A body spacer for a vehicle

Abstract

A spacer 100, for positioning between a peripheral flange of a lid 908 of a battery assembly and a vehicle cabin component 802, e.g., load floor, comprises: a first face 102a for engaging with a surface of a fastener 202, for securing the spacer between the peripheral flange of the lid and the vehicle cabin component; and a second face 102b for engaging with a surface of the battery assembly. A first sealing medium 114 abuts the first face for sealing the first face to the surface of the fastener. A second sealing medium 116 abuts the second face for sealing the second face to a surface of the battery assembly. The lid of the battery assembly is sealed to a vehicle body component by aligning the spacer with an aperture on the vehicle body component. A second part 104 of the spacer is secured into the aperture. The lid is positioned on top of the spacer and an aperture on the lid is aligned with a bore 122 of the spacer. The fastener is positioned through the aperture, into the bore of the spacer, and threads on the fastener engage with threads on the bore of the spacer. This secures the lid, spacer and vehicle body component together, and compresses the first and second sealing media.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a body spacer for a vehicle. Aspects of the invention relate to a spacer, to a first component and a second component joined together with a spacer, a method of sealing a lid of a battery assembly and a vehicle body component, to a method of joining a first component and a second component, to a method of producing a spacer and to a vehicle comprising a spacer. BACKGROUND It is known to provide one or more spacers to bridge a gap between a first component and a second component, for example in a vehicle environment, so as to maintain the first component and second component at a fixed distance apart. When such a spacer is positioned between a battery assembly and a vehicle cabin component, it is known to provide a seal between an underhead part of the spacer and the underlying battery assembly to prevent moisture ingress into the battery assembly through the aperture in which the spacer secures into a frame of the battery assembly. The vehicle cabin component e.g. a load floor, typically either remains unsealed or a separate seal is applied to any areas of the vehicle cabin component through which moisture may be able to pass. It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated with the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a spacer, a first component and a second component joined together with a spacer, a method of sealing a lid of a battery assembly and a vehicle body component, and a vehicle comprising a spacer, as claimed in the appended claims. According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a spacer for positioning between a first component and a second component, the spacer comprising a first face for engaging with a surface of a fastener for securing the spacer between the first component and the second component, and a second face for engaging with a surface of the second component, wherein the spacer comprises a first sealing medium abutting the first face and a second sealing medium abutting the second face. In contrast with the prior art which provides a spacer having only a single seal, for example on an underhead region of the spacer, the present invention provides a spacer having a combination of two seals, one being positioned on a first face of the spacer and the other being positioned on a second face of the spacer. The present invention therefore provides a structural connector comprising two seals which, in use, can seal both the first component and the second component simultaneously, without the need to provide or apply separate seals to either the first or second components. According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a spacer for positioning between a peripheral flange of a lid of a battery assembly and a vehicle cabin component, the spacer comprising a first face for engaging with a surface of a fastener for securing the spacer between the peripheral flange of the lid and the vehicle cabin component, and a second face for engaging with a surface of the battery assembly, wherein the spacer comprises a first sealing medium abutting the first face for sealing the first face to the surface of the fastener and a second sealing medium abutting the second face for sealing the second face to surface of the battery assembly. In contrast with the prior art which provides a spacer having only a single seal on an underhead region of the spacer, the present invention provides a spacer comprising multiple seals, one being positioned on a first face of the spacer and the other being positioned on a second face of the spacer. The present invention therefore provides a structural connector (a spacer) comprising multiple seals which, in use, can seal both the battery assembly and the vehicle cabin component simultaneously, without the need to provide or apply separate seals to either the battery assembly or the vehicle cabin component. Optionally, the first sealing medium is fixed to a component that abuts the first face such that the first sealing medium is positioned between the first face of the spacer and a surface of the component. Optionally, the first sealing medium may be provided in two parts, with a first part being provided on a first side, for example the underside of the component, and a second part provided on a second side, for example an upper side of the component. The component may be considered a part of the spacer. The component may be a fastener or a clip which is securable to the first face of the spacer. In such embodiments, the component may define at least a part of the first face of the spacer. Optionally, the first sealing medium is fixed to the first face. By securing the seal to the first face, the spacer and first sealing medium are provided as a single part which makes installation of the spacer quicker and easier as compared to an arrangement in which the first sealing medium was applied to a surface of the spacer during installation. Optionally, the second sealing medium is fixed to the second face. By securing the seal to the second face, the spacer and second sealing medium are provided as a single part which makes installation of the spacer quicker and easier as compared to an arrangement in which the second sealing medium was applied to a surface of the spacer during installation. Optionally, the second sealing medium is applied onto the second face by spraying. Applying the second sealing medium using a spraying technique provides numerous benefits, including