CN115621659A

CN115621659A - Gas discharge device for power storage equipment

Info

Publication number: CN115621659A
Application number: CN202210750233.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 山口弘晴; 饭田精彦
Original assignee: Piolax Inc
Current assignee: Piolax Inc
Priority date: 2021-06-30
Filing date: 2022-06-28
Publication date: 2023-01-17
Also published as: GB2610044A; JP2023006229A; GB202209245D0

Abstract

The invention provides a gas discharge device for an electric storage device, which can maintain the sealing performance between a base member and a cap member and reliably separate the cap member from the base member when the gas pressure rises. The gas discharge device (10) for the electricity storage equipment comprises a base member (20), a cap member (50) and a sealing member (70), wherein the cap member (50) comprises a cover part (51), an elastic sheet (59) and a claw part (61), the elastic sheet (59) is configured to be outwards bent and deformed when the air pressure is more than a specified value, the cap member (50) is separated from the base member (20), an engaged part (33) and a sealing member assembling part (31) are arranged on the periphery of the base member, a limiting wall (35) is arranged on the outer side of the sealing member assembling part (31), and the limiting wall (35) is arranged on the periphery of the sealing member (70) and limits the expansion of the sealing member.

Description

Gas discharge device for power storage equipment

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a gas discharge device for an electric storage device, which discharges gas when a gas pressure at a gas discharge port of the electric storage device is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.

Background

For example, in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, power storage devices such as batteries and power storage devices (condensers) are used. For example, when the power storage device is a battery such as a lithium ion battery, gas may be generated by a chemical reaction of the electrolyte. In this case, the gas needs to be discharged from the inside of the power storage device to the outside of the power storage device.

For example, patent document 1 below describes a sealed lead-acid battery having: a liquid injection port in the shape of a cylinder protruding upward from the battery middle cover; and a cap valve which is in a cap shape having a top plate and a peripheral wall provided so as to hang down from the peripheral edge thereof and is detachably attached to the tip end of the liquid pouring port, and locking members are provided on the upper outer periphery of the liquid pouring port and the inner periphery of the opening portion of the cap valve, respectively, so that the cap valve is not easily detached.

Specifically, a projection (locking member) having a tapered surface on the outer surface and a horizontal planar locking surface on the lower end surface is provided on the upper outer periphery of the liquid inlet. Further, a protrusion (engaging member) having a tapered surface on the outer surface and a horizontal engaging surface on the upper end surface is also provided on the inner periphery of the lower end portion of the peripheral wall of the cap valve. Further, the cap valve is attached to the liquid pouring port by engaging the cap valve cover with the upper outer periphery of the liquid pouring port and engaging the engaging surface of the protrusion on the liquid pouring port side and the engaging surface of the protrusion on the cap valve side with each other. When the gas pressure in the lead storage battery becomes a predetermined value or more, the cap valve is disengaged from the liquid inlet, and the gas in the lead storage battery is discharged.

Documents of the prior art

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. H8-315799

In the case of the sealed lead-acid battery of patent document 1, the locking member is provided on the upper outer periphery of the liquid pouring port and the inner periphery of the opening portion of the cap valve, and the horizontal-plane-shaped locking surfaces of the two locking members are locked to each other, and the cap valve is configured to be less likely to come off from the liquid pouring port, and therefore, there are the following disadvantages: even if the internal pressure of the battery rises, the cap valve is less likely to come off the liquid inlet, and it is less likely to discharge the gas in the battery.

Disclosure of Invention

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gas discharge device for an electric storage device, which can reliably separate a cap member from a base member when the gas pressure of a gas discharge port of the electric storage device increases while maintaining the sealing performance between the base member and the cap member.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a gas discharge device for an electric storage device that discharges gas when a gas pressure at a gas discharge port of the electric storage device is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the gas discharge device comprising: a base member fixed to the gas discharge port and having a passage therein communicating with the gas discharge port; a cap member removably attached to the base member in a manner to block an outlet of the passage of the base member; and a sealing member disposed between the base member and the cap member, and sealing a gap between the base member and the cap member, the cap member including: a cover disposed to face an outlet of the passage of the base member; and a claw portion that engages with the base member, wherein the cap member is configured such that, when the gas pressure at the gas discharge port is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the engagement of the claw portion with the base member is released by the pressure applied to the lid portion, and the cap member is disengaged from the base member, and the base member is provided with: a sealing member attaching portion to which the sealing member is attached; and a restricting wall disposed on an outer periphery of the seal member and restricting expansion of the seal member.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, when the gas pressure at the gas outlet of the electric storage device becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the lid portion of the cap member receives the gas pressure and is pressed, and when the engagement of the claw portions with the base member is released by the pressure received by the lid portion, the cap member is disengaged from the base member. At this time, the gas pressure also acts on the sealing member to expand it, but the expansion is restricted by the restricting wall of the base member, and the sealing performance between the sealing member base member and the cap member is maintained. Therefore, the cap member can be reliably detached from the base member when the gas pressure at the gas discharge port rises while maintaining the sealing property between the base member and the cap member, and the gas can be discharged from the power storage device.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing one embodiment of a gas discharge device for power storage equipment according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the gas discharge device for power storage equipment in a state in which each component is assembled.

Fig. 3 is a front view of a base member constituting the gas discharge device for power storage equipment.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the base member.

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the base member.

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of a state in which the seal member is attached to the base member.

Fig. 7 isbase:Sub>A cross-sectional view taken along linebase:Sub>A-base:Sub>A of fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a sectional explanatory view of a state in which the cap member is detached from the base member in the state of fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view for explaining a use portion of the gas discharge device for electric storage equipment according to the present invention.

