Protective cover for connector of battery system assembly

Abstract

Provided is a protective cover for protecting a connector of a battery system assembly (BSA) installed at the lower end of a vehicle. According to the present invention, a connector protective cover for a battery system assembly is provided, the connector protective cover comprising: a first cover unit mounted on the battery system assembly; and a second cover unit connected to the first cover unit by at least one connection unit, wherein the second cover unit is configured to be rotatable with respect to the first cover unit at the connection unit.

Description

Connector protection cover for battery system assembly

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover for protecting a connector of a battery system assembly for an automobile.

[0002] Demand for external battery system assemblies (BSAs) in automobiles is growing. External BSAs are often attached to the underbody of a vehicle, making them susceptible to contact with foreign objects and collisions during operation. In particular, the BSA connector and the wiring connected to it are vulnerable to such contact and collisions.

[0003] Korean Patent No. 10-1448252 discloses a battery including a battery terminal cover, which is designed for the terminals of a static battery and is therefore not configured to withstand the harsh environment of the battery terminals of a moving vehicle.

[0004] There has been a demand for a protective cover to protect the connector portion of the battery system assembly exposed to the underbody of a vehicle from impact with the underbody, but prior art technologies have not been able to address this need.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a cover having a structure that prevents damage to a connector of a BSA exposed to the lower part of a vehicle, while allowing foreign matter loaded on the cover to easily escape and preventing foreign matter from entering from underneath the cover.

[0006] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a BSA protective cover that is easy to work with during assembly.

[0007] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0008] To achieve the above-described purpose, a connector protection cover for a battery system assembly according to the present invention comprises the following aspects and any combination thereof.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is:

[0010] As a connector protection cover for battery system assembly,

[0011] A first cover portion mounted on a battery system assembly; and

[0012] A second cover portion connected to the first cover portion by one or more connecting portions;

[0013] The second cover portion is a connector protection cover configured to be rotatable relative to the first cover portion at the connecting portion.

[0014] Another aspect of the present invention is a connector protection cover in which the first and second cover portions each include a bottom portion, and the second cover portion is rotatable between a shielding position in which the bottom portion thereof is parallel to the bottom portion of the first cover portion, and a working position in which the bottom portion thereof is at a predetermined angle with the bottom portion of the first cover portion.

[0015] Another aspect of the present invention is a connector protective cover comprising one or more hooks for temporary fixation with the battery system assembly side when the second cover portion is in a shielded position.

[0016] Another aspect of the present invention is a connector protective cover having a second cover portion having one or more foreign substance discharge grooves on its bottom portion.

[0017] Another aspect of the present invention is a connector protective cover configured such that the bottom portion of the second cover portion is gradually lowered from at least one of its longitudinal ends and from at least one of its widthwise ends toward one of the foreign substance discharge grooves.

[0018] Another aspect of the present invention is a connector protective cover having a foreign matter discharge port provided in a foreign matter discharge groove and a rib protruding downward along the periphery of the foreign matter discharge port.

[0019] Another aspect of the present invention is a connector protection cover in which the first and second cover portions each include side wall portions formed at both longitudinal ends of the bottom portion.

[0020] Another aspect of the present invention is a connector protection cover in which the first and second cover parts are made of a plastic material.

[0021] Another aspect of the present invention is a connector protection cover in which the first and second cover portions are made of unfilled polypropylene.

[0022] Another aspect of the present invention is a connector protection cover in which the first and second cover parts are formed integrally.

[0023] According to the present invention, damage to the connector of the BSA exposed to the lower part of the vehicle can be minimized.

[0024] In addition, according to the present invention, not only is the work easy when assembling the protective cover, but interference with other work can be minimized even after assembly.

[0025] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0026] The following description will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Components having the same drawing reference numerals in different drawings have similar functions and will not be described repeatedly unless necessary for understanding the invention. Known components may be briefly described or omitted, but this should not be construed as being excluded from embodiments of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a protective cover according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 is a right side view of a protective cover according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3 is another perspective view of the protective cover illustrated in Figure 1.

