Modular Sealing Assembly for Large Battery Box Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sealing technologies, such as carrier or metal-elastomer seals, are unable to produce seals for large components like battery boxes of electric vehicles due to size limitations of conventional injection molding tools and machines.

Innovation Solution

A modular sealing arrangement comprising interconnectable components with a dimensionally stable base body and an elastic sealing body, allowing for the connection of smaller components to form a larger sealing element, which can be produced using smaller injection molding tools and machines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single large sealing element is produced using conventional injection molding, then the sealing performance is reliable, but the production is impossible due to size limitations of injection molding tools and machines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidproduction feasibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is divided into multiple smaller sealing element components (first component, second component, etc.) that can each be produced using conventional injection molding tools and machines. These components are then connected to form the complete sealing element, enabling production of large seals that would otherwise exceed the capacity of standard injection molding equipment while maintaining reliable sealing performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If multiple sealing element components are connected to form a large sealing element, then large-scale sealing applications become feasible, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing element sizeVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is divided into multiple smaller sealing element components (first component, second component, etc.) that can each be produced using conventional injection molding tools and machines. These components are then connected to form the complete sealing element, enabling production of large seals that would otherwise exceed the capacity of standard injection molding equipment while maintaining reliable sealing performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple sealing element components are connected together through their base body parts to form a complete sealing element. The connection mechanisms (such as protrusions fitting into recesses, welding, or mechanical fastening) integrate the separate components into a unified structure that functions as a single large-scale sealing element, thereby achieving the required sealing area while managing complexity through standardized connection interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the production of sealing elements for large applications like battery boxes with ease and cost-effectiveness, ensuring reliable sealing between fluid spaces while maintaining electromagnetic compatibility.

Implementation Method 1

The elastic sealing body parts are injection-molded onto a respective base body part in an injection molding process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInjection molding:

Data Source

PatentEP3765770B1Sealing assembly, battery box or control box, motor vehicle and method for producing a sealing assembly
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 ELRINGKLINGER AG
  • EP3765770B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3765770B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3765770B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The aim of the invention is to provide a sealing assembly (100), in particular for sealing a first fluid space (102) from a second fluid space (104) or from a plurality of fluid spaces, which sealing assembly is simple and economical to produce and additionally enables reliable sealing of a first fluid space from a second fluid space. This aim is achieved, according to the invention, in that the sealing assembly comprises the following: a sealing element (110) for arranging between a first object (112) and a second object (114), wherein: the sealing element comprises two or more sealing element components (122), which can be or are connected to each other and which each comprise a main body part (124) and an elastic sealing body part (126) arranged on the main body part; the main body parts of the sealing element components form a preferably dimensionally stable main body (116) of the sealing element; the elastic sealing body parts of the sealing element components form an elastic sealing body (118) for providing a sealing function of the sealing element.