plug

Abstract

The present application relates to a plug (102, 602) adapted to seal a hole (204) in a plate (202). The plug includes a bushing (104) including a plurality of resilient teeth (106). A body (108) is insertable within the bushing. At least one seal (110) adapted to provide a fluid tight seal between the plug and the plate is also provided. The body is arranged to push at least one of the plurality of teeth away from another of the plurality of teeth and capture at least one other of the plurality of teeth upon insertion of the body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a plug suitable for use in holes in a sealing plate. Background Technology

[0002] In electric vehicles, the battery is housed in a separate section between the vehicle and the passenger compartment. This is to prevent the introduction of toxic gases into the passenger compartment in the rare event of a battery failure.

[0003] However, during vehicle construction, it is sometimes necessary to create perforations between the passenger compartment and the battery compartment. These perforations must be sealed. The sealing method must also be suitable for preventing gas passage and for withstanding high temperatures, such as fire resistance, for a specified period. The sealing method used may be difficult to install or time-consuming (e.g., welding). Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to this disclosure, a plug suitable for use in a hole in a sealing plate is provided, the plug comprising: a bushing including a plurality of resilient teeth; a body insertable into the bushing; and a seal at least one of which is adapted to provide a fluid tight seal between the plug and the plate, wherein the body is arranged to push at least one of the plurality of teeth away from another of the plurality of teeth and to capture at least another of the plurality of teeth upon insertion of the body.

[0005] Suitable, at least one of the teeth in the body or the plurality of teeth includes at least one notch, which is arranged to be captured by at least one of the teeth or a corresponding feature of the body.

[0006] Preferably, the body includes at least one recess sized to capture at least one of a plurality of teeth.

[0007] Appropriately, the plug also includes at least one anti-rotation feature to prevent the body from rotating relative to the bushing. Optionally, the at least one anti-rotation feature includes complementary guides and slides. Further optionally, the at least one anti-rotation feature prevents rotation before and / or after using the plug.

[0008] Suitablely, the bushing may include a flange sized to press the seal against the plate during use to provide an airtight seal. Optionally, the flange causes the seal to seal against the plate. Further, alternatively, the flange prevents the seal from moving due to pressure changes in the fluid blocked by the plug.

[0009] Preferably, the plug may include one or more heat sinks arranged to facilitate heat transfer across the plug and allow heat dissipation from the plug, thereby improving plug life. Optionally, the one or more heat sinks may be formed by a hollow portion within the body to increase the surface area from which heat can be dissipated from the body.

[0010] Appropriately, at least one of the teeth may include a chamfered surface to facilitate insertion into the plate.

[0011] Suitablely, at least one of the plurality of teeth may include a body engagement surface that conforms to the shape of the body during use to provide a firm grip and increase the contact surface area. Optionally, the body engagement surface is sized to allow heat transfer between the bushing and the body.

[0012] Preferably, at least one of the teeth includes a chamfered surface arranged opposite to the body engagement surface.

[0013] Appropriately, the plug may also include a split flange to increase the flexibility and range of motion of the flange and teeth. At least one seal may be provided to retain the feature to improve the mechanical fastening of the seal to the body.

[0014] Optionally, at least one fragile connection may be provided between the bushing (particularly the flange, and / or, in the case of flange splitting) and the body. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Embodiments of the invention will now be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, using only examples.

[0016] Figure 1 The cross-section of the plug is shown.

[0017] Figure 2 The installation stages of the plug are shown in cross-section, specifically A) before installation, B) partially installed, and C) installed.

[0018] Figure 3 A) A bottom view of the plug body and seal and B) a bottom view of the plug are shown.

[0019] Figure 4 A) A bottom view of the plug and B) A cross-section of the plug are shown.

[0020] Figure 5 A top view of the plug is shown.

[0021] Figure 6 The cross-sections of A) the alternative plug and B) the alternative plug are shown.

