JP2003338270A - One-direction valve - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide one-direction valve 9 to show a sufficient function as a pressure-release valve in a capacity or a battery or the like. <P>SOLUTION: A valve structure is formed by arranging a valve body 14 made of an elastic rubber material in a compressed condition between a housing 4 at which a valve hole 10 is installed and a stationary member 13 fixed to this housing 4, and this valve structure is closing the vale because the valve body 14 is seated on a valve seat 11 around the valve hole 10 when a sealing pressure is at a routine value, and opens the valve because the valve body 14 is elastically deformed and separated from the valve seat 11 by the pressure when the pressure exceeds the routine value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a one-way valve, which is a type of valve device, and more specifically, as a pressure release valve that opens and releases pressure when the sealing pressure exceeds a steady value. It relates to a one-way valve suitable for being used.
This one-way valve is used in various fields such as a battery (including a primary battery and a secondary battery), a capacitor (including an electrolytic capacitor and an electric double layer capacitor), a home electric appliance or an automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, since a conventional condenser has a hermetically sealed structure, when a sudden load is applied, the internal pressure rises due to Joule heat generation, resulting in a reduction in operating efficiency and a reduction in product life. Also, a technology has been developed in which a porous membrane typified by polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is attached to the pressure release hole of the sealing plate to exert the breather function. According to this technology, the internal pressure is a steady value. Even if there is, the included gas permeates the porous membrane little by little and escapes. Therefore, the electrolytic solution inside is easily reduced, and water vapor or the like easily enters from the outside. Further, in a poor environment, the porous membrane may be clogged, and it is difficult to expect stable performance.

[0003]

In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to provide a one-way valve capable of exerting a sufficient function as a pressure release valve in the above condenser or battery. .

[0004]

To achieve the above object, a one-way valve according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a rubber-like elastic member between a housing having a valve hole and a fixing member fixed to the housing. A valve body made of a material is arranged in a compressed state to form a valve structure, and the valve structure is such that when the sealing pressure is a steady value, the valve body is seated on the valve seat around the valve hole. The valve is closed, and when the pressure exceeds a steady value, the valve element is elastically deformed by the pressure and moves away from the valve seat to open the valve.

A one-way valve according to a second aspect of the present invention is the one-way valve according to the first aspect, wherein the valve seat is provided in the housing, the valve body is attached to the fixing member, and the fixing member is the above-mentioned. It is characterized in that the housing is press-fitted and fixed from the outside.

A one-way valve according to a third aspect of the present invention is the one-way valve according to the first aspect, wherein the valve seat is provided on the fixing member, and the valve body is interposed between the housing and the fixing member by non-adhesion. It is mounted, and the fixing member is press-fitted and fixed to the housing from the outside thereof.

Furthermore, the one-way valve according to claim 4 of the present invention is the one-way valve according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the housing is made of resin for sealing the opening of the pressure container such as a battery. It is a sealing plate of.

In the one-way valve according to claim 1 of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, when the sealing pressure has a steady value, the valve body is seated on the valve seat around the valve hole, so that the valve is It is closed. Since the valve body is made of a rubber-like elastic material instead of the porous film as in the above-mentioned conventional technique, the gas contained therein and the water vapor of the outside do not permeate. Further, in this valve closed state, when the sealing pressure rises and exceeds a steady value, the high pressure causes the valve element to elastically deform and separate from the valve seat, so that the valve opens. Therefore, the pressure can be released until the high pressure returns to the steady value.

Since the valve element made of the rubber-like elastic material is arranged in a compressed state between the housing and the fixing member,
When the valve is closed, the crushing force is generated in the valve body. Therefore, the valve will not open until a pressure of a magnitude exceeding this crushing force acts on the valve body. The crushing force can be arbitrarily adjusted by changing the elasticity of the valve body rubber, the opening cross-sectional area of the valve hole, etc., so that the opening pressure can be set arbitrarily. it can.