the ability to customise the thickness of the second sealing medium, and to provide a fixed seal which can resist movement as the spacer is rotated during installation. Optionally, the spacer comprises a fastener for securing the first sealing medium onto the first face. Using a fastener may provide additional securement of the sealing medium to the first face and may provide further retention of the first sealing medium on the first face of the spacer during assembly of the spacer with other components. The fastener may be used instead of or in addition to fixing the sealing medium to the first face by other means such as via an adhesive or using a first sealing medium having adhesive properties. Optionally, the fastener may be removed once the spacer is secured into position. Optionally, the fastener comprises a resiliently biased component. Optionally, the fastener comprises a clip. Using a resiliently biased component or a clip (which may or may not be resiliently biased) assists in retaining the first sealing medium on the first face of the spacer during assembly of the spacer with other components. The resiliently biased component may be biased to grip an outer surface of the spacer to securely retain it on the spacer. The resiliently biased component may be used instead of or in addition to fixing the sealing medium to the first face by other means such as via an adhesive or using a first sealing medium having adhesive properties. Optionally, the resiliently biased component may be removed once the spacer is secured into position. Optionally, the first sealing medium may be provided on one or more surfaces of the fastener, which may optionally be a resiliently biased clip. Optionally, the first sealing medium may be provided on a bottom (underside) surface of the fastener so as to abut the first face of the spacer, and / or on an upper surface of the fastener. Providing the first sealing medium on one or more surfaces of the fastener provides a means of securely applying the first sealing medium to the spacer without directly adhering the first sealing medium to a face of the spacer. Such an arrangement may also provide a means of retrofitting the first sealing medium to an existing spacer which does not have a sealing medium applied to a first face of the spacer, to provide the spacer with the ability to simultaneously seal both an adjacent first component and second component, such as a battery assembly and vehicle cabin component. Optionally, the first face comprises a recess for receiving at least part of the first sealing medium. Providing a recess or groove creates a space for at least part of the seal to be accommodated within the first face which may improve the quality of the seal, and / or its connection or abutment to the first face. Optionally, the second face comprises a recess for receiving at least part of the second sealing medium. Providing a recess or groove creates a space for at least part of the seal to be accommodated within the second face which may improve the quality of the seal and / or its connection or abutment to the second face. Optionally, the spacer comprises a bore for receiving a fastener such as a bolt for securing the spacer between the peripheral flange and the vehicle cabin component. The bore and fastener secures the spacer between the lid and the vehicle cabin component and applies pressure to the first and second sealing mediums to allow both the battery assembly and vehicle cabin to be sealed. Optionally, one or both of the first sealing medium and the second sealing medium comprises polyurethane resin. Optionally, one or both of the first sealing medium and the second sealing medium comprises Rimlex®. A polyurethane resin, such as but not necessarily limited to Rimlex® is suitable for use as a compression seal and can be applied to the spacer with good adhesion. Optionally, one or both of the first sealing medium and the second sealing medium may comprise Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) foam. Optionally, the spacer comprises a threaded portion on an external surface of the spacer, for engaging with a corresponding threaded portion on the battery assembly. Optionally, the corresponding threaded portion is located on a side rail (which may also be referred to as a crossmember) of the battery assembly. The threaded portion on an external surface of the spacer allows the spacer to be securely fastened to the battery assembly, optionally a side rail of the battery assembly. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a first component and a second component joined together with a spacer. The present invention provides a structural connector (a spacer) comprising two seals which can seal both the first component and the second component simultaneously, without the need to provide or apply separate seals to either the first component or the second component. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a battery assembly comprising a spacer. The present invention provides a battery assembly which has the sealing benefits associated with the spacer as disclosed herein. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of sealing a lid of a battery assembly and a vehicle body component, the method comprising aligning a spacer in accordance with an aspect of the invention with an aperture on the vehicle body component; securing the second end of the spacer into the aperture; positioning the lid of the battery assembly on top of the spacer and aligning an aperture on the lid with a bore of the spacer; positioning a fastener through the aperture on the lid and into the bore of the spacer such that threads on the fastener engage with threads on the bore of the spacer to secure the lid, spacer and vehicle body component together so as to compress each of the first sealing medium and second sealing medium of the spacer. The present invention provides an improved method of sealing a lid of a battery assembly and a vehicle body component by utilising a spacer according to an aspect of the invention which comprises two seals which, in use, simultaneously seal the lid and the vehicle body component to prevent moisture ingress in the regions of the seals. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising a spacer, or a first component and a second component, or a battery assembly. The present invention provides a vehicle, and / or the first component and the second component, and / or the battery assembly with an improved means of simultaneously sealing two components between a first face and a second face of a sealer according to an aspect of the invention to prevent moisture ingress in the regions of the sealing mediums on the spacer. