TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates generally to automotive accessories and, in particular to a lockable cover assembly for preventing activation of a service plug of a high voltage battery in a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles that draw power from one or more high voltage batteries often include a mechanism to disable the battery while the vehicle is being serviced by a mechanic or technician to prevent injury to the mechanic. For example, high voltage batteries in many electric vehicles can be disengaged by removing a service plug grip from a service plug socket. However, a technician may remove the service plug grip before working on the vehicle (i.e., deactivating the battery), yet still remain at risk of serious injury if someone else reinserts the service plug grip without the technician being aware (e.g., while the technician has stepped away from the vehicle).

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein disclose a lockable cover assembly designed to prevent insertion of a service plug grip, e.g., by a third party, while service personnel is unaware.

For example, in one embodiment a cover assembly adapted to be mounted on a service plug socket of a high voltage battery includes a brace member, including a nesting feature to engage the service plug socket and a first opening for receiving a locking device, and a clamping member, slidably attached to the brace member to move between an open position and a closed position, the clamping member further including a second opening for receiving the locking device. The clamping member and the brace member can define a cavity, configured to receive the service plug socket. The cavity reduces in size as the clamping member slides from the open position to the closed position. When the service plug socket is inserted in the cavity and the cover assembly is in the closed position, the nesting feature engages with the service plug socket to prevent separation of the cover assembly from the service plug socket.

