Assembly for supporting and covering battery components with hermetic seal

Abstract

An assembly (10) for supporting and covering battery components comprises a support frame with a plurality of uprights (12) having an outer top cylindrical surface (24) and a battery cover (14) with a plurality of holes (16a) for the uprights (12) to pass. The upright (12) is associated with an upper fixing plate (26) external to the cover (14) and a washer gasket (30) and a backlash recovery ring (28), having a relative hole (16b, 16c, 16d) through which the upright (12) passes. A plurality of fixing means (32) clamps the upper fixing plate (26), the battery cover (14), the washer gasket (30) and the backlash recovery ring (28), compressing the washer gasket (30). At least one sealing ring (34, 36) accommodated into the backlash recovery ring (28) is acting as a seal against the cylindrical surface (24).

Description

[0001] Assembly for supporting and covering battery components with hermetic seal

[0002] Technical sector

[0003] The present invention refers to assemblies for supporting and covering battery components of electric vehicles with hermetic seal.

[0004] Prior art

[0005] Typically, the components constituting the battery, such as electrochemical elements, wirings, fuses, cooling system, are supported on the body of the electric vehicle by a support frame, and are contained and protected by a casing consisting essentially of a cover that covers all the battery components. To avoid infiltrations of fluids from the outside, and consequent damage to said components, a perimeter sealing gasket is placed below a lower flanged edge of the cover, compressed between the flanged edge of the cover and the underlying support frame.

[0006] While the electric vehicle is running, during acceleration, deceleration and while running in a curve, the battery components and its cover casing are subject to destabilising inertial forces. To counteract these destabilising forces it is also necessary to secure the top part of the battery pack to the vehicle body.

[0007] Tight-sealing solutions are known in the art which, in addition to the perimeter gasket, have sealing rings, for example o-rings, disposed at the interface between the battery cover and the support frame in order to ensure the hermetic seal of the casing, avoiding the entry and / or exit of fluids, dust, dirt or gas. See, for example, patent publications KR 101998565 Bl, JP 5447358 B2 and CN 112397823 A.

[0008] Summary of the invention

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an assembly for supporting and covering battery components capable of ensuring absolute fluid hermetic seal and complete fluid isolation regardless of the overall tolerances of the support frame and battery cover elements.

[0010] A further object of the present invention is to realise an assembly for supporting and covering battery components capable of minimising relative displacements between the support frame, the battery cover and / or the vehicle body.

[0011] The above and other objects and advantages, which will be better understood hereinafter, are achieved according to the present invention having the features set forth in independent claim 1. Preferential embodiments of the inventions are defined in the dependent claims.

[0012] In summary, an assembly for supporting and covering battery components of an electric vehicle, comprises a support frame for battery components having a plurality of uprights, each of which has an outer top cylindrical surface, and a battery cover with a plurality of through holes, each of which is arranged to be passed through by an upright. Each upright is associated with a sealing device comprising an upper fixing plate placed externally on the battery cover, a backlash recovery ring, and a washer gasket interposed between the battery cover and the backlash recovery ring. A plurality of fixing means passes through and vertically clamps together the upper fixing plate, the battery cover, the washer gasket and the backlash recovery ring, compressing the washer gasket. At least one sealing ring is accommodated into the backlash recovery ring and is acting as a seal against the cylindrical surface. The upper fixing plate, the washer gasket and the backlash recovery ring each have a respective hole through which the upright of the support frame passes.

[0013] Brief description of the drawings

[0014] The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description that follows, provided by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure l is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an assembly for supporting and covering battery components fixed to a body of an electric vehicle, figure 2 is a perspective view of a battery cover and assemblies for supporting and covering battery components according to the present invention, figure 3 is a perspective view in section and on an enlarged scale of an assembly for supporting and covering battery components, figure 4 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an assembly for supporting and covering battery components of figure 3, figure 5 is a schematic top view of an assembly for supporting and covering battery components, figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view according to a sectional plane indicated by trace C-C in figure 5, and figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view according to a sectional plane indicated by trace D-D in figure 5, figure 8 is a schematic top view of an alternative embodiment of an assembly for supporting and covering battery components, and figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional view according to a sectional plane indicated by trace B-B in figure 8.

