CN116235347A

CN116235347A - Lead storage battery

Info

Publication number: CN116235347A
Application number: CN202180064481.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 森井达也; 安藤和成
Original assignee: GS Yuasa International Ltd
Current assignee: GS Yuasa International Ltd
Priority date: 2020-09-29
Filing date: 2021-09-27
Publication date: 2023-06-06
Also published as: WO2022071200A1; JP2022055574A

Abstract

A lead-acid battery (1) is provided with: a first filter (36 b) disposed in a common passage (26 a) at a position where the gases generated in the respective battery chambers (13) pass through in common; opening/closing valves (36 c, 36 h) that are arranged in a common passage (26 a) at positions through which the gas generated in each cell (13) passes in common, and that are opened by the pressure of the gas; and a second filter (37) disposed in each of the independent passages (27 a).

Description

Lead storage battery

Technical Field

The technology disclosed in this specification relates to lead storage batteries.

Background

In general, a lead acid battery has a plurality of battery chambers in which electrodes and an electrolyte are housed, and gas (for example, moisture evaporated from the electrolyte) generated in each battery chamber is discharged to the outside through an exhaust port. When the gas generated in each cell is discharged to the outside, the electrolyte is reduced. Therefore, if the electrolyte is reduced to some extent, it is necessary to replenish the purified water to each cell. In order to reduce the frequency of this operation, it is preferable to suppress the reduction of the electrolytic solution.

For this reason, conventionally, the following lead storage batteries are known: the battery includes a common passage through which gas generated in each battery chamber is discharged from a common exhaust port to the outside, and a filter disposed in the common passage, wherein an opening/closing valve is disposed in the common passage, and the exhaust resistance of the common passage is increased by the opening/closing valve, thereby suppressing a decrease in electrolyte (for example, refer to patent document 1). Specifically, the lead acid battery described in patent document 1 includes: an electrolytic cell having an upper opening; a middle cover for sealing the opening of the electrolytic cell; and an upper cover disposed on the middle cover. In the lead acid battery, a common passage and an independent passage for independently connecting each battery chamber and the common passage are formed between the middle cover and the upper cover, and a filter and a passage opening/closing valve are disposed in the common passage.

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2020-17460

Disclosure of Invention

However, the lead acid battery described in patent document 1 has room for improvement in suppressing the variation in the level of the electrolyte between the battery cells and the reduction in the electrolyte in each battery cell.

In the present specification, a technique is disclosed for suppressing the variation in the liquid level of the electrolyte between the battery chambers and the reduction of the electrolyte in each battery chamber.

A lead acid battery having a plurality of battery chambers for accommodating electrodes and an electrolyte, comprising: a common passage portion forming a common passage for discharging the gas generated in each of the battery chambers from a common exhaust port to the outside; an independent passage portion provided for each of the battery chambers, the independent passage portion forming an independent passage for independently communicating the battery chamber with the common passage; a first filter disposed in the common passage at a position where the gas generated in each of the battery chambers passes in common; an opening/closing valve disposed in a common passage at a position where the gas generated in each of the battery chambers passes through the common passage, the opening/closing valve being opened by a pressure of the gas; and a second filter disposed in each of the independent passages.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a lead acid battery according to embodiment 1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electrolytic cell.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the cover member viewed from below.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the lead storage battery.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the lead storage battery.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the lead storage battery.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a modular component.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a modular component.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a modular component.

Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the filter with valve function.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the liquid port plug.

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid port plug.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the splash guard.

Detailed Description

(outline of the present embodiment)

(1) According to one aspect of the present invention, a lead acid battery having a plurality of battery chambers in which electrodes and an electrolyte are accommodated includes: a common passage portion forming a common passage for discharging the gas generated in each of the battery chambers from a common exhaust port to the outside; an independent passage portion provided for each of the battery chambers, the independent passage portion forming an independent passage for independently communicating the battery chamber with the common passage; a first filter disposed in the common passage at a position where the gas generated in each of the battery chambers passes in common; an opening/closing valve disposed in a common passage at a position where the gas generated in each of the battery chambers passes through the common passage, the opening/closing valve being opened by a pressure of the gas; and a second filter disposed in each of the independent passages.

The "exhaust from the common exhaust port" means that the gas generated in each battery chamber is exhausted from the same exhaust port to the outside.

Since the lead acid battery described in patent document 1 has no filter disposed in the independent passage, the distance from each battery compartment to the filter (the filter disposed in the common passage) varies depending on the battery compartment. The inventors of the present application found that: if the distance from each cell chamber to the filter is different depending on the cell chamber, the liquid level of the electrolyte is likely to be different between the cell chambers. Specifically, the cell having a shorter distance to the filter is likely to have less electrolyte because the gas is likely to reach the filter than the cell having a longer distance to the filter. Therefore, the liquid level of the electrolyte is liable to be non-uniform among the battery chambers.

