JP2020017460A - Lead storage battery - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a means capable of preventing reduction of an electrolyte.SOLUTION: The lead storage battery comprises: a battery case which has an opening and a housing chamber continuous with the opening, and in which a plurality of cell chambers each housing an electrode group as well as an electrolyte are defined in the housing chamber; and a lid member which has an exhaust port, an inner lid closing the opening, an upper lid provided on the inner lid, and an exhaust passage formed between the inner lid and the upper lid so as to connect the housing chamber to the exhaust port. The exhaust passage has: a plurality of individual passages each communicating with each of the cell chambers; and a common passage communicating with the individual passages and connected to the exhaust port. The lead storage battery further comprises: a filter arranged in the common passage; and a passage opening/closing valve also arranged in the common passage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to a lead storage battery.

  In a lead storage battery used for a vehicle or the like, gas generated inside the battery case is exhausted to the outside through an exhaust passage in order to suppress an increase in the internal pressure of the battery case. For example, in the lead storage battery described in Patent Literature 1, a lid member for closing a battery case has a double lid structure including an inner lid and an upper lid, and an exhaust passage is provided between the inner lid and the upper lid. . A porous filter is provided in a collective exhaust section at the end of the exhaust passage.

JP-A-2006-189290

  In a lead-acid battery provided with an exhaust passage, the amount of the electrolytic solution is reduced by discharging moisture evaporated from the electrolytic solution and mist of the electrolytic solution to the outside through the exhaust passage. When the amount of electrolyte decreases, it is necessary to replenish the battery tank with purified water. In order to reduce the frequency of this operation, it is preferable that the reduction of the electrolyte is suppressed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a means capable of suppressing a decrease in an electrolytic solution.

  A lead storage battery according to one embodiment of the present invention has an opening and a housing chamber that is continuous with the opening, a battery case in which a plurality of cell chambers containing an electrode group and an electrolytic solution are partitioned in the housing room, and an exhaust port. An inner lid for closing the opening, an upper lid provided on the inner lid, and an exhaust passage formed between the inner lid and the upper lid and connecting the storage chamber and the exhaust port. A lid member. The exhaust passage has a plurality of individual passages that communicate with the cell chambers and a common passage that communicates with the individual passages and connects to the exhaust port. And a passage opening / closing valve arranged in the passage.

  According to the lead storage battery of one embodiment of the present invention, a decrease in the amount of the electrolyte can be suppressed.

Perspective view of lead storage battery Top view of battery case Vertical sectional view of the lead-acid battery (A-A sectional view in FIG. 1) Top view of inner lid Bottom view of inner lid Top view of top lid Bottom view of top lid FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. Vertical sectional view of the top cover, the filter, and the passage opening / closing valve (BB sectional view in FIG. 9) Exploded view of filter and passage opening / closing valve Top view of cylindrical casing Perspective sectional view of a cylindrical casing

[Overview]
First, an outline of a lead storage battery according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The lead storage battery has an opening and a housing chamber that is continuous with the opening, a battery case in which a plurality of cell chambers that house the electrode group and the electrolyte solution are partitioned in the housing room, an exhaust port, and the opening is sealed. An inner lid, an upper lid provided on the inner lid, and an exhaust passage formed between the inner lid and the upper lid and connecting the storage chamber and the exhaust port. . The exhaust passage has a plurality of individual passages that communicate with the cell chambers and a common passage that communicates with the individual passages and connects to the exhaust port. And a passage opening / closing valve arranged in the passage.

  The present inventor has studied to increase the ventilation resistance of the exhaust passage in order to suppress the decrease in the electrolytic solution. When the ventilation resistance is increased, the amount of gas discharged to the outside through the exhaust passage decreases, and accordingly, the amount of water vapor and electrolyte mist discharged to the outside decreases. As means for increasing the ventilation resistance, it is conceivable to make the porous filter arranged in the exhaust passage finer in order to prevent entry of an external spark.

  Here, in a so-called centralized exhaust type lead-acid battery in which gases generated in a plurality of cells are collected and exhausted from the collective exhaust unit, the gas passes through a filter of the collective exhaust unit as compared with a system in which each cell is individually exhausted. The amount of gas exhausted increases. Also, when the temperature of the lead storage battery decreases, the amount of gas sucked through the filter also increases. Then, the amount of dust and the like entering the exhaust passage from the outside with the intake increases, so that the possibility that the filter is clogged increases. When the filter is clogged in the centralized exhaust type lead-acid battery, the exhaust of the gas generated in the cell may be delayed, and the internal pressure of the cell may increase. Due to such a problem peculiar to the centralized exhaust system, it has been difficult to increase the ventilation resistance of the exhaust passage and to suppress the decrease of the electrolyte.

  The present inventor has made intensive studies and came up with the idea of increasing the ventilation resistance of the exhaust passage by arranging the passage opening / closing valve in the common passage. According to the lead storage battery, it is possible to increase the ventilation resistance of the exhaust passage to suppress the decrease in the electrolytic solution, and to reduce the pressure by the passage opening / closing valve when the internal pressure of the cell increases.

  The following configuration is desirable as an embodiment of the present lead storage battery. In the common passage, the filter is arranged closer to the exhaust port than the passage opening / closing valve. Since the ventilation resistance is increased by the passage opening / closing valve, the humidity in the common passage is increased, and dew condensation is likely to occur. According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the droplets generated by the dew condensation from contacting the filter and clogging the filter.

  The passage opening / closing valve includes a tubular casing provided with a communication passage and a valve seat communicating with the common passage, and a plate-shaped valve main body disposed in the tubular casing and opening and closing the communication passage. The plate-shaped valve body is supported by the valve seat such that the posture can be changed between a posture in which the communication passage is closed by contacting the valve seat and a posture in which the communication passage is opened apart from the valve seat. I have. In a conventional lead-acid battery without a passage opening / closing valve, the electrolyte flowing out of the battery case due to vibration flows through the exhaust passage, reaches the filter, clogs the filter, or flows out of the exhaust port through the filter. There was something. According to the above configuration, even when the electrolyte flows from the battery case through the exhaust passage, the electrolyte contacts the plate-shaped valve body of the passage opening / closing valve, so that the electrolyte is prevented from reaching the filter. Thus, clogging of the filter and outflow of the electrolyte can be suppressed.

[Detailed explanation]
Hereinafter, a lead storage battery according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

1. Overall configuration

  The lead storage battery 1 is a liquid storage battery provided with a flowable electrolytic solution. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lead storage battery 1 includes a battery case 17, an electrode group 30, an electrolytic solution 14, terminals 38 and 39, and a cover member 45. Note that the vertical direction 11 is defined based on the use posture when the lead storage battery 1 is placed horizontally without inclination with respect to the installation surface. The lateral direction of the battery case 17, which is the direction in which the terminal portions 38 and 39 are arranged, is defined as the left-right direction 13, and the depth direction of the battery case 17 is defined as the front-rear direction 12. One of the front and rear directions 12 in which the terminal portions 38 and 39 are arranged is defined as a rear side.

