PIPE HOLDER FOR VEHICLE BATTERY ASSEMBLY
The pipe support structure for vehicle batteries addresses the challenge of coolant pipe damage by using a deformable design to absorb impact forces and guide pipes, ensuring minimal leakage and structural integrity.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE102024128680
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-08-07
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-12
AI Technical Summary
Rechargeable energy storage systems face challenges in preventing damage or leakage of coolant pipes due to impacts, which can lead to structural failure and fluid loss.
A pipe support structure for vehicle batteries is designed with a fragile section that bends or breaks under impact, absorbing forces and guiding coolant pipes to minimize damage, using a softer and more elastic material than the pipes to prevent shearing and leakage.
The pipe support structure effectively mitigates impact-induced damage by deforming and guiding coolant pipes, reducing the risk of leakage and maintaining system integrity.
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Abstract
Description
INTRODUCTION
[0001] The subject of the disclosure relates to rechargeable energy storage systems and in particular a pipe bracket for a vehicle battery.
[0002] Rechargeable energy storage systems may include lines for transporting fluids, such as coolant. It may be desirable to prevent these pipes from becoming damaged or leaking. SUMMARY
[0003] In an exemplary embodiment, a tube support for a vehicle battery assembly comprises a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis perpendicular to the first axis. The second axis comprises a tube support structure, which includes a tube housing that defines a tube opening configured to allow a tube to pass through along the first axis to secure the tube within the housing. The support base includes a mounting base configured to attach to a component of the battery assembly. The mounting base includes a fragile structure that is weaker than the adjacent sections of the mounting base and is configured to bend or break when a force is applied in any direction along the second axis by the tube support structure.
[0004] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the tube is a first tube, the tube housing is a first tube housing, and the tube opening is a first tube opening, and the tube fastening structure further comprises a second tube housing arranged above the first tube housing along the third axis, and defines a second tube opening configured to allow a second tube to pass through along the first axis to fasten the second tube inside the second tube housing.
[0005] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the first tube housing is offset from the second tube housing along the second axis, such that the first tube housing extends further in a direction away from the mounting base along the second axis than the second tube housing.
[0006] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the pipe support further comprises an arm extending upwards from the support base along the third axis and an upper body extending from the arm to the pipe fastening structure.
[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the upper body includes a mounting surface facing in a direction along the second axis away from the pipe mounting structure.
[0008] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the arm is curved from the mounting base towards the pipe mounting structure along the second axis.
[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, an interior space is defined between the mounting base, the pipe mounting structure, the arm and the upper body.
[0010] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a rib is formed on one side of the arm facing the pipe mounting structure.
[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the pipe mounting bracket is made of a material that is softer and more elastic than the pipe.
[0012] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the pipe mounting bracket is made of plastic and the pipe is made of steel.
[0013] In a further exemplary embodiment, a battery arrangement for a vehicle, defining a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis perpendicular to the first and second axes, comprises a housing arrangement comprising a base and a wall extending upwards from the base along the third axis, a battery cell arrangement and a support structure arrangement arranged on the base, an impact basin defined between the wall and the battery cell arrangement or the support structure arrangement, a first tube and a second tube for coolant, each extending at least partially within the impact basin, and a tube mounting bracket.The pipe support bracket comprises a pipe support structure, which includes a pipe housing defining a pipe opening configured to allow a pipe to pass through along the first axis to secure the pipe within the housing; a second pipe housing positioned above the first along the third axis, defining a second pipe opening configured to allow a second pipe to pass through along the first axis to secure the second pipe within the second housing; and a support base attached to a component of the support structure assembly. The support base includes a fragile structure that is weaker than the adjacent sections of the support base and is configured to bend or break when a force is applied to the pipe support structure in any direction along the second axis.
[0014] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the first tube housing is offset from the second tube housing along the second axis, such that the first tube housing extends further in a direction away from the mounting base along the second axis than the second tube housing.
[0015] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the first tube is connected to an extension of the first tube extending downwards from the first tube along the third axis, and the second tube is connected to an extension of the second tube extending downwards from the second tube along the third axis.