[0015] Detailed description

[0016] A battery of an electric vehicle comprises a plurality of components, including electrochemical and electrical components, which are supported by the support frame. The support frame comprises one or more horizontal portions, substantially flat, which each create a resting plane for the battery components. When there are several horizontal portions, the support frame can extend vertically and the battery components can overlap each other. In the top part of the support frame there are uprights for anchoring the support frame to the vehicle body.

[0017] An assembly 10 for supporting and covering electric vehicle battery components according to the present invention comprises a support frame for battery components with a plurality of uprights or turrets 12, preferably vertical, and a battery cover 14 with a plurality of through holes 16a each crossed by a relative upright 12.

[0018] The assembly 10 for supporting and covering electric vehicle battery components is fixed to a vehicle body 11 inferiorly and superiorly (figure 1), respectively at a base portion and a top portion.

[0019] The battery cover 14 of the assembly 10 for supporting and covering battery components can have a lower outer perimeter flange 18 at a base edge (figure 2), in which a plurality of holes 20 can be made which are arranged to fix the battery cover 14 to the body of the electric vehicle to make the assembly 10 integral with the body of the vehicle.

[0020] In order to prevent oscillations of the battery and of the cover 14 with respect to the vehicle body, i.e. movements of the top portion with respect to the base portion where the flange 18 is present, typically due to dynamic loads, for example during a braking phase or when the electric vehicle is running in a curve, the uprights 12 of the support frame for battery components may each have an inner cavity 22 at least partially threaded (figures 3 and 9) arranged to accommodate a corresponding threaded element, for example a screw or a bolt, and to fix the assembly 10 to the body of the electric vehicle also in a relative top portion (figure 1).

[0021] With the aim of having a hermetic seal of the assembly 10, in the interface area between the flange 18 of the battery cover 14 and the body of the electric vehicle, a gasket can be placed which is adapted to prevent the infiltrations of fluids from the outside towards the inside of the casing.

[0022] A complete hermetic seal and complete fluidic isolation must also be guaranteed between the battery cover 14 and the support frame for battery components. The hermetic seal must be ensured between the uprights 12 of the support frame and the holes 16a of the battery cover 14 crossed by the uprights 12. For this reason, the uprights 12 each have an outer top cylindrical surface 24 and are each associated with a sealing device comprising an upper fixing plate 26 disposed externally or superiorly to the battery cover 14, a backlash recovery ring 28, a washer gasket 30, a plurality of fixing means 32, and at least one sealing ring 34, 36 (figures 3-9).

[0023] Considering the complex geometries and small spaces available for mounting and sealing the support frame for battery components and battery cover 14 forming the assembly 10, the backlash recovery ring 28 may have a larger diameter portion 28a disposed superiorly in use and a smaller diameter portion 28b disposed inferiorly in use.

[0024] In one embodiment, the backlash recovery ring 28 is disposed below or inferiorly or internally to the battery cover 14 (figures 3 and 4). In other words, the backlash recovery ring is disposed with respect to the cover 14 on the same side as the battery components.

[0025] In an alternative embodiment, the backlash recovery ring 28, having a larger diameter portion 28a and a smaller diameter portion 28b, is disposed such that the larger diameter portion 28a is superiorly or above or externally to the battery cover 14 (figure 9). In other words, the larger diameter portion 28a of the backlash recovery ring is disposed with respect to the battery cover 14 on the opposite side of the battery components.

[0026] The upper fixing plate 26 and the backlash recovery ring 28 may be made of metallic material, or plastic material, or combinations thereof.

[0027] In order to obtain a hermetic sealing of the assembly 10, the sealing device comprising a washer gasket 30 which is interposed between the battery cover 14 and the backlash recovery ring 28. This washer gasket 30, once compressed, prevents fluids from infiltrating into the assembly 10 and draining between the battery cover 14 and the backlash recovery ring 28.