  The battery case 17 is provided with four outer walls 27 and a bottom wall 28, and is a box-shaped member made of synthetic resin having an open upper surface. The battery case 17 has an opening 18 and a storage chamber 19 continuous with the opening 18. As shown in FIG. 2, the battery case 17 includes five partition walls 29 arranged at equal intervals in the left-right direction 13. The partition 29 divides the storage chamber 19 of the battery case 17 into six cell chambers 21 to 26. That is, the six cell chambers 21 to 26 are formed in the storage chamber 19 of the battery case 17 in the left-right direction 13 in order from right to left by the partition wall 29. In each of the cell chambers 21 to 26, an electrolytic solution 14 made of dilute sulfuric acid and an electrode group 30 are accommodated. That is, a plurality of cell chambers 21 to 26 containing the electrode group 30 and the electrolytic solution 14 are partitioned by the partition wall 29 and the outer wall 27 in the storage chamber 19. A plurality of cell chambers 21 to 26 are arranged in the accommodation room 19. In the present embodiment, the size of the cell chambers 21 to 25 in the front-rear direction 12 (longitudinal direction) is larger than the size in the left-right direction 13 (short direction). The size of the cell chambers 21 to 25 in the front-back direction 12 is preferably 2.5 times or more, and more preferably 6.3 times or less, the size in the left-right direction 13. As illustrated in FIG. 2, it is more preferable that the size of the cell chambers 21 to 25 in the front-rear direction 12 is 4.1 times the size in the left-right direction 13.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the electrode group 30 includes a positive electrode plate 31, a negative electrode plate 32, and a separator 33. The separator 33 is disposed between the positive electrode plate 31 and the negative electrode plate 32, and separates the positive electrode plate 31 from the negative electrode plate 32. The positive electrode plate 31 and the negative electrode plate 32 are configured by filling a grid with an active material. The main component of the active material of the positive electrode plate 31 is lead dioxide, and the main component of the active material of the negative electrode plate 32 is lead.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an ear 34 is provided on the upper part of the positive electrode plate 31, and an ear 35 is provided on the upper part of the negative electrode 32. Inside the cell chambers 21 to 26, the ears 34 are connected to the strap 36 for the positive electrode, and the ears 35 are connected to the strap 36 for the negative electrode. The strap 36 is a plate-shaped member extending in the left-right direction 13. Thus, the positive electrode plate 31 in the cell chamber is electrically connected by the strap 36 for the positive electrode, and the negative electrode plate 32 in the cell chamber is electrically connected by the strap 36 for the negative electrode. Then, the positive and negative straps 36 of the adjacent cell chambers are electrically connected to each other via a connection portion 37 formed on the strap 36. Thus, the electrode groups 30 of the six cell chambers 21 to 26 are electrically connected in series.

  The lid member 45 includes an exhaust port 201, an inner lid 50 for closing the opening 18 of the battery case 17, and an upper lid 100 provided on the inner lid 50. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the inner lid 50 seen from above with the upper lid 100 removed, and FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the inner lid 50 seen from below. The inner lid 50 is made of a synthetic resin, and includes a lid plate 51 and a flange portion 52, as shown in FIGS. In the present embodiment, the exhaust port 201 is formed on the right side surface of the upper lid 100, as shown in FIG.

  The cover plate 51 is a member having a size capable of closing the upper opening of the battery case 17. As shown in FIG. 5, the lid plate 51 includes, on a lower surface thereof, a peripheral wall 53 formed along the flange portion 52 and a plurality of lid-side partition walls 54 formed so as to be continuous with the peripheral wall 53.

  The peripheral wall 53 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the cover plate 51. The peripheral wall 53 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape so as to correspond to the opening edge of the battery case 17. The lid-side partition wall 54 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the lid plate 51. Each lid-side partition 54 partitions the inside of the peripheral wall 53 so as to correspond to each partition 29 of the battery case 17. Then, the peripheral wall 53 is overlapped with the opening edge of the battery case 17, the lid-side partition wall 54 is overlapped with the partition wall 29 of the battery case 17, and these are joined by heat welding. Thereby, airtightness between the peripheral wall 53 and the battery case 17 and between the lid-side partition wall 54 and the partition wall 29 are ensured.

  The cover plate 51 includes a high surface portion 55 and a low surface portion 56 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The high surface portion 55 is provided at the front and rear of the cover plate 51. A pair of terminal portions is disposed at both ends of the rear high surface portion 55 in the left-right direction 13. More specifically, the positive terminal portion 38 is disposed at the left end of the rear high surface portion 55, and the negative terminal portion 39 is disposed at the right end. Since the positive terminal section 38 and the negative terminal section 39 have substantially the same shape, the negative terminal section 39 will be described below as an example, and the description of the positive terminal section 38 will be omitted.

  The negative terminal portion 39 includes a bushing 41 and a pole 42 as shown in FIG. The bushing 41 is made of a metal such as a lead alloy, and is a hollow cylindrical member. As shown in FIG. 3, the bushing 41 is mounted on a cylindrical mounting portion 67 formed on the high surface portion 55. The bushing 41 penetrates the mounting portion 67, and the upper portion of the bushing 41 projects from the upper surface of the high surface portion 55. A portion of the bushing 41 protruding from the high surface portion 55 is a terminal connection portion, to which a connection terminal (not shown) such as a harness terminal is attached.

  The pole 42 is a metal member such as a lead alloy, and has a cylindrical shape. The pole 42 is located inside the bushing 41. The pole 42 is longer than the bushing 41, and the upper part of the pole 42 is located inside the bushing 41, and the lower part of the pole 42 projects downward from the lower surface of the bushing 41. The upper end (tip) of the pole 42 is joined to the bushing 41 by welding, and the base 43 of the pole 42 is joined to the strap 36 of the electrode group 30.