[0030] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a protective cover according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 5 is a drawing showing the protective cover illustrated in Figure 3 in a flipped state.

[0032] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various forms and with various modifications. However, these embodiments are provided to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included within the technical spirit and scope of the present invention, as well as substitutions or additions of the components of one embodiment with those of another embodiment.

[0033] The attached drawings are only intended to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. In the drawings, the components may be expressed in an exaggerated size or thickness for convenience of understanding, etc., but the scope of protection of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereby.

[0034] The terminology used in this specification is only used to describe specific implementations or examples and is not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, the singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the specification, terms such as "comprises" and "consists of" are intended to indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification. In other words, it should be understood that terms such as "comprises" and "consists of" in the specification do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0035] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0036] When a component is referred to as being "connected," "connected," or "coupled" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components in between. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0037] When a component is referred to as being "above" or "below" another component, it should be understood that it is not only positioned directly above that other component, but that there may also be other components intervening there.

[0038] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0039] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a protective cover (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. An external battery system assembly (BSA, not shown) is typically installed in an exposed state on the lower part of a vehicle, such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) or an electric vehicle (EV). The protective cover (10) is intended to protect various connectors and wires embedded in the side of the BSA, and includes a first cover portion (11) mounted on the BSA side and a second cover portion (12) connected to the first cover portion (11). When the protective cover (10) is mounted on the lower part of the vehicle, the upper surface illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 is mounted so that it faces upward.

[0041] The first and second cover parts (11, 12) are connected by connecting parts (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d). Preferably, the protective cover (10) is manufactured integrally by injection molding a plastic such as polypropylene (PP). Particularly preferably, by using unfilled polypropylene, high flexibility of the connecting parts (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d) as well as the light weight of the protective cover (10) itself can be secured. Metallic materials may be undesirable in that they may cause shaking, vibration, noise, etc. when the vehicle is driven.

[0042] The second cover part (12) is rotatable with respect to the first cover part (11) at the connecting parts (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d). That is, the connecting parts (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d) can function as hinges. The number and shape of the connecting parts can be implemented in various ways as long as the hinge function is guaranteed. In a state where the first cover part (11) is fixed to the BSA side, the second cover part (12) can be rotated in the direction indicated by arrow A (i.e., downward). This helps to improve the ease of operation described later.

[0043] The first cover part (11) may include a bottom part (11a), side wall parts (11b, 11c) formed on both longitudinal ends of the bottom part (11a), and a bottom curved part (11a-1) that is curved downward among the bottom part (11a). The bottom curved part (11a-1) is provided to conform to the outer shape of the BSA, but may have a different shape or may be unnecessary depending on the shape of the BSA. Attachment parts (11d, 11e) for fastening to the BSA side may be provided as a configuration connected to the side wall parts (11b, 11c). Fastening holes may be provided in the bottom part (11a) and the attachment parts (11d, 11e). Some of the plurality of holes illustrated in the bottom part (11a) may be used for the purpose of discharging foreign substances.

[0044] The second cover part (12) may include a bottom part (12a), side wall parts (12b, 12c) formed on both longitudinal ends of the bottom part (12a), and mounting parts (12d, 12e) connected to the side wall parts (12b, 12c). Here, the 'longitudinal direction' of the protective cover (10) or cover part (11, 12) means the direction extending between the two side wall parts (11b and 11c; or 12b and 12c) (see arrows B, B' in FIG. 1), and the 'width direction' means the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction on the bottom part (11a or 12a) (see arrow C in FIG. 1).