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of joining a first component and a second component with a spacer in accordance with an aspect of the invention, comprising positioning the spacer between the first component and the second component, connecting the spacer to the first component such that the first face of the spacer abuts the first component so that a seal can be established between the first face of the spacer and the first component, positioning the second component over the second face of the spacer such that a seal can be established between the second face of the spacer and the second component; securing a fastener into a bore of the spacer such that the second component is compressed against the second face of the spacer to establish the seal between the second face and the second component and to connect the first component, second component and spacer together. The method of this aspect of the invention provides the advantage of being able to simultaneously seal first and second faces of the spacer between the first and second components, respectively. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of producing a spacer, the method comprising forming a spacer body, the spacer body comprising a first sealing medium on a first face and a second sealing medium on a second face of the spacer. Providing first and second sealing mediums on the first face and second face, respectively, of the spacer provides two independent seals capable of allowing the spacer to seal against two different components simultaneously, instead of separate sealing mediums needing to be applied to the first and second components respectively. Optionally, the first sealing medium may be provided on one or more surfaces of a fastener configured to abut the first face of the spacer. Optionally, the method comprises forming a threaded portion on an external surface of the spacer. The threaded portion allows the spacer to be threaded into a correspondingly threaded component to join the spacer to that component. Optionally, the method comprises forming a bore in the body of the spacer for receiving a fastener. The fastener may be passed through an aperture in a component, for example a vehicle body component and then through into the bore to connect the component to the spacer. Optionally, the method comprises forming a threaded portion in the bore for threadingly engaging with corresponding threads on the surface of the fastener. This provides a secure connection between the fastener and the bore of the spacer. Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and / or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a spacer according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of the spacer shown in FIG. 1, showing a bore within the spacer; FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a clip including a sealing medium, which comprises part of the spacer shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 illustrates a partial perspective view of the spacer shown in FIG. 1, omitting a sealing medium and the clip provided on a surface of the spacer; FIG. 5 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the spacer shown in FIG. 1, including a fastener for securing the spacer to a component, showing a groove on an underhead surface of the spacer; FIG. 6 illustrates the partial cross-sectional view of the spacer shown in FIG. 5, including a sealing medium applied to a surface of the spacer according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG, 7 illustrates a partial cross sectional view of a spacer according to another embodiment of the invention, which includes a sealing medium applied to a surface of the spacer; FIG. 8 illustrates a cross sectional view of the spacer shown in FIG. 1, positioned between a first component and a second component; FIG. 9 illustrates a cross sectional view of the spacer shown in FIG. 1, secured into a battery frame of a battery assembly for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 10 illustrates a battery assembly for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention, the battery assembly comprising a spacer according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 11 illustrates a method of sealing a lid of a battery assembly and a vehicle body component according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 12 illustrates a vehicle 1200 according to an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION A spacer according to an embodiment of the present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying Figs. 1 to 6, 8 and 9. A spacer according to another embodiment of the present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying FIG. 7. A battery assembly according to an embodiment of the invention is described herein with reference to FIG. 10. A method of sealing a lid of a battery assembly and a vehicle body component according to an embodiment of the invention is described with reference to FIG. 11. A vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention is described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 1 shows a spacer 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The spacer 100 comprises a first part 102 and a second part 104. The first part 102 comprises a head of the spacer 100 and the second part 104 comprises a shank of the spacer 100. The first part 102 and the second part 104 of the spacer 100 are contiguous with one another. The diameter of the first part 102 is greater than the diameter of the second part 104 of the spacer 100. Hereinafter, the first part 102 may also be referred to as the head 102 and the second part 104 will be referred to as the shank 104. The head 102 comprises a circular profile with a generally planar first face 102a. The head 102 comprises a second face 102b which is underneath the first face 102a but spaced apart from it by a first length 106. The second face 102b defines an “underhead” part of the head 102 and provides a flange 102b extending radially beyond the diameter of the shank 104, for retaining the head 102 of the spacer 100 on top of a surface into which the shank 104 is secured. Although the present embodiment relates to the head 102 having a circular profile, it will be appreciated that other shapes of head 102 may be provided in other embodiments, such as but not limited to hexagonal. The shank 104 comprises an elongate circular shaft which in the present embodiment comprises an external threaded portion 108 for engaging with a corresponding threaded surface on a separate component, such as a vehicle battery frame. The upper part of the shank 104 is contiguous with the central portion of the second face 102b of the head 102. In embodiments, the external threaded portion 108 may or may notextend the entire length of the shank 104. For example, the external threaded portion 108 maybe provided on the distal % of the shank 104, i.e. the part of the shank 104 which is furthest from the head 102. The most proximal % of the shank 104, i.e. the part of the shank 104 closest to the head 102, may be unthreaded in one or more embodiments. The distal end of the shank 104 comprises a chamfer 110 to reduce the likelihood of the first thread on the external threaded portion 108 from becoming damaged during installation of the spacer 100 on the separate component. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the external threaded portion 108 may be provided along a different proportion of the shank 104, for example, the entire length of the shank 104, or halfway along the length of the shank 104 as measured from the proximal end to the distal end relative to the head 102. The first face 102a of the spacer 100 comprises a clip 112. In the present embodiment, the first sealing medium 114 is provided in two parts on the clip 112; a first part 114a being provided on a top surface of the clip 112 and a second part 114b being provided on a bottom surface of the clip 112. The second part 114b is not clearly visible in FIG. 1 but is annotated in FIG. 2. The bottom (underside) 5 surface of the clip 112 overlies the first face 102a of the head 102 of the spacer 100 so that the second part 114b of the sealing medium 114 abuts the first face 102a of the head 102 of the spacer 100. The first part 114a of the sealing medium 114 is arranged to abut the underside of a component, such as a vehicle cabin component and / or a fastener. The clip 112 is retained on the head 102 by virtue of a plurality of legs on the clip 112 which are resiliently biased inwardly so as to engage with ribs 118 located on the outer surface of the head 102. The clip 112 and its configuration is described in more detail in relation to FIG. 3. It will be appreciated that in one or more other embodiments, the first sealing medium 114 may be applied directly to the first face 102a of the head 102 of the spacer 100, instead of being applied to a clip 112, such that the first sealing is medium 114 is arranged to abut the underside of a component, such as a vehicle cabin component and / or a fastener. The spacer 100 comprises a second sealing medium 116 which is applied to the second face 102b of the spacer 100. In the present embodiment, the second sealing medium 116 comprises a Room Temperature Vulcanising (RTV) silicone sealant, for example as sold under the trademark “RIMLEX”, for example, Rimlex 310(R). The centre of the body of the spacer 100 comprises a bore 122, which is accessed by a central aperture 124 in the centre of the first face 102a of the spacer 100. A corresponding circular central aperture is provided in the clip 112 which aligns with the opening 124 to the bore 122 of the spacer 100. The bore 122 is configured to receive a fastener as shown in FIG. 9. The fastener may be a bolt or other fastener suitable for securing the spacer 100 to a component. FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the spacer 100 shown in FIG. 1 including the clip 112 defining a part of the first face 102a of the spacer 100 in the present embodiment. The clip 112 comprises the first part 114a of the first sealing medium 114 on the top surface of the clip 112 and the second part 114b of the first sealing medium 114 on the bottom (underside) surface of the clip 112. In the present embodiment, the bore 122 extends substantially the first length 106 of the head 102. In use, a fastener is passed through a fastener aperture in an overlying component such as a load floor of a vehicle and into the bore 122 of the spacer 100 to secure the overlying component to the spacer 100 so as to maintain the overlying component at a fixed distance relative to a second component into which the shank 104 of the spacer 100 is secured. FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the clip 112 which includes the first part 114a of the first sealing medium 114 applied to the top surface of the clip 112 and the second part 114b of the first sealing medium 114 applied to the bottom surface (underside) of the clip 112. The first and second parts 114a, 11 b of first sealing medium 114 seal under compression and will therefore provide a seal between the spacer 100 and an overlying component such as a load floor of a vehicle when the spacer 100 is installed in a vehicle. In the present embodiment, the first sealing medium 114 comprises a foamed elastomer seal. In the present embodiment, the foamed elastomer seal comprises Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) foam, although it will be appreciated that other compositions may be used instead to provide the first sealing medium 114. The first sealing medium 114 is applied to the clip 112 before it is attached to the head 102 of the spacer 100. The clip 112 comprises a body portion in the form of a planar ring which is proportionately sized to fit over the first face 102a of the spacer 100. The peripheral edge of the planar ring-shaped clip 112 comprises a plurality of spaced apart first legs 302 which extend from the planar surface of the clip at approximately 90 degrees relative to the planar surface adjacent the proximal end of each leg, i.e. the end which is contiguous with the planar ring. Each of the first legs 302 is angled inwardly relative to the peripheral edge of the clip 112 so as to bias each of the first legs 302 inwardly for the purpose of engaging with the ribs 118 on the outer surface of the head 102 of the spacer 100 (ribs 118 are shown in FIG. 1) to securely retain the clip 112 in position on the first face 102a of the spacer 100 before it is installed into the battery assembly. The distal end of each of the first legs 302, i.e. the end which is furthest away from the planar ring, flares outwardly which may assist in providing a contact surface by which the clip 112 can be removed from the head 102 of the spacer 100 if required. The peripheral edge of the clip 112 also comprises a plurality of spaced apart second legs 304 each of which is positioned in between adjacent first legs 302. Each of the second legs 304 extends approximately half the length of the length of each of the first legs 302. The second legs 304 do not comprise a flared distal end in the present embodiment. The second legs 304 may also be referred to as “centering legs” and assist in securely locating the clip 112 on the spacer 100. The planar ring body of the clip 112 comprises a central aperture 306 which in use, overlies the central aperture 124 in the first face 