HEV Enclosures
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) draw on the strength of both electric and conventionally fuelled engine technologies. A hybrid’s battery can be smaller because it’s used intermittently. This keeps vehicle cost and weight manageable, but presents challenges such as smaller maintenance openings, smaller seals where the pack communicates with the outside, and cylindrical cell washers with seals that can be an escape route for outbursts of battery chemistry. Also a challenge, HEV propulsion technology forces a substantial increase in the vehicle’s electrical content and complexity. PORON® Urethanes and BISCO® Silicones are designed to reliably hold a consistent force, keeping battery cells aligned, sealed from dust and fluid, and isolated from the damaging effects of vibration.
Environmental Seals
Like most vehicles, HEVs need to withstand the elements and function in all environments. Safety is also a concern as severe damage is possible – electrical shock or explosion – if the battery pack is not properly sealed. Gaskets based on BISCO Silicones seal the interface where the battery is plugged into the electrical grid and provide exceptional UV resistance and cold temperature flexibility. PORON Urethanes offer an economical alternative.
Vibration Isolation
Batteries need to be packaged to absorb internal impact energy. Vibration must be managed both within the pack and between the pack and the surrounding vehicle. BISCO Silicone foam’s Compression Set Resistance (C-set) withstands collapse due to the stresses of compression and temperature over time. This extends the life of the battery by continuing to seal and absorbing shock.
Battery Pad Cushioning
Cushions/springs used inside an HEV battery pack hold components firmly in place and, if needed, firmly in contact with each other. PORON Urethane foams have a unique ability to produce a very consistent level of force across a range of compressions. This allows the designer to predict the material’s behavior across varied dimensional tolerances.