  The lower surface portion 56 of the inner lid 50 is formed closer to the front of the lid plate 51. The low surface portion 56 is provided to extend in the left-right direction 13 across the six cell chambers 21 to 26 provided in the battery case 17. The upper surface of the low surface portion 56 is located lower than the upper surface of the high surface portion 55.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper surface wall 57 of the lower surface portion 56 of the inner lid 50 includes six liquid injection holes 68 arranged in the left-right direction 13. These six liquid injection holes 68 penetrate the upper surface wall 57 of the lower surface portion 56 in the up-down direction 11 and communicate with the six cell chambers 21 to 26, respectively.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the lower surface portion 56 includes a lower cylindrical wall 69, a lower outer peripheral wall 70, and a lower partition wall 71 protruding upward from the upper surface of the upper wall 57. The lower cylinder wall 69 is a cylindrical partition surrounding the liquid injection hole 68, and is provided in each of the six liquid injection holes 68. The lower outer peripheral wall 70 is a substantially rectangular partition wall provided along the outer edge of the low surface portion 56 and surrounding the low surface portion 56. The lower partition 71 is a partition extending forward from the lower outer peripheral wall 70 at the rear, and is provided corresponding to each partition 29 of the battery case 17.

  The upper cover 100 is made of a synthetic resin. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the upper lid 100 as viewed from above, and FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the upper lid 100 as viewed from below. The upper lid 100 includes a lid main body 101 and a flange portion 103, as shown in FIGS. The lid body 101 is a rectangular member that follows the lower surface portion 56 of the inner lid 50, and is attached to the lower surface portion 56 of the inner lid 50 in an overlapping manner. The flange portion 103 is formed on the left and right outer peripheral edges of the lid main body 101. The flange portion 103 protrudes downward from the lid body 101 and is located outside the left and right ends of the low surface portion 56 of the inner lid 50.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the top wall 102 of the lid main body 101 has six liquid injection holes 104 arranged in the left-right direction 13. These six liquid injection holes 104 are formed at positions corresponding to the liquid injection holes 68 of the inner lid 50, penetrate the upper wall 102 of the lid main body 101 in the vertical direction 11, and are connected to the six cell chambers 21 to 26. Each is in communication. The electrolyte 14 is injected into each cell chamber 21 to 26 of the battery case 17 through each injection hole 104 and each injection hole 68. As shown in FIG. 1, a liquid port plug 105 is attached to each liquid injection hole 104, and the liquid injection hole 104 is closed.

  The lid body 101 includes an upper cylindrical wall 106, an upper outer peripheral wall 107, and an upper partition 108 that protrude downward from the lower surface of the upper wall 102. The upper cylindrical wall 106 is a cylindrical partition surrounding the liquid injection hole 104, and is provided in each of the six liquid injection holes 104. The upper outer peripheral wall 107 is a substantially rectangular partition wall provided inside the flange portion 103 along the outer edge of the lid main body 101. The upper partition 108 is a partition extending forward from the rear upper outer peripheral wall 107, and is provided corresponding to each partition 29 of the battery case 17.

  Each upper cylinder wall 106 corresponds to each lower cylinder wall 69. When the upper lid 100 is disposed on the lower surface portion 56 of the inner lid 50, each upper cylindrical wall 106 is disposed so as to overlap above each lower cylindrical wall 69. Each upper cylinder wall 106 and each lower cylinder wall 69 are joined by heat welding, and airtightness between each upper cylinder wall 106 and each lower cylinder wall 69 is ensured.

  The upper outer peripheral wall 107 corresponds to the lower outer peripheral wall. When the upper lid 100 is disposed on the lower surface portion 56 of the inner lid 50, the upper outer peripheral wall 107 is disposed so as to overlap above the lower outer peripheral wall 70. The upper outer peripheral wall 107 and the lower outer peripheral wall 70 are joined by heat welding, and airtightness between the upper outer peripheral wall 107 and the lower outer peripheral wall 70 is secured.

  Each upper partition 108 corresponds to each lower partition 71. When the upper lid 100 is disposed on the lower surface portion 56 of the inner lid 50, each upper partition 108 is disposed so as to overlap above each lower partition 71. Each upper partition 108 and each lower partition 71 are joined by heat welding, and the airtightness between each upper partition 108 and each lower partition 71 is ensured.

2. Exhaust passage

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the lid member 45 includes the exhaust passage 2 between the inner lid 50 and the upper lid 100. The exhaust passage 2 is a passage connecting the storage chamber 19 of the battery case 17 and the exhaust port 201 provided in the cover member 45. The exhaust passage 2 is a passage that guides the gas generated in the cell chambers 21 to 26 of the battery case 17 to the exhaust port 201 and discharges the gas to the outside of the lead storage battery 1. The exhaust passage 2 includes a plurality of individual passages 81 to 86 and a common passage 9.

  In the present embodiment, the lid member 45 includes six individual passages 81 to 86. The individual passages 81 to 86 communicate with the six cell chambers 21 to 26, respectively.

  The common passage 9 is a passage that communicates with the individual passages 81 to 86 and connects to the exhaust port 201. The common passage 9 includes seven passages 91 to 97.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the individual passage 81 and the passage 91 and the individual passage 86 and the passage 96 are formed by a plane 15 whose normal line is parallel to the left-right direction 13 and passes through the center of the lid member 45 in the left-right direction 13. Are symmetrical with respect to. Similarly, the individual passages 82 and 92 and the individual passages 85 and 95 have shapes symmetric with respect to the plane 15. The individual passages 83 and 93 and the individual passages 84 and 94 have shapes symmetric with respect to the plane 15. The individual passages 82 and 92 and the individual passages 83 and 93 have substantially the same shape.

3. Individual passage

  The individual passages 81 to 86 are provided for each of the cell chambers 21 to 26 of the battery case 17 between the inner lid 50 and the upper lid 100. The individual passages 81 to 86 communicate with the common passage 9 and have a function of flowing the gas flowing out of the cell chambers 21 to 26 to the common passage 9. The individual passages 81 to 86 include an exhaust portion 6 provided at the end on the cell chamber side, and a passage formed by lower passage walls 61 to 66 and upper passage walls 111 to 116 described later. The exhaust part 6 is substantially cylindrical and has a gas passage inside.

  First, the exhaust unit 6 will be specifically described. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower surface portion 56 of the inner lid 50 includes six lower cylindrical portions 78 arranged in the left-right direction 13. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the lower cylindrical portion 78 has a rectangular cylindrical shape, and has a part of the lower outer peripheral wall 70, a part of the lower partition 71, and two lower peripheral walls 72, 73. The two lower peripheral walls 72 and 73 project upward from the upper surface of the upper surface wall 57 of the low surface portion 56.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper surface wall 57 of the low surface portion 56 includes six communication holes 74 arranged in the left-right direction 13. Each communication hole 74 is located inside each lower cylindrical portion 78. Each communication hole 74 penetrates the upper surface wall 57 of the lower surface portion 56 in the vertical direction 11 and communicates with each of the cell chambers 21 to 26 of the battery case 17.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the lid main body 101 of the upper lid 100 includes six upper cylindrical portions 118 arranged in the left-right direction 13. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the upper cylindrical portion 118 has a rectangular cylindrical shape, and includes a part of the upper outer peripheral wall 107, a part of the upper partition 108, and two upper peripheral walls 109 and 110. Have been. The two upper peripheral walls 109 and 110 project downward from the lower surface of the upper surface wall 102 of the lid main body 101.