Description of the reference numerals

1: an electrical storage device; 6: a gas discharge port; 8: a sealing gasket; 10: a gas discharge device (discharge device) for the power storage device; 20: a base member; 21: a passage; 21b: an outlet; 33: a clamped part; 35: a restricting wall; 39. 40: a notch portion; 41: a fixing sheet; 43: a protrusion; 50: a cap member; 51: a cover portion; 53: a peripheral wall; 57: a pressing wall portion; 59: an elastic sheet; 61: a claw portion; 70: a sealing member.

Detailed Description

(one embodiment of gas discharge device for electric storage device)

Hereinafter, one embodiment of a gas discharge device for power storage equipment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in fig. 10, the gas discharge device 10 for power storage equipment (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "discharge device 10") is a device for discharging gas G when the gas pressure at the gas discharge port 6 (see fig. 7 to 9) of the power storage equipment 1 is a predetermined value or more.

In the case of this embodiment, a plurality of power storage devices 1 are disposed in the casing 2. Here, two power storage devices 1 are disposed in each of the left and right regions in the casing 2. Each power storage device 1 is provided with a connector 3 communicating with the internal space thereof. Then, a pair of power storage devices 1, 1 disposed in the left and right regions in the casing 2 are connected to a common gas discharge pipe 4 via connectors 3, 3.

The gas discharge pipes 4 extend outward from the housing 2 through pipe holding members 5 made of rubber, sponge, or the like. That is, the gas discharge pipes 4, 4 extend outward from both the left and right side walls of the housing 2.

As shown in fig. 7 to 9, a gas discharge port 6 is provided at the tip end portion of each gas discharge pipe 4 in the extending direction. In this embodiment, the gas discharge port 6 is disposed so that its opening faces downward. A member to be attached 7 having an attachment hole 7a is disposed at a position facing the gas discharge port 6, and an exhaust device 10 (see fig. 7 to 9) is attached to the attachment hole 7a of the member to be attached 7.

Examples of the power storage device 1 include a battery (such as a lithium ion battery), a power storage device, a capacitor (capacitor), and the like used in a hybrid vehicle including a plug-in hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, and the like, but are not particularly limited as long as the power storage device can store power. The shape and structure of the case, and the shape and number of the power storage devices disposed in the case are not particularly limited.

As shown in fig. 1, 2, and 7 to 9, the discharge device 10 according to this embodiment includes: a base member 20 fixed to the gas discharge port 6 and having a passage 21 therein communicating with the gas discharge port 6; a cap member 50 removably attached to the base member 20 in such a manner as to block the outlet 21b of the passage 21 of the base member 20; and a sealing member 70 disposed between the base member 20 and the cap member 50, for sealing a gap between the base member 20 and the cap member 50.

The discharge device 10 further includes a gasket 8, and the gasket 8 is attached to the base member 20 to seal a gap between the mounting hole 7a of the mounted member 7 and the base member 20.

The seal member 70 and the gasket 8 are annular and made of a porous material such as sponge or an elastic material such as rubber or an elastomer. The seal member 70 is compressible by being pressed from the axial direction by an external force, air pressure, or the like, and is deformable such as to be thin, to be pressed from the radial direction inward to be expanded, or to be radially reduced in diameter. The sealing member 70 is smaller in diameter than the sealing washer 8.

Next, a detailed structure of the base member 20 will be described with reference to fig. 1 and 3 to 9.

As shown in fig. 7 to 9, the base member 20 of this embodiment is substantially cylindrical as a whole, and a passage 21 is formed inside thereof. An annular flange portion 23 extends from an outer periphery of the base member 20 in the axial direction. As shown in fig. 7 to 9, when the base member 20 is attached to the mounting hole 7a of the mounting target member 7, the flange portion 23 sandwiches the seal gasket 8 between the flange portion 23 and the mounting target member 7. Further, in the base member 20, a portion on the base end side (one end side) in the extending direction of the base member 20 is a connecting portion 25 and a portion on the tip end side (the other end side) in the extending direction of the base member 20 is an insertion portion 27 with the flange portion 23 interposed therebetween.

In the following description, the tip side of the base member 20 means the end side where the cap member 50 is disposed, and the base end side of the base member 20 means the end side opposite to the tip side where the gas discharge port 6 is disposed.

The base member 20 is connected and fixed to the gas discharge port 6 by inserting the connection portion 25 into the gas discharge port 6 of the gas discharge pipe 4. As shown in fig. 7 and 8, the insertion direction of the base member 20 into the gas discharge port 6 at this time is denoted by "F1". An annular projection-shaped stopper 25a for restricting excessive insertion into the gas discharge port 6 is provided on the outer periphery of the connection portion 25 on the tip end side, and a plurality of annular projections 25b having tapered surfaces are provided on the outer periphery on the base end side of the stopper 25a (see fig. 3 and 4).

On the other hand, the insertion portion 27 is inserted into the mounting hole 7a of the mounting target member 7 and is inserted from an opening on the back side of the mounting hole 7a (the side opposite to the front side which is the opposite surface of the flange portion 23). The insertion portion 27 has a substantially cylindrical shape having a larger diameter than the connecting portion 25.

Further, a base end opening of the passage 21 formed inside the base member 20 on the side of the connection portion 25 serves as an inlet 21 a of the gas G to flow into the passage 21 through the gas discharge pipe 4. The distal end opening of the passage 21 on the insertion portion 27 side serves as an outlet 21b for the gas G flowing out of the passage 21.

As shown in fig. 7 to 9, a seal pressing portion 29 having an annular projecting shape projects from the outer periphery of the insertion portion 27 on the slightly proximal end side from the distal end. The seal pressing portion 29 is a portion that abuts against one end surface in the thickness direction of the seal member 70 to restrict the axial movement of the seal member 70 with respect to the base member 20.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, the base member 20 includes: a sealing member attaching portion 31 to which the sealing member 70 is attached; a limiting wall 35 disposed on the outer periphery of the sealing member 70 and limiting the expansion of the sealing member 70; and an engaged portion 33 with which the claw portion 61 of the cap member 50 is engaged. The restricting wall 35 is disposed outside the sealing member attachment portion 31 and on the outer periphery of the sealing member 70.

