Stopper for Closing and Sealing an Opening in a Housing of An Energy Storage System and Energy Storage System

Abstract

A stopper (1) for closing and sealing an opening (120) in a housing (110) of an energy storage system (100), in particular for closing and sealing an opening (120) in a housing (110) of a lead acid storage battery, wherein the stopper (1) comprises a connecting region (20), which is configured to engage with the opening (120) in the energy storage system (100), and a sealing region (30), which is disposed above the connecting region (20) in the axial direction (A) of the stopper (1), wherein the sealing region (30) is configured to accommodate a sealing element (32) which is designed to be deformed by a force acting at least partially, in particular completely, in the axial direction (A) of the stopper (1) when the stopper (1) is in the installed state.

Claims

1. A stopper (1) for closing and sealing an opening (120) in a housing (110) of an energy storage system (100), in particular for closing and sealing an opening (120) in a housing (110) of a lead acid storage battery, wherein the stopper (1) comprises the following: a connecting region (20) which is configured to come into engagement with the opening (120) of the energy storage system (100); and a sealing region (30) which is arranged above the connecting region (20) in the axial direction (A) of the stopper (1), wherein the sealing region (30) is configured to receive a sealing element (32) which is designed to be deformed by a force acting at least partially, in particular completely, in the axial direction (A) of the stopper (1) when the stopper (1) is in the installed state.

2. The stopper (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing region (30) is configured to receive the sealing element (32) such that a sealing effect of the sealing element (32) is created by a force acting at least partially, in particular completely, in the axial direction (A) of the stopper (1).

3. The stopper (1) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein a cross-section of the sealing element (32), in particular in a non-fitted state of the stopper (1), has a shape which differs at least substantially from a circular form, in particular has at least substantially an L shape.

4. The stopper (1) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sealing element (32) has a first region on a side of the sealing element (32) facing the connecting region (20), and a second region on a side of the sealing element (32) facing away from the connecting region (20).

5. The stopper (1) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second region of the sealing element (32), in particular in a non-fitted state of the stopper (1), has a larger outer diameter than the first region.

6. The stopper (1) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein in a fitted state of the stopper (1), the sealing element (32), in particular a second region of the sealing element (32), is in engagement with a sealing rib (130) which extends upward in the direction of the sealing region (30) of the stopper (1), viewed in the axial direction (A) of the stopper (1), along an inner periphery of the opening (120) receiving the stopper (1), and which is configured to exert the force acting on the sealing element (32), in particular on the second region of the sealing element (32), at least partially, in particular completely in the axial direction (A) of the stopper (1).

7. The stopper (1) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein in the sealing region (30), the stopper (1) has a groove (12) which runs along a periphery of the stopper (1) and into which the sealing element (32) is injection-molded at least in regions.

8. The stopper (1) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one region of the sealing element (32) is formed at least partially, in particular completely, so as to be circumferential, in particular rotationally symmetrical.

9. The stopper (1) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the stopper (1) is made, in particular injection-molded, from a first plastic material, in particular a thermoplastic material.

10. The stopper (1) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the sealing element (32) is made from a second plastic material, in particular an elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer, silicon and/or silicon-like substance.

11. The stopper (1) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the stopper (1) Is or can be received completely by the opening (120) of the housing (110) of the energy storage system (100), such that the stopper (1) terminates flush with the outside of the housing (110).

12. The stopper (1) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the connecting region (20) of the stopper (1) has an external thread (22) for connecting the stopper (1) to the opening (120) by form fit and force fit.

13. The stopper (1) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the connecting region (20) is configured as a push-fit connection for connecting the stopper (1) to the opening (120) by form fit and force fit.

14. The stopper (1) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, wherein a circumferential protrusion (40) is arranged in the sealing region (30) between the sealing element (32) and the connecting region (20), which protrusion spaces the sealing element (32) from the connecting region (20), in particular from a top thread turn of the connecting region (20) viewed in the axial direction (A) of the stopper (1), by 2 mm to 6 mm, preferably by 3 mm to 5 mm.

15. The stopper (1) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the sealing element (32), in particular a first region of the sealing element (32), is at least substantially undeformed in the radial direction of the stopper (1), even in the fitted state of the stopper (1).

16. An energy storage system (100) for use in a vehicle (200), comprising the following: a multiplicity of energy storage cells; and a housing (110) which is configured to receive the multiplicity of energy storage cells, and which has at least one opening (120), in particular at least one filling opening for filling the housing (110) with a liquid electrolyte, wherein each opening (120) is or can be closed by means of a respective stopper (1) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15 which is assigned to the respective opening (120).

