are functional but can be implemented with different aesthetic configurations.

[0026] The fastener 10 includes an elongated body 12 having a first end 14, an opposite second end 16, an upper surface 18 and a lower surface 20 extending between the first and second ends, and a first lateral side 22 and a second lateral side 24 extending between the first and second ends. A first leg 26 extends from the first end 14 of the body 12, and a second leg 28 extends from the second end 16 of the body. The body 12 thus forms a crown between the forked portions formed by the first leg 26 and the second leg 28. The body 12 may be much longer than either of the legs 26 or 28, for example, at least approximately twice the length of one of the legs. The body 12 may also be wider than either of the legs 26 or 28. The first leg 26 and the second leg 28 extend from the body 12 at an angle, preferably approximately 90 degrees, but may be slightly greater or slightly less than 90 degrees, for example, by way of example, 80 degrees. A first retaining feature 30 is disposed at and connected to the end portion 32 of the first leg 26. Similarly, a second retaining feature 34 is disposed at and connected to the end portion 36 of the second leg 28. The first retaining feature 30 and the second retaining feature 34 are connected to the end portions 32 and 36 of the first leg 26 and the second leg 28 respectively via bends that provide resilience and may be bends approximately 180 degrees. Thus, each of the first retaining feature 30 and the second retaining feature 34 is a flexible elastic element that can be bent from its rest position and pushed toward and / or return to its rest position. Each retaining feature 30, 34 may have the same or similar construction and, in particular, may each include a pair of inwardly facing protrusions 38. Each protrusion 38 has a facet 40 and a chamfered facet 42. The shape of each protrusion 38 may be generally triangular. Each retaining feature 30, 34 may also have a release tab 44. As described in more detail below, the beveled surface 42 and the clamping surface 40 allow features 30, 34 to be snapped into the locked / engaged position, and the release tab 44 allows features 30, 34 to be unlocked and released from engagement.

[0027] The fastener 10 also includes at least one spring-loaded member 46 protruding from the lower surface 20 away from the body 12. For example... Figure 3As shown, in one embodiment, the fastener 10 includes two spring-loaded members 46, and each spring-loaded member 46 is a cantilevered spring tab extending parallel to the first leg 26 and the second leg 28 and toward the middle portion of the body 12. In other words, each spring-loaded member 46 is substantially parallel to the lateral sides 22, 24 of the body 12. Each spring-loaded member 46 is formed by cutting three sides of a quadrilateral shape in the body 12 and bending the cut portions along a fourth side that remains attached to the body. Thus, cut holes may exist in the body 12 adjacent to each spring-loaded member 46. The width of the body 12 allows the spring-loaded members 46 to be formed within the boundaries of the body 12. Furthermore, one of the spring-loaded members 46 is near the first end 14, and the other spring-loaded member 46 is near the second end 16. In this embodiment, a crossbar (unnumbered) extends across the middle portion of the body 12 between the two spring-loaded members 46. Figure 2 In an alternative embodiment of the fastener 110 shown, the crossbar is not present between the spring-loaded members 146. Figure 3 In another alternative embodiment shown, fastener 210 includes only one spring-loaded member 246, which has a similar construction to spring-loaded members 46, 146, but is arranged on one side of body 212, for example near first end 214. Figure 4 In another alternative embodiment of the fastener 310 shown, the spring member 346 is a single flexible strip connected between a first end 314 and a second end 316 of the elongated body 312. In this embodiment, the spring member 346 has a curved shape and includes two legs 348 extending at an angle from the lower surface of the body 312 and a single foot 350 connecting the legs. Figure 5 In another similar embodiment of the fastener 410 shown, the spring-loaded member 446 is an integral part of the body 412 and forms all or almost all of the body between the first end 414 and the second end 416. In this embodiment, the spring-loaded member 446 is a curved and / or wavy strip of material similar to a leaf spring. Figure 6 In another alternative embodiment of the fastener 510 shown, each spring member 546 is a cantilevered tab extending perpendicularly (laterally) to the first leg 526 and the second leg 528, such that one spring member 546 extends from the first side to the side 522 and the other spring member 546 extends from the second side to the side 524. In this way, the spring member 546 is similar to a flap. In other similar embodiments (not shown), the spring member may be a cantilevered tab extending perpendicularly to the first leg and the second leg, but... Figure 6Compared to the embodiments described above, these spring-loaded members extend inward from the sides rather than outward away from the sides. As described in more detail below, spring-loaded members 46, 146, 246, 346, 446, and 546 provide a clamping load that helps to maintain retaining features 30, 34, 130, 134, 230, 234, 330, 334, 430, 434, 530, and 534 in a locked / engaged position.