102a of the head 102 of the spacer 100. The central aperture 306 of the clip 112 allows a fastener to be passed through the clip 112 when it is installed on the first face 102a of the spacer 100 for the purpose of securing a component to the spacer 100. In the present embodiment, the planar ring body of the clip 112 comprises two spaced apart annular rings 308 extending radially from the central aperture 306. The annular rings 308 add further rigidity to the clip 112, but may be omitted in one or more embodiments of the invention. FIG. 4 illustrates a partial view of the spacer shown in FIG. 1, but with the clip 112 removed. The first face 102a of the head 102 of the spacer 100 comprises a generally planar surface having a central aperture 124 which opens into a central bore 122 of the spacer 100. An inner surface of a part of the central aperture 124 comprises a hexagonal profile which allows a correspondingly sized (hexagonal) Allen key to be inserted into the central aperture 124 of the head 102 and engaged with the hexagonal inner surface for the purpose of screwing the (shank of the) spacer 100 into a component. FIG. 5 illustrates a partial view of the spacer shown in FIG. 1, showing the second face 102b of the head 102 of the spacer 100, and the bore 122 of the spacer 100. The second sealing medium 116 applied to the second face 102b of the head 102 is omitted in this Figure so that the profile of the second face 102b of this embodiment can be seen more clearly. The second face 102b comprises an annular groove 502 extending around the proximal portion of the shank 104 of the spacer 100, i.e. The part of the shank 104 which is closest to and contiguous with the head 102 of the spacer 100. The annular groove 502 is configured to receive at least a portion of the second sealing medium 116 (not shown in FIG. 5) which is applied to the second face 102b of the head 102 of the spacer 100. The provision of an annular groove 502 increases the surface area available for receiving and retaining the second sealing medium 116, and also offers a region on the second face 102b of the spacer 100 which can retain a greater amount of sealing medium as compared to the planar region of the second face 102b, which may, in some cases, provide an improved seal between the second face 102b and an adjacent component against which it is in contact during use. FIG. 6 illustrates a partial view of the spacer shown in FIG. 5, showing the second face 102b of the head 102 of the spacer 100, the bore 122 of the spacer 100, and the second sealing medium 116 applied to the entirety of the second face 102b of the head of the spacer 100, according to an embodiment of the invention, both on the planar potion of the second face 102b and in the annular groove 502. In this embodiment, the second sealing medium 116 comprises Rimlex 310® which is sprayed onto the second face 102b of the spacer 100. It will be appreciated that the thickness of application of the second sealing medium 116 will vary depending on sealant selection. An increased amount of second sealing medium 116 is provided immediately around the proximal part of the shank 104 due to the provision of the annular groove 502 in the second face 102b which can retain more second sealing medium 116 as compared to the planar region of the second face 102b. FIG. 7 illustrates a partial view of the spacer shown in FIG. 5, showing the second face 102b of the head 102 of the spacer 100, a fastener 202 in the bore of the spacer 100, and the second sealing medium 116 applied to only to the annular groove 502 of the second face 102b of the head of the spacer 100, according to another embodiment of the invention. The planar portion of the second face 102b, i.e. the portion radially outward of the annular groove 502, does not comprise a sealing medium in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the second sealing medium 116 comprises Rimlex 310® which is sprayed into the annular groove 502 on the second face 102b of the spacer 100. It will be appreciated that the thickness of application of the second sealing medium 116 will vary depending on sealant selection. However, in general terms, the second sealing medium 116 should be applied such that it covers at least the majority of the annular groove 502 of the second face 102b, or the majority of the second face 102b in embodiments lacking the annular groove 502. FIG. 8 illustrates a cross sectional view of the spacer 100 shown in FIG. 1, being used to space apart a first component 802 and second component 804. In embodiments, the first component 802 may be a load floor of a vehicle. In embodiments, the second component 804 may be a lid for a battery assembly or a part of a battery frame. It will be appreciated that the first and second components 802,804 may be other components in other embodiments of the invention. The spacer 100 is positioned between the first component 802 and the second component 804. The shank 104 of the spacer 100 has been screwed into a threaded aperture in the second component 804 to secure the spacer 100 to the second component 804. The second face 102b of the spacer 100 in this embodiment comprises the second sealing medium 116 applied to the entirety of the second face 102b and as the shank 104 of the spacer 100 is secured into the second component 104, the second sealing medium 116 is compressed between the second face 102b of the spacer 100 and the underlying second component 804 thus creating a seal between the underside (second face 102b) of the head 102 of the spacer 100 and the second component 804. In other embodiments, the second sealing medium 116 may be applied in the annular groove 502 of the second face 102b only. The first component 802 is positioned to overlie the first face 102a of the head 102 of the spacer 100. The first component 802 is attached to the spacer 100 by aligning a fastener aperture in the first component 802 with the central aperture 124 on the head 102 of the spacer 100. A threaded fastener 202 is passed through the fastener aperture in the first component 802, through the central aperture 124 and into the threaded bore 122 of the spacer 100 such that the fastener threads and the threads on the bore engage with one another to attach the fastener 202 to the spacer 100 thereby securing the first component 802 to the top of the spacer 100 and thus connecting the first component 802, spacer 100 and second component 804 together. As the fastener 202 is tightened into the bore 122 of the spacer 100, the first part 114a of the first sealing medium 114 positioned against the underside of the first component 802 is compressed between the spacer 100 and the first component 802, and the second part 