Description

[0041] The invention is described in more detail below, including regarding further features and advantages, using the description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the figures:

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic depiction of a vehicle;

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic depiction of a stopper according to the present invention in the non-fitted state;

[0044] FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic depiction of an opening in a housing for receiving a stopper according to the invention;

[0045] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic depiction of the stopper and the opening with the stopper in the fitted state; and

[0046] FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatic detail depiction of the region marked X in FIG. 4.

[0047] The stopper according to the invention is described in greater detail below with reference to the depictions in FIGS. 1 to 5. Identical or equivalent elements and functions are provided with the same or similar reference signs.

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle 200 which has at least one energy storage system 100. The energy storage system 100 furthermore comprises a multiplicity of energy storage cells, wherein several energy storage cells may also be combined into individual energy storage modules. In this case, the energy storage system 100 may be arranged in a region of the vehicle 200 which is at the front in the direction of travel, in a rear region of the vehicle 200 and/or in a region underneath the seats, in particular underneath the driver's seat.

[0049] The vehicle 200 may be an aircraft or a watercraft, a rail vehicle, an all-terrain vehicle, or preferably a road vehicle, wherein a road vehicle can mean a car, a truck, a bus, or a motor home. However, it is equally conceivable for the vehicle 200 also to be designed as any construction machine, electric scooter, electric bicycle, lawnmower, wheelchair or the like.

[0050] The vehicle 200 is driven by a drive unit. The drive unit may be an internal combustion engine, an electric motor or a combination thereof. A vehicle 200 which is driven exclusively by an electric motor is referred to as an electric vehicle. A vehicle 200 which has both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine is referred to as a hybrid vehicle. Hybrid vehicles can then be divided into micro hybrid, mild hybrid, full hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

[0051] In FIG. 1, the energy storage system 100 is shown in a front region viewed in the direction of travel of the vehicle 200.

[0052] The energy storage system 100 in general comprises a multiplicity of energy storage cells. Several such energy storage cells may also be combined in an energy storage module, wherein these energy storage cells are connected electrically in series and/or in parallel. The energy storage system 100 may then comprise a multiplicity of such energy storage modules which are connected together electrically in series and/or in parallel.

[0053] The energy storage system 100 may be based on a lead acid technology, a lithium ion technology, or a nickel-metal hydride technology, but is not restricted thereto.

[0054] Furthermore, an energy storage system 100 has a housing 110 which is configured to receive the multiplicity of energy storage cells or energy storage modules. The housing 110 may have a multiplicity of wall elements which delimit an interior of the housing 110 receiving the energy storage cells or energy storage modules. The wall element situated at the top viewed in the fitted state of the energy storage system 100 (and at least substantially horizontal) is usually formed as a housing cover which can be placed in position. The housing cover here comprises two connection poles which are or may be connected to the respective positive and negative terminals of the energy storage cells or energy storage modules.

[0055] The housing 110 of the energy storage system 100 may be made of a plastic. An acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polyoxymethylene, polyolefins such as polyethylene and/or polypropylene, or a copolymer thereof, may be chosen for example.

[0056] In addition, at least one opening 120 is arranged in the housing 110 of the energy storage system 100, in particular in the housing cover. For example, such an opening 120 may be a filling opening for filling the housing 110 with the liquid electrolyte. Equally, this opening 120 may however also be configured for at least temporary insertion of measurement elements, such as for example an acid indicator or similar. Such openings 120 are however closed again in operation, i.e. after completion of a filling process or measurement process. For this, each opening 120 is or can be closed using a respective stopper 1 according to the invention, which is assigned to the respective opening 120.

[0057] It is however equally conceivable that such openings 120 may also be present in a housing of an energy storage module or in a housing of an energy storage cell. Such openings may also be closed using the stopper 1 according to the invention.

[0058] FIG. 2 shows the stopper 1 according to the invention in the non-fitted state. Such a stopper 1 may be used to close and seal an opening 120 of an energy storage system 100, an energy storage module and/or energy storage cell.

[0059] With reference to the stopper 1, the relative terms used in the present application should be interpreted as follows. The term “at the top or above viewed in the axial direction A of the stopper 1” means, in the fitted state of the stopper 1, viewed in the direction of an exterior of the housing 110, and “at the bottom viewed in the axial direction A of the stopper 1” means, in the fitted state of the stopper 1, viewed in the direction of the interior of the housing 110. In other words, the term “above” or “below” need not necessarily coincide with a position in the vertical direction. Rather, this means that, for example in a case in which the opening 120 is arranged in a (side) wall element of the housing 110, the term “above” means closer to the exterior of the housing 110, and the term “below” means closer to the interior of the housing 110.

[0060] As evident in FIG. 2, the stopper 1 according to the invention comprises a stopper head 10 and a stopper body 14 formed integrally with the stopper head 10.

[0061] A sealing region 30 lying directly below the stopper head 10, and a connecting region 20 lying directly below the sealing region 30, are arranged on the stopper body 14.

