JP2006286253A - Liquid amount detection method for battery and its device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid amount detector for a battery which is capable of detecting a liquid level in a battery body, and also, capable of automatically shutting off the injection of a battery liquid through a liquid passage by a float when the liquid level rises, and a liquid amount detection method. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid amount detector for a battery is composed so as to detect the liquid amount of the battery liquid at a position of the float. The detector is provided with a pointing bar connected to the upper part of the float, a gripping part provided to the upper part of the pointing bar and gripped by a hand, and a guide formed into a tubular shape with the liquid passage and provided with a fall-preventing stopper, which is capable of contacting with the end face of a boss of a liquid injection port of the battery body, to the outer periphery. The amount of the battery liquid is detected with the position of a scale of the pointing bar while floating the float on the surface of the battery liquid by inserting the outer periphery of the guide to the liquid injection port. The liquid passage of the guide is closed by the float or a part of the pointing bar when the amount of the battery liquid reaches the high-level position or when the gripping part is held up. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is applied to a liquid level detection of a vehicle battery, and a battery in which a liquid level detection member is inserted into a battery body from a liquid inlet of the battery, and a float of the liquid level detection member is accommodated in the battery body. The present invention relates to a battery liquid level detection method and a battery liquid level detection device that floats on the liquid level and detects the battery liquid level based on the position of the float.

  As a means for detecting the amount of liquid in a battery mounted on a vehicle such as a truck or bus, a liquid amount detecting member having a float at the bottom is inserted into the battery body from the battery inlet, and the float is inserted into the battery body. Means for floating the liquid surface and detecting the amount of the battery liquid based on the position of the float is provided in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-44140.

  In the technique provided in Patent Document 1, a liquid amount detection member having a float at the bottom is inserted into the battery body from the liquid injection port of the battery, and the float of the liquid amount detection member is inserted into the liquid level of the battery liquid. The indicator rod connected to the upper part of the float is inserted into and removed from the liquid inlet boss of the battery body, and is supported in a vertically movable manner at the center of a cylindrical guide having a liquid passage inside, When the liquid level drops, the float opens the liquid passage to allow the liquid to be injected into the battery body. When the liquid level rises, the float closes the liquid path to inject the liquid into the battery body. It is configured to block.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-44140

In the technique provided in Patent Document 1, when the battery liquid level falls, the float opens the liquid passage so that the liquid can be injected into the battery body, and when the liquid level rises, the float rises. However, there is no scale to quantitatively display the liquid level when the liquid level in the battery body is lowered. Therefore, a decrease in the liquid level cannot be detected depending on the liquid amount detection member.
When the liquid level rises, the float only closes the liquid passage and blocks the injection of the liquid into the battery body, and the liquid level cannot be detected by the liquid amount detection member.
And so on.

  In view of the problems of the prior art, the present invention can quantitatively detect a decrease in the liquid level in the battery body, and automatically injects the battery liquid through the liquid passage by the float when the liquid level rises. It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid amount detection device and a liquid amount detection method for a battery that can be shut off.

  The present invention achieves such an object. A liquid level detection member is inserted into a battery body from a liquid injection port of a battery, and a float of the liquid level detection member is liquid level of the battery liquid accommodated in the battery body. In the battery liquid level detection device configured to detect the liquid level of the battery liquid according to the position of the float, the liquid level detection member is connected to an upper part of the float and displays the liquid level An indicator rod having a scale to be formed, a grip portion provided on the upper portion of the indicator rod and formed in a cylindrical shape having a liquid passage inside, and a liquid inlet boss of the battery body on the outer periphery And a guide formed with a stopper for preventing falling that can come into contact with the end face of the liquid, and the outer periphery of the guide of the liquid amount detecting member is inserted into the liquid inlet to float the float above the liquid surface. The amount of battery fluid is detected by the position of the scale of the indicator rod, and when the amount of battery fluid reaches a high level or when the grip is lifted, the float or a part of the indicator rod causes the guide passage to pass through the liquid passage of the guide. It is configured to be closed.

  According to this invention, the indicator bar connected to the upper part of the float and formed with a scale for displaying the liquid amount, the grip part provided at the upper part of the indicator bar for holding by hand, and the liquid passage inside. Since it has a liquid amount detecting member that is formed in a cylindrical shape and includes a guide having a stopper portion for preventing fall that can come into contact with the end face of the liquid inlet boss of the battery body on the outer periphery, By inserting the outer periphery of the guide into the battery liquid inlet and floating the float on the liquid level, it is possible to detect at a glance whether or not the battery liquid level is the reference liquid level by the position of the scale of the indicator rod When the battery liquid level reaches a high level position or when the grip portion is lifted, the liquid passage of the guide can be automatically closed by a part of the float or the indicator rod.

