Modular Bulkhead Fitting Assembly for Serviceable Battery Fluid Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle fluid line systems require complete disassembly of the battery pack for servicing or replacing fittings, which is invasive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A modular fitting assembly with internal and external fittings that can be coupled via mating portions, allowing the external fitting to be removably attached to the battery pack, enabling servicing without disassembling the pack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the battery pack is completely disassembled for servicing fittings, then the fittings can be accessed and replaced, but the servicing time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting assembly is divided into two separate fittings: a first fitting permanently installed within the battery pack and a second fitting externally installed on the battery pack housing. This segmentation allows the second fitting to be serviced independently without disassembling the battery pack, resolving the contradiction between fitting accessibility and servicing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The first fitting acts as an intermediary component that remains permanently installed within the battery pack to maintain fluid line connections, while the second fitting serves as a removable external interface. This intermediary structure enables servicing of the external fitting without affecting the internal battery pack assembly, thereby reducing servicing time and complexity.
2Ease of repair
If the battery pack is completely disassembled for replacing fittings, then the fittings can be replaced, but the maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the fitting assembly into internal and external components, the system allows replacement of the second fitting without affecting the first fitting or the battery pack assembly. This reduces maintenance complexity while preserving full replacement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The second fitting is extracted from the battery pack assembly and positioned externally, allowing it to be removed and replaced independently. This extraction eliminates the need to disassemble the battery pack for fitting replacement, thereby reducing maintenance complexity while maintaining replacement capability.
3Ease of operation
If a modular fitting assembly is used with removable external fitting, then servicing can be done minimally invasively, but the sealing reliability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The first fitting serves as a permanent intermediary component that maintains the sealed connection between the fluid line and the battery pack interior. The second fitting connects to this intermediary through a mating portion with sealing features, allowing removable connection while maintaining sealing reliability. This resolves the contradiction between ease of servicing and sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The second fitting is designed as a removable, potentially replaceable component with integrated sealing features in its mating portion. This allows the external fitting to be serviced independently while the permanent first fitting maintains the reliable sealed connection to the battery pack, balancing ease of operation with sealing reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus can include a first fitting having a first mating portion and a second fitting having a second mating portion. The first fitting can couple with a portion of a first fluid line. The first fluid line can be at least partially internal to a battery pack. The second fitting can couple with a portion of a second fluid line. The second fluid line can be at least partially external to the battery pack. The second mating portion of the second fitting can engage with the first mating portion of the first fitting to fluidly couple the first fluid line with the second fluid line.