[0022] Figure 7 Another cross-section of the alternative plug is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The use of certain terms in the following description is for convenience only and not restrictive. The terms “right,” “left,” “down,” “up,” “front,” “back,” “upward,” “downward,” and “facing downward” in the accompanying drawings indicate the direction of reference and are relative to the component described during assembly and installation. The terms “inner,” “inward,” “outer,” and “outward” refer to directions toward and away from the designated centerline or geometric center (e.g., central axis) of the described element, respectively, and their specific meanings are self-evident from the context of the description.

[0024] Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “connection,” “attachment,” “joint,” and “installation” are intended to include both a direct connection between two components, where no other component is inserted between them, and an indirect connection between components, where one or more other components are inserted between them. This terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, their derivatives, and words with similar meanings.

[0025] Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the use of ordinal adjectives such as “first,” “second,” and “third” merely indicates different instances of similar objects mentioned, and is not intended to imply that the objects described must be in a given order in time, space, sequence, or any other way.

[0026] The same reference numerals are always used to depict the same features.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, a plug 102 is provided for the hole 204 in the sealing plate 202, sufficient to prevent fluid on one side of the plate from being transferred through the hole 204 to the other side of the plate. The plate can form part of a larger structure, such as a tank, frame, or battery. Therefore, the fluid can be a liquid or a gas.

[0028] The plug includes a bushing 104 that includes a plurality of resilient teeth 106. The bushing provides an engaging member that, when the plug is installed, grips the plate and prevents the plug from being released from the plate. The resilient teeth provide an engaging function to grip the plate around the hole.

[0029] A body 108 is provided that can be inserted into a bushing such that the bushing at least partially surrounds the body, and that movement of the body through the bushing causes a portion of the body to act on a portion of the bushing. A plug 102 may have a body 108 that is at least partially pre-inserted into a bushing 104 and is capable of further travel within the bushing to a fully inserted position.

[0030] At least one seal 110 is provided. The seal 110 is adapted to provide a fluid tight seal between the plug and the plate. The seal 110 may be located between the body 108 and the bushing 104, such that the seal 110 is clamped between the respective lips of the body 108 and the bushing 104. In use, the seal may be located on either side of the plate, but is typically located on the side of the plate where the plug is introduced (opposite to the other side of the plate, which the plug only contacts after being inserted into the hole 204, and which side is gripped by the teeth 106).

[0031] The body is arranged to push at least one of the multiple teeth away from another tooth upon insertion, thereby enabling gripping of the plug onto the plate via the teeth. The body also serves the additional function of capturing at least one other tooth. In this way, the position of the body relative to the bushing is locked in place, preventing accidental removal of the hole (i.e., removal of the plug). The "at least one other tooth" discussed above can be the same tooth (i.e., a single tooth is pushed away and captured by the body), or it can be different teeth among the multiple teeth (i.e., one tooth is pushed away while another is captured).

[0032] The flexible teeth of the bushing can be arranged around the perimeter of the bushing to form a loop (note that the loop does not necessarily mean or describe a circular shape, but rather around the waist of the body).

[0033] The bushing may optionally also include a flange 118. The flange 118 is sized to press the seal against the plate during use. The seal 110 may be resilient and sized to abut against the plate 202 within a certain range of thickness to form a fluid-tight seal. The flange 118 is sized to ensure engagement of the seal against the plate when the plug is in the locked position of the seal contacting the plate, for example by ensuring that the flange 118 extends sufficiently along the body 108.

[0034] Optionally, the flange secures the seal to the plate. The flange can be arranged to prevent movement of the seal due to pressure changes in the fluid blocked by the plug. The seal may elastically deform, and its movement may be restricted by the flange, thus ensuring that the seal maintains a tight fluid seal regardless of pressure changes in the fluid blocked by the plug. Therefore, the position of the bushing ring ensures proper and constant compression of the seal.

[0035] At least one of the teeth may include a chamfered surface 124. The external shape of the tooth may have a flat or chamfered surface to avoid interference between the tooth and the hole 204 during insertion. This makes the plug easier to operate and reduces the insertion force.