Therefore, according to this invention, the battery liquid amount can be quantitatively detected at a glance by simply inserting the liquid amount detection member into the battery body from the liquid inlet, and the battery liquid is replenished through the liquid amount detection member. Sometimes, when the amount of battery liquid reaches a high level position, the liquid passage is automatically closed by the float, so that unnecessary replenishment of the battery liquid can be avoided. Accordingly, by inserting the liquid amount detection member into the battery body from the liquid injection port, it is possible to easily check whether the battery liquid is excessive or insufficient and to replenish the battery liquid to an allowable amount.
In addition, by lifting the grip portion provided on the indicator rod by hand and sequentially inserting one liquid amount detecting member into a plurality of liquid inlets of the battery, the battery liquid stored in the liquid passage is spilled. Therefore, it is possible to carry out the inspection for excess or deficiency of the battery liquid and replenishment to the allowable amount of the battery liquid in a short time.
As described above, the inspection and replenishment work of the battery liquid can be facilitated, the work time can be shortened, the work efficiency of such work can be improved, and the replenishment of useless battery liquid can be avoided.

In the invention, it is preferable that a support member that is connected to the inside of the guide through a part of the liquid passage and that supports the indicator rod to be slidable up and down is provided on the inner periphery.
If comprised in this way, the fluctuation | variation of the indicator rod at the time of inspection and replenishment of battery fluid can be avoided.
In the invention, preferably, the stopper portion is formed in a funnel shape, and an outer peripheral surface of the funnel-like portion is configured to be able to contact an end surface of the liquid inlet boss of the battery body.
If comprised in this way, since the injection hole of a guide is formed in the funnel shape and is opening large, the injection | pouring of a battery liquid can be performed easily.

The present invention also proposes the following two battery liquid level detection methods.
(1) Prepare a plurality of integral members of a float and an indicator bar connected to an upper portion of the float and having a scale for displaying a liquid amount, and having different total lengths according to the capacity of the battery. The integral member is reassembled, and the outer periphery of the guide, which is formed into a cylindrical shape having a liquid passage inside and is provided with a stopper for preventing the fall at the upper outer periphery, is inserted into the liquid inlet, and the float of the integral member is The battery fluid level is detected by the position of the indicator bar.
(2) The diameter of the liquid passage of the guide, which is formed in a cylindrical shape having a liquid passage inside and in which a stopper for preventing the fall that can come into contact with the end surface of the liquid inlet boss of the battery body is formed on the outer periphery, Prepare a plurality of guides with different lengths from the contact part with the end face of the liquid inlet boss to the lower end, and change the guides with different diameters and lengths according to the capacity of the battery. Insert the battery into the inlet, float the float above the liquid level, and detect the battery fluid level by the position of the indicator bar.

  According to the two battery liquid level detection methods, a plurality of members having different total lengths are prepared for the integral member of the float and the indicator bar on which the scale for displaying the liquid level is formed as described in (1), or For the guide formed in a cylindrical shape having a liquid passage inside as shown in (2) and whose outer periphery can come into contact with the end face of the liquid inlet boss of the battery body, the guide of the liquid passage and the end face of the liquid inlet boss For various types of batteries with different capacities, only by preparing a plurality of parts with different lengths from the contact part to the lower end, according to the capacity of the battery body, by selecting and using an integral member or guide of the float and indicator rod The battery fluid can be inspected and replenished.

