Liquid injection hole sealing element and battery cell cover plate
By designing the sealing nails and reinforcing structure, optimizing injection molding parameters and snap-fit groove settings, the problems of difficult manufacturing and adhesion of sealing nails were solved, achieving efficient production and stable sealing.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- 三一红象电池有限公司
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies for sealing nails have high manufacturing requirements and are difficult to manufacture. They also have unstable sealing effects and are prone to sticking together during transportation.
A liquid injection hole seal is designed, comprising a sealing pin and a reinforcing structure with different hardnesses. By optimizing injection molding parameters and snap-fit groove settings, the manufacturing difficulty is reduced and the connection strength is improved.
It reduces the injection molding difficulty of the sealing pin tail, improves production efficiency, reduces the risk of seal sticking during transportation, and enhances the sealing effect.
Smart Images

Figure CN224153571U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery technology, specifically to a liquid injection hole seal and a cell cover. Background Technology
[0002] During the manufacturing process of battery cells, the bare cells and electrolyte need to be sealed within a sealed space to reduce the impact of external factors on the internal structure of the cells. After the electrolyte is injected into the injection hole on the cell cover, a sealing nail needs to be inserted into the injection hole, and then a sealing aluminum nail is welded to complete the seal. The welding quality of the sealing aluminum nail depends on the fit between the sealing nail and the cell cover and the sealing effect.
[0003] To ensure a good seal between the sealing nail and the cell cover, the sealing nail is often designed with an interference fit to the injection hole. However, the interference fit increases the difficulty of inserting the sealing nail. In order to facilitate the insertion, it is necessary to control the precision and hardness of the tail of the sealing nail, which leads to high manufacturing requirements and great manufacturing difficulty for the sealing nail. Utility Model Content
[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a liquid injection hole seal and a battery cell cover plate to solve the problems of high manufacturing requirements and high manufacturing difficulty of existing sealing nails.
[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a liquid injection hole seal, comprising a sealing pin and a reinforcing structure; the sealing pin has a receiving space, the receiving space extending axially along the sealing pin and penetrating a first surface of the sealing pin; at least a portion of the reinforcing structure is disposed within the receiving space, the reinforcing structure is connected to the sealing pin, and the hardness of the reinforcing structure is greater than the hardness of the sealing pin.
[0006] Beneficial effects: The injection hole seal is designed with two parts of different hardness connected together. The injection parameters can be independently optimized according to the hardness requirements of each part, thereby reducing the injection difficulty of the sealing pin tail, reducing the manufacturing requirements of the injection hole seal, reducing manufacturing difficulty, and improving production efficiency. The hardness of the reinforced structure is greater than that of the sealing pin, which makes it easier for the equipment to insert the pin, and at the same time reduces the risk of adjacent injection hole seals sticking together at the head and tail during transportation.
[0007] In one alternative embodiment, the sealing pin is disposed around the reinforcing structure on the orthographic projection of the first surface, and the minimum wall thickness of the sealing pin surrounding the reinforcing structure is a, satisfying a≥0.03mm.
[0008] Beneficial effects: By limiting the minimum wall thickness of the reinforcing structure around the sealing pin, the sealing pin portion is prevented from being too thin, which would make it difficult to seal with the injection hole and easily lead to air leakage, thus ensuring the sealing effect of the sealing pin at the minimum thickness position.
[0009] In one alternative embodiment, the height of the reinforcing structure protruding from the first surface along the axial direction of the sealing pin is H1, satisfying H1≤1mm.
[0010] Beneficial effects: By limiting the height of the reinforcing structure protruding from the first surface, it prevents the reinforcing structure from protruding too high, which would make the overall height of the battery cell too high and affect the space utilization of the battery cell.
[0011] In one alternative embodiment, the reinforcing structure is embedded into the accommodating space to a depth of H2 along the axial direction of the sealing pin, satisfying H2≥0.2mm.