  Each lower cylinder portion 78 and each upper cylinder portion 118 vertically overlap to form one exhaust unit 6. Specifically, the upper peripheral wall 109 corresponds to the lower peripheral wall 72, and overlaps the corresponding lower peripheral wall 72 and is joined by heat welding. On the other hand, the upper peripheral wall 110 does not overlap with the lower peripheral wall 73 and is located to the right of the lower peripheral wall 73 (in the right end exhaust portion 6, the upper peripheral wall 110 is larger than the lower peripheral wall 73. To the left). As described above, the upper outer peripheral wall 107 and the upper partition 108 overlap the corresponding lower outer peripheral wall 70 and the lower partition 71, and are joined by thermal welding.

  Each of the exhaust portions 6 configured as described above communicates with each of the cell chambers 21 to 26 through each of the communication holes 74. Therefore, the gas generated in each of the cell chambers 21 to 26 of the battery case 17 flows into each of the exhaust portions 6 through the communication holes 74 and is separated from the upper peripheral wall 110 and the lower peripheral wall 73 separated in the left-right direction 13. And flows through the individual passages 81 to 86 toward the exhaust port 201.

  Next, the passage formed by the lower passage walls 61 to 66 and the upper passage walls 111 to 116 will be specifically described. As shown in FIG. 8, the lower surface portion 56 of the inner lid 50 has a plurality of lower passage walls 61 to 66 for each of the cell chambers 21 to 26 of the battery case 17. The lower passage walls 61 to 66 project upward from the upper surface of the upper surface wall 57 of the low surface portion 56.

  The lower passage wall 61 is a wall that extends the lower peripheral wall 72 of the lower cylindrical portion 78 to the left, and is formed continuously with the lower peripheral wall 72. The left end of the lower passage wall 61 is bent obliquely right and rearward in the vicinity of the lower partition wall 71 and extends to the vicinity of the lower outer peripheral wall 70.

  The lower passage wall 62 is a wall protruding from the lower partition wall 71 and extending obliquely rightward and rearward. The right end of the lower passage wall 62 is bent rearward in the vicinity of the lower passage wall 65 and extends to the vicinity of the lower passage wall 61.

  The lower passage wall 63 is a wall that protrudes from the lower passage wall 62 and extends rearward, and has a tip located near the lower passage wall 61.

  The lower passage wall 64 is a wall that protrudes from the lower partition wall 71 and extends leftward, and extends obliquely leftward and backward from the middle. The distal end of the lower passage wall 64 is bent rearward near the left lower partition wall 71 and extends to the vicinity of the lower passage wall 62.

  The lower passage wall 65 is a wall protruding from the lower passage wall 64 and extending rearward, and has a tip located near the lower passage wall 61.

  The lower passage wall 66 is a wall protruding from the lower partition 71 and extending rightward, and its tip is located near the right lower partition 71.

  As described above, the lower passage walls 61 to 66 described above are aggregates of walls having different directions. As described above, the lower passage walls 61 to 66 are connected to the other lower passage walls 61 to 66 and the lower partition 71, and these walls have a bent shape. Thus, the paths of the individual passages 81 to 86 have a non-linear maze shape. That is, the lid member 45 has the lower passage walls 61 to 66 that bend the individual passages 81 to 86. The lower passage walls 61 to 66 are examples of passage walls.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the lid main body 101 of the upper lid 100 has a plurality of upper passage walls 111 to 116 for each of the cell chambers 21 to 26 of the battery case 17. The upper passage walls 111 to 116 protrude downward from the lower surface of the upper wall 102 of the lid body 101.

  The upper passage wall 111 is a wall that extends the upper peripheral wall 109 of the upper cylindrical portion 118 to the left, and is formed continuously with the upper peripheral wall 109. The left end of the upper passage wall 111 is bent obliquely rightward and rearward in the vicinity of the upper partition 108 and extends to the vicinity of the upper outer peripheral wall 107.

  The upper passage wall 112 is a wall protruding from the upper partition 108 and extending obliquely rightward and rearward. The right end of the upper passage wall 112 is bent rearward in the vicinity of the upper passage wall 115 and extends to the vicinity of the upper passage wall 111.

  The upper passage wall 113 is a wall protruding from the upper passage wall 112 and extending rearward, and has a tip located near the upper passage wall 111.

  The upper passage wall 114 is a wall that protrudes from the upper partition 108 and extends leftward, and extends obliquely leftward and backward from the middle. The distal end of the upper passage wall 114 is bent rearward in the vicinity of the left upper partition wall 108 and extends to the vicinity of the upper passage wall 112.

  The upper passage wall 115 is a wall protruding from the upper passage wall 114 and extending rearward, and has a tip located near the upper passage wall 111.

  The upper passage wall 116 is a wall that protrudes from the upper partition 108 and extends rightward, and its tip is located near the right upper partition 108.

  As described above, the upper passage walls 111 to 116 described above are aggregates of walls having different directions. As described above, the upper passage walls 111 to 116 are connected to the other upper passage walls 111 to 116 and the upper partition 108, and these walls have a bent shape. Thus, the paths of the individual passages 81 to 86 have a non-linear maze shape. That is, the lid member 45 has the upper passage walls 111 to 116 that bend the individual passages 81 to 86. The upper passage walls 111 to 116 are examples of passage walls.

  The upper passage walls 111 to 116 and the lower passage walls 61 to 66 are vertically overlapped to form a passage wall. More specifically, the upper passage walls 111 to 116 correspond to the lower passage walls 61 to 66, overlap with the corresponding lower passage walls 61 to 66, and are joined by heat welding. Individual passages 81 to 86 are provided between the thus formed passage wall, the lower partition wall 71, the upper partition wall 108, the lower outer peripheral wall 70, and the upper outer peripheral wall 107.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the paths of the individual passages 82 and 83 start from the communication hole 74 to the left between the lower passage wall 61 and the lower outer peripheral wall 70, and pass through the lower passage wall 61. Proceed downward between the lower partition 71. Next, the route travels rightward between the lower passage wall 61 and the lower passage wall 62 and travels downward between the lower passage wall 62 and the lower passage wall 65. Next, the route proceeds to the left between the lower passage wall 62 and the lower passage wall 64, and proceeds downward between the lower passage wall 64 and the lower partition wall 71. Then, the route proceeds rightward between the lower passage wall 64 and the lower passage wall 66, and ends at a gap between the lower passage wall 66 and the lower partition wall 71. At the end point, the individual passages 82 and 83 merge into the common passage 9.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the path of the individual passage 81 starts from the communication hole 74 and proceeds rightward between the lower passage wall 61 and the lower outer peripheral wall 70, and the lower passage wall 61 and the lower It travels downward between the outer peripheral wall 70. Next, the route proceeds to the left between the lower passage wall 61 and the lower passage wall 62 and proceeds downward between the lower passage wall 62 and the lower passage wall 65. Next, the route proceeds rightward between the lower passage wall 62 and the lower passage wall 64 and proceeds downward between the lower passage wall 64 and the lower tubular portion 79. The route ends at the gap between the lower passage wall 64 and the lower tubular portion 79. At the end point, the individual passage 81 joins the common passage 9.

