CN219195297U

CN219195297U - Sleeve and knitted sleeve

Info

Publication number: CN219195297U
Application number: CN202223435289.9U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 斯科特·麦克法兰; 卡米尔·芬内尔; 邱晓丹; 亚历克西斯·赞比诺; 里特什·梅赫巴尼
Original assignee: Huimen Power Transmission Co ltd
Current assignee: Huimen Power Transmission Co ltd
Priority date: 2022-12-21
Filing date: 2022-12-21
Publication date: 2023-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 2032-12-21

Abstract

A sleeve for protecting an elongated member, comprising a knitted wall having a circumferentially continuous outer surface extending along a longitudinal axis between opposite open ends, the knitted wall being at least partially formed from multifilament flame retardant yarns, wherein the multifilament flame retardant yarns are knitted to form longitudinally extending ribs and/or circumferentially extending ribs. The sleeve of the present utility model is capable of providing dielectric, fire protection for an elongate member received therein. A knitted sleeve for protecting bus bars of a battery of an electric vehicle and a sleeve for protecting bus bar connections between batteries of an electric vehicle are also disclosed.

Description

Sleeve and knitted sleeve

Technical Field

The present utility model relates generally to a knitted sleeve for protecting elongate members contained therein, and more particularly to a circumferentially continuous, axially and radially stretchable, fire-resistant dielectric knitted sleeve.

Background

It is known to house elongate members (such as wires, harnesses, cables and various types of conduits) in circumferentially continuous, tubular walled sleeves to provide protection to the elongate members against impact and abrasion, fluid effects and external thermal effects. However, there remains a need for a protective sleeve that provides dielectric, fire protection for an elongate member received therein while also achieving a low profile with a snug fit around the elongate member and its connector, thus being non-cumbersome, unsightly and bulky. It is also desirable to have a protective sleeve that can protect the bus bar connection between the battery cells of an electric vehicle battery system so that after a thermal runaway (thermal runaway) condition of one or more of the cells of the battery, the vehicle can remain drivable under power from the battery system for at least 5 minutes so that the driver of the electric vehicle can have sufficient time to safely maneuver to the proper parking location and withdraw the vehicle.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present utility model to provide a stretchable knit sleeve that provides dielectric, fire protection for an elongated member received therein.

Another object of the present utility model is to provide protection for the bus bar connection between the battery cells of an electric vehicle battery system to allow the driver of the electric vehicle sufficient time to safely maneuver to the proper parking location and withdraw the vehicle.

It is another object of the present utility model to provide protection for bus bar connections between battery cells of an electric vehicle battery system via a knitted sleeve to enable the battery system to power an electric vehicle for 5 minutes or more.

It is another object of the present utility model to provide a knitted sleeve that can fit around a bus bar connection between battery cells of an electric vehicle battery system in a slip fit (snub fit) relationship around the bus bar and any connectors attached thereto.

In accordance with these and other objects, a sleeve for providing protection for a bus bar interconnecting battery cells of an electric vehicle is provided. The sleeve has a knitted wall with a circumferentially continuous outer surface extending along a longitudinal axis between opposite open ends. The knitted wall is formed at least in part from multifilament flame retardant yarns. The knitted structure of the knitted wall is axially and radially stretchable, allowing the knitted wall to flex easily and assemble easily into a snug, wrinkle-free relationship around the bus bar, regardless of the number of bends of the outer surface of the bus bar and the shape of the outer contour.

A sleeve for protecting an elongated member includes a knitted wall having a circumferentially continuous outer surface extending along a longitudinal axis between opposite open ends, the knitted wall being formed at least in part from multifilament flame retardant yarns, wherein the multifilament flame retardant yarns are knitted to form longitudinally extending ribs and/or circumferentially extending ribs.

According to another aspect of the present utility model, an impermeable coating is provided that extends around the outer surface of the knitted wall to prevent ingress and penetration of dust, particulates, smoke through the knitted wall and to enhance the flame and fire resistance of the sleeve.

According to another aspect of the utility model, the impermeable coating is stretchable to allow the underlying knitted wall to remain stretchable, thereby helping the knitted wall form a wrinkle-free, slip-fit around the bus bar.

According to another aspect of the utility model, the impermeable coating is one of a silicone, silicone-based adhesive (silicone-based), liquid silicone rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene or polyurethane layer directly bonded to the exterior surface of the knitted wall.

According to another aspect of the utility model, the multifilament flame retardant yarn extends in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and in a Zhou Xiangwei-wise direction about the longitudinal axis.

According to another aspect of the utility model, the flame retardant yarn is a mineral yarn.

According to another aspect of the utility model, the mineral yarn may be provided as at least one of fiberglass, silica, and basalt.

According to another aspect of the utility model, the knitted wall may be knitted with a rib knitting pattern having raised ribs extending in at least one of the longitudinal warp direction and/or the Zhou Xiangwei (fill) direction, wherein the ribs enhance flexibility, fit and stretchability.