[0012] Beneficial effect: By limiting the depth of the reinforcing structure embedded in the receiving space, it prevents the reinforcing structure from being embedded too deeply, which would cause the reinforcing structure to detach from the receiving space and result in a defective product.
[0013] In one alternative embodiment, the sealing pin and the reinforcing structure are engaged by a snap-fit groove and a snap-fit part, wherein the snap-fit part is engaged in the snap-fit groove, the snap-fit groove is disposed on one of the sealing pin and the reinforcing structure, and the snap-fit part is disposed on the other of the sealing pin and the reinforcing structure.
[0014] Beneficial effects: By setting the snap-fit groove and snap-fit part, the directional snap-fit of the reinforced structure and the sealing nail is realized, which further improves the connection strength and connection stability of the sealing nail and the reinforced structure.
[0015] In one optional embodiment, the snap-fit portion is connected to the sealing pin, the snap-fit portion is arranged circumferentially along the accommodating space and extends into the accommodating space, and the snap-fit groove is arranged on the reinforcing structure, the snap-fit groove being formed on the peripheral wall of the reinforcing structure along the circumferential direction of the reinforcing structure.
[0016] Beneficial effects: The snap-fit part is arranged circumferentially along the accommodating space and is embedded and matched with the snap-fit groove to realize the circumferential snap-fit of the reinforcing structure and the sealing nail, increase the contact area between the reinforcing structure and the sealing nail, and improve the connection strength and connection stability of the sealing nail and the reinforcing structure.
[0017] In one optional embodiment, the snap-fit groove is disposed on the sealing nail, the snap-fit groove extends axially along the sealing nail and penetrates the first surface of the sealing nail, the snap-fit groove communicates with the accommodating space, and a plurality of snap-fit grooves are disposed at intervals along the circumference of the accommodating space; the snap-fit portion is connected to the reinforcing structure, and a plurality of snap-fit portions are disposed at intervals along the circumference of the reinforcing structure; the plurality of snap-fit portions correspond one-to-one with the plurality of snap-fit grooves.
[0018] Beneficial effects: The snap-fit groove extends along the axial direction of the sealing nail and is embedded and fitted with the snap-fit part to achieve axial snap-fit between the reinforcing structure and the sealing nail, increasing the contact area between the reinforcing structure and the sealing nail, and improving the connection strength and connection stability between the sealing nail and the reinforcing structure.
[0019] In one alternative embodiment, the injection hole seal further includes a sealing cap disposed opposite to the first surface, the sealing cap being adapted to be welded to the cover plate body.
[0020] Beneficial effect: By setting a sealing cap, the sealing effect between the liquid injection hole seal and the cell cover plate is further improved.
[0021] In one optional embodiment, the Shore hardness of the sealing nail is SH1, and the Shore hardness of the reinforcing structure is SH2, satisfying 60HA < SH1 < 100HA, SH2 > 100HA.
[0022] Secondly, this utility model also provides a battery cell cover plate, including the above-mentioned liquid injection hole seal and cover plate body, wherein the cover plate body is provided with a liquid injection hole, and the liquid injection hole seal is inserted into the liquid injection hole. Attached Figure Description
[0023] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.
[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the injection hole seal according to an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0025] Figure 2 This is an exploded structural diagram of the injection hole seal according to an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0026] Figure 3 This is a side view of the liquid injection hole seal according to an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0027] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of direction A;
[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the side structure of the injection hole seal when the snap-fit part is disposed in the accommodating space in an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0029] Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the injection hole seal when the snap-fit part is disposed on the reinforced structure according to an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0030] Figure 7 This is an exploded view of the injection hole sealing assembly when the snap-fit part is disposed on the reinforced structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the battery cell cover plate according to an embodiment of the present utility model.
[0032] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:
[0033] 10. Sealing pin; 11. Accommodation space; 12. First surface; 13. Head; 14. Tail; 20. Reinforcing structure; 30. Snap-fit groove; 40. Snap-fit part; 50. Sealing cap; 60. Cover plate body; 61. Injection hole. Detailed Implementation
[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.