The valve seat may be provided on the housing side (claim 2) or on the fixed member side (claim 3). Further, the valve body may be attached to the fixing member side (claim 2) or may be interposed between the housing and the fixing member by non-adhesion (claim 3). Further, in the one-way valve according to claim 2 or claim 3, since the fixing member is press-fitted and fixed to the housing from the outside, the fixing member is fixed at the final stage of the assembly process of the battery or the like. It can be attached to the housing together with the valve body.

The present application includes the following technical matters.

That is, in order to achieve the above object, one one-way valve proposed by the present application has the following contents.

It is attached to a lid (sealing plate) of a sealed battery such as a battery (including a primary battery and a secondary battery) or a capacitor (including an electrolytic capacitor and an electric double layer type capacitor), and a valve opening pressure can be freely set. It is a one-way valve that can. It is a compact one-way valve that opens at a certain constant pressure. The seal member (valve body) is made of a rubber-like elastic body,
It is fixed by a fixing member made of metal or resin. Since the rubber member (valve body) is fixed by the fixing member made of metal or resin, a crushing force is generated in the through hole (valve hole). Therefore, the valve is not opened until a pressure exceeding the crushing force is applied to the rubber member. The valve opening pressure can be set freely by adjusting the crushing force (rubber elasticity, through-hole projected area, etc.). Since the valve is opened only when the pressure becomes constant, the intrusion of external foreign matter, water (steam), etc. can be suppressed to the minimum. Further, in order to avoid the reduction of the crushing force due to the creep of the rubber member, the rubber member may be provided with a protrusion that contacts the resin (housing). The rubber member may be an O-ring. It is attached by pressing into a resin sealing plate (housing). Since the rubber member is press-fitted and fixed through the fixing member made of metal, resin, or the like, a high and stable detachment load can be generated when the rubber member is press-fitted into the mating member. Further, since the valve can be press-fitted in the final step of assembling the capacitor, the electrolytic solution can be injected in the final stage. Therefore, the evaporation of the electrolytic solution is reduced, and the quality can be stabilized.

According to the above-mentioned structure, the following operational effects can be achieved.

(1) By releasing the internal pressure, the cooling effect can be exerted and the efficiency of the sealed battery can be prevented from lowering. (2) Since the valve is opened only when the pressure exceeds a certain level, evaporation of the electrolytic solution can be minimized and a long service life of the battery can be achieved. (3) Since the electrolytic solution can be injected and then mounted in the final assembly step of the battery, evaporation of the electrolytic solution generated during assembly can be minimized and the quality can be stabilized.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a sealed battery or capacitor (hereinafter simply referred to as a battery) having a one-way valve according to an embodiment of the present invention, (A) is a sectional view thereof, and (B) is a sectional view.
Shows the plan views, respectively. 2 is shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 4B and is a cross-sectional view of the one-way valve according to the embodiment.

The battery 1 shown in FIG. 1 is constructed as follows.

That is, first, a bottomed cylindrical case 2 as a pressure vessel made of a metal material such as aluminum is provided, and a main body element 3 is housed inside the case 2, and an upper end opening of the case 2 is provided. The portion is closed by a disc-shaped sealing plate 4 made of a synthetic resin material having electrical insulation. The body element 3 is impregnated with the electrolytic solution sealed inside the case 2. The outer periphery of the case 2 is covered with the outer can 5.

The outer periphery of the sealing plate 4 is the case 2
Caulking part 2 formed so that the upper end of the
a and a narrowed portion 2b located on the lower side thereof and continuously formed in the case 2 in the circumferential direction, are airtightly fixed via an annular gasket 6 made of a rubber-like elastic material. There is. The sealing plate 4 is provided with a pair of electrode terminals 8 connected to the body element 3 via lead wires 7 so as to penetrate in the thickness direction, and a one-way valve 9 is provided. Each of the electrode terminals 8 is integrated so that a part thereof is embedded in the sealing plate 4 by insert molding, and is prevented from coming off from the sealing plate 4 by an annular collar portion 8a formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof. ing.