[0036] At least one of the prongs may include a body engagement surface 126 that conforms to the shape of the body during use. The internal shape of the prong may have a flat surface that matches the surface of the body (i.e., the shape of the body) when the plug body is inserted into the bushing. When the plug is secured in the hole, the body engagement surface 126 matches the shape of the body and provides a thermal bridge across which temperature exchange can occur.

[0037] The body mating surface can be sized to allow heat transfer between the bushing and the body.

[0038] At least one of the plurality of teeth may include a chamfered surface arranged opposite to the body engagement surface. The body engagement surface 126 may be internal relative to the body, wherein the internal surface is the surface of the tooth that contacts the body, and the external surface is the surface of the tooth that is away from the body during use.

[0039] Figure 2 The installation process of the plug is shown. The plug is first aligned with the hole 204 in plate 202. Figure 2 A). Then the bushing 104 is inserted into the hole 204 ( Figure 2 B). Then the main body 108 is pushed towards the bushing 104 ( Figure 2 C). This will push some of the teeth in 106 away from each other and / or the body and towards plate 202. At this point, the teeth grip the plate and prevent the plug from being removed from the plate.

[0040] At least one of the teeth in the body or multiple teeth may include at least one notch 112 ( Figure 3 A). The notch 112 is arranged to be captured by at least one of the plurality of teeth or a corresponding feature of the body, such that the corresponding portions are held in a fixed position relative to each other. The body may include at least one recess 114, which is sized to capture at least one of the plurality of teeth to ensure that the captured tooth does not interfere with the operation of the plug. The notch 112 may be located within the recess 114. Figure 3 B).

[0041] The recess 114 equipped with the notch 112 can be arranged to alternate with the non-recessed area, so that the alternating teeth are captured or pushed away from the body.

[0042] refer to Figure 4 The plug may also include at least one anti-rotation feature 116 to prevent the body from rotating relative to the bushing. This at least one anti-rotation feature may take the form of complementary guide rails 402 and slides 404 respectively disposed on either the body or the bushing. Multiple anti-rotation features 116 may be provided if desired. At least one anti-rotation feature can prevent rotation before and / or after use of the plug.

[0043] Preventing rotation helps the user push the plug into the bushing during insertion.

[0044] refer to Figure 5 The plug may include one or more heat sinks 120 that facilitate heat transfer across the plug and subsequent dissipation. One or more heat sinks may be formed by a hollow portion 122 within the body. The hollow portion simply increases the surface area of ​​the body to allow heat dissipation. Other shape features that increase the surface area may be used. The hollow portion is advantageous because it does not protrude from the body and maintains a small form factor. Furthermore, one or more fins may be located within the hollow portion 122 to further assist in heat dissipation.

[0045] Figure 6 and Figure 7 Alternative plug 602 is shown, which shares many similar features with other plugs disclosed herein. The same features are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described further to avoid unnecessary repetition. Plug 602 includes a different design of seal 110. Different sealing materials may be required for different temperature ranges, and these sealing materials will have different chemical properties and requirements for secure attachment to body 108. Figure 6 The seal 110 shown is overmolded. The body 108 may include suitable seal retention features 702, such as barbs or wedges, located around the flange to provide a key for overmolding the seal 110 thereon and to prevent the seal from detaching from the body 108.

[0046] Similarly, to accommodate higher temperature ranges, it is necessary to use different materials for the bushing 104 and optionally its body 108. These materials inherently possess different material properties. One such material is a glass fiber reinforced polymer. Such materials may be more rigid and less elastic than other unreinforced materials. To ensure that the bushing can expand / contract and allow the required range of movement of the teeth, a split flange 118 can be used. The flange 118 can be split into, for example, three parts (but any suitable number of parts can be used, as long as the flange 118 can still provide its function). Gaps are then left between the parts of the flange 118, which allows the parts of the flange 118 to move relative to each other and thus relative to the teeth 106.