[0035] The following is combined Figures 1 to 8 The following describes embodiments of the present invention.
[0036] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in a first aspect, a liquid injection hole seal is provided, including a sealing pin 10 and a reinforcing structure 20; the sealing pin 10 has a receiving space 11, the receiving space 11 extends along the axial direction of the sealing pin 10 and is disposed through a first surface 12 of the sealing pin 10; at least a portion of the reinforcing structure 20 is disposed within the receiving space 11, the reinforcing structure 20 is connected to the sealing pin 10, and the hardness of the reinforcing structure 20 is greater than the hardness of the sealing pin 10.
[0037] The injection hole seal of this embodiment is designed with two parts of different hardness connected together. The injection molding parameters can be independently optimized according to the hardness requirements of each part, thereby reducing the injection molding difficulty of the tail 14 of the sealing pin 10, reducing the manufacturing requirements of the injection hole seal, reducing manufacturing difficulty, and improving production efficiency. The hardness of the reinforcing structure 20 is greater than that of the sealing pin 10, which facilitates the insertion of the pin into the equipment and reduces the risk of the heads and tails of adjacent injection hole seals sticking together during transportation.
[0038] It should be noted that in the relevant technology, the sealing pins are integrally injection molded. Precise control of parameters such as filling speed, pressure, and temperature of materials with different hardnesses at different locations is required to ensure that the material is evenly filled into all parts of the mold and achieves the required hardness and performance after molding. Therefore, the sealing pin process in this technology has strict requirements and is difficult to manufacture. Furthermore, the material at the gate needs to be removed after solidification; improper removal will leave a pit at the tail of the sealing pin. If the pit is large, during transport through the comb tube, the head of the later sealing pin may insert into the tail of the previous sealing pin, causing adhesion. In this embodiment, two structures with different hardness are set respectively, which can independently optimize the injection molding parameters according to the hardness requirements of each part, reducing the manufacturing difficulty under the high hardness condition of the tail 14 of the sealing nail 10; at the same time, the high hardness reinforcing structure 20 is embedded in the accommodating space 11 of the sealing nail 10. When the high hardness reinforcing structure 20 is removed after injection molding, it is easier to form a shape without a glue gate or with a small glue gate, thereby reducing the risk of the head 13 and tail 14 of the adjacent injection hole seal sticking together during transportation.
[0039] It should be further explained that in related technologies, a pin insertion rod is typically used to clamp or hold the sealing pin, which is then aligned with the injection hole. The pin is then pushed into the injection hole using the insertion rod to form a seal. To ensure that the sealing pin can smoothly enter the hole, the tail of the sealing pin needs to have high hardness so that it can withstand greater pressure without deformation. If the tail of the sealing pin is not hard enough, it may dent or bend when the pushing force is applied, thus affecting the sealing effect.
[0040] Specifically, in this embodiment, both the reinforcing structure 20 and the sealing pin 10 are injection molded. When the injection molding material is in a molten state, it is injected into the mold cavity. During the cooling process of the injection molding material, the reinforcing structure 20 and the sealing pin 10 naturally bond together.
[0041] It should be noted that the reinforcing structure 20 and the sealing nail 10 can also be bonded together using adhesive.
[0042] Specifically, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, part of the reinforcing structure 20 is disposed within the accommodating space 11, and the reinforcing structure 20 protrudes from the first surface 12 of the sealing nail 10; the sealing nail 10 and the injection hole 61 are interference fit, as shown in 4, and the orthographic projection of the reinforcing structure 20 on the first surface 12 is a circle.
[0043] It should be noted that in other alternative embodiments, the reinforcing structure 20 may also be entirely disposed within the receiving space and recessed within the first surface 12 of the sealing nail 10; the reinforcing structure 20 may also be entirely disposed within the receiving space and flush with the first surface 12 of the sealing nail 10.