First Embodiment ... The one-way valve 9 is constructed as follows.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2, a valve hole 10 for communicating the inside and outside of the battery 1 is provided in the sealing plate 4 as a housing, and above the valve hole 10 (outside).
On the upper surface (outer surface) side of the sealing plate 4, there are provided a valve seat 11 having a funnel surface shape and a valve mounting portion 12 having a recessed shape, and the valve mounting portion 12 has a fixing member (cover). A member (also referred to as a member) 13 and a valve body (also referred to as an elastic member or a rubber member) 14 are attached.

The fixing member 13 is formed in a lid shape by a predetermined metal material or resin material, and a cylindrical tubular portion 13b is integrally formed on the outer peripheral edge portion of the disk-shaped flat portion 13a. The fixing member 13 is fixed to the sealing plate 4 by press-fitting the tubular portion 13b into the valve mounting portion 12. In the valve mounting portion 12 of the sealing plate 4, a portion (space) 12a into which the tubular portion 13b is press fitted, and a flat portion 13a.
Is integrally provided with a portion (space) 12b for accommodating the valve seat 14 and a portion (space) 12c for accommodating the valve body 14 facing the valve seat 11, so that the fixing member 13 and the valve body 14 are all configured. The portion is housed inside the valve mounting portion 12, that is, within the thickness of the sealing plate 4. Further, the flat surface portion 13a has a required number of communication holes (gas vent holes) 15 for communicating the inside and the outside thereof,
It is provided around the valve body 14.

The valve body 14 is formed in a spherical shape by a predetermined rubber-like elastic material, and has a flat surface portion 13 of the fixing member 13.
It is fixed to the center of the lower surface of a by fixing means such as vulcanization adhesion or adhesion with an adhesive. When the fixing member 13 is press-fitted into the sealing plate 4, the valve body 14 is compressed between the sealing plate 4 and the fixing member 13 and comes into close contact with the valve seat 11 around the valve hole 10 with a predetermined crushing margin. Therefore, the valve hole 10 is closed.

Next, the operation of the one-way valve 9 will be described.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the valve body 14 is seated on the valve seat 11 and the one-way valve 9 is closed. When the internal pressure of the battery 1 is a steady value, the one-way valve 9 is shown. Is closed like this. Since the valve body 14 is formed of a predetermined rubber-like elastic material instead of the porous film as in the above-mentioned prior art, the contained gas permeates and leaks to the outside of the battery 1, or the outside water vapor or the like permeates. Therefore, it does not enter the inside of the battery 1.

In the valve closed state of FIG. 2, when the sealing pressure rises and exceeds the steady value, the high pressure P is received and the valve body 1 is received.
4 is elastically deformed and separated from the valve seat 11, so that the one-way valve 9 is opened. Therefore, from the inside of the battery 1 to the valve hole 1
The internal pressure of the battery 1 does not rise excessively because the internal pressure is released to the atmosphere through the space 0, the space 12c, and the communication hole 15.

According to the one-way valve 9 having the above structure, the following operational effects can be obtained.

That is, first, since the internal pressure of the battery 1 is opened to open the high pressure inside the battery 1 to the atmosphere when the internal pressure of the battery 1 exceeds the steady value, the internal pressure of the battery 1 rises excessively. It is possible to prevent the internal temperature from rising excessively. Therefore, the cooling effect for the battery 1 can be exerted, and thus the operating efficiency of the battery 1 can be prevented from decreasing.

Further, since the valve is surely closed when the internal pressure of the battery 1 is at the steady value and is opened only when the internal pressure exceeds the steady value, the electrolytic solution inside the battery 1 is Can be minimized from evaporating through the valve hole 10. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the decrease of the electrolytic solution in the battery 1, and thus prevent the life of the battery 1 from being shortened.