According to the present invention, it is possible to quantitatively detect the amount of battery liquid at a glance by simply inserting the liquid amount detection member into the battery body from the liquid inlet, and at the time of replenishing the battery liquid through the liquid amount detection member, When the amount reaches the high level position, the liquid passage is automatically closed by a part of the float or the indicator rod, so that unnecessary replenishment of the battery fluid can be avoided. By inserting it into the battery, it is possible to easily check for excess or deficiency of the battery liquid and replenish the battery liquid up to an allowable amount. In addition, by lifting the grip portion provided on the indicator rod by hand and sequentially inserting one liquid amount detecting member into a plurality of liquid inlets of the battery, the battery liquid stored in the liquid passage is spilled. Therefore, it is possible to carry out the inspection for excess or deficiency of the battery liquid and replenishment to the allowable amount of the battery liquid in a short time.
This facilitates the inspection and replenishment of the battery liquid, shortens the work time, improves the work efficiency of the work, and avoids unnecessary replenishment of the battery liquid.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the component parts described in this example are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to specific examples unless otherwise specified. Only.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a vehicle battery to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, 100 is a battery, 101 is a battery body (cell), 22 is an inlet boss, and 21 is perforated in the inlet boss 22. Liquid inlet.
The present invention relates to a liquid amount detection device and a liquid amount detection method for injecting battery liquid into the battery 100.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid level detecting member in a liquid level detecting device for a vehicle battery according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part of the liquid level detecting device for a vehicle battery according to the first embodiment. In the figure, (A) shows when the battery liquid is insufficient, and (B) shows when the battery liquid is full.
1 and 2, reference numeral 101 denotes a battery body, 22 denotes an inlet boss protruding from the upper surface of the battery body 101, and 21 denotes a liquid inlet hole drilled in the inlet boss 22.
Reference numeral 10 denotes a liquid amount detection member for injecting battery liquid that can be inserted into and extracted from the liquid injection hole 21 and is configured as follows.

3 is a float floating on the liquid surface 102 in the battery body 101, 2 is an indicator bar connected to the top of the float 3, and the indicator bar 2 has a minimum liquid level scale 4a in the battery body 101. And the maximum liquid volume scale 4b is engraved. 2a is a holding part.
1 is a guide formed in a cylindrical shape, and a cylindrical portion 1b formed in a cylindrical shape is coupled to a lower portion of a funnel-shaped portion 1a formed in a funnel shape. The guide 1 has a cylindrical stopper 1b fitted into the liquid injection hole 21 and a stopper for preventing the fall, in which the funnel-shaped part 1a can be brought into contact with the upper surface 22a of the inlet boss 22. Is configured. The inner space of the guide 1 is a liquid passage 1d through which the battery liquid enters the battery body 101.
As described above, since the injection port of the guide 1 is formed in the funnel-shaped portion 1a and has a large opening, the battery liquid can be easily injected.

A support member 23 is connected to the inside of the funnel-like portion 1a of the guide 1 through a part of the liquid passage 1d, and supports the indicator rod 2 on the inner peripheral side so as to be slidable up and down. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the support member 23 is formed in a plate shape having an outer peripheral side coupled to an inner periphery of the funnel-shaped portion 1a and having a boss portion 23a on the inner peripheral side. A liquid passage 1d is formed between the funnel-shaped portion 1a, and the indicator rod 2 is slidably fitted in the inner periphery of the boss portion 23a of the support member 23. Such a support form of the indicator rod 2 can prevent the indicator rod 2 from wobbling when checking and replenishing the battery fluid.
A seal member 5 is attached to the lower end of the cylindrical portion 1b of the guide 1 and is fixed to the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 1b as shown in FIG. 1, and a liquid discharge port 5a for discharging the battery liquid is formed at the center portion. Has been.

In the first embodiment, when the battery liquid is insufficient as shown in FIG. 2A, the float 3 floats on the liquid surface 102 of the battery liquid stored in the battery body 101 and the guide 1 Since it is below the lower end, the liquid discharge port 5a is opened.
In this open state, by visually confirming that the minimum liquid level scale 4a of the indicator rod 2 coincides with the upper surface 23b of the boss portion 23a of the support member 23, it is confirmed that the inside of the battery body 101 has reached the minimum liquid level. Can be detected.
By such detection, battery fluid is injected into the funnel-shaped portion 1a. The injected battery liquid is supplied into the battery body 101 through the liquid passage 1d and the liquid discharge port 5a.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2 (B), when the liquid level 102 is raised by the supply of the battery liquid to reach the high level position, the float 3 comes into contact with the seal member 5 attached to the lower end of the guide 1, The float 3 closes the liquid discharge port 5 a of the guide 1.
The closing of the liquid discharge port 5a can be detected by visually confirming that the maximum liquid level scale 4b coincides with the upper surface 23b of the boss portion 23a of the support member 23 as shown in FIG.
Further, when the liquid discharge port 5a is closed, the indicator rod 2 and the grip portion 2a are projected upward from the upper surface 23b of the boss portion 23a of the support member 23 or the upper surface of the funnel-shaped portion 1a. It is comprised and becomes a structure which becomes easy to hold the holding part 2a with a hand. Further, by holding the grip portion 2a by hand, the liquid amount detecting member 10 is lifted while the liquid discharge port 5a is closed, so that the other injection ports 21 can be obtained without spilling the battery liquid stored in the liquid passage 1d. Can be moved to.