In the case of a lead acid battery mounted in an automobile, the battery chamber at the end is susceptible to the heat of the engine, so that the liquid reduction of the battery chamber at the end is easy to advance. Therefore, the liquid level may not be uniform among the battery chambers due to the influence of the heat of the engine.

According to the lead acid battery, the first filter is disposed not only in the common passage but also in the independent passage. If the second filter is disposed in the independent passage, the distance from each battery chamber to the second filter becomes uniform, and therefore the manner of reducing the electrolyte is likely to become uniform. Therefore, the variation in the level of the electrolyte can be suppressed as compared with the lead acid battery described in patent document 1. Even when the liquid level is not uniform due to the influence of heat, the second filter is disposed to make it difficult for the gas to pass through, so that the liquid level of the electrolyte can be suppressed from being non-uniform.

And, the present inventors found that: since the lead acid battery described in patent document 1 has no filter disposed in the independent passage, the electrolyte is easily reduced even if the on-off valve is provided in the common passage. Specifically, if the filter is not disposed in the independent passage, the pressure in each cell is less likely to rise even if the on-off valve is provided in the common passage. Therefore, it takes time until the pressure in the battery chamber becomes the saturated vapor pressure (the pressure at which the gas returns to the liquid). If time is spent until the saturated vapor pressure becomes the saturated vapor pressure, the amount of gas passing through the filter (filter disposed in the common passage) increases during this period, and thus the electrolyte is liable to decrease.

According to the lead acid battery described above, since the first filter and the on-off valve are disposed in the common passage and the second filter is disposed in the independent passage, the exhaust resistance is increased as compared with the lead acid battery described in patent document 1. Therefore, the pressure in the battery chamber rises to the saturated vapor pressure in a shorter time than the lead-acid battery described in patent document 1, and the electrolyte is less likely to decrease.

Therefore, according to the lead acid battery described above, it is possible to suppress the variation in the level of the electrolyte between the battery cells and the reduction in the electrolyte in each battery cell, as compared with the lead acid battery described in patent document 1.

(2) According to one aspect of the present invention, a lead acid battery may be provided with: an electrolytic cell having an upper side open and an inside divided into a plurality of cell compartments; and a cover member that closes the opening and integrally forms the common passage portion.

The lead acid battery described in patent document 1 includes a middle cover and an outer cover, and a common passage is provided between the middle cover and the outer cover. That is, the cover of the lead acid battery described in patent document 1 has a double-layer structure. Therefore, the number of parts increases as compared with the case where the cover has a single-layer structure. According to the lead acid battery described above, the common passage portion is integrated with the cover member, so that the cover member does not have to be of a double-layer structure. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced.

(3) According to an aspect of the present invention, the cover member may include: the liquid injection port is arranged on each battery chamber; and a liquid port plug for plugging the liquid injection port, wherein the common passage portion includes: a first tube portion provided for each of the liquid injection ports, and extending downward from a lower surface of the cover member so as to surround the liquid injection port; and a communication path portion that forms a communication path that communicates adjacent first cylinder portions with each other, wherein the independent path portion is provided integrally with the liquid port plug, and has a second cylinder portion that extends downward from a lower surface of the liquid port plug in a cylindrical shape, that accommodates the second filter therein, and that has an opening formed in an outer peripheral surface, and that is in close contact with an inner peripheral surface of the first cylinder portion at a portion of the second cylinder portion below the opening, and that allows gas flowing into the second cylinder portion to pass through the second filter and flow from the opening into the common path.

According to the lead acid battery described above, the second filter is disposed in the independent passage, and therefore the distances from the respective battery chambers to the second filter become uniform. Therefore, the reduction system of the electrolyte is easily equalized, and the variation in the liquid level of the electrolyte can be suppressed.

Further, according to the lead acid battery described above, since the second filter is also disposed in the independent passage, the exhaust resistance increases as compared with the case where the second filter is not disposed in the independent passage. The electrolyte solution becomes less likely to decrease.

(4) According to an aspect of the present invention, the first filter and the opening/closing valve may be formed as a single member, the member may be provided with a blocking member that blocks the opening of the common passage and that is provided with the exhaust port, and the member may be mounted in the common passage from outside.

The cover of the lead acid battery described in patent document 1 has a double-layer structure. In the case where the cover has a double-layer structure, the inner portion of the common passage can be easily accessed by removing the upper cover before the middle cover and the upper cover are joined by thermal welding or the like. Therefore, the first filter and the on-off valve can be easily arranged in the common passage.