[0062] The stopper body 14 is formed at least substantially sleeve-like, i.e. the stopper body 14 at least in regions has an annular cross-section such that an outer diameter of the stopper head 10 is between 10% and 40%, preferably between 15% and 40%, particularly preferably between 20% and 30% larger than an outer diameter of the stopper body 14, in particular in a region below the connecting region 20.

[0063] In FIG. 2, it is furthermore evident that a lower region of the stopper body 14, viewed in the axial direction A of the stopper 1, may be chamfered. This facilitates both production and installation of the stopper 1, in particular insertion of the stopper 1 in the opening 120. Such a chamfer leads to easier removal from the mould during the production process. In this way, cost-intensive and complex ejector mechanisms may be avoided. Also, the stopper 1 may be precentered by the chamfer on installation.

[0064] The connecting region 20 serves to connect the stopper 1 according to the invention to an opening 120 in the housing 110, in particular in the housing cover, of the energy storage system 100. For this, the connecting region 20 may have an external thread 22 which comes into engagement with a corresponding internal thread of the opening 120.

[0065] However, it is equally conceivable that the connecting region 20 is configured as a push-fit connection. This advantageously facilitates installation of the stopper 1 according to the invention. For this, the connecting region 20 may comprise locking lugs for engagement in a correspondingly formed geometry in the opening 120, such that a form-fit and/or force-fit connection is created between the stopper 1 and the opening 120.

[0066] The sealing region 30 is configured to receive a sealing element 32.

[0067] The sealing element 32 may have a shape which differs at least substantially from a circular form, even in a non-fitted state of the stopper 1 which is accompanied by an undeformed state of the sealing element 32.

[0068] In particular, the cross-section of the sealing element 32 may be substantially L-shaped. In this context, “substantially L-shaped” means firstly that the cross-section of the sealing element 32 has two legs enclosing an angle which amounts to between 80° and 100°, preferably between 85° and 95°, particularly preferably 90°, and secondly that the edges and/or corners of the sealing element 32 may be formed rounded or curved.

[0069] The sealing element 32 may in particular have a first region formed in the direction of a side of the sealing element 32 facing the connecting region 20, and a second region on a side of the sealing element 32 facing away from the connecting region 20.

[0070] The sealing element 32 may be shaped, even in the non-fitted state of the stopper 1 or the undeformed state of the sealing element 32, such that the second region of the sealing element 32 has a larger outer diameter than the first region. More precisely, the first region of the sealing element 32 extends substantially in the axial direction A of the stopper 1, whereas the second region of the sealing element 32 extends outward substantially in a radial direction of the stopper 1 lying perpendicularly to the axial direction A of the stopper 1.

[0071] In this context, “substantially in the axial direction A of the stopper 1” means that the extension direction differs from the axial direction A of the stopper 1 by less than 10°, preferably less than 5°, particularly preferably less than 3°.

[0072] It is conceivable that the first region and the second region do not transform directly into each other, but rather are connected together via a transitional region. This transitional region may for example be an additional region which extends in a direction opposite the first region, such that the sealing element 32 for example has a substantially T-shaped cross-section.

[0073] The stopper 1 may furthermore have a groove 12 which runs along a periphery of the stopper 1 in the sealing region 30 and is configured to receive the sealing element 32. In particular, the sealing element 32 may be injection-molded directly into the groove 12. This advantageously gives a secure, in particular substance-bonded connection.

[0074] Viewed in the axial direction a of the stopper 1, the sealing element is delimited at the top by the stopper head 12 and at the bottom by a circumferential protrusion 40. The circumferential protrusion 40 is arranged between the sealing element 32 and the connecting region 20 and is configured to space the sealing element 32 from the connecting region 20, in particular from a top thread turn of the connecting region 20 viewed in the axial direction A of the stopper 1, by 2 mm to 6 mm, preferably by 3 mm to 5 mm.

[0075] The stopper may be made of a first plastic material. In particular, the first plastic material is a thermoplastic material such as for example polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polybutylene terephthalate, polyetherimide, polyimide, polytetrafluoroethylene and/or polyoxymethylene.

[0076] The sealing element 32 may be made from a second plastic material which is different from the first plastic material. In particular, the second plastic material is an elastic material such as for example an elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer, silicon and/or a silicon-like substance.

[0077] The stopper according to the invention can thus be produced easily and economically via a two-component injection-molding process. This furthermore guarantees a good connection between the stopper 1 and the sealing element 32.

[0078] In particular, when the sealing element 32 is injection-molded onto the stopper 1, in particular into the groove 12 of the stopper 1, the outermost surface of the stopper 1 or groove 12 may melt so as to create a substance-bonded connection between the sealing element 32 and the stopper 1.