[0047] To maintain the association of the portions of the split flange 118 with the body 108, each portion of the flange 118 may be connected to the body via one or more fragile connectors 604. These one or more fragile connectors are preferably formed of the same material as the rest of the plug and may be integrally formed. The fragile connectors 604 are typically formed of narrow or necked bridges of material. Because the material used in this case is more rigid, the fragile connectors 604 are arranged and sized to break upon use of the plug 602, thereby allowing movement of the portions of the split flange 118 and allowing the body 108 to be pushed into the flange 118.

[0048] Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed examples described above are merely illustrative and not intended to be limiting, and that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Various modifications can be made to the detailed examples described above.

[0049] Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprising” and “containing” and their variations mean “including, but not limited to,” and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other parts, additives, components, wholes, or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. Specifically, where the indefinite article is used, the specification should be understood to consider both the plural and the singular unless the context otherwise requires.

[0050] The features, integrals, characteristics, compounds, chemical portions, or groups described in connection with a particular aspect, embodiment, or example of the invention should be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment, or example described herein, unless incompatible therewith. All features disclosed in this specification (including any appended claims, abstract, and drawings) and / or all steps of any method or process so disclosed may be combined in any combination, except where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not limited to the details of any of the foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel single feature or any novel combination of features disclosed in this specification (including any appended claims, abstract, or drawings), or any novel single feature or any novel combination of steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0051] List of Components in the Attachment 102 Plug 104 Bushing 106 teeth 108 main body 110 Seals 112 Notch 114 recess 116 Anti-rotation feature 118 flange 120 heat sink 122 Hollow Section 124 Chamfered Surface 126 Main body joint surface 202 boards 204 holes 402 guide rail 404 Sliding Part 602 plug 604 Fragile Connector 702 Seal Retention Feature

Claims

1. A plug (102, 602) for use in a hole (204) in a sealing plate (202), the plug comprising... Bushing (104), the bushing including a plurality of resilient teeth (106) Body (108), the body being insertable into the bushing; and At least one seal (110) adapted to provide a fluid tight seal between the plug and the plate, wherein The body is arranged to push at least one of the plurality of teeth away from another of the plurality of teeth when the body is inserted, and to capture at least another tooth of the plurality of teeth.

2. The plug as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body or at least one of the plurality of teeth includes at least one notch (112), the at least one notch being arranged to be captured by the at least one of the plurality of teeth or a corresponding feature of the body.

3. The plug as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the body includes at least one recess (114) sized to capture at least one of the plurality of teeth.

4. The plug according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plug further comprises at least one anti-rotation feature (116) to prevent the body from rotating relative to the bushing, and optionally, wherein the at least one anti-rotation feature comprises complementary guide rails (402) and slides (404), and further optionally, wherein the at least one anti-rotation feature prevents rotation before and / or after using the plug.

5. The plug as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bushing includes a flange (118) sized to press the seal against the plate during use, and optionally, wherein the flange seals the seal to the plate, and further optionally or alternatively, wherein the flange prevents the seal from moving due to pressure changes of the fluid blocked by the plug.

6. The plug as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plug includes one or more heat sinks (120) arranged to facilitate heat transfer across the plug, and optionally, wherein the one or more heat sinks are formed by a hollow portion (122) within the body.

7. The plug according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of teeth comprises a chamfered surface (124).

8. The plug as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one of the plurality of teeth includes a body engagement surface (126) that conforms to the shape of the body in use, and optionally, wherein the body engagement surface is sized to allow heat transfer between the bushing and the body.

9. The plug according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of teeth comprises a chamfered surface arranged opposite to the body engagement surface.

10. The plug according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the plug further comprises one or more of the following: The split flange (118); and / or At least one seal retaining feature (702); and / or At least one fragile connector (604), and optionally, the at least one fragile connector is located between the bushing (104) and the body (108).

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