In contrast, the cover member of the lead acid battery has a single-layer structure. In the case where the cover member has a single-layer structure, it is difficult to access the interior of the common passage, and therefore it is difficult to dispose the first filter and the on-off valve in the interior of the common passage.

According to the lead acid battery described above, the first filter and the on-off valve are formed as one member, and therefore, the first filter and the on-off valve can be easily disposed in the common passage by disposing the member in the common passage from the outside.

(5) According to an aspect of the present invention, the member may include: a third cylindrical portion having a bottom and extending from the sealing member to the inside of the lead storage battery so as to surround the exhaust port, the front end side of the third cylindrical portion being sealed; a fourth cylindrical portion having a bottom cylindrical shape integrally formed below the third cylindrical portion and opening downward, and an opening communicating an inner space of the third cylindrical portion with an inner space of the fourth cylindrical portion is formed in a top wall of the fourth cylindrical portion; a tubular filter housing which is housed in the fourth tubular portion, and which houses the first filter inside, and which houses a plate-like valve body below the first filter; and a valve seat integrally formed at a lower end portion of the filter housing, wherein the valve body is seated in a horizontal posture, and the opening/closing valve is lifted upward by the gas flowing from the battery chamber to the common passage through the valve body to open the valve.

Embodiment 1 >

Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 14. In the following description, the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction are referred to as the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction shown in fig. 1. In the following description, the same constituent members may be omitted except for some portions.

(1) Lead storage battery structure

A lead acid storage battery 1 according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to fig. 1. The lead-acid battery 1 is mounted in an automobile, and supplies electric power to an engine starting device (starter motor), auxiliary machines (electric power steering device, electric brake, headlight, air conditioner, etc.). The lead storage battery 1 is a liquid lead storage battery, and includes: an electrolytic cell 10 made of synthetic resin, which is open at the upper side; and a cover member 11 made of synthetic resin for closing the opening of the electrolytic cell 10.

As shown in fig. 2, the electrolytic cell 10 has a rectangular shape when viewed from above, and 5 partition walls 12 are formed at equal intervals in the left-right direction inside. The interior of the electrolytic cell 10 is divided into 6 cell chambers 13 by these partition walls 12.

As shown in fig. 1, the cover member 11 has a frame 14 extending downward from four sides. A projection 15 projecting upward in a T-shape is formed on the cover member 11. On the upper surface of the cover member 11, a positive electrode external terminal 16 is fixed to one of two corners where the protruding portion 15 is not formed, and a negative electrode external terminal 17 is fixed to the other corner.

As shown in fig. 3, when viewed from below, the protruding portion 15 of the cover member 11 is formed as a concave portion recessed upward in a T shape. On the back surface of the cover member 11, 5 partition walls 18 are formed corresponding to the partition walls 12 formed in the electrolytic cell 10.

As shown in fig. 4, the lower end surface of the partition wall 18 formed on the rear surface of the cover member 11 is connected to the upper end surface of the partition wall 12 formed in the electrolytic cell 10 by thermal welding or the like. Thereby separating the battery chambers 13.

Each of the battery chambers 13 accommodates an electrode plate group 19 and an electrolyte 50 made of dilute sulfuric acid. The electrode group 19 is formed by alternately stacking positive electrode plates 19a and negative electrode plates 19b in the lateral direction with separators 19c interposed therebetween. Each of the

electrode plates

19a and 19b is formed by filling an active material into a cell body. Positive electrode plate 19a and negative electrode plate 19b are examples of electrodes.

As shown in fig. 5, an ear 20 is provided at the upper end of each of the

pole plates

19a, 19 b. As shown in fig. 4, the ears 20 of the

pole plates

19a, 19b of the same polarity in one battery compartment 13 are connected by a connecting piece 21. The connection piece 21 is, for example, a plate-like shape long in the lateral direction, and 1 set of connection pieces 21 for positive electrodes and connection pieces 21 for negative electrodes are provided for each cell 13.

As shown in fig. 2, an opening 22 is formed in the partition wall 12. As shown in fig. 4, the positive and negative connection pieces 21 of the adjacent battery cells 13 are connected by welding or the like via the openings 22. Thereby, the electrode plate groups 19 of the respective battery cells 13 are connected in series.