[0028] In the embodiment where the backlash recovery ring is disposed internally to the battery cover 14 (figures 3 and 4), the washer gasket 30 may also be disposed internally to the battery cover 14. In other words, the washer gasket 30 may be disposed between an upper face of the backlash recovery ring 28 and an inner face of the battery cover 14.

[0029] In the embodiment in which the larger diameter portion 28a of the backlash recovery ring is disposed externally to the battery cover 14 (figure 9), the washer gasket 30 may also be disposed externally to the battery cover 14. In other words, the washer gasket 30 may be disposed between a lower face of the larger diameter portion 28a of the backlash recovery ring 28 and an outer face of the battery cover 14. A plurality of fixing means 32 passes through and vertically clamps together the upper fixing plate 26, the battery cover 14, the washer gasket 30 and the backlash recovery ring 28, compressing the washer gasket 30. For example, the washer gasket 30 can be comprised between 40% and 60%, in such a way as to guarantee its hermetic seal.

[0030] In one embodiment, the backlash recovery ring 28 has a plurality of blind threaded holes 38 (figure 7) for accommodating and retaining each a fixing means 32, e.g., a screw, so as to clamp the backlash recovery ring 28 vertically towards the battery cover 14.

[0031] In an alternative embodiment illustrated in figure 9, the battery cover 14 may be provided with a plurality of threaded holes arranged to each accommodate and retain a fixing means 32, for example a screw or a bolt, so as to clamp the backlash recovery ring 28 vertically towards the battery cover 14. In addition or alternatively, locking elements, for example nuts, may be disposed internally to the battery cover 14 to lock the fixing means 32.

[0032] Preferably, the sealing device may comprise three fixing means 32 angularly equidistant from each other (figures 5 and 8) for clamping the upper fixing plate 26, the battery cover 14, the washer gasket 30 and the backlash recovery ring 28, ensuring the correct compression of the washer gasket 30.

[0033] In order to hermetically seal the assembly 10, each sealing device further comprises at least one sealing ring 34 accommodated into the backlash recovery ring 28 and acting against the cylindrical surface 24 of the upright 12.

[0034] In one embodiment, the assembly 10 may comprise at least a first sealing ring 34 accommodated in the backlash recovery ring 28 and a second sealing ring 36 accommodated in the upper fixing plate 26 (figures 3, 4, 6 and 7).

[0035] In an alternative embodiment, the assembly 10 may comprise at least a first 34 and a second 36 sealing ring both accommodated in the backlash recovery ring 28 (figure 9).

[0036] Preferably, the one or more sealing rings 34, 36 are accommodated in respective circular grooves or seats formed in the backlash recovery ring 28 and / or in the upper fixing plate 26 so as to sealingly engage against the cylindrical surface 24 of the upright 12 and prevent fluids from flowing into or out of the battery casing between the backlash recovery ring 28 and the cylindrical surface 24 of the upright 12 and / or between the upper fixing plate 26 and the cylindrical surface 24 of the upright 12. For example, the first 34 and / or the second 36 sealing ring may be o-rings.

[0037] In addition to the hole 16a present on the battery cover 14 for engagement with the uprights 12, the upper fixing plate 26, the washer gasket 30 and the backlash recovery ring 28 of the sealing device each have a respective hole 16b, 16c, 16d through which the upright 12 of the support frame for battery components passes so as to form a sandwich of elements for the hermetic seal of the assembly 10.

[0038] In one embodiment, the hole 16b of the upper fixing plate 26 and the hole 16d of the backlash recovery ring 28 may each form an inner through cavity having a surface in which the one or more grooves or seats for housing the one or more sealing rings 34, 36 may be made (figures 6 and 7).

[0039] In an alternative embodiment, the hole 16d of the backlash recovery ring 28 may form an inner through cavity having a surface in which the one or more grooves or seats for housing the one or more sealing rings 34, 36 may be made (figure 9).