In this embodiment, a portion of the insertion portion 27 on the axial distal end side of the seal pressing portion 29 is a seal member attachment portion 31, and a seal member 70 is attached to the outer periphery of the seal member attachment portion 31. The outer diameter of the seal member attachment portion 31 is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the seal member 70.

The engaged portion 33, with which the claw portion 61 of the cap member 50 is engaged, is provided on the front surface side (the surface on the insertion direction F1 side of the base member 20) of the seal pressing portion 29 having the annular projecting shape and on the outer peripheral edge portion thereof. In this embodiment, the engaged portions 33 are provided at radially opposite positions of the seal holding portion 29 (see fig. 5). As shown in the partially enlarged view of fig. 8 and fig. 9, the engaged portion 33 has a flat horizontal surface 33 a (a surface perpendicular to the axial center of the base member 20) and a curved surface 33b located radially outward of the horizontal surface and having a curved surface shape.

The restricting wall 35, which is disposed outside the sealing member attaching portion 31 and on the outer periphery of the sealing member 70 and restricts the expansion of the sealing member 70, has the following configuration.

As shown in fig. 1 and 5, in this embodiment, a pair of restricting

walls

35, 35 are disposed so as to extend in a curved shape in the circumferential direction of the seal pressing portion 29 with the pair of engaged

portions

33, 33 interposed therebetween. As shown in fig. 3 and 7, the respective restricting walls 35 are provided so as to extend to a length slightly more forward than the foremost end in the extending direction of the base member 20, and are overlapped (lap: overlapped) by a predetermined length in the axial direction of the seal member attaching portion 31. In other words, it can also be said that the distal end of the seal member attaching portion 31 in the projecting direction projects from the distal end of the restriction wall 35. The axial length (extension length) of each limiting wall 35 is a length that can cover the entire region of the sealing member 70 in the thickness direction (see fig. 7).

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, each of the restricting walls 35 is an arc-shaped wall formed with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the sealing member 70 when the base member 20 is viewed from the axial direction (when the base member 20 is viewed from the extending direction of the base member 20). Then, a seal member 70 is disposed between the pair of regulating

walls

35, 35 and the seal member attachment portion 31 disposed radially inward thereof (see fig. 6 and 7). That is, a pair of restricting

walls

35, 35 are disposed on the further outer periphery of the seal member 70 attached to the outer periphery of the seal member attaching portion 31, and the seal member 70 is restricted from expanding radially outward by the pair of restricting

walls

35, 35.

Further, the structure of the restricting wall 35 may be as follows. That is, it can also be said that: as shown in fig. 5, a pair of

cutout portions

39, 39 are formed at two diametrically opposed portions of an annular wall concentrically disposed on the outer periphery of the sealing member attaching portion 31, and a pair of regulating

walls

35, 35 are provided so as to separate the annular wall from each other with the pair of

cutout portions

39, 39 interposed therebetween. The engaged portion 33 is disposed at a position matching the notch portion 39.

As shown in fig. 1 and 3, a pair of thin-

walled ribs

37 and 37 arranged in parallel with each other are provided extending from the circumferential end edges (portions matching the engaged portions 33) of the pair of restricting walls 35 and from the surface (surface on the insertion direction F1 side of the base member 20) side thereof in the extending direction of the base member 20. One end of each rib 37 in the extending direction is connected to the back surface side of the flange portion 23.

Then, a notch 40 is formed between the pair of

ribs

37, 37. As shown in fig. 3, the cutout portion 40 is matched with the cutout portion 39 formed between the pair of regulating

walls

35, 35 in the circumferential direction of the base member 20, and as a result, the

cutout portions

39, 40 are continuously provided in the base member 20 in the axial direction thereof. These cut

portions

39 and 40 are arranged to face each other in the radial direction of the base member 20.

As described above, in this embodiment, the

cut portions

39 and 40 formed by cutting out a part of the outer periphery are provided on the outer periphery of the base member 20, and as shown in fig. 2, when the cap member 50 is attached to the base member 20, the elastic piece 59 of the cap member 50 enters these

cut portions

39 and 40.

As shown in fig. 1, 3, and 5, a pair of fixing

pieces

41 and 41 that are capable of being flexibly deformed obliquely outwardly extend from the outer peripheries of the circumferential centers of the pair of restricting

walls

35 and 35 toward the flange portion 23. As shown in fig. 5, the pair of fixing

pieces

41 and 41 are disposed so as to be orthogonal to the pair of engaged portions 33 and the pair of

cutout portions

39 and 39. Further, an engaging surface 41a having a conical surface shape is formed on an outer surface of a distal end portion of each fixed piece 41 in the extending direction. Then, as shown in fig. 7, the engaging surface 41a of each fixing piece 41 engages with the peripheral edge of the back side of the mounting hole 7a of the mounted member 7, whereby the base member 20 is fixed to the mounting hole 7a via the pair of fixing pieces 41, and the entire discharge device 10 is mounted to the mounted member 7.

As shown in fig. 8, the base member 20 is provided with a projection 43, and the projection 43 is formed at a position facing the guide surface 58 of the cap member 50, and serves as a guide when the cap member 50 is attached, and also holds the seal member 70 in a slip-off state. The projection 43 is also configured as follows: projects so as to project outwardly of the base member 20 and is located inside the cap member 50 to restrict radial movement of the cap member 50.

The projections 43 in this embodiment are provided to project from the outer periphery of the uppermost end portion of the sealing member attaching portion 31 at positions matching the

notches

39 and 40 and the engaged portion 33, and are configured as a pair of structures arranged at two diametrically opposed positions of the base member 20 (see fig. 3 and 5).