The positive electrode external terminal 16 and the negative electrode external terminal 17 will be described with reference to fig. 5. The structure of the positive electrode external terminal 16 is substantially the same as that of the negative electrode external terminal 17, and therefore, the negative electrode external terminal 17 will be described as an example. The negative electrode external terminal 17 includes a bushing 17a and a post 17b. The bush 17a is made of a metal such as a lead alloy, and is formed in a cylindrical shape. An upper portion of the bush 17a protrudes upward from the upper surface of the cover member 11. The pole 17b is made of a metal such as a lead alloy, and is formed in a columnar shape. The pole 17b is inserted inside the bushing 17a, and the lower side protrudes downward from the bushing 17 a. The lower end portion of the post 17b is connected to a connection piece 21 for the negative electrode housed in the leftmost battery chamber 13 by welding or the like.

As shown in fig. 1, a liquid inlet 23 is provided at a position above each battery chamber 13 in the T-shaped protruding portion 15 of the cover member 11. The liquid inlet 23 is an opening for injecting the electrolyte 50 into each cell chamber 13, and is an opening for replenishing the water replenishing liquid in the case where the electrolyte 50 in the cell chamber 13 is reduced.

As shown in fig. 6, the liquid inlet 23 includes: a concave portion 23a recessed in a circular shape; and an opening 23b formed in the bottom wall of the recess 23 a. The filling port 23 is closed by a filling port plug 25. The liquid port plug 25 will be described later.

As shown in fig. 3, a common passage 26 is provided on the lower surface of the cover member 11, and the common passage 26 forms a common passage 26a (see fig. 7) for discharging the gas generated in each of the battery chambers 13 to the outside. As will be described in detail later, the lead acid battery 1 further includes an independent passage portion that forms an independent passage 27a (see fig. 13) that independently communicates the battery chambers 13 with the common passage 26 a.

Hereinafter, the liquid port plug 25, the common passage 26a, and the independent passage 27a will be specifically described. Here, the common passage 26a will be described first, and the liquid port plug 25 and the independent passage 27a will be described later.

(1-1) common passage

As shown in fig. 3, the common passage portion 26 includes: the first tube portion 30 is provided for each of the liquid injection ports 23; and a communication path 31 provided between the adjacent first cylinder portions 30. The communication path portion 31 is also provided on the left side of the leftmost first cylinder portion 30 and the right side of the rightmost first cylinder portion 30.

As shown in fig. 7, the common passage 26a has: an arc-shaped passage between the inner peripheral surface of the first tube portion 30 and the outer peripheral surface of a second tube portion 25b described later of the liquid port plug 25; and a linear communication path formed by the communication path portion 31.

As shown in fig. 6, the opening 23b surrounding the pouring port 23 of the first tube portion 30 extends downward from the lower surface 11a (see fig. 3) of the lid member 11 into a cylindrical shape. A screw thread 32 protruding spirally is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first cylinder portion 30. The thread 32 is not long enough to be wound around the inner peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 30.

As shown in fig. 3 and 6, slits 33 extending upward from the lower end of the first tube 30 are formed on the front and rear sides of the first tube 30. As shown in fig. 4, the slit 33 is formed so that the gas generated in the battery chamber 13 can flow into the first tube 30 even when the liquid surface of the electrolyte 50 is higher than the lower end of the first tube 30.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, a recess 34 recessed toward the right in a substantially rectangular shape is formed in the left side surface of the cover member 11. The wall of the recess 34 on the rear side is formed with an opening of the leftmost communication path as viewed from the left side. Similarly, a recess 34 recessed in a rectangular shape toward the left is formed in the right side surface of the cover member 11. The wall of the right recess 34 is formed with an opening of the rightmost communication path on the rear side as viewed from the right side. The recess 34 is a part of the common passage 26 a. The portion of the cover member 11 where the recess 34 is formed constitutes a part of the common passage portion 26. The position of the recess 34 is an example of a position through which the gas generated in each cell 13 passes in common.

A module member 35 is mounted in the left recess 34. The module member 35 is formed by molding a first filter 36b (see fig. 9) described later and an opening/closing valve described later into one member. The module member 35 is fixed to the cover member 11 by thermal welding or the like in a state of being accommodated in the recess 34 on the left side. A synthetic resin cap 39 for closing the opening of the right concave portion 34 is fixed to the right concave portion 34 by thermal welding or the like. A cap 39 may be attached to the left recess 34, and a module member 35 may be attached to the right recess 34.

As shown in fig. 8, the module member 35 includes a plate-like blocking member 35a for blocking the opening of the left recess 34. A circular exhaust port 35b is formed in the blocking member 35a. As shown in fig. 9, a third tube portion 35c extending rightward around the exhaust port 35b is formed on the right surface of the blocking member 35a. The third tube portion 35c is formed in a bottomed tube shape with a right side blocked.

