Protective cover for a battery pack

Abstract

A protective cover 1 for terminals 32 of a battery pack 30, the cover body 10 having a mounting portion (Fig. 2a, 12) wherein the mounting portion and the pack have corresponding openings for a fasten

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a protective cover for a battery pack, which is used to power a vehicle electric drive system. Aspects of the invention relate to a protective cover and to a kit of parts. BACKGROUND It is known in the automotive industry for the electric drive system of a vehicle to have a significant power demand. Battery packs for electric drive systems are therefore typically configured to supply significant voltage and current levels via a number of electric terminals. However, the potential difference between the electric terminals can therefore be very high, such that there may be a risk of short-circuit across the electric terminals if they are left exposed. This can occur when the battery pack is disconnected from the electric drive system, for example during assembly, repair, and / or servicing, of the vehicle or electric drive system. There is therefore a risk of short circuiting and damage to the batteries in such conditions. It is an aim of the present invention to address the aforementioned issue. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a protective cover apparatus, and a kit of parts, as claimed in the appended claims. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a protective cover for a plurality of electric terminals of a battery pack for a vehicle electric drive system. The battery pack comprises an opening for receiving a fastening element. The protective cover is attachable to the battery pack to cover the plurality of electric terminals. The protective cover has a body comprising a mounting portion and a cover portion. The mounting portion comprises an opening for receiving a fastening element that is engageable with the opening of the battery pack to fasten the protective cover to the battery pack. The cover portion comprises a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a recessed formation, defined in the first surface and extending towards the second surface, for receiving and enclosing the plurality of electric terminals when the protective cover is fastened to the battery pack. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a protective cover for a plurality of electric terminals of a battery pack for a vehicle electric drive system. The battery pack comprises an opening for receiving a fastening element. The protective cover is attachable to the battery pack to cover the plurality of electric terminals. The protective cover has a body comprising a mounting portion and a cover portion. The mounting portion comprises a first opening for receiving a fastening element that is engageable with the opening of the battery pack to fasten the protective cover to the battery pack. The cover portion comprises a depth, extending from a first surface to an opposing second surface along a first axis, and a plurality of recessed formations, defined in the first surface and extending into the depth of the cover portion, for receiving and enclosing the plurality of electric terminals when the protective cover is fastened to the battery pack. The protective cover is therefore attachable to the battery pack to cover the electric terminals, which may be exposed when the battery pack is decoupled from the wider electric drive system, for example during assembly, repair, and / or servicing, of the vehicle or electric drive system. In such conditions, the protective cover can be fitted over the terminals and fastened to the battery pack to inhibit access to the electric terminals and thereby mitigate the risk of short-circuiting or damage. Advantageously, the protective cover may be fastened to the battery pack using a pre-formed opening that serves another purpose in the electric drive system. For example, the opening may ordinarily be used for coupling a battery energy management system to the battery pack. Optionally, the body further comprises a locking portion for receiving a locking device that extends across the first opening to block access to the fastening element once engaged with the opening of the battery pack. The protective cover is therefore securable with a locking device to prevent unauthorized removal of the cover and / or access to the electric terminals in the manner of an energy control, power lock-out device. The protective cover can therefore only be removed knowingly and intentionally. Optionally, the locking portion comprises a second opening for receiving the locking device. A longitudinal axis of the second opening may intersect with a longitudinal axis of the first opening so that the locking device extends across the first opening, once received in the second opening, thereby inhibiting access to the fastening element. Optionally, the longitudinal axis of the second opening is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the first opening. When received in the second opening, the locking device advantageously blocks the first opening and therefore blocks access to the fastening element once engaged with the opening of the battery pack. The protective cover advantageously blocks access to the fastening element in an extremely simple manner and allows for the protective cover to be easily manufactured due to its simple configuration. Optionally, the locking portion comprises a pair of protrusions upstanding from the mounting portion. The pair of protrusions may extend away from the first surface along the first axis, and the second opening may extend through the pair of protrusions. Advantageously, the pair of protrusions are able to support the locking device in a simple manner and in a fixed orientation such that the locking device prevents access to the fastening element, once the fastening element has been received in the first opening. Optionally, the cover portion comprises a plurality of sub-portions. Each sub-portion may comprise a respective recess or recessed formation of the plurality of recessed formations. Advantageously, each respective electric terminal of the plurality of electric terminals is covered and enclosed blocking objects from spanning across and contacting the plurality of electric terminals in a manner that might cause a short circuit. Optionally, the cover portion comprises two sub-portions and the mounting portion is arranged between the sub-portions such that the sub-portions extend away from the mounting portion in opposing directions. Optionally, the cover portion comprises three sub-portions, wherein first and second ones of the three subportions extend in opposing directions and a third one of the three sub-portions extends in an orthogonal direction to the first and second sub-portions. Optionally, the cover portion is lobate and each sub-portion defines a respective