[0016] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the pipe mounting structure includes an upper body extending from the mounting base along the third axis and an upper body extending from the arm to the pipe mounting structure.
[0017] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the arm is curved from the mounting base towards the pipe mounting structure along the second axis.
[0018] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, an interior space is defined between the mounting base, the pipe mounting structure, the arm and the upper body.
[0019] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a rib is formed on one side of the arm facing the pipe mounting structure.
[0020] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the pipe mounting bracket is made of a material that is softer and more elastic than the first pipe and the second pipe.
[0021] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the pipe mounting bracket is made of plastic, and the first pipe and the second pipe are made of steel.
[0022] In another exemplary embodiment, a vehicle defining a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis perpendicular to the first and second axis comprises a battery assembly comprising a housing assembly comprising a base and a wall extending upward from the base along the third axis, a battery cell assembly and a support structure assembly arranged on the base, an impact basin defined between the wall and the battery cell assembly or the support structure assembly, a first tube and a second tube for coolant, each extending at least partially within the impact basin, and a tube mounting bracket.The pipe support bracket comprises a pipe support structure, which includes a pipe housing defining a pipe opening configured to allow a pipe to pass through along the first axis to secure the pipe within the housing; a second pipe housing positioned above the first along the third axis, defining a second pipe opening configured to allow a second pipe to pass through along the first axis to secure the second pipe within the second housing; and a support base attached to a component of the support structure assembly. The support base includes a fragile structure that is weaker than the adjacent sections of the support base and is configured to bend or break when a force is applied to the pipe support structure in any direction along the second axis.
[0023] The aforementioned features and advantages, as well as other features and advantages of the disclosure, are readily apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] Further features, advantages and details are listed only as examples in the following detailed description, which refers to the drawings, where: Fig. 1 a left side view of a vehicle that includes a battery arrangement according to a non-restrictive example; Fig. 2A is a perspective front view of a battery arrangement according to one or more embodiments; Fig. 2B a perspective front view of the battery arrangement of Fig. 2A with the top and side walls removed; Fig. 2C a perspective front view of a right section of the battery assembly of Fig. 2B is; Fig. 3A is a perspective top view of a support for a first tube according to one or more embodiments; Fig. 3B a perspective bottom view of the support of the first pipe of Fig. 3A is; Fig. 3C a front view of the bracket of the first pipe of Fig. 3A is; Fig. 3D top view of the first pipe's support Fig. 3A is; Fig. 4 a perspective front view of a support of the first tube, which is installed on a battery arrangement according to one or more embodiments; Fig. 5A-5B Front views of the support of the first tube before and after the application of a lateral force according to one or more embodiments are; Fig. 6A is a perspective view of a support for the second tube according to one or more embodiments; Fig. 6B a perspective bottom view of the bracket of the second pipe of Fig. 6A is; Fig. 6C a front view of the bracket of the second pipe from Fig. 6A is; Fig. 6D a top view of the bracket of the second pipe from Fig. 6A is; Fig. 7 a perspective front view of a support of the second tube, which is installed on a battery arrangement according to one or more embodiments; and Fig. 8A-8B Front views of the support of the second tube before and after the application of a lateral force according to one or more embodiments are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The following description is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or its use. It should be understood that in the drawings, corresponding reference numerals denote identical or corresponding parts and features.
[0026] A vehicle 10 according to a non-restrictive example is in Fig. Figure 1 shows the vehicle 10 as defined in Figure 1. The vehicle 10 defines a first axis Ax1, a second axis Ax2 perpendicular to the first axis Ax1, and a third axis Ax3 perpendicular to both the first axis Ax1 and the second axis Ax2. By a non-restrictive example, the first axis Ax1 corresponds to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle 10, the second axis Ax2 corresponds to a transverse axis of the vehicle 10, and the third axis Ax3 corresponds to a vertical axis of the vehicle. The vehicle 10 comprises a body 12 supported on a plurality of wheels 16. One or more of the plurality of wheels 16 are steerable. The body 12 partially defines a passenger compartment 20 containing seats 23 positioned behind an instrument panel 26. A steering control 30 is located between the seats 23 and the instrument panel 26. The steering control 30 is actuated to control the orientation of the steerable wheel(s) 16.