[0028] In such Figure 16 In another embodiment shown, the fastener 710 includes one or more forked teeth 772 in the form of pointed tips. The forked teeth 772 are disposed at the end of each spring member 746. The forked teeth 772 thus form a fork at the end of each spring member 746. When the fastener 710 is installed as described in more detail below, the forked teeth 772 penetrate the surfaces of the two components fastened together to allow electrical conductivity between the two components and thereby ground the two components together. Tension of the spring member 746 against the surfaces of the components maintains the connection between the forked teeth 772 and the components. The two components may be, for example, two housing halves, which enclose an internal volume between the housing halves when placed together. More specifically, the two housing halves may be a shell and a cover, wherein the forked teeth 772 provide an electrical connection between the shell and the cover. Figure 17 A similar but alternative fastener 810 is shown, wherein the spring member 846 has a curved shape, and the fork 872 faces the ends 814, 816 of the fastener 810 and is away from the center of the fastener. In contrast, the spring member 772 of the fastener 710 is generally flat, and the fork 772 faces the center of the fastener 710.

[0029] Now for specific reference Figures 7 to 12Fastener 10 secures a cover / cap 52, which covers an opening in an internal chamber within a battery pack housing 54, in which multiple battery cells are housed. To adequately seal the internal chamber of the battery pack, a seal 56, such as a gasket or the like, is arranged around the periphery of the opening covered by the cover. Thus, when the cover is placed over the opening in the housing, the seal 56 is clamped between the cover 52 and the housing 54. The cover 52 includes a first opening 58 spaced apart from but close to an outer edge 60 of the cover. The housing 54 includes a corresponding first opening 62 spaced apart from but close to an outer edge 64 of the housing. "Corresponding" means that the two openings 58, 62 are complementary; that is, when the cover 52 and the housing 54 are properly aligned, the two openings 58, 62 are aligned, and the two openings 58, 62 preferably have the same or nearly identical size and / or shape. Similarly, the cover 52 also includes a second opening 66 spaced apart from but near the outer edge 60 of the cover, and the housing 54 includes a corresponding second opening 68 spaced apart from but near the outer edge 64 of the housing. In some embodiments, the first opening 58 and the second opening 66 in the cover may have a circular or elliptical shape.

[0030] In some embodiments, the two first openings 58, 62 may each have a circular or elliptical shape. Furthermore, the first opening 58 in the cover 52 and the corresponding first opening 62 in the battery pack housing 54 may have complementary circular or elliptical shapes (having the same or different sizes), and the second opening 66 in the cover 52 and the corresponding second opening 68 in the battery pack housing 54 may have complementary circular or elliptical shapes with the same or similar sizes as the two first openings 58, 62. Alternatively, the two openings 58, 66 in the cover 52 may have a circular shape, and the two openings 62, 68 in the battery pack housing 54 may have an elliptical or similar elliptical shape (e.g., stadium-shaped). Figure 12 In another embodiment shown, the corresponding first opening 662 and corresponding second opening 668 in the battery pack housing 654 are cutouts in the outer edge 664 of the battery pack housing. Specifically, each cutout includes a straight surface 670 to which the retaining feature engages, as described below. Furthermore, the first opening need not have the same size or shape as the second opening, and both the first and second openings may optionally have polygonal shapes, such as, but not limited to, square, rectangular, triangular, or other polygonal shapes.