lobe of the cover portion. Advantageously, each electric terminal is separated from each other to further ensure a short circuit does not occur. Optionally, the mounting portion is disposed between an opposing pair of sub-portions and / or on a centreline of the body. Advantageously, the fastening element may therefore be positioned between the sub-portions to ensure the separation of the electric terminals. The fastening element may also be positioned centrally such that the clamping force provided by the fastening element to fasten the protective cover to the battery pack is distributed equally over the respective interfacing surfaces of the protective cover and the battery pack. Optionally, the pair of upstanding protrusions define a pair of opposing sidewalls extending between an opposing pair of sub-portions and / or extend from the second surface of the cover portion. Advantageously, the second opening is therefore readily accessible for receiving the locking device. Optionally, the mounting portion, cover portion, and / or locking portion may be formed in a single portion of the protective cover. Optionally, the body of the protective cover is unitary. Advantageously, the protective cover is easy and inexpensive to manufacture. Optionally, the plurality of recessed formations comprises a recessed formation configured to receive and enclose: a respective electric terminal ofthe plurality of electric terminals, a respective pair of electric terminals of the plurality of electric terminals, a respective group of positive electric terminals of the plurality of electric terminals, or a respective group of negative electric terminals of the plurality of electric terminals. Advantageously, the electric terminals are further separated from each otherto prevent a short-circuit. Optionally, the shape of the plurality of recessed formations substantially corresponds to the shape of respective electric terminals of the plurality of electric terminals. Optionally, the plurality of electric terminals protrude from a first surface of the battery pack. The plurality of recessed formations may have a depth corresponding to a protruding length of the plurality of electric terminals from the first surface of the battery pack. Advantageously, the amount of material required to manufacture the protective cover is thereby minimised. According to another aspect ofthe present invention, there is provided a kit of parts. The kit of parts comprises: a protective cover as described in a previous aspect ofthe invention for covering a plurality of electric terminals of a battery pack for a vehicle electric drive system, and a fastening element engageable with an opening of the battery pack for attaching the protective cover to the battery pack when the plurality of electric terminals are covered by the protective cover. Optionally, the kit of parts further comprises a locking device for attachment to the locking portion of the protective cover to inhibit access to the fastening element once engaged with the opening ofthe battery pack. The fastening element may be a bolt, for example. The locking device may be a padlock device, for example. According to another aspect ofthe present invention, there is provided a method of installing a protective cover to a battery pack for a vehicle electric drive system. The battery pack comprises a plurality of exposed electric terminals and an opening for receiving a fastening element. The protective cover has a body comprising a mounting portion for fastening the protective covertothe battery pack and a cover portion comprising a plurality of recessed formations for receiving and enclosing the plurality of exposed electric terminals. The method comprises fitting the protective cover to the battery pack such that the plurality of exposed electric terminals are received in, and enclosed by, the plurality of recessed formations. The protective cover is fastened to the battery pack by inserting a fastening element into a first opening of the mounting portion of the protective cover and engaging the fastening element with the threaded opening of the battery pack. Optionally, the method further comprises securing the protective cover once fastened to the battery pack by inserting a locking device through a second opening defined in a locking portion of the protective cover. The second opening may have a longitudinal axis that intersects a longitudinal axis of the first opening so that the locking device extends across the first opening, once received in the second opening, thereby inhibiting access to the fastening element. According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system comprising: a protective cover as described in a previous aspect of the invention, a battery pack for a vehicle electric drive system for covering a plurality of electric terminals of a battery pack for a vehicle electric drive system, and a fastening element engageable with an opening of the battery pack for attaching the protective cover to the battery pack when the plurality of electric terminals are covered by the protective cover. 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 anyway 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: Figure 1 shows an exploded assembly view of an exemplary system or kit of parts, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, featuring a protective cover, a fastening element, and a locking device, for protecting exposed electric terminals of a battery pack; Figure 2a shows a side view of the exemplary protective cover, shown in Figure 1, including internal details of the protective cover; Figure 2b shows a cross-sectional view of the exemplary protective cover, shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a flow chart of an exemplary method of installing the protective cover, shown in Figure 1, to a battery pack, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4a shows a cross-sectional view of the protective cover and the battery pack, shown in Figure 1, illustrating the protective cover being positioned over the electric terminals of the battery pack; Figure 4b shows a cross-sectional view of the protective cover, the battery pack, and fastening element, shown in Figure 1, illustrating the protective cover fitted over the electric terminals and the fastening element being inserted between the protective cover and the battery pack; Figure 4c shows a cross-sectional detail view of the area ‘B’, shown in Figure 4b, when the fastening element is engaged with an opening of the battery pack; Figure 5a shows a plan view of the system, shown in Figure 1, illustrating the insertion of the locking device once the protective cover is fastened to the battery pack; Figure 5b shows a plan view of the system, shown in Figure 1, illustrating the locking device securing the attachment of the protective cover to the battery pack; Figure 6a shows a perspective view of another exemplary protective cover, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, for protecting another exemplary battery pack; and Figure 6b shows a bottom view of the protective cover shown in Figure 5a. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems for protecting the electric terminals of a battery pack for a vehicle electric drive system, particularly when the battery pack is uncoupled from the electric drive system and the electric terminals are exposed. Vehicles that employ electric drive systems typically have significant power demands, and require batteries or battery packs capable of supplying significant amount of voltage and current. For example, a battery pack for an electric vehicle may typically produce voltage levels of approximately 400 to 800 V and current levels of approximately 30 to 50 A. Such electric drive systems commonly include a battery energy management (BEM) system for handling the power demands and controlling the supply of electric power to / from the battery pack. The BEM system is mounted on the battery pack and connected thereto via a plurality of electric terminals. This arrangement ensures that power is transferred to / from the battery pack easily and efficiently, for example with minimal losses caused by the impedance of internal circuitry between the BEM and the battery pack. However, the battery pack is occasionally uncoupled from the other components of the electric drive system, for example during assembly, repair, and / or servicing, of the electric drive system or vehicle. To give an example, the BEM may be disconnected and removed from the battery pack during servicing I repair in order to gain access to specific components of the BEM and / or the battery pack. In such instances, the electric terminals are exposed to the external environment and a large potential difference may be produced across the terminals. There is therefore a risk of contamination or short-circuit across the electric terminals, which could result in damage to the electric terminals and / or the battery pack. Embodiments of the present invention therefore relate to methods and systems for covering the exposed electric terminals of the battery pack, and inhibiting access thereto, as discussed in more detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Figure 1 shows a battery pack 30 for an electric drive system (not shown) of a vehicle, such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle. The battery pack 30 is shown in a disassembled or detached state from the other components of the electric drive system. As such, the battery pack 30 is shown to include a plurality of electric terminals 32 for electrical connection to other devices of the electric drive system, such as a BEM. Here, it shall be appreciated that the electric terminals 32 would ordinarily by concealed by, and electrically connected to, the other devices but, in their absence, the electric terminals 32 are left exposed. The electric terminals 32 are thus shown to project from a surface S3 of the battery pack 30, which further includes a plurality of openings 34 for the attachment of the other electric drive system devices. In this example, the electric terminals 32 of the battery pack 30 are shown to be arranged into first and second pairs. In particular, the terminals 32 are grouped into a pair of positive electric terminals 32a and a pair of negative electric terminals 32b. The two pairs of terminals 32a, 32b are arranged in planar alignment but spaced apart to mitigate the risk of a short circuit. Each electric terminal 32 may takes the form of a high amperage electric terminal, such as a socket and pin style electrical contact for current levels of at least 30A. For example, each electric terminal 32 may take the form of a RADSOK® high amperage electric terminal, as commonly used in electric battery packs for the automotive industry. Each electric terminal 32 is therefore shown to be substantially cylindrical and protrudes by a length, L1, from the surface S3 of the battery pack 30. The exemplary shape and form of the electric terminals 32 is not intended to be particularly limiting on the scope of the invention though and may vary between embodiments, as shall be described in more detail. Figure 1 also shows an exemplary system or kit of parts 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, for covering the exposed electric terminals 32 of the battery pack 1. The kit 2 is shown to include a protective cover 1, a fastening element 40, and a locking device 50 in this example. As shall be described in more detail, the protective cover 1 is configured for attachment to the battery pack 30 so as to enclose and conceal the electric terminals 32. Once attached, the protective cover 1 therefore inhibits access to the electric terminals 32 and thereby mitigates the risk of contamination and / or a short circuit. The protective cover 1 is a unitary component that is shown to have a generally elongate body 10 in this example. In this respect, the shape of the body 10 generally corresponds to the arrangement of electric terminals 32 and includes: (i) a length extending from a first end 80 to an opposing second end 82 along a longitudinal axis 84, (ii) a width extending from a first side 86 to an opposing second side 88, and (iii) a depth extending from a lower side 90 to an opposing upper side 92. As the protective cover 1 is designed to surround and enclose the protruding electric terminals 32 it shall be appreciated that the body 10 therefore has a length, depth, width, and overall shape corresponding to the arrangement of electrical terminals 32. For example, the elongate nature of the body 10 in the present example generally reflects the linear arrangement of electric terminals 32 on the battery pack 30, defining a boundary around the terminals 32. In other examples, it shall be appreciated that the body 10 of the protective cover 1 may define other shapes corresponding to the particular arrangement of electric terminals 32 to be covered, as shall be discussed in more detail. The fastening element 40 is configured to fasten the protective cover 1 to the battery pack 30 and thereby secure the protective cover 1 in position over the electric terminals 32. More specifically, the fastening element 40 is configured to fasten the protective cover 1 to the battery pack 30 using one of the plurality of openings 34 defined in the surface S3 of the battery pack 30. Such openings 34 are ordinarily used for the attachment of the BEM or other components of the electric drive system and the kit 2 therefore makes advantageous use of the pre-existing openings 34 for the attachment of the protective cover 1 in the absence of such coverings. For this purpose, the fastening element 40 may, for example, take the form of a threaded bolt, as shown in Figure 1. Accordingly, the fastening element 40 may therefore include a threaded shaft, having a nominal diameter for engaging the opening 