[0027] The vehicle 10 comprises an electric motor 34 connected to a transmission assembly and / or gearbox 36, which supplies power to one or more of the plurality of wheels 16. A rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) may be arranged in the body 12 and supply power to components within the vehicle (e.g., the electric motor 34). As a non-limiting example, the rechargeable energy storage system may include a battery assembly 38. Although for the electric motor 34, the transmission assembly and / or gearbox 36 and the battery assembly 38 in Fig. Where specific locations are shown, these locations are merely examples and not limiting, and the locations of these structures may vary.
[0028] Fig. 2A represents a battery assembly 38 according to one or more embodiments. The battery assembly 38 comprises a housing assembly 40, which may include a base 41, an upper wall 43, a front wall 45, a rear wall 46, and a pair of side walls 47. A plurality of housing supports 49 may fasten the side walls 47 and / or the upper wall 43 to the base 41.
[0029] As in Fig. 2B and Fig. As shown in Figure 2C, where the upper wall 43 and one of the side walls 47 are removed, the battery assembly 38 comprises a battery cell assembly 50 arranged on the base 41 within the housing assembly 40. The battery cell assembly 50 can comprise a plurality of battery cells that can supply power to the components in the vehicle (e.g., the [unclear]). Fig. The battery assembly 38 can further comprise a support structure 60, which can, for example, support and / or fasten the battery cell assembly 50 and other structural components (e.g., components of a cooling system) within the housing assembly 40 and / or support and / or fasten the upper wall 43, the front wall 45, the rear wall 46, and / or the side walls 47 to the base 41. The support structure 60 can comprise a plurality of crossbeams 61 extending between the side walls 47. A plurality of support structures 63 for the upper wall can be arranged on the crossbeams 61 to support the upper wall 43. The support structures of the upper wall 63 can, for example, be a Z-blocker, which is a structure that protects the battery cell assembly 50 when the upper wall 43 is forced downwards during an impact.The support structure 60 can include busbars (not shown). The battery assembly 38 can define an impact basin 80 between each of the side walls 47 and an outermost section of the battery cell assembly 50 and / or the support structure assembly 60.
[0030] A cooling system may comprise a coolant line assembly 70. Coolant may flow through the coolant line assembly 70 into the battery cell assembly 50 and / or the support structure assembly 60 to remove heat from them. The coolant heated by the battery cell assembly 50 and / or the support structure assembly 60 may flow through the coolant pipe assembly 70 to a heat dissipation system (not shown), which removes the heat from the coolant and returns the coolant to the coolant pipe assembly 70. The coolant line assembly 70 may comprise a plurality of first pipes 71 and a plurality of second pipes 73, each of which extends at least partially along the first axis Ax1. Each of the first pipe 71 and / or the second pipe 73 may be located at least partially within the impact basin 80.The first tubes 71 can be connected to the battery cell arrangement 50 via extensions 72 of the first tube, and the second tubes 73 can be connected to the battery cell arrangement 50 via extensions 74 of the second tube. As a non-restrictive example, the first tube 71 and the second tube 73 can be steel tubes. The cooling system can further comprise a cooling plate (not shown), which is arranged, for example, on the base 41. The extensions 72, 74 of the first and second tubes can connect the first tube 71 and the second tube 73 via a flow path in contact with the cooling plate.
[0031] A plurality of brackets 100 of the first tube and / or a plurality of brackets 200 of the second tube can fasten the first tubes 71 and / or the second tubes 73 to the support structure assembly 60. As a non-restrictive example, the first tubes 71 and the second tubes 73 can pass through the brackets 100 of the first tube and / or the brackets 200 of the second tube, and the brackets 100 of the first tube and / or the brackets 200 of the second tube can be attached to a component of the support structure assembly 60 (e.g., the crossbeams 61).