As shown in fig. 9 and the enlarged view of fig. 8, each protrusion 43 includes: a top portion 43 a that protrudes most outward in the radial direction from the outer surface of the seal member attachment portion 31; a tapered surface 43b formed on the outer surface of the base member 20 on the distal end side and having an inclined surface shape in which the projection amount gradually decreases from the apex portion 43 a toward the base member distal end; and an engaging surface 43c formed on the outer surface on the opposite side of the tapered surface 43b (the base end side of the base member 20) and having an inclined surface shape in which the amount of projection gradually decreases from the apex portion 43 a toward the base end of the base member.

As shown in fig. 7 and 8, when the cap member 50 is attached to the base member 20, the protrusions 43 are disposed in the peripheral wall 53 of the cap member 50, and are disposed to face the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 53, and the engagement surface 43c engages with the inner peripheral edge portion of the other end of the seal member 70 in the thickness direction. As a result, since the sealing member 70 is supported in contact with the seal pressing portion 29 at one end surface in the thickness direction and engaged with the engagement surface 43c of the projection 43 at the other end surface in the thickness direction, the sealing member 70 is held so as not to move in the axial direction with respect to the base member 20.

Further, in the state where the cap member 50 is attached to the base member 20, the protrusion 43 is arranged inside the peripheral wall 53 of the cap member 50, and therefore, even if the cap member 50 is to move in the radial direction with respect to the base member 20, the radial movement is restricted. In this embodiment, as shown in the partial enlarged views of fig. 7 and 8, when the cap member 50 is attached to the base member 20 via the elastic piece 59 and the claw portion 61, a predetermined clearance CL is generated between the top portion 43 a of the projection 43 and the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 53 of the cap member 50, and the projection 43 is restricted from abutting against the inner periphery of the peripheral wall 53 of the cap member 50.

Since the engagement surface 43c has an inclined surface shape, it is possible to cope with a thickness variation of the seal member 70. Further, when the seal member 70 is attached to the base member 20, the projection 43 is made less likely to hit the peripheral wall 53 of the cap member 50 by the tapered surface 43b (see fig. 8 and 9).

Next, a detailed structure of the cap member 50 detachably attached to the base member 20 will be described with reference to fig. 1 and 7 to 9.

The cap member 50 of this embodiment has: a cover 51 disposed to face the outlet 21b of the passage 21 of the base member 20; and a claw portion 61 engaged with the base member 20, wherein the cap member 50 is configured such that when the gas pressure at the gas discharge port 6 becomes a predetermined value or more, the engagement of the claw portion 61 with the base member 20 is released by the pressure received by the lid portion 51, and the cap member 50 is disengaged from the base member 20. The cap member 50 includes a flexible elastic piece 59 extending from the outer periphery of the lid portion 51, and the claw portion 61 is provided to protrude from the inner periphery of the elastic piece 59.

The cap member 50 is attached to the base member 20 by pressing the cap member 50 toward the outlet 21b side of the passage 21 of the base member 20 and engaging the claw portions 61 of the elastic pieces 59 with the engaged portions 33 of the base member 20, and the direction in which the cap member 50 is pressed into the base member 20 at this time is defined as "F2" (see fig. 7 and 8).

As shown in fig. 1, the lid portion 51 of the cap member 50 in this embodiment has a substantially circular plate shape, and serves as a portion for receiving the gas G flowing out from the outlet 21b of the passage 21 of the base member 20. (it can also be said that the pressure of the gas G at the gas discharge port 6 acts).

A peripheral wall 53 having a substantially cylindrical wall shape is provided so as to rise from an outer peripheral edge of the lid 51. The peripheral wall 53 is configured by a base portion 55 provided on the base end portion (end portion close to the lid portion 51) side in the standing direction, and a pressing wall portion 57 protruding in the axial direction of the peripheral wall 53 from the inner peripheral edge portion of the distal end surface 55 a in the standing direction of the base portion 55, and the outer diameter of the pressing wall portion 57 is smaller than that of the base portion 55. The pressing wall portion 57 presses the seal member 70 from the axial direction when the cap member 50 is attached to the base member 20 (see fig. 7 and 8). The inner diameters of the base portion 55 and the pressing wall portion 57 are the same.

As shown in fig. 7, the outer diameter of the base portion 55 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the restricting wall 35 of the base member 20 (here, the outer diameter of the base portion 55 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the restricting wall 35). Therefore, in a state where the cap member 50 is attached to the base member 20, the tip end surface of the regulating wall 35 of the base member 20 is disposed to face the tip end surface 55 a of the base portion 55.

The outer diameter of the pressing wall portion 57 is formed smaller than the inner diameter of the restricting wall 35, and the inner diameter of the pressing wall portion 57 is formed larger than the outer diameter of the sealing member attachment portion 31 (see fig. 7). Therefore, when the cap member 50 is attached to the base member 20, the pressing wall portion 57 enters a gap between the seal member attaching portion 31 of the base member 20 and the pair of restricting walls 35, and presses the seal member 70 disposed in the gap from the axial direction to compressively deform the seal member 70 (see fig. 7 and 8). As a result, the seal member 70 is deformed to expand radially outward.

Further, a pair of

elastic pieces

59, 59 protrude from radially opposed portions of the base portion 55 constituting the peripheral wall 53 and the outer peripheral edge portions thereof, respectively. The base end portion (fixed end portion) of each elastic piece 59 is connected to the outer peripheral edge portion of the distal end surface 55 a of the base portion 55 and extends beyond the distal end of the pressing wall portion 57 of the peripheral wall 53, and each elastic piece 59 is a strip-shaped piece having a length (overlapping length) that overlaps the engaged portion 33 when attached to the base member 20, and the distal end portion in the extending direction thereof is a free end portion and can be deformed by flexing inward or outward of the cap member 50. The pair of

elastic pieces

59 and 59 extend parallel to each other and parallel to the axial direction of the peripheral wall 53 of the cap member 50. The width of the elastic piece 59 in the circumferential direction is set to be narrower than the width of the notched

portions

39 and 40 of the base member 20, and the elastic piece can enter the notched

portions

39 and 40 when the cap member 50 is attached to the base member 20.