  Note that, here, the side of the inner lid 50 shown in FIG. 8 has been described, but the same path also applies to the side of the upper lid 100 shown in FIG. Further, the individual passages 84 to 86 are symmetrical with respect to the plane 15 with respect to the individual passages 81 to 83 described above, and thus description thereof is omitted.

4. Common passage

  The common passage 9 is provided between the inner lid 50 and the upper lid 100. The common passage 9 communicates with the individual passages 81 to 86 and connects to the exhaust port 201. The common passage 9 collects gas flowing from the six individual passages 81 to 86 and discharges the gas from the exhaust port 201 to the outside of the lead storage battery 1. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the common passage 9 includes seven passages 91 to 97. A collective exhaust unit 3 is provided at the end of the passage 97 on the exhaust port 201 side.

  First, the collective exhaust unit 3 will be described. The collective exhaust unit 3 is provided between the inner lid 50 and the upper lid 100, and has a function of collectively exhausting the gas generated in the cell chambers 21 to 26 to the outside of the lead storage battery 1. In the present embodiment, the collective exhaust unit 3 is disposed at the right end of the cover member 45, as shown in FIG. The collective exhaust unit 3 may be arranged at another position, for example, at the left end of the lid member 45.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the lower surface portion 56 of the inner lid 50 includes a lower tubular portion 79. The lower cylindrical portion 79 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the upper surface wall 57 of the lower surface portion 56. The lower cylinder portion 79 is connected to a lower cylinder wall 69 and a lower outer peripheral wall 70 at the right end.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the lid main body 101 of the upper lid 100 includes an upper tubular portion 119 and an exhaust duct 200. The upper cylindrical portion 119 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the upper wall 102 of the lid main body 101. The upper cylinder portion 119 is connected to the upper cylinder wall 106 and the upper outer peripheral wall 107 at the right end. The left end portion of the exhaust duct 200 is connected to a space inside the upper cylindrical portion 119. The right end of the exhaust duct 200 is connected to an exhaust port 201 formed on the right side surface of the upper lid 100.

5. Filters and valves

  As shown in FIG. 10, a filter 331 and a passage opening / closing valve 332 are housed in a space inside the upper cylindrical portion 119.

  The filter 331 suppresses the external spark from entering the inside of the lead storage battery 1. As shown in FIG. 11, the filter 331 is a disk-shaped member, and is, for example, a porous body having continuous holes. The porous body is, for example, a sintered body of ceramic particles such as alumina or resin particles such as polypropylene. The filter 331 has, for example, an average diameter of several tens to several hundreds μm.

  The passage opening / closing valve 332 includes a tubular casing 334 in which a communication passage 335 communicating with the common passage 9 and a valve seat 337 are formed, and a plate-shaped valve main body 333 disposed in the tubular casing 334 and opening and closing the communication passage 335. And

  As shown in FIG. 11, the plate-shaped valve main body 333 is a disk-shaped member. The plate-shaped valve body 333 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin such as a polypropylene resin, a polyethylene resin, or a copolymer thereof.

  The tubular casing 334 is a substantially cylindrical casing as shown in FIGS. The cylindrical casing 334 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin such as a polypropylene resin, a polyethylene resin, or a copolymer thereof. The cylindrical casing 334 includes a cylindrical peripheral wall 336 and a valve seat 337 connected to a lower end of the peripheral wall 336. The valve seat 337 includes a through hole 338 that passes through the valve seat 337 in the up-down direction 11 and three protrusions 339 that protrude upward from the upper surface of the valve seat 337. The protrusion 339 is arranged around the through hole 338. A communication path 335 is formed by the space inside the cylindrical peripheral wall 336 and the through hole 338.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the plate-shaped valve main body 333 is placed on the upper surface of the valve seat 337 in a state of covering the through hole 338. The plate-shaped valve main body 333 is vertically movable in the communication passage 335. When the pressure in the cell chamber is low, the plate-shaped valve body 333 contacts the valve seat 337 and covers the through hole 338. In this state, the communication path 335 is closed. When the pressure in the cell chamber increases, all or a part of the plate-shaped valve body 333 is separated from the valve seat 337, all or a part of the through hole 338 is opened, and the communication path 335 is opened. That is, the plate-shaped valve main body 333 is configured so that the posture can be changed between a first posture in which the communication passage 335 is closed by contacting the valve seat 337 and a second posture in which the communication passage 335 is opened apart from the valve seat 337. It is supported by a seat 337.

  In addition, since the projection 339 is formed on the upper surface of the valve seat 337, when the plate-shaped valve body 333 contacts the valve seat 337 and the communication passage 335 is closed (first posture), the plate-shaped valve body is A gap 340 exists between 333 and valve seat 337. Due to the gap 340, the passage opening / closing valve 332 is an incomplete check valve, and the lead storage battery 1 is configured so that the pressure inside the exhaust passage 2 and the inside of the cell chambers 21 to 25 does not become lower than the atmospheric pressure. ing. When the passage opening / closing valve 332 is a complete check valve, that is, when the plate-shaped valve body 333 is in contact with the valve seat 337 and the communication passage 335 is closed, the gap 340 does not exist and the gas flows. If the configuration is not allowed, when the temperature of the lead storage battery 1 decreases, gas cannot pass through the passage opening / closing valve 332, and the pressure in the exhaust passage 2 and the inside of the cell chambers 21 to 25 decreases, and the pressure becomes lower than the atmospheric pressure. Will also be lower. Then, the outer wall 27 of the battery case 17 is bent inward, the level of the electrolytic solution 14 inside the battery case 17 rises, and overflow easily occurs. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the presence of the gap 340 suppresses a decrease in the internal pressure of the battery case 17 when the temperature of the lead storage battery 1 decreases, suppresses a rise in the level of the electrolyte 14, and suppresses the increase in the electrolyte 14. Is suppressed.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the filter 331 is inserted into the upper part of the peripheral wall 336 of the cylindrical casing 334. That is, the filter 331 is located above the plate-shaped valve main body 333. As described above, in the present embodiment, the filter 331 and the passage opening / closing valve 332 are integrated. Then, the integrated filter 331 and the passage opening / closing valve 332 are accommodated in a space inside the upper cylindrical portion 119, as shown in FIG.