Further, since the valve body 14 is formed of a rubber-like elastic material that does not allow gas to permeate, rather than a porous film that allows gas to permeate, the electrolytic solution inside the battery 1 will cause the valve body 14 to function as an enclosed gas. Permeation and evaporation can be suppressed. Therefore, also from this point, it is possible to minimize the decrease of the electrolytic solution in the battery 1, and to prevent the life of the battery 1 from being shortened.

Further, since the fixing member 13 is press-fitted and fixed to the sealing plate 4 which is the housing from the outside, the fixing member 13 fixes this at the final stage of the process of assembling the battery 1. It should be fixed by press-fitting into. Therefore, since it is only necessary to perform the electrolyte injection work immediately before the press-fitting and fixing, most of the steps of assembling the battery 1 can be performed in a state where the electrolyte is not injected. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the situation where the electrolytic solution spills during the assembling work of the battery 1, and thus the assembling workability of the battery 1 can be improved.

Further, since the valve body 14 is previously fixed to the fixing member 13, when assembling the one-way valve 9, the fixing member 13 only needs to be press-fitted into the sealing plate 4.
Therefore, the workability of assembling the one-way valve 9 can be improved.

Furthermore, in the one-way valve 9, the magnitude of the valve opening pressure can be arbitrarily set by changing the elasticity of the valve body 14 and the opening cross-sectional area of the valve hole 10. Therefore, it is possible to easily manufacture the one-way valve 9 that operates to open at a desired valve opening pressure.

Second Embodiment In addition, in order to more securely prevent the fixing member 13 from coming off the housing 4, it is preferable to provide the both 4 and 13 with an engaging portion such as an uneven engagement. For example, in the example of FIG. 3, an annular protrusion 17 for preventing the retaining member is provided on the side surface of the fixing member 13, and an annular groove 18 corresponding to this is provided on the wall surface on the housing 4 side.

Third Embodiment ... In this third embodiment, the one-way valve 9 is constructed as follows.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, a valve hole 1 for communicating the inside and outside of the battery 1 with a sealing plate 4 as a housing.
0 is provided, and on the upper side (outer side) of the valve hole 10 and on the upper surface (outer surface) side of the sealing plate 4, an annular valve body support portion 16 having an inclined surface shape and a concave valve mounting portion. 12 is provided, and a fixed member (also referred to as a lid member) 13 and a valve body (also referred to as an elastic member or a rubber member) 14 are attached to the valve mounting portion 12. The inclined surface-shaped valve body support portion 16 is formed such that the cross-sectional shape thereof becomes a mountain shape, and the height thereof gradually decreases as the distance from the valve hole 10 increases.

The fixing member 13 is formed in a lid shape by a predetermined metal material or resin material, and a cylindrical tubular portion 13b is integrally formed on the outer peripheral edge of the disc-shaped flat portion 13a. Further, a funnel surface-shaped valve seat forming portion 13c and a flat plate-shaped bottom surface portion 13d are integrally formed in the center of the flat surface portion 13a. In the embodiment, the lower surface of the valve seat forming portion 13c is the valve seat. It is said to be 11. The fixing member 13 is fixed to the sealing plate 4 by press-fitting the tubular portion 13b into the valve mounting portion 12. A portion (space) 12 into which the tubular portion 13b is press-fitted into the valve mounting portion 12 of the sealing plate 4.
a, a portion (space) 12b for accommodating the flat surface portion 13a,
Valve seat forming portion 13c, bottom surface portion 13d, and valve body 14
Is integrally provided with a portion (space) 12c for housing the fixing member 13 and the valve body 14, so that all the constituent parts of the fixing member 13 and the valve body 14 are housed inside the valve mounting portion 12, that is, within the thickness of the sealing plate 4. There is. Further, the valve seat forming portion 13c is provided with a required number of communication holes (gas vent holes) 15 for communicating the inside and the outside thereof around the valve body 14 and the valve seat 11.