[0031] For fastener 10 to be installed, the first leg 26 and the first retaining feature 30 are inserted into and through the first opening 58 in the cover 52 and the corresponding first opening 62 in the housing 54. Similarly, and preferably but not necessarily simultaneously, the second leg 28 and the second retaining feature 34 are inserted into and through the second opening 66 in the cover 52 and the corresponding second opening 68 in the housing 54. Alternatively, fastener 10 may be pre-assembled / pre-installed onto the cover 52 such that the first retaining feature 30 is inserted into the first opening 58 in the cover 52 and the second retaining feature 34 is inserted into the second opening 66 in the cover 52. In this case, once the cover 52 is placed on the housing 54, fastener 10 is pushed toward the surface of the cover 52 such that the first retaining feature 30 is inserted through the corresponding first opening 62 in the housing 54 and the second retaining feature 32 is inserted through the corresponding second opening 68 in the housing 54. Fastener 10 is inserted through the first openings 58, 62 and the second openings 66, 68 into the point where the first retaining feature 30 and the second retaining feature 34 contact and engage with the lower surface of the housing 54 (i.e., the surface opposite to the surface on which the cover 52 is disposed). More specifically, when the first leg 26 and the second leg 28 are inserted into the respective openings, the chamfered surface 42 of the protrusion 38 contacts the edge of the opening, while simultaneously pushing the legs 26, 28 outward due to the resilience imparted by the bending at the connection between the legs and the retaining features 30, 34. At a certain depth in the legs 26, 28 within the openings, the chamfered surface 42 passes over the edge of the corresponding opening 62, 68 in the battery housing 54, which allows the legs 26, 28 to bend elastically inward toward the body 12, causing the clamping surface 40 of the protrusion 38 to move into engagement with the lower surface of the battery housing 54 adjacent to the corresponding opening 62, 68. Furthermore, in this configuration, the spring-loaded member 46 is pushed into engagement with the upper surface (not numbered) of the cover 52. The spring-loaded member 46 provides a clamping force that is applied against the cover 52 and pushes the body 12 of the fastener 10 away from the cover, such that the clamping force pulls the clamping surface 40 into a push-engagement with the lower surface of the battery pack housing 54, particularly as Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown. Thus, through the translational movement of the fastener 10 relative to the cover 52, the first retaining feature 30 is pushed into engagement with the surface of the battery pack housing adjacent to the first opening 62, and the second retaining feature 34 is pushed into engagement with the surface of the battery pack housing adjacent to the second opening 68. This translational movement secures the fastener 10 in a locked / engaged position, as shown. Figure 7 and Figures 9 to 12As shown. The mechanical stress on the fastener 10 in the locked / engaged position caused by the clamping force applied by the spring member 46 can be mainly at the connection between the spring member 46 and the body 12, and at the end portions 32, 36 of the legs 26, 28 and the clamping face 40. Furthermore, the fastener 10 applies a clamping force on the cover 52, which presses the seal 56 against the housing 54 and ensures that the seal 56 provides a tight seal, preventing gas, liquid, and debris from entering the internal cavities within the housing 54. Additionally, the clamping force / stress on the fastener 10 resists loosening of the clamping by other external forces (e.g., vibration, internal pressure within the battery pack housing, etc.).

[0032] exist Figure 13 In some embodiments shown, the fastener 10 can be mounted from the top along the direction from the cover 52 to the battery pack housing 54. Figure 14 In other embodiments shown, the fastener 10 can be installed from the bottom along the direction from the battery pack housing 54 to the cover 52. In these embodiments, the spring-loaded member 46 contacts the lower surface of the battery pack housing 54, and the retaining facets 40 of the retaining features 30, 34 engage the upper surface of the adjacent openings 58, 66 of the cover 52.

[0033] Go to Figure 15 To remove the fastener 10 from the cover 52 and the battery pack housing 54, a tool such as a flathead screwdriver or the like can be used. Specifically, the tool can be forced against the release tabs 44 of one or both retaining features 30, 34, causing the legs 26, 28 to bend at the body 12 and push the retaining features outward, moving the clamping face 40 away from the underside of the battery pack housing 54 and into the opening. Once the clamping face 40 is fully within the boundary of the opening, the outward force applied by the spring-loaded member 46 also helps to move the chamfered face 42 out of contact with the edge of the opening. In this disengaged configuration, the fastener 10 can be raised away from the cover 52 to pull the legs 26, 28 out of the opening.