34 of the battery pack 30, and an enlarged head at one end that allows force to be applied to the fastening element 40. The fastening element 40 therefore serves to releasably couple the protective cover 1 to the battery pack 30. However, in some embodiments, additional security is desired to further mitigate the risk of unintentional or unauthorised removal of the protective cover 1. For example, it may be desirable to limit access to the electric terminals 32 to certain individuals, such as skilled technicians. Accordingly, as shown in Figure 1, the kit 2 may further include the locking device 50 as an optional element forsecuring the attachment of the protective cover 1 to the battery pack 30, in particular by inhibiting access to the fastening element 40, once engaged. The locking device 50 may, for example, take the form of a padlock device as shown in Figure 1, operable between locked and unlocked states with a key or combination lock, for example. The locking device 50 may therefore include a shackle for attachment to the protective cover and a locking mechanism in a body of the padlock for securing the shackle. In this manner, the locking device 50 may be installed to secure the attachment of the protective cover 1 to the battery pack 30, and the key I combination may be limited to authorised personnel such that the protective cover 1 can be secured, in situ, in a lock-off manner. It shall be appreciated that the fastening element 40 and the locking device 50 may therefore be constituted by conventional means used to attach and secure the protective cover 1 in position, covering the electric terminals 32. The protective cover 1 shall now be discussed in more detail with additional reference to Figures 2a and 2b, where Figure 2a shows a side view of the protective cover 1, and includes internal details of the protective cover 1, while Figure 2b shows a cross-sectional side view of the protective cover 1. The body 10 may be formed from various suitable materials, such as plastic materials or polylactic acid, using one or more manufacturing methods that are commonly used for such parts in the automotive industry, such as 3D printing or injection moulding. For example, the body 10 may be conveniently made from polylactic acid by a 3D printing method, which provides efficient manufacture of monolith structures. In this respect, the invention is not intended to be particularly limited. In Figure 2a, the body 10 of the protective cover 1 is shown to include a mounting portion 12, a cover portion 14, and a locking portion 16, in this example. That is, the body 10 is shown to include three functional portions, each including respective feature(s) for performing that function. It shall be appreciated that these functional portions are defined by the same continuous body 10 and therefore the functional portions may be defined by (at least partially) common, or overlapping areas, features, and / or formations of the body 10. As such, the references to features forming a part of a particular functional portion are not intending to be limiting on the scope of the invention and, in other examples, it shall be appreciated that the structure may take other suitable forms. The cover portion 14 is defined by those parts of the body 10 that are configured to receive and enclose the electric terminals 32 when the protective cover 1 is attached to the battery pack 30. For this purpose, a plurality of recessed formations 18 are formed in the cover portion 14 of the body 10. The recessed formations 18 correspond to the shape, size and arrangement of the electric terminals 32 to be covered. In particular, as shown in Figures 2a and 2b, the protective cover 1 is shown to include a first recessed formation 18a for the positive pair of electric terminals 32a and a second recessed formation 18b for the negative pair of electric terminals 32b. Each pair of electric terminals 32a, 32b is therefore received in a respective recessed formation 18a, 18b such that the two pairs of electric terminals 32a, 32b are physically separated from each other by intermediate walls of the body 10, mitigating the risk of a short circuit between the positive and negative terminals 32a, 32b. In this example, each of the recessed formations 18a, 18b is therefore shown to have a rectangular shape with a width that substantially corresponds to the diameter of each electric terminal 32 and a length that substantially corresponds to a span of the respective pair of terminals 32a, 32b. Each recessed formation 18a, 18b also has a depth substantially corresponding to the length, L1, of the electric terminals 32 that protrudes from the surface S3 of the battery pack 30, as shown in Figure 1. In this respect, the term ‘substantially corresponds’ is used to refer to the fact that the dimensions of the recessed formations 18a, 18b may be slightly larger than the electric terminals 32, such that a close fit (such as clearance fit) is achieved between the electric terminals 32 and the respective recessed formations 18a, 18b. Accordingly, any gaps between the walls of the body 10 defined by the recessed formations 18a, 18b and the electric terminals 32 are minimised, inhibiting ingress of objects in the intervening space. In examples, each recessed formation 18 may be formed in a respective sub-potion of the cover portion 14 such that the respective electric terminals 32 are suitably isolated. For example, the cover portion 14 is shown to include a first sub-portion 14a for the positive electric terminals 32a and a second sub-portion 14b for the negative terminals 32b in this example. Each sub-portion 14a, 14b effectively defines a respective housing unit enclosing the respective pair of electric terminals 32a, 32b. Each sub-portion 14a, 14b is therefore shown to extend from a lower first surface S1 to an opposing upper second surface S2. The first surface S1 of each sub-portion 14a, 14b is engageable with the battery pack 30 and the respective recessed formation 18a, 18b is therefore defined in the first surface S1. Each recessed formation 18a, 18b extends towards the opposing second surface S2 of that sub-portion 14a, 14b for receiving the respective pair of electric terminals 32a, 32b. In this example, each sub-portion 14a, 14b is shown to have a substantially constant wall thickness extending around the respective recessed formation 18a, 18b, between the first and second surfaces S1, S2. In this manner, the thickness of the sub-portions 14a, 14b are substantially constant for ease of manufacture and minimisation of the material used to form the body 10. The wall thickness may be determined according to the strength and / or conductivity of the material used to form the protective cover 1, ensuring the structural integrity of the protective cover 1 in use and insulating the electric terminals 32a from the negative terminals 32b, for example. The mounting portion 12 is defined by those parts of the body 