According to another aspect of the present utility model, a rib knit pattern can be formed by alternating knitting and double knit (purl stitch) with 1 x 1 and/or 2 x 2 patterns.

According to another aspect of the utility model, the rib knitting pattern may include a slider (slip stitch) for increasing the height of the rib.

According to another aspect of the present utility model, a sleeve for protecting a bus bar connection between battery cells of an electric vehicle is provided. The sleeve includes: a tubular knitted wall having a circumferentially continuous outer surface extending along a longitudinal axis between opposite open ends. The knitted wall is formed from a flame retardant multifilament yarn having an outermost impermeable coating that is stretchable to allow the underlying knitted wall to remain stretchable to assist the knitted wall in forming a wrinkle-free, slip fit around the bus bar.

According to another aspect of the present utility model, a knitted sleeve for protecting a bus bar of a battery of an electric vehicle is disclosed, the knitted sleeve being the sleeve described above.

According to another aspect of the present utility model, there is also disclosed a sleeve for protecting an elongated member, the sleeve comprising a knitted wall having a circumferentially continuous outer surface extending along a longitudinal axis between opposite open ends, the knitted wall being formed at least in part from multifilament flame retardant yarns, wherein the multifilament flame retardant yarns are knitted to form longitudinally extending ribs and/or circumferentially extending ribs; the sleeve is elastic in the radial direction, wherein the sleeve can be stretched up to four times in the radial direction.

Drawings

These and other aspects, features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and best mode, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a motor vehicle having a knit sleeve constructed in accordance with one aspect of the present utility model, the knit sleeve being shown disposed about an electric vehicle battery component to be protected;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial schematic perspective view of a knitted sleeve disposed about an elongate member to be protected with a fabric sleeve;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a knitted sleeve prior to coating, wherein the knitted sleeve is shown disposed about a bus bar; and

fig. 4B is a view similar to fig. 4A showing an impermeable coating applied to the outer surface of the knitted wall of fig. 4A.

Detailed Description

Specific embodiments of the present utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, wherein features of the embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict if several embodiments exist. When the description refers to the accompanying drawings, the same numbers or symbols in different drawings indicate the same or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. What is described in the following exemplary embodiments does not represent all embodiments of the utility model, but rather is merely an example of a product consistent with the utility model as set forth in the claims of the utility model.

The terminology used in the present utility model is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present utility model. It should be understood that words such as "first," "second," and the like, used in the description and in the claims of the present utility model, do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are names used to distinguish one feature from another.

Referring in more detail to the drawings, fig. 1 shows a textile sleeve constructed in accordance with one aspect of the utility model, hereinafter sleeve 10, having a textile knitted wall 12 disposed about an elongate member 11 to be protected, such as a bus bar interconnecting adjacent electrical cells of a battery B of a vehicle, such as an electric vehicle EV. The knitted wall 12 has a circumferentially continuous outer surface 13 extending longitudinally between the open

opposite ends

14, 16 and about a longitudinal central axis 18 to define a central cavity 20 through which the elongated member 11 extends and in which the elongated member 11 is protected from impact forces, wear and contaminant ingress such as might be experienced in a vehicle collision (as an example and not by way of limitation), and wherein the knitted wall 12 inhibits flame propagation such as in the event of thermal runaway of one or more of the cells of battery B, thereby allowing the electric vehicle EV to remain battery powered for 5 minutes or more to allow the electric vehicle EV to safely travel to a parked position where an operator can evacuate the electric vehicle EV. The knitted wall 12 is formed of flame retardant multifilament yarns 22 knitted in a rib-stitch pattern to aid in the stretchability of the knitted wall 12 to facilitate the assembly of the sleeve 10 around the elongate member 11. By way of example and not limitation, a plurality of ribs (R) are formed via knitting and double-sided weave alternating with each other in a desired pattern (such as 1X 1; 2X 2) to form longitudinally extending (warp direction) ribs R and/or circumferentially extending (weft or fill) ribs R to facilitate a wrinkle-free, slip fit of knitted wall 12 around bus bar 11 to facilitate assembly and flame suppression, with low profile that is not cumbersome, and aesthetically pleasing. Thus, the knitted structure of knitted wall 12 is axially and radially stretchable, allowing the knitted wall to flex easily and assemble easily into a tight, snug fit relationship around bus bar 11.

To further enhance the flame retardancy, stretchability and elasticity of the sleeve 10, an impermeable coating 26 is provided to extend around the outer surface 13 of the knitted wall 12 to prevent dust, particulates, smoke from entering and penetrating through the knitted wall 12 and to enhance the flame retardancy and fire resistance of the sleeve 10. The impermeable coating 26 is stretchable in all directions, including longitudinal and radial directions, to allow the underlying knitted wall 12 to remain stretchable in both the longitudinal and radial directions and to be elastically resilient to help the knitted wall 12 and ultimately the sleeve 10 form a wrinkle-free, slip fit around the bus bar 11.