114b of the first sealing medium 114 positioned on the underside of the clip 112 is compressed between the clip 112 and the first face 102a of the spacer 100, thus creating a seal between the underside of the first component 802 and the first face 102a of the spacer 100 to seal around the fastener aperture in the first component 802. The spacer 100 therefore provides the ability to be able seal both the first component 802 and the second component 804 using a single spacer component that comprises first and second sealing mediums 114,116 on each of the first face 102a and second face 102b respectively, of the spacer 100. In contrast to providing the first and second seals independently of the spacer 100, the integral nature of the sealing mediums 114,116 according to embodiments of the invention make provision of the seals quicker and easier to integrate into the assembly process of the first and second components 802, 804, by eliminating the need for an operator to manually add a seal to either or both of the first face 102a and the second face 102b of the spacer 100 during the installation process. FIG. 9 illustrates a cross sectional view of the spacer 100 shown in FIG. 1, installed in a crossmember 904 of a battery frame 906 that forms a part of a battery assembly for the vehicle. When assembled in the vehicle, a load floor can be positioned on top of the first face 102a of the spacer 100 and using the spacer 100 in this arrangement maintains the load floor in a spaced apart arrangement relative to the battery assembly. In other embodiments, the load floor may be replaced by another vehicle body component depending on requirements. The shank 104 of the spacer 100 is threaded through an aperture on a lid 908 of the battery assembly and screwed into a threaded aperture in the crossmember 904 such that the second face 102b of the spacer 100 abuts an uppermost surface of the lid 908 when the battery assembly is installed in the vehicle, according to this embodiment. In other embodiments, the shank 104 may be fixed directly into the crossmember 904 and a peripheral edge of the lid 908 may be located adjacent the spacer 100. The second face 102b of the spacer 100 in this embodiment comprises the second sealing medium 116 which is applied to the entirety of the second face 102b. As the shank 104 of the spacer 100 is secured into the threaded aperture in the crossmember 904, the second 8 sealing medium 116 is compressed between the second face 102b of the spacer 100 and the underlying crossmember 904 thus creating a seal between the underside (second face 102b) of the head 102 of the spacer 100 and the lid 908, to seal the battery assembly. In other embodiments, the second sealing medium 116 may be applied to the annular groove 502 only. The first sealing medium 114 on the first face 102a of the spacer 100 is then available to receive an underside of a component such as a load floor (not shown on FIG. 9) such that the underside of the component can be positioned to overlie the first face 102a of the head 102 of the spacer 100 so that a fastener aperture in the component is aligned with the central aperture 124 on the head 102 of the spacer 100. A fastener 202 is passed through the fastener aperture in the component, through the central aperture 124 and into the bore 122 of the spacer 100 to secure the component to the top of the spacer 100 and thus connect the component, spacer and rail (which may also be referred to as a crossmember) of the battery assembly together. As the fastener 202 is tightened into the bore 122 of the spacer 100, the first part and the second part 114a, 114b of the first sealing medium positioned against the first face 102a of the spacer 100 are compressed between the first face 102a of the spacer 100 and the underside of the component thus creating a seal between the underside of the component and the first face 102a of the spacer 100 to seal around the fastener aperture in the component. The spacer 100 of the present invention therefore provides the ability to be able seal both the component abutting the first face 102a or clip 112 on the first face 102a of the spacer 100 and the battery assembly using a single spacer 100 that has first and second sealing mediums on each of the first face 102a and second face 102b respectively of the spacer 100. In contrast to providing the first and second seals independently of the spacer 100, the integral nature of the sealing mediums on the spacer 100 make provision of the seals quicker and easier to integrate into the battery assembly and / or vehicle assembly process, by eliminating the need for an operator to manually add a sealing medium to either or both of the first face 102a and the second face 102b of the spacer 100 during the installation process. FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a battery assembly 1000 for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention, which comprises a spacer 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The spacer 100 is positioned between a first component 902 and a second component 904. In the present example, the first component 902 is a load floor 902 of a vehicle and the second component 904 is a crossmember 904 of a battery frame 906 which forms part of the battery assembly 1000. The battery assembly 1000 also comprises a lid 908. The battery frame 906 and lid 908 define a cavity 910 in which battery cells 912 can be securely retained by cross members which form a part of the battery frame 906. The shank 104 (not visible in the schematic illustration of FIG. 10) of the spacer 100 is secured into a bore located in the crossmember 904 of the battery frame 906 so as to maintain it in a fixed position relative to the battery frame 906. The process of securing a spacer 100 into a bore in the crossmember 904 is repeated as many times as necessary to provide the battery assembly with a number of spacers 100 considered to be appropriate to support the overlying structure, which in this case is the load floor 902. As the shank 104 of the spacer 100 is secured into the crossmember 904, the second sealing medium 116 located on the second face 102b, i.e. under the head 102 of the spacer 100, abuts the crossmember 904 and becomes compressed as the spacer 100 as the shank 104 is tightened into the crossmember 904. This creates a seal between the crossmember 904 of the battery assembly and the second face 102b of the head 102 of the spacer 100. The lid 908 is secured to the crossmember 904 of the battery frame 906 using a plurality of fasteners (not visible on FIG. 10) which are threaded through fastener apertures in the lid and secured into corresponding fastener apertures in the crossmember 904. Once the lid 908 is secured into position, the periphery of the lid 908 sits adjacent the spacers 100 secured into the crossmember 904. When the battery assembly 1000 is installed in the vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention, it lies underneath the load floor 902. 