[0040] Preferably, the holes 16b, 16c, 16d of the upper fixing plate 26, of the washer gasket 30 and of the backlash recovery ring 28 are central holes and the upper fixing plate 26, the washer gasket 30 and the backlash recovery ring 28 are symmetrical.

[0041] In an alternative embodiment, the upper fixing plate 26 may have an asymmetrical shape (figure 8) such that it interfaces correspondingly with the battery cover 14.

[0042] As illustrated in figure 2, the assembly 10 for supporting and covering battery components may comprise four uprights 12 in the support frame for battery components, four holes 16a in the battery cover 14, and four sealing devices engaged with the support frame and with the battery cover 14, but nothing prevents a different number of uprights 12, holes 16a in the battery cover 14, and sealing devices from being employed to seal hermetically the assembly 10.

[0043] Preferably, the uprights 12 of the support frame for battery components each can have an upper horizontal shoulder 40 and the outer top cylindrical surface 24 extends from said shoulder 40 (figures 3, 4, 6, 7 e 9).

[0044] In the assembled condition of the assembly 10, each of the through holes 16a of the battery cover 14 is crossed by the outer top cylindrical surface 24 of the upright 12; the shoulder 40 of the upright 12, if provided, remains in a position vertically lower than the battery cover 14, i.e. in an inner position of the battery cover 14.

[0045] When the assembly 10 is hermetically sealed, the backlash recovery ring 28 is vertically spaced from the shoulder 40 of the upright 12 and the washer gasket 30 is compressed between the battery cover 14 and the backlash recovery ring 28, as illustrated in figures 6, 7 and 9.

[0046] Various aspects and embodiments of assembly for supporting and covering battery components, according to the invention, have been described. It is intended that each embodiment may be combined with any other embodiment. The invention, moreover, is not limited to the described embodiments, but may be varied within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An assembly (10) for supporting and covering electric vehicle battery components, wherein the assembly (10) comprises:- a support frame for battery components having a plurality of uprights (12), each having an outer top cylindrical surface (24),- a battery cover (14) having a plurality of through holes (16a), each adapted for being passed through by one of said uprights (12), each upright (12) being associated with a sealing device comprising:- an upper fixing plate (26) placed externally on the battery cover (14),- a backlash recovery ring (28),- a washer gasket (30) interposed between the battery cover (14) and the backlash recovery ring (28),- a plurality of fixing means (32) passing through and vertically clamping together the upper fixing plate (26), the battery cover (14), the washer gasket (30) and the backlash recovery ring (28), compressing the washer gasket (30),- at least one sealing ring (34, 36) accommodated into the backlash recovery ring (28) and acting as a seal against the cylindrical surface (24), whereby the upper fixing plate (26), the washer gasket (30) and the backlash recovery ring (28) each have a respective hole (16b, 16c, 16d) through which the upright (12) of the support frame passes.

2. The assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein the uprights (12) of the support frame for battery components each have an upper horizontal shoulder (40) and the outer top cylindrical surface (24) extends from said shoulder (40).

3. The assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein the uprights (12) of the support frame for battery components each have an at least partially threaded inner cavity (22) arranged to accommodate a corresponding threaded element in such a way as to secure the assembly (10) to a body of a vehicle.

4. The assembly (10) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the backlashrecovery ring (28) is placed inside the battery cover (14).

5. The assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the backlash recovery ring (28) has a larger diameter portion (28a) and a smaller diameter portion (28b) and the larger diameter portion (28a) is disposed externally to the battery cover (14).

6. The assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least a first sealing ring (34) accommodated in the backlash recovery ring (28) and a second sealing ring (36) accommodated in the upper fixing plate (26).

7. The assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising at least a first (34) and a second (36) sealing ring accommodated in the backlash recovery ring (28).

8. The assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more sealing rings (34, 36) are accommodated in respective circular grooves made in the backlash recovery ring (28) and / or in the upper fixing plate (26).

9. The assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising three fixing means (32) angularly equidistant around the upright (12).

10. The assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the backlash recovery ring (28) has a plurality of blind threaded holes (38) each arranged to accommodate and retain a fixing means (32).

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