The valve body 14 is formed in a ring shape from a predetermined rubber-like elastic material, and is formed so that its cross-section has a rectangular shape or a substantially rectangular shape. Further, a protrusion 14a is integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 14 in a radially outward direction. Further, this valve body 14 is not adhered anywhere and is interposed between the sealing plate 4 and the fixing member 13 as a single component, and when the fixing member 13 is press-fitted into the sealing plate 4, It is compressed with the fixing member 13 and comes into close contact with the valve body support portion 16 and the valve seat 11 around the valve hole 10 with a predetermined crushing allowance, thereby closing the valve hole 10. At this time, the protrusion 14a is formed on the inner surface 1 of the space.
Close to 2d.

Next, the operation of the one-way valve 9 will be described.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the valve element 14 is seated on the valve seat 11 and the one-way valve 9 is closed. When the internal pressure of the battery 1 is a steady value, the one-way valve 9 is shown. Is closed like this. Since the valve body 14 is formed of a predetermined rubber-like elastic material instead of the porous film as in the above-mentioned prior art, the contained gas permeates and leaks to the outside of the battery 1, or the outside water vapor or the like permeates. Therefore, it does not enter the inside of the battery 1.

In the valve closed state of FIG. 4, when the sealing pressure rises and exceeds the steady value, the high pressure P is received and the valve element 1 is received.
4 is elastically deformed and separated from the valve seat 11, so that the one-way valve 9 is opened. Therefore, from the inside of the battery 1 to the valve hole 1
The internal pressure of the battery 1 does not rise excessively because the internal pressure is released to the atmosphere through the space 0, the space 12c, and the communication hole 15.

According to the one-way valve 9 having the above structure, the following operational effects can be obtained.

That is, first, since the internal pressure of the battery 1 is opened to open the high pressure inside the battery 1 to the atmosphere when the internal pressure of the battery 1 exceeds the steady value, the internal pressure of the battery 1 rises excessively. It is possible to prevent the internal temperature from rising excessively. Therefore, the cooling effect for the battery 1 can be exerted, and thus the operating efficiency of the battery 1 can be prevented from decreasing.

Further, since the valve is surely closed when the internal pressure of the battery 1 is at the steady value and is opened only when the internal pressure exceeds the steady value, the electrolytic solution inside the battery 1 is Can be minimized from evaporating through the valve hole 10. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the decrease of the electrolytic solution in the battery 1, and thus prevent the life of the battery 1 from being shortened.

Further, since the valve body 14 is formed of a rubber-like elastic material that does not allow gas to permeate, rather than a porous film that allows gas to permeate, the electrolytic solution inside the battery 1 acts as a gas to be contained in the valve body 14. Permeation and evaporation can be suppressed. Therefore, also from this point, it is possible to minimize the decrease of the electrolytic solution in the battery 1, and to prevent the life of the battery 1 from being shortened.

Further, since the fixing member 13 is press-fitted and fixed to the sealing plate 4 which is the housing from the outside, the fixing member 13 fixes the sealing plate 4 at the final stage of the assembly process of the battery 1. It should be fixed by press-fitting into. Therefore, since it is only necessary to perform the electrolyte injection work immediately before the press-fitting and fixing, most of the steps of assembling the battery 1 can be performed in a state where the electrolyte is not injected. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the situation where the electrolytic solution spills during the assembling work of the battery 1, and thus the assembling workability of the battery 1 can be improved.

Furthermore, since the protrusion 14a is integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 14 made of rubber-like elastic material and the protrusion 14a abuts the inner peripheral surface 12d of the recess, the valve body 14 is supported. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the crushing force of the valve body 14 from being greatly reduced when creep or the like occurs in the valve body 14. Therefore, the valve body 1 made of rubber-like elastic material
It is possible to improve the service life of the component No. 4 and thus the service life of the one-way valve 9.

Fourth Embodiment Like the second embodiment described above, in order to more securely prevent the fixing member 13 from coming off the housing 4, the both members 4 and 13 are engaged with each other by uneven engagement or the like. It is preferable to provide a part, for example, in the example of FIG.
An annular protrusion 17 is provided on the side surface of the fixing member 13 to prevent it from coming off, and an annular groove 18 corresponding to the annular protrusion 17 is provided on the wall surface on the housing 4 side.