10 that are configured for mounting or attaching the protective cover 1 to the battery pack 30. In this example, the mounting portion 12 takes the form of a central block-shaped hub and the two sub-portions 14a, 14b extend away from the hub in opposing directions for receiving the respective pairs of electric terminals 32. In this manner, the body 10 generally has a lobate shape, with the first and second sub-portions 14a, 14b defining respective rectangular lobes extending away from the central mounting portion 12. The mounting portion 12 is shown, in Figure 2b, to have a depth extending from a lower surface S5, for engagement with the battery pack 30, and an opposing upper surface S6, and a width extending between a first side surfaces S7, shown in Figure 2a, and an opposing side surface (not shown). Each of these surfaces S5-S7 are shown to be rectangular planar surfaces in this example, where the geometric simplicity provides for ease of manufacture. A first end S8 of the mounting portion 12 connects to the first sub-portion14a and an opposing second end S9 of the mounting portion 12 connects to the second sub-portion 14b, as shown in Figure 2a. The mounting portion 12 is relatively short and narrow, in this example, and therefore defines a neck region extending between the first and second sub-portions 14a, 14b. With this arrangement, the mounting portion 12 separates the first and second sub-portions 14a, 14b to further insulate the pairs of electric terminals 32a, 32b from one another. It shall be appreciated that the protective cover 1 may be symmetrical about a plane extending centrally across the width of the mounting portion 12 such that each sub-portion 14a, 14b has the same configuration. As mentioned previously, the protective cover 1 is attached to the battery pack 30 via the fastening element 40, and the mounting portion 12 therefore includes a first opening 20 for receiving the fastening element 40. The first opening 20 extends through the mounting portion 12, extending from the upper surface S6 to the lower surface S5 along an axis A1. Along its length, the first opening 20 includes a relatively narrow section that defines a retaining shoulder for the fastening element 40. The first opening 20 is therefore shown to include a first diameter D1 along the majority of its length, extending from the upper surface S6, and a second diameter D2 in a lower section extending to the lower surface S4, as shown in Figure 2b. The second diameter D2 may therefore correspond to a nominal diameter of the fastening element 40 and the first diameter D1 may correspond to a head size of the fastening element 40. It shall be appreciated that the first opening 20 is suitably located relative to the recessed formations 18a, 18b of the cover portion 14 such that, when the protective cover 1 is placed over the electric terminals 32, the first opening 20 is arranged in alignment with one of the plurality of openings 34 of the battery pack 30. In particular, the first opening 20 is aligned with a respective opening 34 of the battery pack 30 that is disposed midway between the pairs of electric terminals 32a, 32b in this example. It shall be appreciated that it is generally advantageous for the mounting portion 12 to be disposed substantially in the centre or on a centreline of the body 10, with the cover portion 14, or sub-portions thereof, spanning outwardly from the central mounting portion 12 to coverthe electric terminals 32. In this manner, the clamping force applied by the fastening element 40, once attached, may be applied substantially evenly across the interfacing surfaces of the protective cover 1 and the battery pack 30. The locking portion 16 is defined by those parts of the body 10 that are configured for attaching the locking device 50 to the protective cover 1 so as to inhibit access to the engaged fastening element 40. For this purpose, the locking portion 16 and the mounting portion 12 may be formed by a common or overlapping portion ofthe protective cover 1 between the opposing sub-portions 14a, 14b of the cover portion 14, as shown in this example. The locking portion 16 is shown to include a second opening 22 for receiving the locking device 50, which extends across the width ofthe mounting portion 12 from the first side surface S7 to the opposing second side surface (not shown). The second opening 22 is arranged such that a portion ofthe locking device 50 will extend across the first opening 20, once installed, and thereby inhibit access to a lower portion ofthe first opening 20 that retains the fastening element 40. For this purpose, a longitudinal axis A2 of the second opening 22 is arranged to intersect the longitudinal axis A1 ofthe first opening 20. For example, as shown in Figures 2a and 2b, the longitudinal axis A2 ofthe second opening 22 may be coplanar with the longitudinal axis A1 ofthe first opening 20 and extend orthogonally thereto. In this example, the locking device 50 takes the form of a padlock and the second opening 22 is therefore configured to receive the shackle of the padlock. The second opening 22 therefore has a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the shackle and allowing forthe shackle to be threaded therethrough and reengaged with a locking mechanism in the body of the padlock. In this respect, the mounting and locking portions 12,16 are defined in the relatively narrow portion ofthe body 10 so as to facilitate the ease of insertion and attachment. It shall be appreciated that the second opening 22 and the locking device 50 may therefore be sized accordingly for ease of attachment whilst ensuring that, once the locking device 50 is attached, the locking device 50 blocks or substantially inhibits access to the fastening element 40 in the first opening 20, as shall be described in more detail. In this manner, the protective cover 1 can be fitted over the electric terminals 32 and attached to the battery pack 30 using the fastening element 40 in order protect the exposed terminals 32 from the external environment and mitigate the risk of short-circuits across the terminals 32. The locking device 50 can subsequently be attached to the protective cover 1 and locked to block access to the fastening element 40 and restrict access to authorised personnel. The use ofthe kit 2 for protecting the electric terminal 32 ofthe battery pack 30 shall now be described with additional reference to Figures 3 to 5. Here, Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary installation method 100 and Figures 4 to 5 illustrate respective steps ofthe method 100, as shall be described in more detail. It shall be appreciated that the electric terminals 32 ofthe battery pack 30 are initially exposed to the external environment, for example during a pre-assembly stage ofthe electric drive system or having been decoupled from the drive system during servicing or repair. However, once exposed, there is a risk of damage to