9 The spacer 100 is positioned between the load floor 902 and the crossmember 904 of the battery frame 906 such that the first face 102a of the spacer 100 (or the clip 112 on the first face 102a of the spacer 100) abuts an underside of the load floor 902, and the second face 102b of the spacer 100 abuts an outer surface of the crossmember 904, such that the load floor 902 and the crossmember 904 are maintained at a spaced apart distance, that distance being commensurate with the first length 106 of the head 102 of the spacer 100. The load floor 902 is secured to the battery assembly by passing a fastener 202 through a fastener aperture in the load floor 902 and into the bore 122 of an underlying spacer 100. As the fastener 202 is tightened into the spacer 100, the first sealing medium 114 located on the first face 102a of the spacer 100 (or on the surface(s) of the clip 112) becomes compressed which creates a seal between the first face 102a of the spacer 100 and the underside of the load floor 902. It will be appreciated that this location is merely an example and in other embodiments, the battery assembly 1000 may be fastened to a different vehicle body component. The present invention therefore provides a spacer 100 which can seal both the load floor 902 by virtue of the first sealing medium 114, and the battery assembly 1000 by virtue of the second sealing medium 116, without the need to provide separate seals during the assembly process. FIG. 11 illustrates a illustrates an example method 1100 of sealing a lid of a battery assembly and a vehicle body component using a spacer according to embodiments) of the invention. In the present example, the vehicle body component is a load floor of a vehicle which is arranged to overlie the battery assembly, and the spacer is positioned between the lid of the battery assembly and the load floor. It will be appreciated that this example of a load floor is a non-limiting example of a vehicle body component. Although the example method 1100 of sealing the lid and the vehicle body component depicts a particular sequence of operations, the sequence may be altered without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, some of the operations depicted may be performed in parallel or in a different sequence that does not materially affect the function of the method 1100 of sealing the lid and the vehicle body component. In other examples, different components of an example device or system that implements the method 1100 of sealing the lid and the vehicle body component may perform functions at substantially the same time or in a specific sequence. In step 1102, the lid of the battery assembly is arranged such that the periphery of the lid abuts an upper surface of one or more support rails (which may also be referred to as one or more crossmembers) of the battery assembly, and a more central portion of the lid overlies one or more battery cells located within the frame of the battery assembly defined by the support rails. The periphery of the lid comprises a plurality of spaced apart apertures which are sized to allow the shank 104 of the spacer 100 to pass. The plurality of spaced apart apertures are arranged to overlie correspondingly sized spaced apart bores located in the one or more support rails of the battery assembly. In step 1104, a spacer 100 according to embodiment(s) of the invention is passed through one of the plurality of spaced apart apertures in the lid and through into the underlying bore in the rail of the battery assembly such that it projects upwardly from the rail and the lid. This process is repeated to position spacers in the one or more support rails of the battery assembly, as required to maintain the predetermined distance between the battery assembly and the overlying vehicle body component once the battery assembly and vehicle body component are secured together. In step 1106, the spacer 100 is secured into the bore of the rail of the battery assembly by engaging the external threaded portion 108 of the spacer 100 with corresponding threads on the internal surface of the bore of the rail of the battery assembly. In the present embodiment, this is achieved by using an Allen key to engage the hexagonal opening of the bore of the spacer 100 to tighten the shank 104 of the spacer 100 into the bore in the rail of the battery assembly. As the spacer 100 is secured into the bore of the rail of the battery assembly, the second sealing medium 116 located on the second face 102b of the head 102 of the spacer 100 becomes compressed between the head 102 of the spacer 100 and the lid of the battery assembly so as to form a seal between the second face 102b of the spacer 100 and the lid of the battery assembly. The spacer(s) are now secured to the rail of the battery assembly. In step 1108, a fastener 202 is positioned through a fastener aperture in the vehicle body component (load floor in the present example), and the fastener is arranged to overlie the bore of a spacer 100 inserted into the rail of the battery assembly in steps 1104 and 1106. The vehicle body component is secured to the spacer 100 and thus the attached rail(s) of the battery assembly by screwing the fastener into the central bore of the spacer 100 such that threads on the external surface of the fastener 202 engage with the corresponding 5 threads on the internal surface of the bore of the spacer 100. As the fastener 202 is secured into the central bore 122 of the spacer 100, the sealing medium on the first face 102a of the spacer 100 (or on the clip 112 abutting the first face) becomes compressed so as to form a seal between the first face 102a of the spacer and the underside of the vehicle body component. The spacer 100 according to the present invention therefore seals both the vehicle body component and the underlying battery assembly by virtue of the first sealing medium and second sealing medium being compressed to form a seal against the above-10 mentioned respective adjacent surfaces. FIG. 12 illustrates a vehicle 1200 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 1200 comprises a battery assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, and the battery assembly comprises a spacer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The battery assembly may be secured to the load floor of the vehicle 1200. It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope 15 of the present application.