Further, a claw portion 61 is provided to protrude from the inner periphery of the distal end portion in the extending direction of the elastic piece 59. As shown in fig. 9 and the enlarged view of fig. 8, the pawl portion 61 includes: a top 63 projecting most from the inner peripheral surface of the elastic piece 59; a tapered surface 65 formed on the outer surface of the cap member 50 on the press-fitting direction F2 side (the side away from the lid 51) with respect to the base member 20, and having an inclined surface shape in which the amount of projection gradually decreases from the top 63 toward the distal end side in the direction of extension of the elastic piece 59; and an engagement surface 67 formed on an outer surface on the opposite side of the tapered surface 65 (opposite side to the press-fitting direction F2 of the cap member 50) and having an inclined surface shape in which the amount of projection gradually decreases from the top portion 63 toward the base end side in the extending direction of the elastic piece 59. The claw portion 61 is formed over the entire circumferential direction (width direction) of the elastic piece 59 (see fig. 1).

Then, in order to attach the cap member 50 to the base member 20, the cap member 50 is pressed into the base member 20. Then, the tapered surface 65 of the claw portion 61 is pressed by the distal end surface side of the seal pressing portion 29 of the base member 20 opposite to the engaged portion 33, and the elastic piece 59 is expanded and is deformed to be deflected out of the cap member 50 (may be said to be deformed in a direction away from the outer periphery of the base member 20). Thereafter, when the top 63 of the claw 61 goes beyond the engaged portion 33 of the base member 20, the elastic piece 59 elastically returns to be deformed into the cap member 50 (or deformed in a direction approaching the outer periphery of the base member 20), and the engaging surface 67 of the claw 61 engages with the horizontal surface 33 a and the curved surface 33b of the engaged portion 33 (see the partially enlarged view of fig. 8). As a result, the cap member 50 is attached to the base member 20 via the pair of

elastic pieces

59, 59 and the

claw portions

61, 61 thereof. In this state, as shown in the partially enlarged view of fig. 8, the engaged portion 33 of the base member 20 and the claw portion 61 of the cap member 50 are diagonally arranged.

In this embodiment, the engaging surface 67 having an inclined surface is provided on the pawl 61, and the pawl 61 is engaged with the engaged portion 33 including the curved surface 33b of the base member 20, whereby the engaging force of the cap member 50 with respect to the base member 20 is reduced as compared with a case where the engaging surface and the engaged portion of the pawl are both horizontal surfaces and are engaged with each other. Thus, it is configured to: when the gas pressure at the gas discharge port 6 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and the pressure of the gas G flowing into the passage 21 from the inlet 21 a of the base member 20 and flowing out from the outlet 21b becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the pair of

elastic pieces

59 and 59 are respectively deformed by being flexed outward via the lid portion 51 of the cap member 50 pressed by the gas G (see the two-dot chain line in the partially enlarged view of fig. 8), the engagement of the claw portion 61 with the engaged portion 33 of the base member 20 is released, and the cap member 50 is detached from the base member 20.

In the elastic piece 59 of this embodiment, when the top portion 63 of the claw portion 61 goes beyond the engaged portion 33 and the elastic piece 59 elastically returns as described above, the elastic piece 59 does not completely return to the state of not being deformed outward by the deflection toward the cap member 50 (see fig. 9), but the claw portion 61 engages with the engaged portion 33 while the elastic piece 59 maintains the state of being slightly deformed outward by the deflection toward the cap member 50.

As shown in the enlarged partial view of fig. 8, the inclination angle θ of the engagement surface 67 of the claw portion 61 is preferably 60 ° to 85 °, and more preferably 75 ° to 80 °, with respect to the press-fitting direction F2 of the cap member 50 to the base member 20 (here, the direction along the axial direction of the peripheral wall 53 of the cap member 50).

(modification example)

In the embodiments described above, the shapes, structures, layouts, and the like of the power storage device, the housing, the gas discharge pipe, the pipe holding member, the gas discharge port, and the like are not limited to the above-described configurations. For example, in this embodiment, the power storage device 1 is grouped into two, but the power storage device may be grouped into three or more groups via connectors and pipes. The gas discharge port 6 is a downward opening, but may be a lateral opening.

The shapes and structures of the base member, the cap member, the seal member, the gasket, and the like constituting the gas discharge device for electric storage equipment are not limited to those described above.

For example, the base member 20 has the connecting portion 25 and the insertion portion 27 and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole, but may be formed in a substantially square cylindrical shape or a substantially elliptical cylindrical shape, for example, as long as it is fixed to the gas discharge port and has a passage therein communicating with the gas discharge port. In the base member 20 of the present embodiment, the connecting portion 25 is inserted and fixed into the gas discharge port 6 of the gas discharge pipe 4, but it may be: the tube is inserted into the base member and the base member is fixed to the gas discharge port of the tube.

In the base member 20 of the present embodiment, two (a pair of) engaged portions 33, the restricting wall 35, and the fixing piece 41 are provided, respectively, but one of these may be three or more.

In the present embodiment, the engaged portion 33 is provided on a part of the front surface side of the seal holding portion 29 having the annular projecting shape (a position corresponding to the notch portion 39), but for example, a recessed portion into which the claw portion can be fitted may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the base member, and the inner surface of the recessed portion may be used as the engaged portion.

The base member 20 of the present embodiment has the pair of arcuate regulating walls 35, but the regulating walls may be continuous annular frame-shaped walls (annular, square annular, elliptical annular, etc.) having no cut-off portion or a plurality of narrow walls (a plurality of walls arranged separately) arranged at a predetermined interval along the outer periphery of the seal member, for example, as long as the regulating walls are arranged on the outer periphery of the seal member and have a shape and a structure capable of regulating the spread thereof.