the electric terminals 32 and, in turn, the battery pack 30. Accordingly, in step S12, the protective cover 1 is fitted to the battery pack 30 such that the electric terminals 32 are received in the recessed formations 18a, 18b and enclosed by the body 10, which protects the terminals 32 from the external environment. In particular, as shown in Figures 4a and 4b, the protective cover 1 may be positioned above the plurality of electric terminals 32 such that the plurality of recessed formations 18a, 18b substantially align with the respective pairs of electric terminals 32a, 32b. The protective cover 1 is then lowered overthe electric terminals 32a, 32b so as to engage the surface S3 of the battery pack 30. The positive pair of terminals 32a are therefore received in the first recessed formation 18a of the cover portion 14 and the negative pair of terminals 32b are received in the second recessed formation 18b of the cover portion 14, as shown in Figure 3b. Once fitted, the insulating body 10 serves to separate the positive and negative pairs of respective terminals 32a, 32b and inhibit the ingress of objects from the external environment, protecting the electric terminals 32. In step S14, the protective cover 1 is fastened to the battery pack 30 using the fastening element 40. In particular, the fastening element 40 is inserted into the first opening 20 of the mounting portion 12 and engaged with the threaded opening 34 in the battery pack 30. The fastening element 40 therefore engages the threaded opening and generates a clamping force that hold the protective cover 1 in position overthe electric terminals 32. For example, Figure 4c shows a cross-sectional view, showing the fastening element 40 clamping the protective cover 1 in position on the battery pack 30. Here it shall be appreciated that the shaft of the fastening element 40 has a smaller diameter than the second diameter D2 of the first opening 20. Meanwhile, the head or flange of the fastening element 40 has a diameter larger than the second diameter D2 but smaller than the first diameter D1 of the first opening 20. Accordingly, when received within the first opening 20, the shaft of the fastening element 40 passes through the first opening 20 unimpeded and extends into the corresponding opening 34 of the battery pack 30. The head, however, only passes through the first section of the first opening 20 and engages a retaining shoulder in the first opening 20. The second diameter D2 of the first opening 20 therefore prevents the flange from passing through it due to the smaller size of the second diameter D2 compared to the flange of the fastening element 40. The threaded shaft of the fastening element 40 is then turned into threaded engagement with a complementary thread formation on the opening 34 of the battery pack 30, which generates the clamping force that inhibits movement of the protective cover 1 away from the battery pack 30. In this manner, the fastening element 40 prevents the protective cover 1 from being easily removed from the battery pack 30. However, the fastening element 40 remains exposed and could be unfastened to release the protective cover 1 from the battery pack 30. In certain applications, it may be desired that only designated individuals have permission or authority to remove the protective cover 1 from the battery pack 30. Accordingly, for additional security, the locking device 50 may be fitted to the protective cover 1 to inhibit access to the fastening element 40, in step S16. In particular, once the protective cover 1 has been fastened to the battery pack 30, the locking device 50 may be inserted through the second opening 22 defined in the locking portion 16 of the protective cover 1, as shown in Figures 5a and 5b. Once inserted, the shackle of the locking device 50 therefore blocks the first opening 20 such that access to the fastening element 40 is inhibited. Indeed, it shall be appreciated that the longitudinal axis A2 of the second opening 22 intersects with the longitudinal axis A1 of the first opening 20 so that the locking device 50 extends across the first opening 20, once received in the second opening 22, thereby inhibiting access to the fastening element 40. Once installed and locked, the protective cover 1 is therefore securely attached to the battery pack 30 and may only be unlocked and removed by a designated individual, for example. The protective cover 1 can therefore be used to securely protect the electric terminals 32 whenever the designated individual is not in the vicinity of the battery pack 30 or working on other parts of the vehicle, for example. In this manner, the kit 2 provides a simple means of protecting the exposed electric terminals 32 and preventing unauthorised access or unintentional exposure to the electric terminals 32. It is anticipated that the kit 2 will therefore provide enhanced protection of sensitive aspects of the battery pack 30, leading to reduced incidents of battery damage. It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application. For example, it shall be appreciated that, the protective cover is designed for use with a respective battery pack, having a particular arrangement of electric terminals. Accordingly, whilst such battery packs, and their respective electric terminals, may be generally standardised in the automotive industry, they are not limited to the single arrangement described in the preceding example. It shall therefore be appreciated that the protective cover may take different forms in embodiments of the present invention corresponding to the battery pack to be protected. For example, in other embodiments, the cover portion of the protective cover may include an individual recessed formation for each electric terminal of a respective battery pack, such that the electric terminals are covered on a one-to-one basis that isolates each terminal from the other terminals of the battery pack. Alternatively, where the electric terminals are arranged into groups, such as positive terminals or negative terminals, each recessed formation may be configured to receive and enclose a respective group of electric terminals in a similar manner to the example described above. In general, the number of recessed formations may therefore be equal to, or lower than, the number of electric terminals, for example depending on the arrangement of such terminals on the battery pack. In each case, the shape of the cover portion may vary accordingly, for example where the cover portion may include a respective sub-portion for each recessed formation. In this respect, the sub-portions may have a characteristic shape and define respective lobes of the protective cover, for example. To give an example, Figure 6a shows another exemplary battery pack 30’ and a corresponding protective cover 1’, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, for protecting the electric terminals 32’ of that battery pack 30’. In