[0045] The bottom part (12a) of the second cover part (12) is provided with foreign matter discharge grooves (1, 2, 3) so that small foreign matters such as sand and pebbles can escape downward through each foreign matter discharge port (1a, 1b, 1c). The foreign matter discharge grooves (1, 2, 3) may be formed in the shape of a groove that is sunken downward. The foreign matter discharge ports (1a, 1b, 1c) may be formed to occupy at least a portion of the foreign matter discharge grooves (1, 2, 3), and are preferably sized so as to restrict foreign matters flying from the ground from penetrating backward. By providing downwardly protruding ribs (4, 5, 6) around the foreign matter discharge grooves (1, 2, 3) (see FIGS. 4 and 5), foreign matters can be more effectively prevented from penetrating backward into the protective cover (10).

[0046] Referring again to FIG. 1, the bottom portion (12a) of the second cover portion (12) may include an upper surface (12a-1) and a lower surface (12a-2) formed one layer lower. The foreign matter discharge grooves (1, 2, 3) may be formed one layer lower than the lower surface (12a-2).

[0047] In addition, the bottom portion (12a) may have a slope that facilitates foreign matter discharge. That is, the bottom portion (12a) may be formed with a slope of, for example, 1 to 5 degrees so as to be lowered from one or both longitudinal ends of the second cover portion (12) toward at least one foreign matter discharge groove (1, 2, 3) (see arrows B and B'). In addition, the bottom portion (12a) may be formed with a slope of, for example, 1 to 5 degrees so as to be lowered from one or both widthwise ends of the second cover portion (12) toward at least one foreign matter discharge groove (1, 2, 3). In the illustrated embodiment, the foreign matter discharge grooves (1, 2, 3) are formed near one widthwise end, so that they are formed to be gradually lowered in only one direction from the opposite widthwise end toward the grooves (1, 2, 3) (see arrow C).

[0048] The rotational capability of the second cover part (12) described above can significantly improve the ease of work. Ease of work includes the ease of assembling the protective cover (10) of the present invention and the ease of handling the BSA-side connector and wiring during or after assembling the protective cover (10). In the former case, the ease of assembly can be improved in that, when fixing the first cover part (11) to the BSA side, the work can be performed while the second cover part (12) is rotated downwards, if necessary. To further improve this ease of work, the protective cover (10) of the present invention can be provided with one or more hooks (7, 8, 9) as temporary fixing means. The hooks (7, 8, 9) can be temporarily fixed by being inserted into a corresponding structure (e.g., a groove into which the hook can be inserted) provided in a coupling means on the BSA side, such as a fixing flange (not shown). This can facilitate the assembly work on the line.

[0049] In the latter case, the ease of operation is improved in that access to the BSA connector becomes easier when the second cover part (12) is rotated downward while the first cover part (11) is fixed.

[0050] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. As a connector protection cover for battery system assembly, A first cover portion mounted on a battery system assembly; and A second cover portion connected to the first cover portion by one or more connecting portions; Including, The second cover part is configured to be rotatable relative to the first cover part at the above connecting part. Connector protective cover.

2. In claim 1, The first and second cover parts each include a bottom part, and the second cover part is rotatable between a shielding position in which the bottom part is parallel to the bottom part of the first cover part, and a working position in which the bottom part is at a certain angle with the bottom part of the first cover part. Connector protective cover.

3. In claim 2, The second cover portion includes one or more hooks for temporary attachment to the battery system assembly side when in the shielded position. Connector protective cover.

4. In claim 2, The second cover part has one or more foreign matter discharge grooves on its bottom. Connector protective cover.

5. In claim 4, The bottom of the second cover part is configured to be gradually lowered from at least one of its longitudinal ends and from at least one of its widthwise ends toward one of the foreign substance discharge grooves. Connector protective cover.

6. In claim 4, A foreign body discharge port is provided in the foreign body discharge groove, and a rib protruding downwards along the perimeter of the foreign body discharge port is provided. Connector protective cover.

7. In claim 2, The first and second cover parts each include side wall parts formed at both longitudinal ends of each bottom part. Connector protective cover.

8. In claim 1, The first and second cover parts are made of plastic material. Connector protective cover.

9. In claim 8, The first and second cover parts are made of unfilled polypropylene. Connector protective cover.

10. In claim 1, The first and second cover parts are formed integrally. Connector protective cover.

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