[0050]

The present invention has the following effects.

That is, in the one-way valve according to claim 1 of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, when the sealing pressure exceeds the steady value, the valve is opened to release the high pressure, so that the battery or the like is operated. It is possible to prevent the efficiency from decreasing. Also, when the sealing pressure is a steady value, the valve is closed securely, and only when the sealing pressure exceeds the steady value, the valve is opened. It is possible to prevent the service life of the product from being shortened. In addition, since the valve body is formed of a rubber-like elastic material that does not allow gas to easily pass through, rather than a porous film that allows gas to easily pass therethrough,
It is possible to suppress the inclusion gas from passing through the valve body, and also from this point, it is possible to minimize the leakage of the inclusion gas and the like, and it is possible to prevent the life of the battery and the like from being shortened. Therefore, from these facts, it is possible to provide a highly reliable one-way valve that exhibits a sufficient function as a pressure release valve for a battery or the like.

In addition to this, in the one-way valve according to claim 2 or 3 of the present invention having the above structure, the fixing member is press-fitted and fixed to the housing from the outside thereof. Therefore, this fixing member can be attached to the housing together with the valve body at the final stage of the assembly process of the battery and the like. Therefore, since it suffices to perform the electrolyte injection work immediately before this press-fitting fixation,
Almost all the steps of assembling the battery can be performed without injecting the electrolyte. Therefore, during the battery assembling work, it is possible to prevent the situation where the electrolytic solution spills, and thus to improve the battery assembling workability.

Furthermore, in the one-way valve according to claim 4 of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, since the one-way valve exhibiting the above-mentioned effect is attached to the resin sealing plate, the resin sealing plate The above effect can be obtained in a product provided with, for example, a capacitor or a battery. Therefore, as the one-way valve is improved by the present invention, the quality of these products can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A and 1B are diagrams showing a battery having a one-way valve according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a sectional view thereof, and FIG.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1 and is a sectional view of the one-way valve according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a one-way valve according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a one-way valve according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a one-way valve according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 battery 2 cases 3 body element 4 Sealing plate (housing) 5 outer cans 6 gasket 7 lead wire 8 electrode terminals 9 one-way valve 10 valve holes 11 seat 12 Valve mounting part 13 Fixed member 13a flat part 13b tubular part 13c valve seat forming part 13d bottom part 14 valve body 14a protrusion 15 communication holes 16 Valve support 17 Annular protrusion 18 annular groove

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 3H059 AA05 AA08 BB29 BB30 CA20                       CC07 CD01 EE01 FF05 FF17                 5H012 AA01 BB02 DD03 DD04 EE01                       EE09 GG01 GG05 JJ03

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A housing (4) provided with a valve hole (10).
And a fixing member (13) fixed to the housing (4)
A valve element (14) made of a rubber-like elastic material is disposed between the valve element and the valve element in a compressed state to form a valve structure. In the valve structure, when the sealing pressure has a steady value, the valve element (14) is The valve hole (10)
The valve seat (11) is closed by being seated around the valve seat (11), and when the pressure exceeds a steady value, the valve body (14) is elastically deformed by the pressure and moves away from the valve seat (11). A one-way valve characterized by being opened by the. 2. The one-way valve according to claim 1, wherein a valve seat (11) is provided in the housing (4), and the valve body (1) is provided.
4) is attached to a fixing member (13), and the fixing member (13) is press-fitted and fixed to the housing (4) from the outside thereof. 3. The one-way valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve seat (11) is provided on the fixing member (13), and the valve body (1) is provided.
4) is interposed between the housing (4) and the fixing member (13) without adhesion, and the fixing member (13) is press-fitted and fixed to the housing (4) from the outside. One-way valve to be. 4. The one-way valve according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the housing (4) is a resin sealing plate that seals an opening of a pressure container such as a battery. valve.