Battery Pack Containment Container for Fastener Shavings
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrified vehicle battery packs, contaminants such as shavings from fastened joints can compromise high-voltage isolation if not contained, as they can move and contact sensitive components within the enclosure.
Innovation Solution
A container is disposed about the fastened joint within the battery pack enclosure to hold and block contaminants, which can be made of polymer-based materials and secured via snap-fit or interference fit to prevent them from reaching sensitive areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fasteners are used to secure components within the battery pack enclosure, then assembly strength and structural integrity are improved, but contaminants such as shavings are generated that can compromise high-voltage isolation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful contaminants (shavings) from the general battery pack environment by containing them within a specifically defined containment area around the fastened joint. This isolation prevents the contaminants from reaching sensitive components while maintaining the fastening function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a containment structure (such as a seal or barrier) as an intermediary element between the fastening operation and the sensitive components. This intermediary captures and holds the contaminants generated during fastening, preventing them from migrating to critical areas.
2Device complexity
If traditional fastening methods are used without containment, then assembly simplicity is maintained, but high-voltage isolation is compromised due to contaminant migration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the battery pack assembly into distinct functional zones: a containment area around the fastened joint that isolates contaminants, and a clean area where sensitive components are located. This spatial segmentation allows both fastening and high-voltage isolation requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The containment structure is installed prior to the fastening operation, establishing a protected zone before contaminants are generated. This preliminary action ensures that when shavings are created during torqueing, they are immediately captured rather than allowed to migrate.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary traction battery assembly includes, among other things, a container disposed about a portion of a fastened joint within an interior of a traction battery enclosure. The container is configured to hold contaminants to block the contaminants from contacting a surface of a component housed within the interior. An exemplary contaminant containing method includes, among other things, within an interior area of a traction battery enclosure, holding contaminants within a container to block the contaminants from contacting a surface of a component housed within the interior. The container is disposed about a fastened joint within the interior area.