  The upper cylinder part 119 and the lower cylinder part 79 are vertically welded and overlapped with each other to form the collective exhaust part 3. That is, the integrated filter 331 and the passage opening / closing valve 332 are housed inside the collective exhaust unit 3 as shown in FIG. The filter 331 is disposed on the exhaust port 201 side of the common passage 9. The passage opening / closing valve 332 is disposed on the side opposite to the exhaust port 201 with respect to the filter 331. In other words, the passage opening / closing valve 332 is arranged in the common passage 9 on the side where the cell chambers 21 to 26 are located as viewed from the filter 331. In other words, in the common passage 9, the filter 331 is disposed closer to the exhaust port 201 than the passage opening / closing valve 332.

    As shown in FIG. 10, the communication passage 335 of the passage opening / closing valve 332 communicates with the space inside the upper cylindrical portion 119 via the filter 331. The communication passage 335 communicates with the space inside the upper cylindrical portion 119 via the through hole 338. That is, the communication passage 335 communicates with the passage 97 of the common passage 9. With the configuration described above, the gas from the passage 97 flows into the space inside the lower cylinder portion 79 from the opening in front of the lower cylinder portion 79, and passes through the passage opening / closing valve 332 and the filter 331. The gas that has passed through the filter 331 flows into the exhaust duct 200 from the space above the upper cylindrical portion 119, and is discharged to the outside of the lead storage battery 1 through the exhaust port 201.

  Subsequently, the passages 91 to 97 will be described. The passages 91 to 97 are formed by the lower connecting wall 76, the upper connecting wall 117, and the above-described lower tubular wall 69, lower outer peripheral wall 70, lower partition 71, lower tubular portion 79, upper tubular wall 106, upper It is formed by the outer peripheral wall 107, the upper partition 108, and the upper cylindrical portion 119.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the lower surface portion 56 of the inner lid 50 includes a lower connecting wall 76. The lower connecting wall 76 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the upper surface wall 57 of the low surface portion 56. The lower connection wall 76 is connected to the right lower cylinder wall 69, the left lower cylinder wall 69, and the lower partition wall 71.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the lid main body 101 of the upper lid 100 includes an upper connecting wall 117. The upper connecting wall 117 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the upper wall 102 of the lid main body 101. The upper connection wall 117 is connected to the right upper cylinder wall 106 and the left upper cylinder wall 106.

  The upper connection wall 117 and the lower connection wall 76 overlap vertically to form a passage wall. More specifically, the upper connecting wall 117 corresponds to the lower connecting wall 76, and overlaps the corresponding lower connecting wall 76 and is joined by heat welding. The passage wall thus formed, the lower cylindrical wall 69, the lower outer peripheral wall 70, the lower partition 71, the lower cylindrical portion 79, the upper cylindrical wall 106, the upper outer peripheral wall 107, the upper partition 108, and the upper cylinder Between the portions 119, passages 91 to 97 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the path of the passage 91 starts from the end point of the individual passage 81 (the gap between the upper passage wall 114 and the upper cylinder part 119), and starts from the upper cylinder part 119 and the upper cylinder wall 106 and the upper passage. The vehicle travels diagonally left and forward between the wall 114 and the upper partition 108. Next, the path passes through the gap between the upper partition wall 108 and the upper connecting wall 117, proceeds downward between the upper partition wall 108 and the upper cylindrical wall 106, and proceeds to the end point of the individual passage 82 (the upper passage wall 116 and the upper The gap between the partition wall 108 and the partition wall 108 is defined as the end point.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the path of the passage 92 starts from the end point (the gap between the upper passage wall 116 and the upper partition 108) of the individual passage 82 and the passage 91 and starts from the upper passage wall 116, the upper partition 108, and the upper cylinder. Proceed to the left between wall 106. Next, the path passes through the gap between the upper partition wall 108 and the upper connecting wall 117, passes downward between the upper partition wall 108 and the upper cylindrical wall 106, and proceeds downward to the end point of the individual passage 83 (the upper passage wall 116 and the upper The gap between the partition wall 108 and the partition wall 108 is defined as the end point.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the path of the passage 93 starts from the end point (the gap between the upper passage wall 116 and the upper partition 108) of the individual passage 83 and the passage 92, and starts from the upper passage wall 116 and the upper cylindrical wall 106. Go to the left. Next, the route proceeds diagonally forward left between the upper partition 108 and the upper cylindrical wall 106, and ends at a gap between the upper partition 108 and the upper outer peripheral wall 107.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the path of the passage 97 starts from the end point of the passage 93 (the gap between the upper partition wall 108 and the upper outer peripheral wall 107), and the upper cylindrical wall 106, the upper connecting wall 117, and the upper outer peripheral wall 107. To the right and then to the rear, with the collective exhaust unit 3 as the end point.

  In addition, here, the side of the upper lid 100 shown in FIG. 9 has been described, but the same path is also applied to the side of the inner lid 50 shown in FIG. The passages 94 to 96 are symmetrical with respect to the above-described passages 91 to 93 with respect to the plane 15, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  The exhaust of the gas generated in each of the cell chambers 21 to 26 by the exhaust passage 2 described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  The gas generated in the cell chamber 21 located at the right end in the left-right direction 13 is exhausted through the individual passage 81, the passage 91, the passage 92, the passage 93, the passage 97, and the collective exhaust unit 3. It is discharged from the port 201 to the outside of the lead storage battery 1. The gas generated in the cell chamber 22 located adjacent to the left of the cell chamber 21 passes through the individual passage 82, the passage 92, the passage 93, the passage 97, and the collective exhaust unit 3, and passes through the exhaust port 201. It is discharged to the outside of the lead storage battery 1. The gas generated in the cell chamber 23 located adjacent to the left of the cell chamber 22 passes through the individual passage 83, the passage 93, the passage 97, and the collective exhaust unit 3, and passes from the exhaust port 201 to the lead storage battery 1. It is discharged outside.

  The length (passage length) of the exhaust passage 2 from the cell chambers 21 to 23 to the collective exhaust unit 3 will be compared. The passage length of the cell chamber 21 is the sum of the lengths of the individual passage 81, the passage 91, the passage 92, the passage 93, and the passage 97. The passage length of the cell chamber 22 is the sum of the lengths of the individual passage 82, the passage 92, the passage 93, and the passage 97. Accordingly, the passage length of the cell chamber 21 is longer than the passage length of the cell chamber 22. The passage length of the cell chamber 23 is the total length of the individual passages 83, the passages 93, and the passages 97. Therefore, the passage length of the cell chamber 22 is longer than the passage length of the cell chamber 23.