[0034] Preferably, the fastener 10 may be formed of a metal or metal alloy as described above. However, it should be understood that the fastener may be formed of other materials (e.g., plastic or other similar suitable materials). Alternatively, the fastener may be a hybrid component formed partly of metal and partly of plastic. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the fastener 10 may be formed as a single, integral one-piece construction. Additionally, in a particular embodiment, all components of the fastener 10 may be part of a one-piece element formed by partially bending a single metal segment.

[0035] Furthermore, while fastener 10 is described as being used to secure / fix the cover to the battery pack, it should be understood that the fastener is not limited to this application and can be used in other applications, such as securing one panel to another, or securing a panel to an extruded profile, or even other applications requiring the fastening of a component (not necessarily a panel) to another component (not necessarily a panel). Additionally, the fastener can be used in applications other than vehicle applications, such as energy storage applications where the battery pack is in use but the battery pack is stationary. Furthermore, the fastener can be used to secure enclosed housings that house electrical or electronic components other than the battery pack.

[0036] It should be understood that the appended claims are not limited to the expressions and particular compounds, ingredients, or methods described in the detailed description, and may vary among particular embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. With respect to any Markush group upon which the particular features or aspects of the various embodiments are described herein, different, particular, and / or unexpected results may be obtained from each member of the corresponding Markush group, independent of all other Markush members. Each member of the Markush group may be relied upon individually and / or in combination, and provides sufficient support for the particular embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

[0037] Furthermore, any scopes and subscopes relied upon in describing the various embodiments of the invention fall independently and collectively within the scope of the appended claims, and are to be understood as describing and contemplating all scopes, including integer and / or fractional values ​​therein, even if such values ​​are not explicitly stated herein. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the enumerated scopes and subscopes are sufficient to describe and implement the various embodiments of the invention, and that these scopes and subscopes may be further described as related half, third, quarter, fifth, etc. As an example only, the scope “from 0.1 to 0.9” may be further described as the lower third (i.e., from 0.1 to 0.3), the middle third (i.e., from 0.4 to 0.6), and the upper third (i.e., from 0.7 to 0.9), which are individually and collectively within the scope of the appended claims and may be relied upon individually and / or collectively, and provide sufficient support for particular embodiments within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, language defining or modifying scopes, such as “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” “not greater than,” etc., should be understood to include subscopes and / or upper or lower limits. As another example, the range "at least 10" inherently includes subranges from at least 10 to 35, from at least 10 to 25, from 25 to 35, etc., and each subrange can be relied upon individually and / or collectively, providing sufficient support for the specific embodiment within the scope of the appended claims. Finally, individual numbers within the disclosed range can be relied upon, providing sufficient support for the specific embodiment within the scope of the appended claims. For example, the range "from 1 to 9" includes various individual integers (e.g., 3) and individual numbers with decimal points (or fractions) (e.g., 4.1), which can be relied upon, providing sufficient support for the specific embodiment within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fastener for a battery pack cover in an electric vehicle (EV), the fastener comprising: An elongated body having opposite first and second ends and an upper and lower surface extending between the first and second ends; The first leg extends from the first end; The second leg extends from the second end; A first retaining feature at the distal end of the first leg; A second retaining feature at the distal end of the second leg; The first retaining feature is configured to be able to be inserted through a first opening in the battery pack cover and a corresponding first opening in the battery pack housing, and is configured to be able to engage with the surface of the battery pack housing or the surface of the battery pack cover. The second retaining feature is configured to be able to be inserted through a second opening in the battery pack cover and a corresponding second opening in the battery pack housing, and is configured to be able to engage with the surface of the battery pack housing or the surface of the battery pack cover. When the first retaining feature and the second retaining feature engage with the surface of the battery pack housing or the surface of the battery pack cover, the first retaining feature and the second retaining feature clamp the battery pack cover to the battery pack housing.

2. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the first retaining feature and the second retaining feature is a flexible elastic element comprising a pair of inwardly facing protrusions, each protrusion including a clamping surface and a chamfered surface.

3. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the first retaining feature and the second retaining feature includes a release tab.

4. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein, The elongated body includes at least one spring-loaded member that protrudes away from the lower surface.

5. The fastener according to claim 4, wherein, Each of the spring-loaded components is a cantilevered tab extending parallel to the first leg and the second leg.