this example, the battery pack 30’ is substantially as described in Figures 1 to 5 except that the battery pack 30’ includes three electric terminals 32’ (specifically a first electric terminal 32a’, a second electric terminal 32b’ and a third electric terminal 32c’). The electric terminals 32’ may, for example, form respective terminals of a multiphase power plug and socket system. As shown in Figure 6a, the three electric terminals 32’ are arranged into a triangular arrangement in this example, and protrude from a surface S3’ of the battery pack 30’ substantially as described previously. The battery pack 30’ is also shown to includes a plurality of openings 34 for the attachment of other devices, such as the BEM described previously, where one of the openings 34 is arranged centrally between the three electric terminals 32’ (e.g. halfway between the first and second electric terminals 32a’, 32b’) in a position that is engageable by a fastening element 40 to attach the protective cover 1 ’ to the battery pack 30’. The protective cover 1 ’ is therefore also substantially as described in the previous examples, except that the protective cover 1‘ is configured to receive and enclose the three electric terminals 32’ on a one-to-one basis. The protective cover T therefore has a unitary body 10’ that includes the same functional portions, namely a cover portion 14’, a mounting portion 12’ and a locking portion 16’. However, in this example, the cover portion 14’ includes three sub-portions 14a’-c’ that define respective lobes extending away from the central mounting portion 12’. In particular, a first and second sub-portion 14a’, 14b’ extend in opposing directions and a third sub-portion 14c’ of the three sub-portions 14a’, 14b’, 14c’ extends in an orthogonal direction to the first and second sub-portions 14a’, 14b’. Each sub-portion 14a’-c’ is generally rounded such that the body 10’ is trefoil-shaped in plan view, as best shown in Figure 6b (which illustrates an underside view of a lower surface S1 ’ of the body 10’). As further shown in Figure 6b, each sub portion 14a’-c’ includes a respective recessed formation 18a’-c’ corresponding to a respective electric terminal 32a’-c’. The sub-portions 14a’-c’ therefore enclose and isolate the respective terminals 32a’-c’, substantially as described previously, separating each electric terminal 32a’, 32b’, 32c’ from the others. Each sub-portion 14a’-c’ may be substantially identical, as shown in Figures 6a and 6b, and the mounting portion 12’ may be formed by a central portion of the body 10, between the three subportions 14a’-c’. In this manner, the mounting portion 12’ and the cover portion 14’ may be formed by partially overlapping portions of the body 10’, and the body 10’ may therefore have a substantially uniform cross-section extending from the lower surface S1 ’ to an opposing upper surface S2’. The mounting portion 12’ features a first opening 20’, substantially as described previously, that extends through the mounting portion 12’, from the upper surface, S2’ to the lower surface S1 ’, for receiving the fastening element 40. In this example, it shall be appreciated that the first opening 20’ is located relative to the electric terminals 32’ so that, when the protective cover 1 ’ is fitted to the battery pack 30’, the first opening 20’ is arranged in alignment with the corresponding opening 34’ of the battery pack 30’, which is formed centrally between the electric terminals 32’. In this manner, the clamping force provided by the fastening element 40’ (when engaged with the opening 34’ in the battery pack 30’) is distributed equally between the respective interfacing surfaces ST of the protective cover 1’ and S3’ the battery pack 30’. In this example, the locking portion 16’ differs from the previous example in that the second opening 22’ for receiving the locking device 50 is formed in a pair of protrusions 16a’, 16b’ upstanding from the planar upper surface S2’ of the body 10’. The pair of protrusions 16a’, 16b’ extend away from the first surface ST either side of the first opening 20’ (i.e. on diametrically opposing sides of the first opening 20’) so as to ensure that the longitudinal axis of the second opening 22’ intersects the longitudinal axis of the first opening 20’. The protrusions 16a’, 16b’ may therefore define a pair of opposing parallel sidewalls extending between the first and second opposing sub-portions 14a’, 14b’, as shown in Figure 6a. The locking device 50 is therefore receivable in the second opening 22’, substantially as described previously, for inhibiting access to the fastening element 40 in the first opening 20’. The simple configuration of the protective cover T therefore prevents the removal of the protective cover T from the battery pack 30’ by non-designated individuals. The simple design of the protective cover T also improves manufacturing efficiency and reduces manufacturing costs. It shall also be appreciated that the protective cover 1 ’ may be installed on the battery pack 30’ substantially as described in the exemplary method illustrated in Figure 3. For example, in step S12, the protective cover 1’ may be positioned above the plurality of electric terminals 32’ such that the recessed formations 18a’-c’ substantially align with the respective electric terminals 32a’-c’ and the protective cover 1 ’ is then lowered over the electric terminals 32a’-c’ so as to engage the surface S3 of the battery pack 30. Once fitted, the insulating body 10’ serves to separate the individual terminals 32a’-c’ and inhibit the ingress of objects from the external environment. In step S14, the protective cover 1 ’ is fastened to the battery pack 30’ in a substantially identical manner by inserting the fastening element 40 into the first opening 20’ of the mounting portion 12’and engaging the respective opening 34’ in the battery pack 30’. As a final stage, in step S16, the protective cover T is secured in position by inserting the locking device 50 through the second opening 22’ defined in the upstanding walls 16a’, 16b’ of the locking portion 16’, blocking the first opening 20’ and inhibiting access to the fastening element 40. In this manner, the protective cover T protects the electric terminals 32’ from the external environment and unauthorised personnel, reducing the risk of damage and / or contamination. In further examples, it shall be appreciated that the battery pack 30 may comprise a plurality of openings 34 in differing positions for receiving respective fastening elements 40, for example as shown in the battery pack 30 of Figure 1. The mounting portion 12 may therefore be configured accordingly with a plurality of first openings 20 such that the plurality of first openings 20 of the mounting portion 12 correspond to the plurality of openings 34 of the battery pack 30. This allows the protective cover 1 to be secured to battery packs 30 with varying configurations effectively.