Claims

1. A spacer for positioning between a peripheral flange of a lid of a battery assembly and a vehicle cabin component, the spacer comprising a first face for engaging with a surface of a fastener for securing the spacer between the peripheral flange of the lid and the vehicle cabin component, and a second face for engaging with a surface of the battery assembly, wherein the spacer comprises a first sealing medium abutting the first face for sealing the first face to the surface of the fastener and a second sealing medium abutting the second face for sealing the second face to a surface of the battery assembly.

2. A spacer according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing medium is fixed to the first face.

3. A spacer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second sealing medium is fixed to the second face.

4. A spacer according to claim 3, wherein the second sealing medium is applied onto the second face by spraying.

5. A spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a fastener for securing the first sealing medium onto the firstface.

6. A spacer according to claim 5, wherein the fastener comprises a resiliently biased component, optionally wherein the fastener comprises a clip.

7. A spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first face comprises a recess for receiving at least part of the first sealing medium.

8. A spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second face comprises a recess for receiving at least part of the second sealing medium.

9. A spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the spacer comprises a bore for receiving a fastener for securing the spacer between the peripheral flange and the vehicle cabin component.

10. A spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein one or both of the first sealing medium and the second sealing medium comprises polyurethane resin.

11. A spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a threaded portion on an external surface of the spacer, for engaging with a corresponding threaded portion on the battery assembly, optionally wherein the corresponding threaded portion is located on a side rail of the battery assembly.

12. A first component and a second component joined together with a spacer according to any of claims 1 to 11.

13. A battery assembly comprising a spacer according to any of claims 1 to 11.

14. A method of sealing a lid of a battery assembly and a vehicle body component, the method comprising:aligning a spacer in accordance with any of claims 1 to 11 with an aperture on the vehicle body component;securing a second end of the spacer into the aperture;positioning the lid of the battery assembly on top of the spacer and aligning an aperture on the lid with a bore of the spacer;positioning a fastener through the aperture on the lid and into the bore of the spacer such that threads on the fastener engage 5 with threads on the bore of the spacer to secure the lid, spacer and vehicle body component together so as to compress each of the first sealing medium and second sealing medium of the spacer.

15. A vehicle comprising a spacer according to any of claims 1 to 11, or a first component and a second component according to claim 12, or a battery assembly according to claim 13.14

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