Active drain plug for high voltage battery applications

摘要

A drain plug assembly that has particular application for sealing a drain hole in a high voltage battery compartment on a vehicle. The plug assembly includes a plug that inserted into the drain hole. The plug assembly further includes a return spring coupled to the plug and causing the plug to be biased into the drain hole. The plug assembly also includes at least one shape memory alloy device coupled to the plug and a support structure. The SMA device receives an electrical current that causes the device to contract and move the plug out of the drain hole against the bias of the return spring.

主权项

1. A plug assembly for opening and closing a drain hole, said plug assembly comprising:
a plug that seals the drain hole when the plug is inserted into the drain hole, said plug shaped such that as the plug wears over time the plug sinks deeper in the drain hole; at least one shape memory alloy (SMA) device coupled to the plug and a support structure, said SMA device being responsive to an electrical current that causes the SMA device to contract and move the plug out of the drain hole, wherein the drain hole includes an anti-splash guard rim that extends down from the drain hole such that the anti-splash guard rim is spaced from the plug to protect the plug when the plug is inserted in the drain hole; and a controller that provides the electrical current that causes the SMA device to contract, said controller providing the electrical current at predetermined intervals, wherein the controller provides the electrical current when a vehicle that includes the plug assembly is not moving.