Further, the base member 20 of the present embodiment has the pair of fixing

pieces

41, 41 in the anchor foot shape, but for example, it is also possible to provide: the base member is provided with an engaging projection on its outer periphery to engage the engaging projection with the mounting hole of the member to be mounted, and the mounting structure of the base member to the mounting hole is not particularly limited.

In the cap member 50 of the present embodiment, the lid portion 51 has a substantially circular plate shape corresponding to the substantially cylindrical insertion portion 27 of the base member 20, but the lid portion may have a substantially square plate shape, a substantially elliptical plate shape, or the like, for example, as long as it covers the outlet of the passage of the base member and blocks the gas flowing out from the outlet.

Further, in this embodiment, the pair of

elastic pieces

59, 59 is provided corresponding to the pair of engaged

portions

33, 33 of the base member 20, but the number of the elastic pieces may be one or three or more as long as the cap member can be attached to the base member.

In this embodiment, the claw portion 61 is provided to protrude from the inner periphery of the distal end portion of the elastic piece 59, but may be provided midway in the extending direction of the elastic piece as the claw portion as long as it can engage with the engaged portion.

In the present embodiment, the claw portion 61 is engaged with the engaged portion 33 in a state where the elastic piece 59 is deformed by being deflected outward (see a partially enlarged view of fig. 8), but: the claw portion is engaged with the engaged portion in a state where the elastic piece is not deformed to be outwardly deflected.

In the present embodiment, the cap member 50 is configured such that the elastic piece 59 is deformed outward and the cap member 50 is detached from the base member 20 when the air pressure is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and as a configuration therefor, the inclination angle of the engaging surface 67 of the claw portion 61 on the cap member 50 side is set to an angle of preferably 60 ° to 85 °, more preferably 75 ° to 80 °, and the horizontal surface 33 a and the curved surface 33b are provided on the engaged portion 33 on the base member 20 side.

For example, the following configuration may be adopted: (1) The engaging surface of the claw of the cap member is a curved surface, while the engaged portion of the base member is a horizontal surface only, or a combination of a horizontal surface and a curved surface, or a combination of a horizontal surface and an inclined surface; (2) The engaging surface of the claw portion of the cap member is an inclined surface, while the engaged portion of the base member is only a horizontal surface or a combination of a horizontal surface and an inclined surface; (3) The engaging surface of the claw portion of the cap member is set to a horizontal surface, while the engaged portion of the base member is set to a combination of a horizontal surface and a curved surface or a combination of a horizontal surface and an inclined surface; (4) Setting the engaged part of the base member as an inclined surface and adjusting the inclination angle thereof, and (5) setting the combination of the above (1) to (4); then, (6) the thickness, width, length, etc. of the claw portion are appropriately set to adjust the engagement (engagement area) with respect to the base member.

The sealing member 70 and the gasket 8 are both annular, but they may be Fang Huanzhuang, an elliptical ring, or the like, for example, and may be appropriately modified according to the shape, structure, or the like of the base member.

The lid 51 of the cap member 50 has a function of receiving the pressure of the gas G, but a member having a pressure regulating function of allowing only a predetermined flow rate of gas such as gas without allowing moisture to pass therethrough may be used as the lid.

(Effect)

Next, the operational effects of the discharge device 10 of the present invention configured as described above will be described.

First, an assembling process of the discharge apparatus 10 will be described.

That is, the seal member 70 is inserted into the gap between the seal member attaching portion 31 of the base member 20 and the pair of regulating walls 35, and the seal member 70 is press-fitted until it abuts against the seal pressing portion 29. Then, one end surface in the thickness direction of the seal member 70 is supported in contact with the seal pressing portion 29, and the other end surface in the thickness direction is supported in engagement with the engagement surface 43c of the projection 43, so that the seal member 70 is held so as not to move in the axial direction with respect to the base member 20.

In a state where the seal member 70 is attached to the base member 20 as described above, after the pair of

elastic pieces

59 and 59 of the cap member 50 are aligned with the

cutout portions

39 and 40 on one side in the radial direction and the

cutout portions

39 and 40 on the other side in the radial direction of the base member 20 as shown in fig. 1, the cap member 50 is pressed into the base member 20 in the direction indicated by F2 in fig. 8. Then, the tapered surface 65 of the claw portion 61 is pressed by the distal end surface side of the seal pressing portion 29, and the elastic piece 59 is expanded to be deformed by being deflected outward.

After that, when the pawl 61 goes beyond the engaged portion 33, the elastic piece 59 elastically returns to enter the

notch portions

39, 40 of the base member 20, and the engaging surface 67 of the pawl 61 engages with the horizontal surface 33 a and the curved surface 33b of the engaged portion 33 (see the partially enlarged view of fig. 8), so that the cap member 50 can be attached to the base member 20 in a state where the seal member 70 is sandwiched between the base member 20 and the cap member 50 as shown in fig. 8. At this time, since the distal end surface 55 a of the base portion 55 of the cap member 50 is disposed to face the distal end surface of the restricting wall 35 of the base member 20 (see fig. 7), even if the cap member 50 is excessively pressed against the base member 20, both the distal end surfaces abut against each other and function as a press-in stopper, and the seal member 70 can be prevented from being compressed more than necessary and worn. As shown in fig. 7, the outer diameter of the base portion 55 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the restricting wall 35 of the base member 20 (here, the outer diameter of the base portion 55 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the restricting wall 35). Therefore, in a state where the cap member 50 is attached to the base member 20, the base member 20 is loaded on the tip end face 55 a of the base 55.

Thereafter, the gasket 8 is disposed on the back side of the flange portion 23 of the base member 20, and the insertion portion 27 of the base member 20 is inserted from the front side opening of the mounting hole 7a of the member 7 to be mounted. Then, when the pair of fixing

pieces

41 and 41 are pressed by the inner periphery of the mounting hole 7a and deformed to be flexed inward and the engaging surface 41a of the fixing piece 41 comes out from the rear side opening of the mounting hole 7a, the pair of fixing

pieces

41 and 41 elastically return, and the engaging

surfaces

41a and 41a thereof engage with the rear side peripheral edge of the mounting hole 7a, whereby the discharge device 10 can be mounted in the mounting hole 7a (see fig. 7). In this state, the gasket 8 is sandwiched between the flange portion 23 of the base member 20 and the front side peripheral edge of the mounting hole 7a of the mounting target member 7, and water tightness is ensured.

