Traction Battery Pack Seal Pocket for Moisture and Gas Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrified vehicle traction battery packs face challenges in effectively sealing interfaces to prevent moisture and contaminants from entering the interior while maintaining the integrity of the gasket seal during thermal events and deflection, which can compromise the battery's performance and safety.
Innovation Solution
The traction battery pack employs an enclosure assembly with a gasket seal isolated from the interior area by a fastener, such as a spot weld or adhesive, and features shield portions that create an air gap to shield the seal, ensuring it remains isolated from gas paths and moisture even during deflection events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gasket seal is used to seal the interface between enclosure sections, then moisture and contaminants are prevented from entering the interior, but the gasket seal integrity is compromised during thermal events and deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket seal is extracted from direct exposure to the interior area and placed within a pocket that is isolated from the gas path. This removes the gasket from the harmful environment where it would be subjected to thermal events and deflection forces, thereby maintaining its sealing integrity while still preventing moisture and contaminant ingress.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure assembly is segmented into distinct regions: the interior area, the pocket containing the gasket seal, and the gas path. This segmentation isolates the gasket seal from the harmful effects of thermal events and deflection while maintaining the sealing function at the interface between enclosure sections.
2Reliability
If the gasket seal is positioned directly at the flange interface, then sealing is achieved, but the seal is exposed to interior pressures and contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket seal is taken out from direct contact with the interior area and placed within a pocket that is isolated from the gas path by a fastener. This extraction protects the seal from interior pressures and contaminants while maintaining the sealing function at the flange interface.
3Reliability
If shield portions are added to create an air gap, then the gasket seal is protected from gas paths, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield portions extend in a dimensional direction to create an air gap between the gasket seal and the gas path. By utilizing spatial arrangement and creating a three-dimensional protective structure, the design protects the seal without requiring additional complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange structure is segmented into shield portions that create distinct zones: the gas path, the air gap, and the pocket containing the gasket seal. This segmentation provides protection while maintaining structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for sealing interfaces of a traction battery pack. A gasket seal may be arranged to seal an interface between a first enclosure section and a second enclosure section of an enclosure assembly of the traction battery pack. The gasket seal may be disposed within a pocket that is isolated from an interior area of the traction battery pack. A fastener (e.g., spot weld, adhesive, or both) may isolate the gasket seal from the interior area.