6. The fastener according to claim 4, wherein, Each of the spring-loaded components includes at least one forked tooth at its end.

7. The fastener according to claim 4, wherein the fastener comprises two of the spring-loaded members.

8. The fastener according to claim 4, wherein, The spring-loaded component is a single flexible strip connected between the first end and the second end of the elongated body.

9. The fastener according to claim 4, wherein, Each of the spring-loaded components is a cantilevered tab extending perpendicularly to the first leg and the second leg.

10. The fastener according to claim 9, wherein, Each of the spring-loaded components extends from one side of the elongated body between the first end and the second end.

11. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein, The elongated body, the first leg and the second leg, as well as the first retaining feature and the second retaining feature, are all part of a monolithic element formed by bending a portion of the metal part.

12. A battery pack for an electric vehicle (EV), the battery pack comprising: A housing that defines an internal chamber and has an opening providing access to the internal chamber; Multiple battery cells are arranged in the internal cavity; A seal, the seal being arranged around the periphery of the opening; A cover that covers the opening and clamps the seal between the housing and the cover; The first opening in the cover and the corresponding first opening in the housing; The second opening in the cover and the corresponding second opening in the housing; as well as The fastener according to claim 1; The fastener is capable of being inserted through a first opening in the cover and a corresponding first opening in the housing, and is also capable of being inserted through a second opening in the cover and a corresponding second opening in the housing, and is capable of engaging with the housing or the first and second openings in the cover to clamp the cover to the housing and press a seal between the cover and the housing.

13. The battery pack according to claim 12, wherein, The first opening and the second opening in the cover have a circular, elliptical, or polygonal shape.

14. The battery pack according to claim 12, wherein: The first opening in the cover and the corresponding first opening in the battery pack housing have complementary circular, elliptical, or polygonal shapes; and The second opening in the cover and the corresponding second opening in the battery pack housing have complementary circular, elliptical, or polygonal shapes.

15. The battery pack according to claim 12, wherein, The corresponding first opening and the corresponding second opening in the battery pack housing are cuts in the outer edge of the battery pack housing.

16. The battery pack according to claim 15, wherein, Each of the cuts includes a straight surface.

17. A method of securing a cover to an electric vehicle (EV) battery pack, the method comprising: The cover is disposed on the housing of the battery pack to cover a compartment opening in the housing, wherein the cover includes a first opening and the housing includes a corresponding first opening, the cover also includes a second opening and the housing also includes a corresponding second opening, and the fastener according to claim 1 is pre-assembled onto the cover such that a first retaining feature of the fastener is inserted into the first opening in the cover and a second retaining feature of the fastener is inserted into the second opening in the cover; Align the first opening in the cover with the corresponding first opening in the housing, and align the second opening in the cover with the corresponding second opening in the housing; Push the fastener toward the cover to insert the first retaining feature into a corresponding first opening in the housing, thereby engaging the first retaining feature with a surface of the housing adjacent to the corresponding first opening, and to insert the second retaining feature into a corresponding second opening in the housing, thereby engaging the second retaining feature with a surface of the housing adjacent to the corresponding second opening; The engagement of the first retaining feature and the second retaining feature with the housing clamps the cover to the housing.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of arranging the seal between the housing and the cover, wherein, The fasteners are used to clamp the cover to the housing and press a seal between the cover and the housing.

19. A method of securing a cover to an electric vehicle (EV) battery pack, the method comprising: Provide the fastener according to claim 1; The cover is placed onto the housing of the battery pack to cover the compartment openings in the housing; The fastener's first retaining feature is inserted through a first opening in the cover and a corresponding first opening in the housing; The second retaining feature of the fastener is inserted through a second opening in the cover and a corresponding second opening in the housing; The first retaining feature engages with the surface of the housing adjacent to the corresponding first opening or the surface of the cover adjacent to the first opening; The second retaining feature engages with the surface of the housing adjacent to the corresponding second opening or the surface of the cover adjacent to the second opening; The engagement of the first retaining feature and the second retaining feature with the housing or the cover clamps the cover to the housing.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein, The first holding feature and the second holding feature are inserted simultaneously.

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