Then, when gas G is generated in the power storage device 1 due to the supply of electric power to the drive source and the electric appliance mounting component of the power storage device 1, the external environment or the internal environment of the power storage device 1, or the like (for example, in the case of a power storage device such as a lithium ion battery, when electric power is supplied by driving a motor or the like, gas is generated due to a chemical reaction of an electrolyte solution), the gas G flows through the connector 3 and the gas discharge pipe 4 to the gas discharge port 6, but when the gas pressure at the gas discharge port 6 becomes a predetermined value or more, the cap member 50 is detached from the base member 20.

That is, the gas G flows into the passage 21 from the inlet 21 a of the base member 20, flows through the passage 21, flows out from the outlet 21b, and presses the lid portion 51 of the cap member 50, but when the gas pressure at the gas discharge port 6 becomes a predetermined value or more, the pressure of the gas G (see fig. 8) acting on the lid portion 51 of the cap member 50 also becomes a predetermined value or more. Then, the lid portion 51 of the cap member 50 is pressed by the gas G, and therefore the engaging surface 67 of the claw portion 61 is pressed by the curved surface 33b of the engaged portion 33, and the elastic piece 59 is deformed outward of the cap member 50 by being deflected via the claw portion 61 as shown by the two-dot chain line in the partially enlarged view of fig. 8. As a result, the engaging surface 67 of the pawl 61 is disengaged from the horizontal surface 33 a and the curved surface 33b of the engaged portion 33, and the engagement between the engaged portion 33 and the pawl 61 is released, so that the cap member 50 is disengaged from the base member 20 as shown in fig. 9. The pair of

elastic pieces

59 and 59 of the cap member 50 disengaged from the base member 20 are completely elastically restored to be parallel to the axial direction of the peripheral wall 53 of the cap member 50.

As described above, in the discharge device 10, when the gas pressure at the gas discharge port 6 of the electric storage apparatus 1 becomes a predetermined value or more, the lid portion 51 of the cap member 50 is pressed by the gas pressure, the elastic piece 59 is deformed outward by flexing and the claw portion 61 is disengaged from the engaged portion 33 of the base member 20, and thereby the cap member 50 is disengaged from the base member 20.

At this time, although the air pressure also acts on the seal member 70 to expand it in the radial direction (see the horizontal arrows in fig. 7), the expansion is restricted by the pair of restricting

walls

35, 35 of the base member 20, and therefore, the sealing performance of the seal member 70 between the base member 20 and the cap member 50 is maintained and the air pressure sufficiently acts on the lid portion 51 of the cap member 50. That is, the sealing performance between the base member 20 and the cap member 50 is maintained by the regulating wall 35, so that the gas G does not escape from the gas discharge port 6 through the sealing member 70 (no gas is discharged), and the gas pressure of the gas G reliably acts on the lid portion 51 of the cap member 50. As a result, the cap member 50 can be reliably detached from the base member 20. Since the seal member attaching portion 31 of the base member 20 is located inside the seal member 70, the diameter reduction is restricted even if the diameter reduction is attempted in the radial direction when the air pressure acts on the seal member 70.

In this way, in the discharge device 10, the cap member 50 can be reliably detached from the base member 20 when the gas pressure in the gas discharge port 6 increases while the sealing performance between the base member 20 and the cap member 50 is maintained, and the gas G can be discharged from the power storage equipment 1.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in the partially enlarged view of fig. 8, the cap member 50 has an elastic piece 59 extending from the lid portion 51, a claw portion 61 is formed in the elastic piece 59, and the cap member 50 is configured such that the claw portion 61 engages with the base member 20 in a state where the elastic piece 59 is deformed to be deflected outward.

According to the above configuration, the claw portion 61 can be firmly engaged with the base member 20 by the elastic restoring force of the elastic piece 59, and the cap member 50 can be attached to the base member 20 in a stable posture (here, the cap member 50 can be attached to the base member 20 in a posture in which the axial center of the base member 20 coincides with the axial center of the peripheral wall 53 of the cap member 50), and the cap member 50 can be more reliably detached from the base member 20 at a predetermined air pressure.

Also, in this embodiment, as shown in fig. 7 and 8, the cap member 50 has a pressing wall portion 57, and the pressing wall portion 57 presses the seal member 70 from the axial direction when the cap member 50 is attached to the base member 20.

According to the above-described aspect, when the cap member 50 is attached to the base member 20, the seal member 70 is pushed from the axial direction by the push wall portion 57, and therefore, the seal member 70 is held in the axial direction of the base member 20, and the cap member 50 can be easily detached from the base member 20 at a predetermined air pressure (the cap member 50 is easily detached from the base member 20 because of the configuration in which the seal member 70 is not in sliding contact in the radial direction of the cap member 50).

Further, when the cap member 50 is attached to the base member 20, the seal member 70 is pressed by the pressing wall portion 57 of the cap member 50, and the seal member 70 is compressed, so that the sealing property between the base member 20 and the seal member 70 can be improved.

Further, when the cap member 50 is attached to the base member 20, the seal member 70 is pressed by the pressing wall portion 57 of the cap member 50, and therefore, rattling of the seal member 70 with respect to the base member 20 can be suppressed.