As shown in fig. 10, the front end portion of the third tube portion 35c is recessed so as to leave the central portion of the upper portion, and the front and rear portions are cut away, and a front concave portion 35j and a rear concave portion 35j are formed. An annular flange 35d extending from a slightly inner side of the outer peripheral edge portion of the third tube portion 35c toward the right side is formed from the right end surface of the third tube portion 35c. A fitting portion 35m protruding toward the right is formed in a substantially circular arc-shaped portion of the right end surface of the annular flange 35d. The fitting portion 35m is fitted and inserted into the leftmost communication path.

As shown in fig. 9, a fourth tubular portion 35e having a bottomed tubular shape and opening downward is integrally formed on the lower side of the third tubular portion 35c. A part of the fourth tube portion 35e is also integrated with the blocking member 35a. The lower end of the fourth tube portion 35e is located above the lower end of the stopper 35a. Therefore, as shown in fig. 6, when the module member 35 is mounted in the recess 34, a gap is generated between the lower end of the fourth cylindrical portion 35e and the bottom surface of the recess 34.

As shown in fig. 9, an opening 35f is formed in the top wall 35k of the fourth tube portion 35e, and the opening 35f communicates the inner space of the third tube portion 35c with the inner space of the fourth tube portion 35e. In fig. 9, only a part of the projection is visible, but 4 projections 35g projecting downward are formed on the lower surface of the top wall 35k of the fourth tube 35e at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the fourth tube 35e.

Inside the fourth tube portion 35e, a filter 36 with a valve function is pressed from below. The filter 36 with a valve function includes: a filter housing 36a; a first filter 36b accommodated in the filter housing 36a; and a disk-shaped valve body 36c disposed below the first filter 36b in the filter housing 36 a.

The filter 36 with valve function is described in more detail with reference to fig. 11. The filter housing 36a is made of synthetic resin and is formed in a cylindrical shape. The lower portion of the filter housing 36a has a smaller outer diameter and smaller inner diameter than the upper portion, and a valve seat 36h for seating the valve body 36c in a horizontal posture is integrally formed at the lower end of the lower portion. The valve seat 36h is formed to protrude inward in a ring shape from the inner peripheral surface of the lower end portion of the lower side portion of the filter housing 36 a. The valve main body 36c and the valve seat 36h are one example of an opening/closing valve.

In fig. 11, only a part is visible, but 3 grooves 36i recessed downward are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the upper surface of the valve seat 36h. These grooves 36i are formed to extend radially outward from the center of the filter housing 36 a. Instead of the groove 36i, a convex portion that protrudes upward may be provided in the valve seat 36h.

The first filter 36b is attached for the explosion-proof function of cutting off flames from the outside, and is formed in a disk shape having a certain thickness. Specifically, the first filter 36b is, for example, a porous body having continuous pores. Specifically, the porous material is, for example, a sintered body of ceramic such as alumina or resin particles such as polypropylene. The pore diameter of the first filter 36b is, for example, several tens μm to several hundreds μm in average diameter. The first filter 36b also has a function of increasing the exhaust resistance of the gas generated in the battery chamber 13 in cooperation with a second filter 37 disposed in the independent passage 27a described later.

The valve main body 36c is made of synthetic resin and is formed in a disk shape. The valve main body 36c has a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the lower side portion of the filter housing 36a and larger than the diameter of the opening of the valve seat 36h. When the pressure in the battery chamber 13 is low, the valve body 36c is seated on the valve seat 36h in a horizontal posture by its own weight.

Since the groove 36i is formed in the upper surface of the valve seat 36h, a gap exists between the valve body 36c and the valve seat 36h even when the valve body 36c is seated on the valve seat 36h. By the presence of this gap, the pressure in the battery chamber 13 does not become lower than the atmospheric pressure. For example, when the valve body 36c is completely abutted against the upper surface of the valve seat 36h, when the temperature of the lead storage battery 1 is lowered, the atmosphere cannot pass through the valve body 36c, and the internal pressure of the battery chamber 13 is lowered to be lower than the atmospheric pressure. In this way, the outer wall of the electrolytic cell 10 is bent inward, and the liquid surface of the electrolyte 50 in the electrolytic cell 10 rises, so that overflow is likely to occur. In contrast, if the gap is provided, the decrease in the internal pressure of the electrolytic cell 10 when the temperature of the lead storage battery 1 decreases can be suppressed, and therefore, the overflow of the electrolytic solution 50 can be suppressed.

(1-2) liquid Port plug and independent passage

As shown in fig. 12, the liquid port plug 25 includes: a disk-shaped stopper member 25a covering the pouring port 23; a second cylindrical portion 25b extending downward from a lower surface h of the stopper member 25a into a cylindrical shape; and a packing 25c attached to the outer periphery of the upper end portion of the second tube portion 25 b. The inside of the second cylinder portion 25b is an example of an independent passage. The second cylindrical portion 25b is an example of an independent passage portion forming the independent passage 27 a.