Claims

1. A protective cover for a plurality of electric terminals of a battery pack for a vehicle electric drive system, the battery pack comprising an opening for receiving a fastening element, the protective cover being attachable to the battery pack to cover the plurality of electric terminals, and the protective cover having a body comprising:a mounting portion comprising a first opening for receiving the fastening element that is engageable with the opening of the battery pack to fasten the protective cover to the battery pack; anda cover portion having a depth extending from a first surface to an opposing second surface along a first axis, the cover portion comprising a plurality of recessed formations, defined in the first surface and extending into the depth of the cover portion, for receiving and enclosing the plurality of electric terminals when the protective cover is fastened to the battery pack.

2. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a locking portion for receiving a locking device that extends across the first opening to inhibit access to the fastening element once engaged with the opening of the battery pack.

3. The protective cover of claim 2, wherein the locking portion comprises a second opening for receiving the locking device, a longitudinal axis of the second opening intersecting a longitudinal axis of the first opening so that the locking device extends across the first opening, once received in the second opening, thereby inhibiting access to the fastening element; optionally, wherein the longitudinal axis of the second opening is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the first opening.

4. The protective cover of claim 3, wherein the locking portion comprises a pair of protrusions upstanding from the mounting portion, the pair of protrusions extending away from the first surface along the first axis and the second opening extending through the pair of protrusions.

5. The protective cover of any preceding claim, wherein the cover portion comprises a plurality of subportions, and wherein each sub-portion comprises a respective recess of the plurality of recessed formations.

6. The protective cover of claim 5, wherein the cover portion comprises two sub-portions and the mounting portion is arranged between the sub-portions such that the sub-portions extend away from the mounting portion in opposing directions.

7. The protective cover of claim 5, wherein the cover portion comprises three sub-portions, optionally, wherein first and second ones of the sub-portions extend in opposing directions and a third one of the subportions extends in an orthogonal direction to the first and second sub-portions.

8. The protective cover of any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the cover portion is lobate and each subportion defines a respective lobe of the cover portion.

9. The protective cover of any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the mounting portion is: disposed between an opposing pair of sub-portions; and / or on a centreline of the body.

10. The protective cover of claim 9, when dependent on claim 4, wherein the pair of upstanding protrusions:define a pair of opposing sidewalls extending between an opposing pair of sub-portions; and / or extend from the second surface of the cover portion.

11. The protective cover of any preceding claim, wherein the body of the protective cover is unitary.

12. A kit of parts comprising:a protective cover according to any preceding claim for covering a plurality of electric terminals of a battery pack for a vehicle electric drive system; anda fastening element engageable with an opening of the battery pack for attaching the protective cover to the battery pack when the plurality of electric terminals are covered by the protective cover.

13. A kit of parts according to claim 12, when dependent on claim 2, further comprising: a locking device for attachment to the locking portion of the protective cover to inhibit access to the fastening element once engaged with the opening of the battery pack, optionally, wherein the fastening element is a bolt, and wherein the locking device is a padlock device.17

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