[0032] Fig. Figures 3A-3D represent a support 100 of the first tube according to one or more embodiments. The support 100 of the first tube can be formed from a material that is softer and / or more elastic than the first tube 71 and / or the second tube 73. As a non-limiting example, the support 100 of the first tube can be formed from injection-molded plastic. The support 100 of the first tube can be formed as a single, integrated structure. The support 100 of the first tube comprises a tube fastening structure 110 that extends between a lower structure 120 and an upper structure 140. An arm 125 can extend between the lower structure 120 and the upper structure 140, with an interior space 126 bounded by the tube fastening structure 110, the lower structure 120, the upper structure 140, and the arm 125.
[0033] The pipe support structure 110 can comprise a lower pipe housing 111, which defines a lower pipe opening 112, and an upper pipe housing 113, which defines an upper pipe opening 114. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2C, the first tube 71 can be passed through the lower tube opening 112 and the second tube 73 can be passed through the upper tube opening 114 to secure the first tube 71 and the second tube 73 within the tube fastening structure 110.
[0034] The pipe fastening structure 110 can further comprise a hinge 115, an outer opening 116, and an inner opening 118. The hinge 115 can be a film hinge. The pipe fastening structure 110 can be opened around the hinge 115 to open the outer opening 116 and the inner opening 118 sufficiently to allow the second pipe 73 to pass through, and the second pipe 73 can be inserted through the outer opening 116 and the inner opening 118 into the upper pipe opening 114. The first pipe 71 can then be inserted into the lower pipe opening 112. The pipe fastening structure 110 can then be closed. The pipe fastening structure 110 can further comprise a latch 117 arranged to bridge the outer opening 116. Once the first pipe 71 and the second pipe 73 are secured in the pipe fastening structure 110, the latch 117 can be closed.
[0035] The lower structure 120 can include a mounting base 121. The mounting base 121 can have a fastening opening 123 extending through it. The mounting base 121 can be attached to a component of the battery cell assembly 50 or a component of the support structure assembly 60. As a non-limiting example, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the mounting base 121 is attached to one of the crossbeams 61 by means of a fastening element through the mounting opening 123. The fastening element can be, for example, a screw, a pin, an adhesive, or another fastening element known in the art. Alternatively, the mounting base 121 can be attached to one of the crossbeams 61 or to another component of the battery cell assembly 50 or the support structure assembly 60 by means of other fastening structures known in the art. A fragile structure 130 can be arranged on the mounting base 121. As a non-limiting example, the fragile structure 130 can be formed at a position on the mounting base 121 below the interior space 126.The fragile structure 130 may be a thinner section of the support base 121, having a thickness that is less than the sections of the support base 121 adjacent to the fragile structure. Although . Fig. While Figures 3A-3C represent the fragile structure 130 formed with a curved cutout on the underside of the mounting base 121, the present application is not limited to this.
[0036] The arm 125 extends upwards from the mounting base 121 towards the upper structure 140. The arm 125 can be curved from the mounting base 121 to the upper structure 140 in the direction of the pipe mounting structure 110.
[0037] The upper structure 140 can comprise an upper body 141 extending between the arm 125 and the pipe mounting structure 110, with a neck section 143 connecting the upper body 141 to the pipe mounting structure 110. The upper body 141 can extend further beyond the arm 125 in a direction away from the pipe mounting structure 110 and terminate at a stop surface 142. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the stop surface 142 can be opposite a component of the battery cell arrangement 50 or a component of the support structure arrangement 60. As a non-restrictive example, as shown in Figure 4, the stop surface 142 can be located opposite a component of the battery cell arrangement 50 or a component of the support structure arrangement 60. Fig. Figure 4 shows the stop surface 142 opposite one of the upper wall support structures 63. According to one or more embodiments, the stop surface 142 can face a busbar.
[0038] As described above, at least a section of the first tube 71 and / or the second tube can be located in the impact basin 80 of the battery assembly 38, which is defined between the side wall 47 and the outermost section of the battery cell assembly 50 and / or the support structure assembly 60. The impact basin 80 can act as a buffer, so that during an impact, damage to the battery cell assembly 50 is mitigated by the impact basin 80. Since the first tube 71 and the second tube 73 can extend at least partially within the impact basin 80, an impact force F can act on the first tube 71, the second tube 73, and / or the support 100 of the first tube during an impact. As described in Fig. As shown in Figure 5B, the support 100 of the first tube can deform or break without shearing off the first tube 71 or the second tube 73 by forming the support 100 of the first tube from a softer and / or more elastic material than the first tube 71.