As shown in fig. 1, a groove for screwing the liquid port plug 25 into the first tube portion 30 by a coin or the like is formed in a cross shape on the upper surface of the liquid port plug 25.

As shown in fig. 12, the second tube 25b is composed of an upper portion 41, a middle portion 42, and a lower portion 43. A screw thread 25d is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion 42. As shown in fig. 6, the liquid port plug 25 inserted from the liquid injection port 23 is fixed to the lid member 11 by screwing the screw thread 25d with the screw thread 32 of the first tube portion 30.

As shown in fig. 6, the outer diameter of the upper portion 41 of the second cylinder 25b is smaller than the inner diameter of the first cylinder 30. Therefore, a gap is generated between the inner peripheral surface of the first tube portion 30 and the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion 41 of the second tube portion 25 b. The outer diameter of the lower portion 43 of the second barrel portion 25b is also smaller than the inner diameter of the first barrel portion 30. Therefore, a gap is also generated between the inner peripheral surface of the first tube portion 30 and the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion 43. In contrast, the intermediate portion 42 is in close contact with the first tubular portion 30.

As shown in fig. 12, slits 25e extending upward from the lower end of the second tube portion 25b are formed on the front and rear sides of the lower portion 43. The slit 25e serves as an inlet through which the gas generated in the battery chamber 13 enters the second tube portion 25 b. The upper end of the slit 25e reaches the lower end of the thread 25d formed in the intermediate portion 42, and the position of the lower end of the thread 25d overlapping the upper end of the slit 25e is cut off.

As shown in fig. 13, the second filter 37 is housed in the upper portion 41 of the second tube 25 b. The second filter 37 is formed in a disc shape having a certain thickness for increasing the exhaust resistance of the gas in cooperation with the first filter 36b. Specifically, the second filter 37 is, for example, a porous body having continuous pores. Specifically, the porous material is, for example, a sintered body of ceramic such as alumina or resin particles such as polypropylene. The pore diameter of the filter is, for example, several tens to several hundreds of μm in average diameter.

As shown in fig. 12 and 13, circular openings 25f are formed on both front and rear sides of the upper portion 41 of the second tube portion 25b at positions corresponding to the outer peripheral surface of the second filter 37. The opening 25f is an example of an opening that communicates the inside of the second tube portion 25b with the outside.

As shown in fig. 13, a splash guard 38 is housed inside the second tube 25b below the second filter 37. The splash guard 38 is for passing the gas generated in the battery chamber 13, and for blocking the mist of the electrolyte 50 in the battery chamber 13 from reaching the second filter 37.

The splash guard 38 is specifically described with reference to fig. 14. The splash guard 38 is synthetic resin, and includes a disk-shaped bottom portion 38a, a support portion 38b, and a plurality of splash guards 38c. The bottom 38a closes the opening of the lower side of the second cylinder 25 b. The plurality of splashboards 38c are used to form a labyrinth-like passage in the interior of the second cylinder portion 25b (i.e., the independent passage 27 a). The inside of the second tube portion 25b is labyrinth-shaped, so that mist of the electrolyte 50 generated in the battery chamber 13 becomes difficult to reach the second filter 37.

As shown in fig. 12 and 13, a restricting portion 25g is integrally provided on the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion 41 of the second tube portion 25b, and the restricting portion 25g restricts the position of the gasket 25c in the up-down direction. The restricting portion 25g surrounds the second tube portion 25b one round except for a portion of the second tube portion 25b where the circular opening 25f is formed.

The gasket 25c is formed in a ring shape from synthetic rubber or the like. As shown in fig. 6, when the liquid port plug 25 is inserted into the liquid injection port 23, the space between the upper surface of the concave portion 23a of the liquid injection port 23 and the lower surface of the circular plate-shaped plug member 25a is hermetically sealed by the gasket 25 c.

(2) Flow of exhaust gas

For convenience, the leftmost cell compartment 13 among the 6 cell compartments 13 shown in fig. 6 is referred to herein as a first cell compartment 131, and the cells toward the right are sequentially referred to as second to sixth cell compartments 132 to 136.

For example, the fourth battery chamber 134 is described as an example, and the gas generated in the fourth battery chamber 134 flows into the space between the first tube 30 and the lower portion 43 of the second tube 25b through the opening on the lower side of the first tube 30 or the slit 33 of the first tube 30.