According to the first embodiment, the indicator rod 2 connected to the upper part of the float 3 and having the minimum liquid level scale 4a and the maximum liquid level scale 4b for displaying the liquid level 102 is formed, and the liquid passage 1d is provided inside. A liquid amount detection formed by a guide 1 which is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a stopper portion (funnel-shaped portion 1 a) for preventing fall that can come into contact with the end face 22 a of the inlet boss 22 of the battery body 101 on the outer periphery. Since the member 10 is provided, the outer periphery of the guide 1 is inserted into the liquid inlet 21 of the battery, the float 3 is floated on the liquid level 102, and the minimum liquid level scale 4a or the maximum liquid level scale 4b of the indicator bar 2 is set. Depending on the position, it can be detected at a glance whether or not the battery liquid level is the reference liquid level, and when the battery liquid level reaches a high level position corresponding to the maximum liquid level scale 4b, The liquid discharge port 5a of the guide 1 can be automatically closed by chromatography preparative 3.
In addition, the color of the scale formed on the indicator bar 2 is color-coded such that the minimum liquid volume scale 4a is red and the maximum liquid volume scale 4b is blue, for example. The misunderstanding of the scale can be prevented.

Therefore, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to quantitatively detect the battery liquid amount at a glance by simply inserting the liquid amount detecting member 10 into the battery body 101 from the liquid injection port 21, and the liquid amount detecting member 10. When replenishing the battery liquid through the inside, when the battery liquid level reaches a high level position corresponding to the maximum liquid level scale 4b, the liquid discharge port 5a is automatically closed by the float 3, thereby avoiding unnecessary replenishment of the battery liquid. It will be possible. Thus, by inserting the liquid amount detecting member 10 into the battery main body 101 from the liquid injection port, it is possible to easily check whether the battery liquid is excessive or insufficient and replenish the battery liquid to an allowable amount.
In addition, by sequentially inserting one liquid quantity detection member 10 into a plurality of liquid inlets 21 of the battery 100, the battery liquid can be checked for excess and deficiency and replenished to the allowable amount of battery liquid in a short time. it can. Thereby, the inspection and replenishment work of the battery liquid is facilitated, and the work time can be shortened.
When the liquid amount detecting member 10 is transferred from the liquid injection port 21 of the battery 100 to another liquid injection port 21, the battery liquid stored in the liquid passage 1d is lifted by holding the grip portion 2a by hand. Battery liquid can be replenished without spilling.
In the present embodiment, the liquid discharge port 5a of the guide 1 is configured to be closed by the float 3. However, a part of the indicator bar 2 is formed thick, and the liquid of the guide 1 is formed by a part of the indicator bar 2. Even if it is the structure which closes the discharge port 5a, it does not deviate from the main point of this invention.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are cross-sectional views of main parts of liquid amount detecting members having different lengths according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
In the second embodiment, a plurality of types of integral members of the float 3 and the indicator rod 2 having different overall lengths are prepared, and the integral members having different overall lengths are rearranged according to the capacity of the battery 100. In the same manner as in the first embodiment, the battery liquid is checked for excess or deficiency and the battery liquid is replenished to an allowable amount.
That is, in the second embodiment, the length from the end surface 22a of the inlet boss 22 of the battery body 101 to the lower end of the float 3 is set in the combined state of the integral member of the float 3 and the indicator rod 2 and the guide 1. In accordance with the increase in the capacity of the battery 100, the long integrated members such as H _{1 in} FIG. 1A, H ₂ in FIG. 2B, and H ₃ in FIG. Recombination according to the capacity, checking for excess or deficiency of the battery fluid and replenishment to the allowable amount of the battery fluid.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of main parts of guides of different sizes according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
In the third embodiment, a plurality of types of guides 1 having different diameters D of the liquid passage 1d of the guide 1 and lengths L from the contact portion with the end surface 22a of the inlet boss 22 to the lower end are prepared, According to the capacity of the battery 100, the guides 1 having different diameters D and lengths L are rearranged, and the battery liquid is checked for excess or deficiency and replenishment up to an allowable amount of battery liquid as in the first embodiment. Do.
That is, in the third embodiment, the diameter D of the liquid passage 1d and the length L from the end face 22a of the inlet boss 22 of the battery body 101 to the lower end of the guide 1 are increased according to the increase in the capacity of the battery 100. The guide 1 formed to be large like D ₁ , L ₁ in (A) and D ₂ , L ₂ in (B) is prepared, and is recombined according to the capacity of the battery 100, and the battery liquid Check for excess and deficiency of the battery and replenish the battery liquid to the allowable level.