[0039] Fig. Figures 5A-5B illustrate how the bracket 100 of the first tube absorbs an impact force F. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 5A, the lower tube casing 111 can extend further outwards than the upper tube casing 113 along the second axis Ax2, so that the lower tube casing 111 is offset from the upper tube casing 113. A line L drawn through the centers of the lower tube casing 111 and the upper tube casing 113 in a plane perpendicular to the second axis Ax2 forms an angle with the third axis Ax3. The mounting base 121 can be anchored to a component of the support structure assembly 60 (e.g., to one of the crossbeams 61). Thus, the impact force F is absorbed by the lower tube casing 111 in front of the upper tube casing 113. Since the impact force F pushes the lower tube casing 111 inwards along the second axis Ax2, as shown in Figure 5A, the impact force F is reduced by the lower tube casing 111. Fig. As shown in Figure 5B, the interior 126 provides space for the pipe mounting structure 110 and the first pipe 71 and the second pipe 73, which can move inwards within it with minimal resistance. Furthermore, since the fragile structure 130 may be weaker than the rest of the mounting base 121, the fragile structure 130 may fold and / or break under the force F, causing the pipe mounting structure 110 and the first pipe 71 and the second pipe 73 within it to move downwards along the third axis Ax3 while moving inwards along the second axis Ax2. Furthermore, as described above and in Fig. As shown in Figure 5A, the stop surface 142 can face a component of the battery cell arrangement 50 or a component of the support structure arrangement 60. As a non-restrictive example, the stop surface 142 can face the upper wall support structure 63, as shown in Figure 5A. Fig. 5A is shown. When the impact force F pushes the pipe support structure 110 inwards along the second axis Ax2, the stop surface 142 can rest against the upper wall support structure 63, so that the upper wall support structure 63 rebounds against the pipe support structure 110 and the first pipe 71 and the second pipe 73 therein (i.e. resists the impact force F), which further assists the downward movement of the pipe support structure 110 and the first pipe 71 and the second pipe 73 therein.
[0040] Fig. Figures 6A-6D represent a support 200 of the second tube according to one or more embodiments. The support 200 of the second tube can be formed from a material that is softer and / or more elastic than the first tube 71 and / or the second tube 73. As a non-limiting example, the support 200 of the second tube can be formed from injection-molded plastic. The support 200 of the second tube can be formed as a single integral structure. The support 200 of the second tube comprises a tube fastening structure 210 that extends between a lower structure 220 and an upper structure 240. A first arm 225A and a second arm 225B can extend between the lower structure 220 and the upper structure 240, with an interior 226 bounded by the pipe support structure 210, the lower structure 220, the upper structure 240 and the first and second arms 225A, 225B.Furthermore, a first rib 227A can extend from the first arm 225A and the second rib 227B can extend from the second arm 225B.
[0041] The pipe support structure 210 can comprise a lower pipe housing 211, which defines a lower pipe opening 212 extending through it, and an upper pipe housing 213, which defines an upper pipe opening 214 extending through it. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the first tube 71 can be passed through the lower tube opening 212 and the second tube 73 can be passed through the upper tube opening 214 to secure the first tube 71 and the second tube 73 within the tube fastening structure 210.
[0042] The pipe fastening structure 210 can further comprise a hinge 215, an outer opening 216, and an inner opening 218. The hinge 215 can be a film hinge. The pipe fastening structure 210 can be opened around the hinge 215 to open the outer opening 216 and the inner opening 218 sufficiently to allow the second pipe 73 to pass through, and the second pipe 73 can be inserted through the outer opening 216 and the inner opening 218 into the upper pipe opening 214. The first pipe 71 can then be inserted into the lower pipe opening 212. The pipe fastening structure 210 can then be closed. The pipe fastening structure 210 can further comprise a latch 217 arranged to bridge the outer opening 216. Once the first pipe 71 and the second pipe 73 are secured in the pipe fastening structure 210, the latch 217 can be closed.