The gas flowing into the space between the first tube portion 30 and the lower portion 43 of the second tube portion 25b flows into the second tube portion 25b (i.e., the independent passage 27 a) from the slit 25e of the second tube portion 25 b. The gas flowing into the second tube 25b passes through the labyrinth-like passage formed by the splash guard 38. The gas having passed through the labyrinth-like passage passes through the second filter 37, and flows into the common passage 26a from the opening 25f of the second tube 25 b.

The flow of the gas in the common passage 26a will be described with reference to fig. 7. For example, the fourth battery chamber 134 is described as an example, and the gas flowing from the independent passage 27a of the fourth battery chamber 134 to the common passage 26a flows leftward in the common passage 26 a. The gas generated in the battery chamber 13 (the fifth battery chamber 135 and the sixth battery chamber 136) on the right side of the fourth battery chamber 134 flows to the left side through the circular arc-shaped passage between the first cylindrical portion 30 and the second cylindrical portion 25b of the fourth battery chamber 134. Therefore, the gas generated in the fifth and

sixth battery chambers

135 and 136 does not flow to the left through the second filter 37 provided in the liquid port plug 25 of the fourth battery chamber 134.

As shown in fig. 6 and 10, a part of the gas flowing through the common passage 26a flows from the recess 35j of the third cylindrical portion 35c of the module member 35 into the gap between the recess 34 and the module member 35. The remaining part hits the right end surface of the third tube 35c and is folded back, and flows from the recess 35j of the third tube 35c into the gap between the recess 34 and the module member 35. As shown in fig. 6, since a gap exists between the lower end of the fourth cylindrical portion 35e of the module member 35 and the bottom surface of the recess 34, the gas flowing into the gap between the recess 34 and the module member 35 winds around the lower side of the plate-like valve main body 36 c. When the pressure of the gas rises to a certain value or more in this state, the valve body 36c is lifted upward by the gas, and the module member 35 opens the valve.

When the module 35 opens, the gas flows upward through the first filter 36b. As described above, since the gap is formed between the top wall 35k of the fourth tube 35e and the first filter 36b by the convex portion 35g, the gas passing through the first filter 36b flows into the gap, and flows into the third tube 35c through the opening 35f formed in the top wall 35k of the fourth tube 35e. The gas flowing into the third tube portion 35c is discharged to the outside through the gas outlet 35b formed in the blocking member 35a.

As described above, the groove 36i is formed on the upper surface of the valve seat 36h, so that a gap is always generated between the valve seat 36h and the valve body 36 c. Therefore, even if the pressure of the gas does not rise to a certain value or more, a part of the gas flows in from the gap between the valve seat 36h and the valve body 36c, and is discharged to the outside through the first filter 36b.

(3) Effects of the embodiments

According to the lead acid battery 1 of embodiment 1, the first filter 36b is disposed not only in the common passage 26a but also in the independent passage 27a, the second filter 37 is disposed. If the second filter 37 is disposed in the independent passage 27a, the distances from the respective battery chambers 13 to the second filter 37 become uniform, and therefore the manner of reducing the electrolyte 50 becomes uniform easily. Therefore, the variation in the liquid level of the electrolyte 50 can be suppressed as compared with the lead acid battery described in patent document 1.

In addition, according to the lead-acid battery 1, the first filter 36b and the opening/closing valve (the valve main body 36c and the valve seat 36 h) are disposed in the common passage 26a, and the second filter 37 is disposed in the independent passage 27a, so that the exhaust resistance is increased as compared with the lead-acid battery described in patent document 1. Therefore, the pressure in the battery chamber 13 increases to the saturated vapor pressure in a shorter time than the lead-acid battery described in patent document 1, and the electrolyte 50 is less likely to decrease.

Therefore, according to the lead storage battery 1, it is possible to suppress the variation in the liquid level height of the electrolyte 50 between the battery cells 13 and the reduction in the electrolyte 50 in each battery cell 13, as compared with the lead storage battery described in patent document 1.

According to the lead acid battery 1, the common passage portion 26 is integrated with the cover member 11, so that the cover member 11 does not have to have a double-layer structure. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced.

According to the lead-acid battery 1, the first filter 36b and the opening/closing valve (the valve main body 36c and the valve seat 36 h) are formed as a single member, and therefore, the first filter 36b and the opening/closing valve can be easily disposed in the common passage 26a by disposing the member in the common passage 26a from the outside.

< other embodiments >

The technology disclosed in the present specification is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings, and, for example, the following embodiments are included in the technical scope disclosed in the present specification.

(1) In the above embodiment, the case where the cover member 11 has a single-layer structure has been described as an example, but the cover member 11 may have a double-layer structure composed of a middle cover and an upper cover, as in the invention described in patent document 1. In addition, as in the invention described in patent document 1, a common passage and an independent passage may be formed between the middle cover and the upper cover.