  The gas generated in the cell chamber 26 located at the left end in the left-right direction 13 is exhausted through the individual passage 86, the passage 96, the passage 95, the passage 94, the passage 97, and the collective exhaust unit 3. It is discharged from the port 201 to the outside of the lead storage battery 1. Gas generated in the cell chamber 25 located adjacent to the right of the cell chamber 26 passes through the individual passage 85, the passage 95, the passage 94, the passage 97, and the collective exhaust unit 3, and passes through the exhaust port 201. It is discharged to the outside of the lead storage battery 1. The gas generated in the cell chamber 24 located adjacent to the right of the cell chamber 25 passes through the individual passage 84, the passage 94, the passage 97, and the collective exhaust unit 3, and passes through the exhaust port 201 to the lead storage battery 1. It is discharged outside.

  The length (passage length) of the exhaust passage 2 from the cell chambers 24 to 26 to the collective exhaust unit 3 will be compared. The passage length of the cell chamber 26 is the sum of the lengths of the individual passage 86, the passage 96, the passage 95, the passage 94, and the passage 97. The passage length of the cell chamber 25 is the sum of the lengths of the individual passage 85, the passage 95, the passage 94, and the passage 97. Therefore, the passage length of the cell chamber 26 is longer than the passage length of the cell chamber 25. The passage length of the cell chamber 24 is the sum of the lengths of the individual passages 84, the passages 94, and the passages 97. Therefore, the passage length of the cell chamber 25 is longer than the passage length of the cell chamber 24.

  That is, the length of the exhaust passage 2 from the cell chamber 21 and the cell chamber 26 located at the end in the left-right direction 13 to the collective exhaust unit 3 (the passage opening / closing valve 332) is equal to the remaining cell chambers 22, 23, 24, and It is longer than the length of the exhaust passage 2 from 25 to the collective exhaust portion 3 (passage opening / closing valve 332).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the lower surface portion 56 of the inner lid 50 includes six return holes 77 arranged in the left-right direction 13. As shown in FIG. 8, each return hole 77 is located in a region surrounded by a lower outer peripheral wall 70, a lower partition 71, a lower peripheral wall 73, and a lower passage wall 61. Each return hole 77 penetrates the upper surface wall 57 of the lower surface portion 56 in the vertical direction 11 and communicates with each of the cell chambers 21 to 26 of the battery case 17. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the reflux hole 77 is arranged at the center of each of the cell chambers 21 to 26 of the battery case 17 when viewed in the up-down direction 11. That is, the reflux hole 77 is arranged at the center of each of the cell chambers 21 to 26 of the battery case 17. Thus, even if the lead storage battery 1 falls in any of the left, right, front, and rear directions, the outflow of the electrolyte 14 from the return hole 77 is suppressed.

  The upper surface of the upper surface wall 57 of the low surface portion 56 which is the bottom surface of the individual passages 81 to 86 is inclined such that the lower the upper surface 57 is, the lower the lower surface portion 56 is in the vertical direction 11. Thus, water droplets due to water vapor contained in the gas from the cell chambers 21 to 26 and droplets such as an electrolytic solution can be returned to the cell chambers 21 to 26 through the return holes 77. That is, water vapor contained in the gas generated in the cell chambers 21 to 26 is condensed in the individual passages 81 to 86 when the gas passes through the individual passages 81 to 86. The condensed droplet flows toward the return hole 77 due to the inclination of the upper surface of the upper surface wall 57. Therefore, droplets such as water vapor contained in the gas can be returned to each of the cell chambers 21 to 26.

[Example]

  The following Examples and Comparative Examples 1 to 4 were evaluated for the ease of clogging, measured for airflow resistance, evaluated for liquid reduction, and evaluated for an increase in internal pressure. The result was obtained. Further, a test for evaluating the amount of decrease in the liquid level in each cell chamber was performed on the examples and comparative example 1, and the results shown in Table 2 were obtained.

In this embodiment, a filter having a standard fineness is used as the filter 331. The passage opening / closing valve 332 and the remaining configuration are the same as those in the above embodiment.
Comparative Example 1 uses the same filter as the example as the filter 331, and does not include the passage opening / closing valve 332. Other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment.
Comparative Example 2 uses a filter finer than the filters of Example and Comparative Example 1 as the filter 331, and does not include the passage opening / closing valve 332. Other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment.
Comparative Example 3 uses a filter having a finer size than the filter of Comparative Example 2 as the filter 331, and does not include the passage opening / closing valve 332. Other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment.
Comparative Example 4 uses a filter with a finer size than the filter of Comparative Example 3 as the filter 331 and does not include the passage opening / closing valve 332. Other configurations are the same as those of the embodiment.

  The likelihood of clogging of the filter used was evaluated based on past experimental results and results with products. The standard filters used in Examples and Comparative Example 1 are unlikely to cause clogging. On the other hand, the fine filters used in Comparative Examples 2 to 4 are liable to be clogged.

  The ventilation resistance of the filter and the passage opening / closing valve was measured as follows. The filter is placed inside the cylinder, air is supplied from one opening of the cylinder at a flow rate of 1 liter / min, and the pressure of the air before passing through the filter is measured. The value obtained by subtracting the atmospheric pressure from the measured pressure is defined as the ventilation resistance of the filter. For the examples, both the filter and the passage opening / closing valve were arranged inside the cylinder and measured. As a result, the example was 0.6 kPa, the comparative example 1 was 0.3 kPa, the comparative example 2 was 0.6 kPa, the comparative example 3 was 1.2 kPa, and the comparative example 4 was 1.8 kPa. From the results of Comparative Examples 1 to 4, it can be seen that the finer the filter, the greater the airflow resistance. Further, the ventilation resistance of the example is larger than that of the comparative example 1. From this, it was confirmed that in the example, the presence of the passage opening / closing valve increased the ventilation resistance. From the difference between the airflow resistance of the example and the airflow resistance of the comparative example 1, it is estimated that the contribution of the passage opening / closing valve to the airflow resistance is 0.3 kPa.