In the event of exposure to extreme heat, such as in the event of unexpected thermal runaway within the battery, the flame-retardant multifilament yarn 22 maintains its structural integrity to inhibit flame growth and propagation for at least 5 minutes or more, thereby allowing the occupants of the motor vehicle EV sufficient time to park and/or evacuate the motor vehicle EV.

An impermeable coating 26 such as a silicone, silicone-based adhesive, liquid silicone rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene or polyurethane coating may be applied and bonded to the outer surface 13, wherein the impermeable coating 26 is also referred to as a layer that is bonded directly to the outer surface 13. The impermeable coating 26 may be applied to the outer surface 13 using any desired process that allows a desired thickness (t) of the impermeable coating 26 to be obtained. In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness t is between about 0.05mm and 3mm, and more preferably between about 0.1mm and 0.3 mm. When the impermeable coating 26 is disposed within the above-described range of thickness t, the flexibility and conformability of the knitted wall 12 is maintained and an optimal dielectric strength is provided, which may provide a dielectric breakdown voltage of between about 5kV and 40 kV. Thus, the elongated member 11 is protected from unwanted electrical interference, including electromagnetic interference (EMI), radio Frequency Interference (RFI), and electrostatic discharge (ESD). In addition to various electrical protection, the impermeable coating 26 may provide the elongated member 11 with significantly enhanced protection against impact forces. Furthermore, since the impermeable coating 26 can be hydrophobic and impermeable to fluids and debris, enhanced protection against ingress of contaminants such as fluid gases and solid debris is provided.

According to another aspect, a method of constructing a sleeve 10 is provided. The method includes knitting a multifilament flame retardant yarn to form a knitted wall 12, the knitted wall 12 having a circumferentially continuous outer surface 13 extending along a longitudinal axis 18 between opposite

open ends

14, 16. The method may further include knitting the multifilament flame retardant yarn using a rib weave pattern to form ribs R extending longitudinally along the longitudinal axis 18 of the sleeve 10, wherein the ribs R enhance the flame retardancy of the knitted wall 12 while enhancing the stretchability of the knitted wall 12 in the radial and axial directions.

According to another aspect of the utility model, the method may further include adhering an impermeable coating 26 to the outer surface 13 of the knitted wall 12, wherein the impermeable coating 26 is formed of an elastomeric material to enhance the stretchability and elasticity of the sleeve 10.

According to another aspect of the utility model, the method may further include forming the impermeable coating 26 from an elastomeric, stretchable silicone, silicone-based adhesive, liquid silicone rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene, or polyurethane material.

In addition, the sleeve 10 of the present utility model has elasticity in the radial direction, wherein the sleeve 10 can be stretched up to four times in the radial direction for easy installation.

The above embodiments are only for illustrating the present utility model and not for limiting the technical solutions described in the present utility model, and it should be understood that the present utility model should be based on those skilled in the art, and although the present utility model has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the present utility model without departing from the spirit and scope of the present utility model and modifications thereof should be covered by the scope of the claims of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A sleeve for protecting an elongated member, said sleeve comprising:

a knitted wall having a circumferentially continuous outer surface extending along a longitudinal axis between opposite open ends, the knitted wall being formed at least in part from multifilament flame retardant yarns, wherein the multifilament flame retardant yarns are knitted to form longitudinally extending ribs and/or circumferentially extending ribs.

2. The sleeve of claim 1 further including an impermeable coating extending around said outer surface of said knitted wall.

3. The sleeve of claim 2 wherein said impermeable coating is one of a silicone, silicone-based adhesive, liquid silicone rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene, or polyurethane layer bonded directly to said outer surface.

4. A sleeve according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinally extending ribs and/or the circumferentially extending ribs are formed via knitting and double knit stitches alternating with each other in a desired pattern.

5. The sleeve of claim 4 wherein said multifilament flame retardant yarn is a mineral yarn.

6. The sleeve of claim 5 wherein said mineral yarn is at least one of fiberglass, silica, and basalt.

7. A knitted sleeve for protecting a bus bar of a battery of an electric vehicle, characterized in that the knitted sleeve is a sleeve according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A sleeve for protecting a bus bar connection between batteries of an electric vehicle, the sleeve comprising:

a knitted wall having a circumferentially continuous outer surface extending along a longitudinal axis between opposite open ends, the knitted wall being formed at least in part from multifilament flame retardant yarns, wherein the multifilament flame retardant yarns are knitted to form longitudinally extending ribs and/or circumferentially extending ribs; and

an impermeable coating extending around the outer surface of the knitted wall.

9. A sleeve for protecting an elongated member, said sleeve comprising:

a knitted wall having a circumferentially continuous outer surface extending along a longitudinal axis between opposite open ends, the knitted wall being formed at least in part from multifilament flame retardant yarns, wherein the multifilament flame retardant yarns are knitted to form longitudinally extending ribs and/or circumferentially extending ribs;

the sleeve is elastic in the radial direction, wherein the sleeve can be stretched up to four times in the radial direction.

10. The sleeve of claim 9 further including an impermeable coating extending around said outer surface of said knitted wall.