(2) In the above embodiment, the case where the first filter 36b is located on the exhaust port 35b side of the opening/closing valve (the valve main body 36c and the valve seat 36 h) has been described as an example, but the opening/closing valve may be located on the exhaust port 35b side of the first filter.

(3) In the above embodiment, the case where the first filter 36b and the opening/closing valve are modularized as one member has been described as an example, but the first filter and the opening/closing valve may not be modularized.

(4) In the above embodiment, the case where the valve main body 36c is seated on the valve seat 36h in a horizontal posture and the valve is opened by the pressure of the gas is described as an example. In contrast, the valve body may be configured to be seated on the valve seat in a posture in which the plate surface faces in the horizontal direction. Moreover, the following structure is possible: when the valve body is biased toward the valve seat by a coil spring or the like, the valve body is unseated from the valve seat against the biasing force of the coil spring if the pressure of the gas increases.

Description of the reference numerals

1 … lead storage battery; 10 … electrolyzer; 11 … cover member; 13 … cell compartments; 19a … positive plate (an example of an electrode); 19b … negative plate (one example of an electrode); 23 … liquid filling port; 25 … liquid port plug; 25b … (an example of an independent passage portion); 25f … opening (an example of an opening that communicates the inside and outside of the second cylinder portion); 26 … common path portion; 26a … common path; 27a … independent passages; 30 … first barrel portion; 31 and … communication path portions; 35 … module component (an example of a component); 35a … closure member; 35b … exhaust ports; 35c … third barrel portion; 35e … fourth barrel portion; 35f … opening (an example of an opening that communicates the inner space of the third cylinder portion with the inner space of the fourth cylinder portion); 35k … top wall; 36a … filter housing; 36b … first filter; 36c … valve body (an example of an on-off valve); 36h … valve seat (an example of an opening/closing valve); 37 … second filter; 41 … upper portion; 42 … middle portion; 43 … lower portion; 50 … electrolyte.

Claims

1. A lead storage battery having a plurality of battery chambers for accommodating electrodes and an electrolyte, comprising:

a common passage portion forming a common passage for discharging the gas generated in each of the battery chambers from a common exhaust port to the outside;

an independent passage portion provided for each of the battery chambers, the independent passage portion forming an independent passage for independently communicating the battery chamber with the common passage;

a first filter disposed in the common passage at a position where the gases generated in the respective battery chambers pass in common;

an opening/closing valve disposed in a common passage for the gas generated in each of the battery chambers to pass therethrough, the opening/closing valve being opened by the pressure of the gas; and

and a second filter disposed in each of the independent passages.

2. The lead storage battery according to claim 1, comprising:

an electrolytic cell having an inside divided into a plurality of cell compartments and an upper side opened; and

and a cover member that closes the opening and is integrally formed with the common passage portion.

3. The lead storage battery according to claim 2, wherein,

the cover member has: the liquid injection port is arranged above each battery chamber; and a liquid port plug for plugging the liquid injection port,

the common passage portion has: a first tube portion provided for each of the liquid injection ports, and extending downward from a lower surface of the cover member so as to surround the liquid injection port; and a communication path portion that forms a communication path that communicates adjacent first cylinder portions with each other,

the independent passage portion is provided integrally with the liquid port plug, and has a second cylindrical portion which extends downward from a lower surface of the liquid port plug into a cylindrical shape, accommodates the second filter therein, and has an opening formed in an outer peripheral surface thereof,

the portion of the second tube portion below the opening is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the first tube portion,

the gas flowing into the second cylinder portion passes through the second filter and flows into the common passage from the opening.

4. The lead storage battery according to claim 2 or 3, wherein,

the first filter and the opening and closing valve are modularized into one component,

the member is provided with a blocking member that blocks the opening of the common passage and is formed with the exhaust port, and is mounted inside the common passage from the outside.

5. The lead storage battery according to claim 4, wherein,

the component is provided with:

a third cylindrical portion having a bottom and extending from the sealing member to the inside of the lead storage battery so as to surround the exhaust port, the front end side of the third cylindrical portion being sealed;

a fourth cylindrical portion having a bottom cylindrical shape integrally formed below the third cylindrical portion and opening downward, and an opening communicating an inner space of the third cylindrical portion with an inner space of the fourth cylindrical portion is formed in a top wall of the fourth cylindrical portion;

a tubular filter housing which is housed in the fourth tubular portion, in which the first filter is housed, and under which a plate-like valve body is housed; and

a valve seat integrally formed at a lower end portion of the filter housing, for seating the valve body in a horizontal posture,

the opening/closing valve is lifted upward by the gas flowing from the battery chamber into the common passage through the valve body to open the valve.