[0043] The lower structure 220 can include a mounting base 221. The mounting base 221 can have a fastening opening 223 formed through it. The mounting base 221 can be attached to a component of the battery cell assembly 50 or a component of the support structure assembly 60. As a non-limiting example, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the mounting base 221 is attached to one of the crossbeams 61 by means of a fastening element through the mounting opening 223. The fastening element can be, for example, a screw, a pin, an adhesive, or another fastening element known in the art. Alternatively, the mounting base 221 can be attached to one of the crossbeams 61 or to another component of the battery cell assembly 50 or the support structure assembly 60 by means of other fastening structures known in the art. A fragile structure 230 can be arranged on the mounting base 121. As a non-limiting example, the fragile structure 230 can be formed at a position on the mounting base 221 below the interior 226.The fragile structure 230 may be a thinner section of the support base 221, having a thickness that is less than the sections of the support base 221 adjacent to the fragile structure. Although . Fig. While Figures 6A-6C represent the fragile structure 230 formed with a curved cutout on the underside of the mounting base 221, the present application is not limited to this.
[0044] The first arm 225A and the second arm 225B extend upwards from the support base 221 towards the upper structure 240. The first arm 225A and the second arm 225B may be curved from the support base 221 towards the upper structure 240, in the direction of the pipe mounting structure 210. The first and second ribs 227A, 227b, extending from the first and second arms 225A, 225B, may provide additional stiffness and strength to the first and second arms 225A, 225B.
[0045] The upper structure 240 can comprise an upper body 241 extending between the first and second arms 225A, 225B and the pipe support structure 210, with a neck section 243 connecting the upper body 241 to the pipe support structure 110.
[0046] As described above, at least a section of the first tube 71 and / or the second tube can be located in the impact basin 80 of the battery assembly 38, which is defined between the side wall 47 and the outermost section of the battery cell assembly 50 and / or the support structure assembly 60. The impact basin 80 can act as a buffer, so that during an impact, damage to the battery cell assembly 50 is mitigated by the impact basin 80. Since the first tube 71 and the second tube 73 can extend at least partially within the impact basin 80, during an impact, as described in Fig. 8B An impact force F can act on the first tube 71, the second tube 73 and / or the support 200 of the second tube. When the impact force F acts on the first tube 71 and / or the second tube 73, the support 200 of the second tube can deform or break without the first tube 71 or the second tube 73 shearing off, by making the support 200 of the second tube from a softer and / or more elastic material than the first tube 71.
[0047] Fig. Figures 8A-8B illustrate how the bracket 200 of the second tube absorbs an impact force F. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 8A, the lower tube casing 211 can extend further outwards than the upper tube casing 213 along the second axis Ax2. The mounting base 221 can be anchored to a component of the support structure assembly 60 (e.g., to one of the crossbeams 61). Thus, the impact force F is absorbed by the lower tube casing 211 in front of the upper tube casing 213. Since the impact force F pushes the lower tube casing 211 inwards along the second axis Ax2, the interior 226 provides space for the tube mounting structure 210 and the first tube 71 and the second tube 73, which can move inwards within it with minimal resistance.Since the fragile structure 230 may be weaker than the rest of the support base 221, the fragile structure 230 may fold and / or break under the force F, causing the pipe support structure 210 and the first pipe 71 and the second pipe 73 therein to move downwards along the third axis Ax3 while moving inwards along the second axis Ax2.