[0079] The sealing element 32 may furthermore be configured such that at least one region of the sealing element 32 is formed running at least partially, in particular completely around the stopper 1. Thus for example the second region of the sealing element 32 may be formed completely circumferentially, while the first region runs around the stopper 1 only in regions, in particular at two opposing sides of the stopper 1, preferably at three sides evenly distributed around the periphery of the stopper 1, particularly preferably at four sides evenly distributed around the periphery of the stopper 1. This may save material and hence costs.

[0080] Alternatively, the sealing element 32 may equally well be configured so as to be rotationally symmetrical, which also reduces costs since the tool for a symmetrical sealing element 32 has a less complex design.

[0081] The stopper 1 according to the invention is based on the knowledge that it is advantageous for the sealing element 32, in the fitted state of the stopper 1, to be deformed by a force acting at least partially, in particular completely in the axial direction A of the stopper 1. This counters in particular a reduction in the sealing effect from “settling” of the elements of the stopper 1 to be connected, since in the fitted state of the stopper 1, a force coupling occurs between the force acting at least partially, in particular completely in the axial direction A of the stopper 1, and a reset force caused by the material of the sealing element 32 because of the force acting at least partially, in particular completely in the axial direction A of the stopper 1.

[0082] In particular, a sealing effect of the sealing element 32 can be produced by the force acting at least partially, in particular completely in the axial direction A of the stopper 1.

[0083] The sealing element 32 is here advantageously spaced from the connecting region 20 only by the circumferential protrusion 40. In this way, a force-reducing elongation of the stopper body 14 may be suppressed.

[0084] FIG. 3 shows the opening 120 receiving the stopper 1 according to the invention, in a housing 110 of an energy storage system 100. In particular, FIG. 3 shows a sealing rib 130 which extends along an inner periphery of the opening 120 receiving the stopper 1, in the direction of an exterior of the energy storage system 100. This sealing rib 130 is configured to come into engagement with the sealing element 32 of the stopper 1 in the fitted state of the stopper 1.

[0085] The term “inner periphery of the opening 120 receiving the stopper 1” means the periphery of a region of the opening 120 receiving the stopper body 14. More precisely, the opening 120 has at least two different regions with different diameters. The first region corresponds to a depression and is designed to receive the stopper head 10. The second region has a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the first region and is configured to receive the stopper body 14, in particular the connecting region 20.

[0086] FIG. 4 shows the stopper 1 according to the invention in fitted state in which the stopper 1 is connected to the opening 120, in this case for example via a screw connection. It is evident that the sealing ring 130 deforms the sealing element 32, in particular the second region of the sealing element 32, by a force acting at least substantially in the axial direction A of the stopper 1.

[0087] By suitable choice of material of the sealing element 32, in particular because the sealing element 32 is made from an elastic material, an advantageous force coupling exists in the fitted state of the stopper 1, i.e. In the deformed state of the sealing element 32. Because the sealing rib 130 produces a force acting on the sealing element 32 in the axial direction A of the stopper 1, and the sealing element 32 creates a reset force which acts in the opposite direction to the axial force created by the sealing rib 130, the sealing effect of the sealing element 32 may be maintained even under high thermal and/or mechanical (dynamic) influences which could otherwise cause a reduction in both forces, for example because of a change in material properties or by producing “settling” movements. The term “settling” or “settling movements” means a loss of the preload force of the connection.

[0088] FIG. 5 shows in a detail view the region X marked with a dotted circle in FIG. 4. It is clearly evident that the sealing element 32 is deformed exclusively in the axial direction A of the stopper 1 and in particular not in a radial direction. This advantageously leads to simple installation of the stopper 1 in the housing.

[0089] It is also evident that the stopper head 10 terminates flush with an outside of the housing 110. Thus for example risk of injury from any sharp edges can be avoided, which improves the handling safety.

[0090] Even if not explicitly shown in the figures, the stopper 1 may also be used in a housing 110 of an energy storage module or energy storage cell.

[0091] Also, the connecting region 20 of the stopper 1 may be configured as a push-fit connection instead of the external thread 22. This further simplifies installation of the stopper 1 in the opening 120. Furthermore, locking lugs arranged on the stopper body 14 and designed to cooperate with corresponding recesses in the opening 120, may create a form-fit connection.

[0092] At this point it should be noted that all the parts described above, viewed alone or in any combination, in particular the details shown in the drawings, are claimed as essential to the invention. Amendments thereof are familiar to the person skilled in the art.

REFERENCE CHARACTER LIST

[0093] 1 Stopper [0094] 10 Stopper head [0095] 12 Groove [0096] 14 Stopper body [0097] 20 Connecting region [0098] 22 (External) thread [0099] 32 Sealing region [0100] 32 Sealing element [0101] 40 Circumferential protrusion [0102] 100 Energy storage system [0103] 110 Housing [0104] 120 Opening [0105] 130 Sealing rib [0106] 200 Vehicle [0107] A Axial direction of stopper [0108] X Detail view