[0044] It should be noted that when the diameter of the insert rod is greater than the diameter of the reinforcing structure 20, the reinforcing structure 20 needs to protrude from the first surface 12 of the sealing nail 10; when the diameter of the insert rod is less than the diameter of the reinforcing structure 20, the reinforcing structure 20 can protrude from or be recessed into the first surface 12 of the sealing nail 10, or the reinforcing structure 20 can be flush with the first surface 12 of the sealing nail 10.
[0045] In one embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown, on the orthographic projection of the first surface 12, the sealing pin 10 is arranged around the reinforcing structure 20, and the minimum wall thickness of the sealing pin 10 surrounding the reinforcing structure 20 is a, which satisfies a≥0.03mm. By limiting the minimum wall thickness of the sealing pin 10 surrounding the reinforcing structure 20, it is prevented that the sealing pin 10 is too thin, making it difficult to seal with the injection hole 61 and prone to air leakage, thus ensuring the sealing effect of the sealing pin 10 at the minimum thickness position.
[0046] Preferably, the minimum wall thickness a of the sealing nail 10 surrounding the reinforcing structure 20 is ≥0.2mm.
[0047] It should be noted that if the minimum wall thickness of the sealing pin 10 surrounding the reinforcing structure 20 is too small, it will be difficult to form an effective seal between the sealing pin 10 and the injection hole 61, and gas will easily leak from the gap, which will damage the sealing performance of the battery cell. Furthermore, if the sealing pin 10 is too thin, it will have insufficient strength, and the thinner part will be prone to deformation and cracking, affecting the stability and reliability of the battery cell. At the same time, for injection molding, it is difficult to guarantee the dimensional accuracy of the wall thickness if it is too small.
[0048] In one embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, along the axial direction of the sealing pin 10, the height of the reinforcing structure 20 protruding from the first surface 12 is H1, which satisfies H1≤1mm. By limiting the height of the reinforcing structure 20 protruding from the first surface 12, it is prevented that the reinforcing structure 20 protrudes too high, thereby making the overall height of the battery cell too high and affecting the space utilization rate of the battery cell.
[0049] In one embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, along the axial direction of the sealing pin 10, the reinforcing structure 20 is embedded to a depth of H2 in the receiving space 11, satisfying H2≥0.2mm. By limiting the depth of the reinforcing structure 20 embedded in the receiving space 11, it prevents the reinforcing structure 20 from being embedded too deeply, thus preventing it from detaching from the receiving space 11 and forming a defective product.
[0050] Preferably, the depth H2 of the reinforcing structure 20 embedded in the accommodating space 11 is ≥0.5mm.
[0051] In one embodiment, the sealing nail 10 and the reinforcing structure 20 are engaged by a snap-fit groove 30 and a snap-fit part 40. The snap-fit part 40 is engaged in the snap-fit groove 30, which is located on one of the sealing nail 10 and the reinforcing structure 20, and the snap-fit part 40 is located on the other of the sealing nail 10 and the reinforcing structure 20.
[0052] Specifically, in the first implementation, such as Figure 5 As shown, the snap-fit portion 40 is connected to the sealing nail 10. The snap-fit portion 40 is arranged circumferentially along the accommodating space 11 and extends into the accommodating space 11. The snap-fit groove 30 is provided on the reinforcing structure 20 and is formed on the peripheral wall of the reinforcing structure 20 along the circumferential direction. The snap-fit portion 40 is arranged circumferentially along the accommodating space 11 and is embedded and fitted with the snap-fit groove 30 to realize the axial snap-fit between the reinforcing structure 20 and the sealing nail 10, increase the contact area between the reinforcing structure 20 and the sealing nail 10, and improve the connection strength and connection stability between the sealing nail 10 and the reinforcing structure 20.
[0053] Specifically, the snap-fit part 40 is an annular protrusion, and the snap-fit groove 30 is an annular groove.
[0054] Furthermore, the snap-fit part 40 and the sealing nail 10 are integrally injection molded; the snap-fit groove 30 and the reinforcing structure 20 are integrally injection molded.