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 8, the base member 20 is provided with a projection 43, and the projection 43 projects outward from the base member 20 and is positioned inside the cap member 50, thereby restricting the radial movement of the cap member 50 and retaining the seal member 70 against separation.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in fig. 8, the cap member 50 has a guide surface 58, the guide surface 58 being disposed on the outer periphery of the base member 20 when the cap member 50 is attached to the base member 20, and the base member 20 is provided with: an engaged portion 33 with which the pawl portion 61 is engaged; and a protrusion 43 formed at a position facing the guide surface 58 of the cap member 50, which serves as a guide when the cap member 50 is attached, and which holds the seal member 70 in a slip-off manner.

According to the above aspect, the sealing member 70 is retained by the projection 43 in the axial direction of the base member 20 so as to be prevented from coming off the base member 20. As a result, when the air pressure acts on the sealing member 70, the sealing member 70 is prevented from coming off the base member 20, the sealing property between the base member 20 and the cap member 50 is reliably maintained, and the air pressure can sufficiently act on the lid portion 51 of the cap member 50.

Further, when the cap member 50 is attached to the base member 20, the guide surface 58 of the cap member 50 is guided by the protrusion 43 of the base member 20, and therefore, the cap member 50 can be easily attached to the base member 20, and the cap member 50 can be attached to the base member 20 in a stable posture, and the cap member 50 can be more reliably detached from the base member 20 at a prescribed air pressure while suppressing deviation in the engagement condition (engagement area) of the claw portion 61 with respect to the base member 20.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in the partially enlarged view of fig. 8, when the cap member 50 is attached to the base member 20, a predetermined clearance CL is generated between the protrusion 43 and the guide surface 58 of the cap member 50. Therefore, as described above, the guiding property when the cap member 50 is attached to the base member 20 can be further improved by the protrusion portion 43 and the guide surface 58. Further, since the predetermined clearance CL is provided between the protrusion 43 and the guide surface 58 of the cap member 50 when the cap member 50 is attached to the base member 20, when the gas pressure at the gas discharge port 6 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined value and the cap member 50 is to be detached from the base member 20, frictional resistance does not act between the guide surface 58 of the cap member 50 and the protrusion 43 of the base member 20, and the cap member 50 can be smoothly detached from the base member 20.

In this embodiment, the base member 20 is provided with

notches

39 and 40 into which the elastic piece 59 is inserted, the

notches

39 and 40 being formed by cutting a part of the outer periphery thereof, and a projection 43 (see fig. 3) being provided at a position corresponding to the

notches

39 and 40.

According to the above-described aspect, when the cap member 50 is attached to the base member 20, as shown in fig. 2, the elastic pieces 59 of the cap member 50 enter the notched

portions

39, 40 of the base member 20, and therefore, the elastic pieces 59 can be suppressed from protruding outward in the radial direction, and the gas discharge apparatus 10 can be made compact in the radial direction. Further, when the cap member 50 is attached to the base member 20, the elastic pieces 59 of the cap member 50 enter the

notch portions

39, 40 of the base member 20, and therefore, the cap member 50 can be attached to the base member 20 in a state where rotation is restricted with respect to the base member 20. Further, the base member 20 is provided with the notched

portions

39, 40, and therefore, the seal member 70 can be easily attached to the seal member attaching portion 31 of the base member 20 by using the notched

portions

39, 40. Further, since the

projections

43 and 43 are provided at positions of the base member 20 corresponding to the

notches

39 and 40, there is no undercut portion at the time of mold release of the

projections

43 and 43, and the

projections

43 and 43 can be easily molded.

Further, in this embodiment, when the cap member 50 is attached to the base member 20, as shown in the partially enlarged view of fig. 8, the engaged portion 33 of the base member 20 and the claw portion 61 of the cap member 50 are arranged on the diagonal line, and therefore, from this viewpoint, the discharge device 10 can also be made compact in the radial direction.

In this embodiment, since the pair of

ribs

37 and 37 are provided on the outer periphery of the base member 20 and the elastic piece 59 and the claw 61 of the cap member 50 are disposed therebetween, even if an external force acts from the outside of the base member 20, the external force is less likely to act on the elastic piece 59 and the claw 61, and the attached state of the base member 20 and the cap member 50 can be firmly maintained.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention, and such embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A gas discharge device for power storage equipment, which discharges gas when a gas pressure at a gas discharge port of the power storage equipment is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the gas discharge device for power storage equipment comprising:

a base member fixed to the gas discharge port and having a passage therein communicating with the gas discharge port;

a cap member removably attached to the base member in a manner to block an outlet of the passage of the base member; and

a sealing member disposed between the base member and the cap member, and sealing a gap between the base member and the cap member,

the cap member has: a cover portion disposed to face an outlet of the passage of the base member; and a claw portion engaged with the base member, wherein the cap member is configured such that when the gas pressure at the gas discharge port is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the engagement of the claw portion with the base member is released by the pressure applied to the lid portion, and the cap member is disengaged from the base member,

the base member is provided with: a sealing member attaching portion to which the sealing member is attached; and a restricting wall disposed on an outer periphery of the seal member and restricting expansion of the seal member.

2. The gas discharge device for power storage equipment according to claim 1,

the cap member has an elastic piece extending from the lid portion, the claw portion is formed in the elastic piece, and the cap member is configured such that the claw portion is engaged with the base member in a state where the elastic piece is deformed by being deflected outward.

3. The gas discharge device for power storage equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the cap member has a pressing wall portion that presses the seal member from the axial direction when the cap member is attached to the base member.

4. The gas discharge device for power storage equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the cap member has a guide surface that is arranged on an outer periphery of the base member when the cap member is attached to the base member,

the base member is provided with: an engaged portion for engaging the claw portion; and a protrusion formed at a position facing the guide surface of the cap member, serving as a guide when the cap member is attached, and retaining the seal member against coming off.

5. The gas discharge device for power storage equipment according to claim 4, wherein,

the cap member has an elastic piece extending from the lid portion, the claw portion being formed on the elastic piece,

the base member is provided with a notch part which is formed by cutting off a part of the periphery of the base member and into which the elastic piece enters,

the projection is provided at a position matching the notch.