Motor vehicles – Power – Battery mountings and holders
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-09
2001-02-20
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Motor vehicles
Power
Battery mountings and holders
C180S065100, C180S065230, C429S061000, C429S164000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189635
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a container to hold batteries for a mobile vehicle, such as a hybrid electric vehicle. More specifically, the container is made of a sturdy steel construction ant coated both internally and externally with a substance with high electrical resistance elastomer such as a combination polyurethane and polyurea elastomer. The use of the high electrical resistance elastomer coating allows the use of a steel container with reduced electrical shorting dangers. Steel is a preferred base material for the container or box because it is effective in providing shield for electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI) that is associated with the high voltage electricity running through batteries in hybrid electric vehicles.
PRIOR ART
Heretofore, battery containers or boxes for hybrid electric and electric vehicles were either made of materials other than steel or made of steel with complex electrical insulation insert assemblies. The battery boxes which were made of materials other than steel did not have the strength properties of a steel box nor did these non-steel boxes have the EMI and RFI shielding properties possessed by a steel box. Electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles have relatively large electric motors which at times run on high voltage electricity. A hybrid electric vehicle has as generating engine which is normally operating and providing a charging current to the batteries in the battery box. The hybrid electric vehicle draws current from these batteries to energize the motor in order to propel the vehicle. Since the generating engine is constantly running there is a continuous, electric current running to the batteries. The voltages range from 360 Volts to 552 Volts. These high voltages result in nearly continuous EMI and RFI effects. As a primary use of a hybrid electric vehicle is as a city delivery truck, the resulting EMI and RFI could be disruptive to electronic equipment possessed by the truck driver or nearby pedestrians.
At least one prior art battery box for an electric vehicle used a steel box with a complex insulation insert. The use of an insulation insert significantly added to the complexity of battery inspection and maintenance as both the external box and the insulation insert needed to be opened to access the batteries.
Heretofore, a battery box for a hybrid electric vehicle has not been suggested which has a steel base metal for EMI and RFI shielding with a coating of an elastomer with high electrical resistance properties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to provide a battery box or container for batteries for a hybrid electric vehicle which is made of steel with an internal and external coating of an elastomer with high electrical resistance properties. The battery box generally consists of a tray assembly and a lid. The elastomer coating on the tray assembly and the lid provides a non-electrically conductive interior and exterior surface for increased service safety. The steel base material of the tray assembly and the lid provides EMI and RFI shielding. Additionally the steel base construction provides a very durable container required for hybrid electric truck applications.
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Donley Harl
Jenks Jeffrey D.
Lasecki Michael P.
Schuler Nathan L.
Calfa Jeffrey P.
Draper Deanna
Hernandez Gilberto
Johnson Brian L.
Navistar International Transportation Corp.
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