Charge port cooling system for an electric vehicle
A cooling system for an electric vehicle charge port includes a member having a base wall including an opening and a perimetrical wall extending from the base wall. The base wall and the perimetrical wall defining a volume. A heat spreader arranged in the volume. A terminal extends from the heat spreader through the opening in the base wall. An amount of phase change material (PCM) arranged in the volume, the amount of PCM is in contact with the terminal.
1 . A cooling system for an electric vehicle charge port comprising:
a member having a base wall including an opening and a perimetrical wall extending from the base wall, the base wall and the perimetrical wall defining a volume;
a heat spreader arranged in the volume;
a terminal extending from the heat spreader through the opening in the base wall; and
an amount of phase change material (PCM) arranged in the volume, the amount of PCM being in contact with the terminal,
wherein the member is manufactured from an electrically-insulative heat-shrink material that contracts, when heated, to press its inner surface against the heat spreader and seal the PCM volume.
2 . The cooling system for the electric vehicle charge port according to claim 1 , wherein the heat spreader extends from the terminal to the perimetrical wall.
3 . The cooling system for the electric vehicle charge port according to claim 1 , wherein the heat spreader comprises a metallic foam.
4 . The cooling system for the electric vehicle charge port according to claim 3 , wherein the metallic foam is an open cell metallic foam.
5 . The cooling system for the electric vehicle charge port according to claim 1 , wherein the heat spreader includes a plurality of fins that project radially outwardly from the terminal.
6 . The cooling system for the electric vehicle charge port according to claim 5 , wherein the heat spreader includes a central support including a bore receptive of the terminal, the plurality of fins being formed with the central support.
7 . The cooling system for the electric vehicle charge port according to claim 1 , wherein the perimetrical wall is annular.
8 . The cooling system for the electric vehicle charge port according to claim 1 , wherein the base wall includes a first opening and a second opening, the member including a divider that extends between the first opening and the second opening dividing the volume into a first portion and a second portion.
9 . The cooling system for the electric vehicle charge port according to claim 8 , wherein the terminal includes a first terminal extending into the first portion of the volume through the first opening in the base wall and a second terminal extending into the second portion of the volume through the second opening in the base wall.
10 . The cooling system for the electric vehicle charge port according to claim 1 , wherein the member further comprises a cover formed from an electrically-insulative heat-shrink material, the cover being configured to seal against and/or around the member to prevent leakage of the phase change material (PCM).
11 . The cooling system for the electric vehicle charge port according to claim 1 , wherein the heat spreader comprises a central support having a bore receptive of the terminal, and a plurality of fins projecting radially outwardly from the central support, the inner surface of the member contacting each of the plurality of fins when contracted.
12 . An electric vehicle comprising:
a body;
an electric motor arranged in the body;
a battery pack electrically connected to the electric motor; and
a charge port supported by the body and electrically connected to the battery pack, the charge port comprising:
a member having a base wall including an opening and a perimetrical wall extending from the base wall, the base wall and the perimetrical wall defining a volume;
a heat spreader arranged in the volume;
a terminal extending from the heat spreader through the opening in the base wall; and
an amount of phase change material (PCM) arranged in the volume, the amount of PCM being in contact with the terminal,
wherein the member is manufactured from an electrically-insulative heat-shrink material that contracts, when heated, to press its inner surface against the heat spreader and seal the PCM volume.
13 . The electric vehicle according to claim 12 , wherein the heat spreader extends from the terminal to the perimetrical wall.
14 . The electric vehicle according to claim 12 , wherein the heat spreader comprises a metallic foam.
15 . The electric vehicle according to claim 14 , wherein the metallic foam is an open cell metallic foam.
16 . The electric vehicle according to claim 12 , wherein the heat spreader includes a plurality of fins that project radially outwardly from the terminal.
17 . The electric vehicle according to claim 16 , wherein the heat spreader includes a central support including a bore receptive of the terminal, the plurality of fins being formed with the central support.
18 . The electric vehicle according to claim 12 , wherein the perimetrical wall is annular.
19 . The electric vehicle according to claim 12 , wherein the base wall includes a first opening and a second opening, the member including a divider that extends between the first opening and the second opening dividing the volume into a first portion and a second portion.
20 . The electric vehicle according to claim 19 , wherein the terminal includes a first terminal extending into the first portion of the volume through the first opening in the base wall and a second terminal extending into the second portion of the volume through the second opening in the base wall.