Vent valve seal

Abstract

A valve arrangement is configured to seal to a surface (e.g., of an enclosure). The valve arrangement carries a seal member having at least one flexible lip that presses against the surface when the valve arrangement is mounted to the surface. Some seal members have a flexible inner lip. Other seal members have a flexible outer lip. Still other seal members have both an inner lip and an outer lip. The lip(s) of the seal member inhibit water intrusion into the valve arrangement. The lip(s) of the seal member allow the a seal between the valve arrangement and the surface even when the surface is out of flat.

Description

Attorney Docket No. 15720.1177WOU1VENT VALVE SEALCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Indian Provisional Application No. 202411093718, filed November 29, 2024, titled “Vent Valve Seal,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] An enclosure, such as a battery case enclosing a battery, may have a need to passively vent various gasses over the lifetime of the battery. Current battery ventilation modules may use a seal and seat within the device. Additionally, a battery case may be subject to an overpressure scenario in which the battery causes the pressure in the battery case to rise above a safe level, which may result in damage to or rupture of the battery case. Further, during an overpressure scenario, relief fluids may come into contact with a membrane or element which facilitates the ventilation; the composition of the relief fluids may be damaging to the materials of the membrane.SUMMARY

[0003] A valve arrangement mounts to an enclosure to enable the flow of fluids between an interior of the enclosure and an exterior of the enclosure. Some types of valve arrangements enable venting flow of the fluid. Other types of valve arrangements enable selective flow of the fluid during a high pressure event within the enclosure (e.g., thermal runaway). Other types of valve arrangements enable selective flow of the fluid during a leak check being performed on the enclosure. In certain implementations, the valve arrangement is configured to enable some combination of venting, thermal runaway protection, and / or leak check functionality.

[0004] A lip seal is carried by the valve arrangement to seal the valve arrangement against a surface (e.g., of an enclosure). The lip seal includes a first flexible lip that presses against the surface when the valve arrangement is mounted to the surface. In some examples, the first flexible lip includes an inner lip that flexes inwardly towards a passage of the valve arrangement when the valve arrangement is mounted to the surface. In other examples, the first flexible lip includes an outer lip that flexes outwardly away from a passage of the valve arrangement when the valve arrangement is mounted to the surface. In still other examples, the first flexible lip is one of a plurality of flexible lips including an inner lip and an outer lip.Attorney Docket No. 15720.1177WOU1

[0005] A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

[0007] FIG. l is a bottom perspective view of an example valve arrangement configured in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the valve arrangement of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cross-section of FIG. 2 with the seal removed for ease in viewing the mounting groove.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first example seal suitable for use in the valve arrangement of FIG. 1, the first example seal including an inner lip and an outer lip.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second example seal suitable for use in the valve arrangement of FIG. 1, the second example seal also including an inner lip and an outer lip.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first example seal suitable for use in the valve arrangement of FIG. 1, the first example seal including an inner lip.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second example seal suitable for use in the valve arrangement of FIG. 1, the second example seal also including an outer lip.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the valve arrangement of FIG. 1 mounted to an example surface.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the valve arrangement and surface of FIG. 8.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a valve arrangement 100 configured to mount to a surface enclosure 102 (e.g., of an enclosure) at an aperture 104 defined in the surface 102. The valve arrangement 100 includes a valve body 106 extending along an axis L between a first end 108 and a secondAttorney Docket No. 15720.1177WOU1 end 110. The valve body 106 defines a passage 112 extending between a port 114 at the first end 108 and windows 116 at the second end 110. The valve body 106 includes a flange 118 extending radially outward a main portion of the body 106. A seal 120 is mounted to the valve body 106 at the flange 118.

[0018] A valve arrangement 100 mounts to the surface 102 to enable the flow of fluids past the surface 102 (e.g., between an interior and an exterior of an enclosure). Some types of valve arrangements 100 enable venting flow of the fluid. Other types of valve arrangements 100 enable selective flow of the fluid during a high pressure event within the enclosure (e.g., thermal runaway). Other types of valve arrangements 100 enable selective flow of the fluid during a leak check being performed on the enclosure. In certain implementations, the valve arrangement 100 is configured to enable some combination of venting, thermal runaway protection, and / or leak check functionality. Examples of such valve arrangements 100 are disclosed in WO 2023 / 237234, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0019] The seal 120 inhibits intrusion of water and / or debris (e.g., dust, dirt, etc.) from entering the enclosure or otherwise passing through the surface 102 at the aperture 104 when the valve arrangement 100 is mounted at the surface 102. In certain implementations, the seal 120 has a ring shape. The seal 120 includes a body 122 extending from a mounting end 124 to a free end. The mounting end 124 seats in a groove 119 defined by the valve body 106. In some examples, the groove 119 is aligned with an outer wall of the valve body 106 (e.g., see FIG. 3). In other examples, the groove 119 is disposed beneath the radial flange 118. In certain examples, the mounting end 124 includes one or more raised rings 125 configured to be pressed into the groove 119.

[0020] FIGS. 4-7 illustrate various types of seals 120 suitable for use with the valve arrangement 100. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrates various double-lipped seals 120A, 120B; FIG. 6 illustrates an inner-lipped seal 120B; and FIG. 7 illustrates an outer-lipped seal 120C. The free end of the body 122 of each seal 120 forms the sealing lip configured to be pressed against the surface 102 to which the vale arrangement 100 is mounted. In certain examples, each lip 126, 128 tapers inwardly as the lip extends away from the body 122. In certain examples, each slip 126, 128 deflects to extend along an axis transverse to axis L of the valve arrangement 100 (e.g., see FIG. 9).