[0055] It is worth noting that in the first embodiment, the snap-fit part 40 and the snap-fit groove 30 are axially snap-fitted together, which can prevent the reinforced structure 20 from moving up and down along the axial direction of the injection hole seal.
[0056] In the second implementation, such as Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, a snap-fit groove 30 is disposed on the sealing nail 10. The snap-fit groove 30 extends axially along the sealing nail 10 and penetrates the first surface 12 of the sealing nail 10. The snap-fit groove 30 communicates with the accommodating space 11. Several snap-fit grooves 30 are provided, and the several snap-fit grooves 30 are spaced apart circumferentially along the accommodating space 11. A snap-fit part 40 is connected to the reinforcing structure 20. Several snap-fit parts 40 are provided, and the several snap-fit parts 40 are spaced apart circumferentially along the reinforcing structure 20. The several snap-fit parts 40 are provided one-to-one with the several snap-fit grooves 30. The snap-fit groove 30 extends axially along the sealing nail 10 and is embedded and engaged with the snap-fit part 40 to realize the axial snap-fit between the reinforcing structure 20 and the sealing nail 10, increase the contact area between the reinforcing structure 20 and the sealing nail 10, and improve the connection strength and connection stability between the sealing nail 10 and the reinforcing structure 20.
[0057] Specifically, in this embodiment, such as Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, there are four snap-fit slots 30 and four snap-fit parts 40. The four snap-fit slots 30 are evenly spaced along the circumference of the accommodating space 11, and the four snap-fit parts 40 are evenly spaced along the circumference of the reinforcing structure 20.
[0058] Furthermore, the snap-fit groove 30 and the sealing pin 10 are integrally injection molded; the snap-fit part 40 and the reinforcing structure 20 are integrally injection molded.
[0059] It is worth noting that in the second embodiment, the reinforcing structure 20 and the sealing pin 10 are engaged in the circumferential direction to prevent the reinforcing structure 20 from rotating circumferentially along the injection hole seal.
[0060] In one embodiment, such as Figure 8 As shown, the injection port seal also includes a sealing cap 50, which is disposed opposite to the first surface 12 and is adapted to be welded to the cover plate body 60. By providing the sealing cap 50, the sealing effect between the injection port seal and the cell cover plate is further improved.
[0061] Specifically, in this embodiment, the sealing cover 50 is a sealing aluminum nail, which is welded to the cover plate body 60.
[0062] In one embodiment, the Shore hardness of the sealing nail 10 is SH1, and the Shore hardness of the reinforcing structure 20 is SH2, satisfying 60HA < SH1 < 100HA, SH2 > 100HA.
[0063] Specifically, those skilled in the art can select appropriate parameters within the limits of SH1 and SH2 to design the sealing nail 10 and the reinforcing structure 20, respectively, based on the actual situation.
[0064] Specifically, in this embodiment, both the sealing nail 10 and the reinforcing structure 20 are made of PP (polypropylene) and thermoplastic elastomer, but the sealing nail 10 and the reinforcing structure 20 are made of different proportions. The reinforcing structure 20 has a Shore hardness of SH2 > 100HA, and the PP content is greater than or equal to 60%; the sealing nail 10 has a Shore hardness of 60HA < SH1 < 100HA, and the PP content is approximately 50%.
[0065] It should be noted that in related technologies, the Shore hardness requirement for the sealing pin 10 (excluding the reinforcing structure) is usually 80HA < SH < 100HA. However, in this embodiment, the Shore hardness requirement for the sealing pin 10 is 60HA < SH1 < 100HA, which is a wider range. Under the condition of satisfying the interference fit between the sealing pin 10 and the injection hole 61, the hardness of the sealing pin 10 becomes softer, and the sealing pin 10 and the inner wall of the injection hole 61 are in more sufficient contact. The larger the sealing contact area, the better the sealing performance.