  According to the liquid amount detection method in the second and third embodiments, a plurality of integral members of the float 3 and the indicator rod 2 having different total lengths H are prepared as in the second embodiment, or As in the third embodiment, only a plurality of guides 1 having different lengths L from the abutting portion to the lower end of the liquid passage diameter D and the end surface 22a of the inlet boss 22 are prepared. By selecting and using the integral member of the float 3 and the indicator rod 2 or the guide 1, it is possible to check and replenish the battery fluid for various types of batteries 100 having different capacities.

According to the present invention, a battery capable of quantitatively detecting a decrease in the liquid level in the battery body and automatically shutting off the injection of the battery liquid through the liquid passage by the float when the liquid level rises. Can be provided.
Can provide.

It is a perspective view of the liquid quantity detection member in the liquid quantity detection apparatus of the vehicle battery which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the liquid amount detection device for a vehicle battery in the first embodiment, where (A) shows when the battery liquid is insufficient and (B) shows when the battery liquid is full. (A), (B), (C) is principal part sectional drawing of the liquid quantity detection member from which the length which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention differs. (A), (B) is principal part sectional drawing of the guide from which the magnitude | size which concerns on 3rd Example of this invention differs. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle battery to which the present invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Guide 1a Funnel-shaped part 1b Cylindrical part 1d Liquid passage 2 Indicator rod 3 Float 4a Minimum liquid level scale 4b Maximum liquid level scale 5 Seal member 5a Liquid discharge port 10 Liquid level detection member 21 Liquid inlet 22 Inlet boss 22a Upper surface 23a Boss part 100 Battery 101 Battery body 102 Liquid surface

Claims (5)

  A liquid amount detecting member is inserted into the battery body from the liquid inlet of the battery, the float of the liquid amount detecting member is floated on the liquid surface of the battery liquid accommodated in the battery body, and the battery depends on the position of the float. In the battery liquid level detection device configured to detect the liquid level of the liquid, the liquid level detection member is connected to an upper part of the float, and an indicator bar on which a scale for displaying the liquid level is formed; A drop-prevention unit that is provided on the upper part of the indicator rod and is formed in a cylindrical shape having a liquid passage inside, and capable of coming into contact with the end surface of the liquid inlet boss of the battery body on the outer periphery. And the guide of the liquid amount detecting member is inserted into the liquid injection port so that the float floats on the liquid surface, and the position of the scale of the indicator bar is adjusted. When the battery fluid level is detected and the battery fluid level reaches a high level position or when the grip is lifted, the liquid passage of the guide is closed by a part of the float or the indicator rod. Battery level detector for battery.   2. The battery liquid amount according to claim 1, further comprising a support member that is connected to the inside of the guide through a part of the liquid passage and that supports the indicator bar so as to be vertically slidable on an inner periphery thereof. Detection device.   2. The battery liquid amount according to claim 1, wherein the stopper portion is formed in a funnel shape, and an outer peripheral surface of the funnel-like portion is configured to be able to contact an end surface of a liquid inlet boss of the battery body. Detection device.   A liquid amount detecting member is inserted into the battery body from the liquid inlet of the battery. A method for detecting a liquid amount of a battery for detecting a liquid amount, wherein an integral member of the float and an indicator bar connected to an upper portion of the float and having a scale for displaying the liquid amount is different in total length A plurality of guides are prepared, the integral members having different overall lengths are rearranged according to the capacity of the battery, formed into a cylindrical shape having a liquid passage inside, and a stopper portion for preventing fall at the upper outer periphery. An outer periphery is inserted into the liquid injection port, the float of the integral member is floated on the liquid surface, and the battery liquid level is detected by the position of the scale of the indicator rod. Battery of liquid amount detecting how.   A liquid amount detecting member is inserted into the battery body from the liquid inlet of the battery, the float of the liquid amount detecting member is floated on the liquid surface of the battery liquid accommodated in the battery body, and the battery depends on the position of the float. A battery liquid amount detection method for detecting a liquid amount, wherein the battery is formed in a cylindrical shape having a liquid passage inside, and for preventing fall that can come into contact with the end face of the liquid inlet boss of the battery body on the outer periphery. Prepare a plurality of guides having different lengths from the abutting portion to the lower end of the liquid passage diameter and the end face of the liquid inlet boss of the guide formed with the stopper portion according to the capacity of the battery. The guides having different diameters and lengths are rearranged, the outer periphery of the guides is inserted into the liquid injection port, the float is floated on the liquid level, and the battery according to the scale position of the indicator Battery liquid amount detecting method and detecting the amount.

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