[0021] In the double-lipped seals 120A, 120D, the seal body 122 includes an outer lip 126 and an inner lip 128. The outer lip 126 of the seals 120A, 120B, and 120D is configured to flex laterally outwardly (see arrow Fl of FIG. 4) and press against the surface 102 when aAttorney Docket No. 15720.1177WOU1 corresponding valve arrangement 100 is mounted to the surface 102 (e.g., see FIG. 9). The inner lip 128 of the seals 120A, 120B, and 120C is configured to flex laterally inwardly (see arrow F2 of FIG. 4) and be captured between the surface 102 and the valve body 106 when a corresponding valve arrangement 100 is mounted to the surface 102 (e.g., see FIG. 9). The lips 126, 128 of the seal 120 inhibit water from intruding past the seal 120 and into an interior of the valve arrangement 100. In certain examples, each lip 126, 128 defines a roll or other thickening at the free end.

[0022] In certain implementations, the seals 120, 120A-120D have a durometer of at least 40. In certain implementations, the seals 120, 120A-120D have a durometer of at least 45. In certain implementations, the seals 120, 120A-120D have a durometer of at least 50. In certain implementations, the seals 120, 120A-120D have a durometer of no more than 70. In certain implementations, the seals 120, 120A-120D have a durometer of no more than 60. In certain implementations, the seals 120, 120A-120D have a durometer of no more than 55.

[0023] In certain implementations, the seals 120, 120A-120D require an installation torque of less than 10 N-m. In certain implementations, the seals 120, 120A-120D require an installation torque of less than 8 N-m. In certain implementations, the seals 120, 120A-120D require an installation torque of less than 6 N-m. In certain examples, the seals 120, 120A- 120D require an installation torque of about 5 N-m. In certain examples, the seals 120, 120A- 120D require an installation torque of no more than 5 N-m.

[0024] In some implementations, the surface 102 is planar. In other implementations, the surface 102 can be contoured out of flat by up to 1.5 mm. In certain implementations, the seals 120, 120A-120D accommodate the contours of the surface 102. For example, the lips 126, 128 of the seals 120, 120A-120D flex to contact the surface 102 along a surface area of the valve arrangement 100 even when the surface 102 is not planar.

[0025] Having described the preferred aspects and implementations of the present disclosure, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts may readily occur to one skilled in the art. However, it is intended that such modifications and equivalents be included within the scope of the claims which are appended hereto.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. 15720.1177WOU1What is claimed is:

1. A valve arrangement comprising: a valve body defining a passage extending between an inlet and a window; and a seal carried by the valve body, the seal being disposed along the passage between the inlet and the window, the seal including a flexible lip.

2. The valve arrangement of claim 1, wherein the flexible lip is an inner lip configured to flex inwardly towards the passage when the valve body is mounted to a surface.

3. The valve arrangement of claim 1, wherein the flexible lip is an outer lip configured to flex outwardly away from the passage when the valve body is mounted to a surface.

4. The valve arrangement of claim 1, wherein the flexible lip is one of a plurality of flexible lips of the seal.

5. The valve arrangement of any of claims 1-4, wherein the valve body is mounted to a surface so that the inlet is located at a first side of the surface and the window is located at on opposite, second side of the surface, and wherein the flexible lip of the seal contacts the second side of the surface.

6. The valve arrangement of claim 5, wherein the surface is not planar.

7. The valve arrangement of any of claims 1-6, wherein the seal includes a main body from which the flexible lip extends, wherein the main body is held at a groove defined in the valve body, wherein the flexible lip is located fully external of the groove.

8. An enclosure arrangement comprising: an enclosure defining an interior, the enclosure including an outer surface; a valve mounted to the enclosure so that a first portion of the valve is disposed external of the enclosure and a second portion of the valve extends into the interior of the enclosure; and a seal carried by the first portion of the valve, the seal including a flexible lip.Attorney Docket No. 15720.1177WOU19. The enclosure arrangement of claim 8, wherein the flexible lip is an inner lip configured to flex inwardly towards an interior of the valve when the valve is mounted to the outer surface.

10. The enclosure arrangement of claim 8, wherein the flexible lip is an outer lip configured to flex outwardly away from the valve when the valve is mounted to the outer surface.

11. The enclosure arrangement of claim 8, wherein the flexible lip is one of a plurality of flexible lips of the seal.

12. The enclosure arrangement of claim 11, wherein the plurality of flexible lips includes a first lip configured to flex in a first direction and a second lip configured to flex in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.

13. The enclosure arrangement of claim 8, wherein the outer surface is not planar.

14. The enclosure arrangement of claim 8, wherein the enclosure includes a battery housing.

15. The valve arrangement of any of claims 8-14, wherein the seal includes a main body from which the flexible lip extends, wherein the main body is held at a groove defined in the valve body, wherein the flexible lip is located fully external of the groove.

16. The enclosure arrangement of any of claims 8-15, wherein the valve is mounted to the outer surface so that an inlet of the valve is located at a first side of the outer surface and a window of the valve is located at on opposite, second side of the outer surface, and wherein the flexible lip of the seal contacts the second side of the surface.

17. A method of sealing a valve to a battery housing, the method comprising: aligning an inlet of the valve with an aperture defined in the battery housing; inserting the inlet of the valve into the aperture along an insertion axis; and continuing to insert the valve until a distal end of a seal carried by the valve deflects to extend in a direction transverse to the insertion axis.Attorney Docket No. 15720.1177WOU118. The method of claim 17, wherein the distal end of the seal deflects to extend towards a passage defined through the valve.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the distal end of the seal deflects to extend away from a passage defined through the valve.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the distal end includes an inner lip and an outer lip, wherein the inner lip deflects inwardly towards a passage defined through the valve while the outer lip deflects outwardly away from the passage.

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