[0048] If the first tube 71 and / or the second tube 73 move upwards along the third axis Ax3 during an impact, the first tube 71 and / or the second tube 73 can pull on the extension 72 of the first tube and the extension 74 of the second tube, which extend downwards from the first tube 71 and the second tube 73, as shown in Fig.Figure 7 shows that stresses are generated within it. Fractures in the extension 72 of the first tube and / or the extension 74 of the second tube due to such stresses can lead to coolant leakage. To prevent the stress on the extension 72 of the first tube and the extension 74 of the second tube, the support 100 of the first tube and the support 200 of the second tube are structured to passively guide the first tube 71 and the second tube 73 in a downward direction along the third axis Ax3 when an impact force F is absorbed by the support 100 of the first tube and the support 200 of the second tube. Furthermore, the support 100 of the first tube includes a stop surface 142 that levers out an existing component of the battery cell assembly 50 or the support structure assembly 60 to guide the first tube 71 and / or the second tube 73 downwards.Additionally, the support 100 of the first pipe and / or the support 200 of the second pipe can be made of a material that is softer and more elastic than the first pipe 71 and / or the second pipe 73, so that the support 100 of the first pipe and / or the support 200 of the second pipe does not shear the first pipe 71 and / or the second pipe 73 when the impact force F acts on the first pipe 71 and / or the second pipe 73, thus preventing the first pipe 71 and / or the second pipe 73 from breaking and leaking coolant. In this way, leakage from the first pipe 71, the second pipe 73, the extension 72 of the first pipe, and the extension 74 of the second pipe during an impact can be prevented.
[0049] The terms "a / a / r / s" do not imply a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the mentioned items. The term "or" means "and / or" unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. When the entire description refers to "an aspect," this means that a particular element (e.g., a feature, a structure, a step, or a property) described in connection with the aspect is encompassed in at least one of the aspects described herein and may or may not be present in other aspects. Furthermore, it is understood that the described elements can be combined in any suitable way across the various aspects.
[0050] When an element such as a layer, film, area, or substrate is described as lying "on" another element, it may lie directly on top of the other element, or there may be intermediate elements. Conversely, when an element is described as lying "directly on" another element, there are no intermediate elements.
[0051] Unless otherwise specified herein, all testing standards are the latest standard in force on the filing date of this application or, if priority is claimed, the filing date of the earliest priority application in which the testing standard appears.
[0052] Unless otherwise defined, the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as generally understood by a person skilled in the art in which this disclosure belongs.
[0053] Although the foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is known to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made and equivalent elements substituted without altering the scope of application. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without deviating from its essential scope. Therefore, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but rather to encompass all embodiments that fall within its scope.
Claims
[1] Pipe support for a battery assembly of a vehicle, defining a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and a third axis perpendicular to the first and second axis, the pipe support comprising: a pipe support structure comprising a pipe housing that defines a pipe opening configured to allow a pipe to pass through along the first axis to secure the pipe within the pipe housing; and a mounting base configured to be attached to a component of a battery assembly, wherein the support base comprises a fragile structure that is weaker than the adjacent sections of the support base and is configured to bend or break when a force is absorbed in one direction along the second axis by the pipe support structure. [2] Pipe support according to claim 1, where the pipe is a first pipe, the pipe casing is a first pipe casing, and the pipe opening is a first pipe opening, and wherein the pipe fastening structure further comprises a second pipe housing arranged above the first pipe housing along the third axis, and defines a second pipe opening configured to allow a second pipe to pass through along the first axis in order to fasten the second pipe inside the second pipe housing. [3] Battery arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the first tube housing is offset from the second tube housing along the second axis, such that the first tube housing extends further in a direction away from the mounting base along the second axis than the second tube housing. [4] Pipe support according to claim 1, further comprising: an arm extending upwards from the mounting base along the third axis, and an upper body extending from the arm to the pipe mounting structure. [5] Pipe support according to claim 4, wherein the upper body comprises a contact surface which is directed in a direction along the second axis away from the pipe support structure. [6] Pipe support according to claim 4, wherein the arm is curved from the support base towards the pipe fastening structure along the second axis. [7] Pipe support according to claim 4, wherein an interior space is defined between the support base, the pipe fastening structure, the arm and the upper body. [8] Pipe support according to claim 4, wherein a rib is formed on one side of the arm which faces the pipe support structure. [9] Pipe support according to claim 1, wherein the pipe support is made of a material that is softer and more elastic than the pipe. [10] Pipe support according to claim 1, wherein the pipe support is made of plastic and the pipe is made of steel.