[0066] It is worth noting that as the hardness requirements of the sealing pin 10 and the reinforcing structure 20 are broadened, the change in hardness can compensate for the deviation in dimensional accuracy to a certain extent. Therefore, the manufacturing precision control requirements of the sealing pin 10 and the reinforcing structure 20 can also be broadened, which further facilitates the production of the injection hole seal.
[0067] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in a second aspect, a cell cover plate is also provided, such as... Figure 8 As shown, the cell cover plate includes the above-mentioned liquid injection hole seal and cover plate body 60. The cover plate body 60 has a liquid injection hole 61, and the liquid injection hole seal is inserted into the liquid injection hole 61.
[0068] Specifically, the cover plate body 60 is made of a smooth aluminum sheet, the sealing cover 50 is made of a sealing aluminum nail, and the sealing aluminum nail is welded to the smooth aluminum sheet.
[0069] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations all fall within the scope defined by the present invention.
Claims
1. A fill port seal, comprising: include: A sealing pin (10) having a receiving space (11) extending along the axial direction of the sealing pin (10) and extending through a first surface (12) of the sealing pin (10); A reinforcing structure (20) is at least partially disposed within the accommodating space (11), the reinforcing structure (20) is connected to the sealing nail (10), and the hardness of the reinforcing structure (20) is greater than the hardness of the sealing nail (10).
2. The fill hole seal of claim 1, wherein, On the orthographic projection of the first surface (12), the sealing pin (10) is arranged around the reinforcing structure (20), and the minimum wall thickness of the sealing pin (10) around the reinforcing structure (20) is a, which satisfies a≥0.03mm.
3. The fill hole seal of claim 1, wherein, Along the axial direction of the sealing pin (10), the height of the reinforcing structure (20) protruding from the first surface (12) is H1, satisfying H1≤1mm.
4. The fill port seal of claim 1, wherein, Along the axial direction of the sealing pin (10), the reinforcing structure (20) is embedded into the accommodating space (11) to a depth of H2, satisfying H2≥0.2mm.
5. The fill port seal of any of claims 1-4, wherein, The sealing pin (10) and the reinforcing structure (20) are engaged by a snap-fit groove (30) and a snap-fit part (40). The snap-fit part (40) is engaged in the snap-fit groove (30). The snap-fit groove (30) is located on one of the sealing pin (10) and the reinforcing structure (20), and the snap-fit part (40) is located on the other of the sealing pin (10) and the reinforcing structure (20).
6. The fill hole seal of claim 5, wherein, The snap-fit part (40) is connected to the sealing nail (10). The snap-fit part (40) is arranged along the circumference of the accommodating space (11) and extends into the accommodating space (11). The snap-fit groove (30) is arranged on the reinforcing structure (20). The snap-fit groove (30) is opened along the circumference of the reinforcing structure (20) on the peripheral wall of the reinforcing structure (20).
7. The fill hole seal of claim 5, wherein, The snap-fit groove (30) is disposed on the sealing nail (10). The snap-fit groove (30) extends along the axial direction of the sealing nail (10) and penetrates the first surface (12) of the sealing nail (10). The snap-fit groove (30) communicates with the accommodating space (11). There are several snap-fit grooves (30), which are spaced apart circumferentially along the accommodating space (11). The snap-fit part (40) is connected to the reinforcing structure (20). There are several snap-fit parts (40), which are spaced apart circumferentially along the reinforcing structure (20). The several snap-fit parts (40) correspond one-to-one with the several snap-fit grooves (30).
8. The fill port seal of any of claims 1-4, wherein, The injection hole seal also includes a sealing cap (50), which is disposed opposite to the first surface (12) and is adapted to be welded to the cover plate body (60).
9. The fill port seal of any of claims 1-4, wherein, The Shore hardness of the sealing nail (10) is SH1, and the Shore hardness of the reinforcing structure (20) is SH2, satisfying 60HA<SH1<100HA, SH2>100HA.
10. An electrode cover plate, characterized by, include: The injection hole seal according to any one of claims 1 to 9; The cover plate body (60) has an injection hole (61) on it, and the injection hole seal is inserted into the injection hole (61).