An evaluation test for the amount of liquid reduction was performed as follows. The lead storage battery 1 is placed in an environment of 60 ° C., and a vertical vibration is applied while charging at a constant voltage of 13.8 V. The frequency of the vibration is swept from 10 Hz to 55 Hz, and the acceleration is 9.8 m / s ² . The test time is 120 hours. The difference between the weight of the lead storage battery 1 before the start of the test and the weight of the lead storage battery 1 after the end of the test is divided by the test time (120 hours) to determine the amount of liquid reduction [g / h] per unit time. . The results were as follows: Example: 0.38 g / h, Comparative Example 1: 0.54 g / h, Comparative Example 2: 0.47 g / h, Comparative Example 3: 0.41 g / h, Comparative Example 4: 0.35 g / h h. From the results of Comparative Examples 1 to 4, it is recognized that as the airflow resistance increases, the liquid reduction amount decreases. Here, the ventilation resistance of the example is 0.6 kPa which is the same as that of the comparative example 2, but the amount of liquid reduction of the example is smaller than that of the comparative example 2. In the embodiment, by providing the passage opening / closing valve, the liquid reduction amount is specifically reduced as compared with Comparative Examples 1 to 4 having no passage opening / closing valve.

  An evaluation test for an increase in internal pressure was performed as follows. A through-hole in the up-down direction 11 is provided in the lid member 45, a predetermined flow rate of air is supplied to the cell chamber 23 through the through-hole, and the internal pressure of the cell chamber 23 is measured. If the internal pressure of the cell chamber 23 is equal to or lower than a predetermined reference value, the test is passed. If the internal pressure is higher than the reference value, the test is failed. As a result, Examples and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 passed, and Comparative Examples 3 and 4 failed.

  A test for evaluating the amount of decrease in the liquid level in each cell chamber was performed as follows. The lead storage battery 1 was mounted on the vehicle, and the vehicle was run in a predetermined running pattern. Based on the liquid level before the start of the test, the amount of decrease in the liquid level at the end of the test was measured. In the running pattern, the engine is stopped for 12 hours after repeating running at a speed of 60 km / h for 2 hours and idling for 2 hours three times. This pattern is repeated 40 times. Note that the lead storage battery 1 is arranged on the right side of the engine when the vehicle is viewed from the front with the front surface facing the front of the vehicle. Among the cell chambers 21 to 26, the cell chamber 26 is arranged at a position closest to the engine. As shown in Table 2, the amount of decrease in the liquid level of the example was smaller than that of the comparative example 1 in all the cell chambers 21 to 26. The total liquid reduction amount of the example (the total amount of reduction in the liquid level) was 91% of the total liquid reduction amount of Comparative Example 1. The variation width of the liquid level in the example (the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the reduction amount of the liquid level) was 0.4 mm smaller than that of Comparative Example 1. The difference in configuration between the lead storage battery 1 of the embodiment and the lead storage battery 1 of the comparative example 1 is only the presence or absence of a passage opening / closing valve. Therefore, when the lead storage battery 1 is provided with the passage opening / closing valve, an unexpected effect of not only reducing the amount of reduction of the electrolytic solution but also reducing the variation in the amount of reduction of the cell chambers 21 to 26 occurs.

  From the above test results, it was confirmed that, by providing the lead storage battery 1 with the passage opening / closing valve, the reduction amount of the electrolyte and the variation of the reduction amount between the plurality of cell chambers can be reduced. In order to reduce the reduction amount of the electrolytic solution to the same level as in the embodiment without using the passage opening / closing valve, it is necessary to use the fine filter used in Comparative Example 3 or 4. However, in Comparative Examples 3 and 4, the filter was easily clogged, and the test for increasing the internal pressure also failed. Therefore, it is preferable to suppress the decrease of the electrolytic solution by using the passage opening / closing valve as in the embodiment.

[Modification]

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the filter 331 is inserted into the cylindrical casing 334 and the filter 331 and the passage opening / closing valve 332 are integrated has been described. It may be located remotely.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the gap 340 exists between the plate-shaped valve body 333 and the valve seat 337 when the plate-shaped valve body 333 is in contact with the upper surface of the valve seat 337 has been described. A form in which is not present is also possible. In this embodiment, when the plate-shaped valve main body 333 is in contact with the upper surface of the valve seat 337, gas does not pass through the passage opening / closing valve 332. When the pressure inside the cell chambers 21 to 26 and the exhaust passage 2 increases, the plate-shaped valve body 333 moves upward in the communication passage 335, and all or a part of the plate-shaped valve body 333 is separated from the valve seat 337. Thus, a gap is generated between the plate-shaped valve main body 333 and the valve seat 337. The gas generated in the cell chambers 21 to 26 and passing through the exhaust passage 2 reaches the filter 331 through a gap generated between the plate-shaped valve main body 333 and the valve seat 337.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the gap 340 is formed by the valve seat 337 of the cylindrical casing 334 having the projection 339 has been described. A projection may be provided on the lower surface of the plate-shaped valve main body 333. In addition, the gap 340 may be formed by providing a groove in the valve seat 337 or the plate-shaped valve main body 333 instead of the protrusion.

  In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the filter 331 is disposed closer to the exhaust port 201 than the passage opening / closing valve 332 in the common passage 9. However, the filter 331 is disposed closer to the battery case 17 than the passage opening / closing valve 332. May be done. In other words, the passage opening / closing valve 332 may be disposed closer to the exhaust port 201 than the filter 331.

The present invention can be implemented in the following forms.
(1)
A battery case having an opening and a housing chamber that is continuous with the opening, and a plurality of cell chambers that house the electrode group and the electrolyte solution in the housing room,
An exhaust port, an inner lid that seals the opening, an upper lid provided in the inner lid, an exhaust passage formed between the inner lid and the upper lid, and connecting the storage chamber and the exhaust port, And a lid member having
The exhaust passage has a plurality of individual passages communicating with the respective cell chambers and a common passage communicating with the individual passages and connecting to the exhaust port,
A filter disposed in the common passage;
And a passage opening / closing valve disposed in the common passage.

(2)
The lead storage battery according to (1), wherein in the common passage, the filter is disposed closer to the exhaust port than the passage opening / closing valve.

(3)
The passage opening / closing valve is
A tubular casing formed with a communication passage and a valve seat communicating with the common passage,
A plate-shaped valve main body that is arranged in the cylindrical casing and opens and closes the communication path,
The plate-shaped valve body is supported by the valve seat such that the posture can be changed between a posture in which the communication passage is closed by contacting the valve seat and a posture in which the communication passage is opened apart from the valve seat. The lead-acid battery according to (2).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Lead storage battery 2 ... Exhaust passage 9 ... Common passage 14 ... Electrolyte 17 ... Battery case 18 ... Opening 19 ... Storage chambers 21-26 ... Cell chamber 30 ... Electrode group 45 ... Lid member 50 ... Middle lid 51 ... Lid plates 81 to 86 ... Individual passage 100 ... Top lid 201 ... Exhaust port 331 ... Filter 332 ...・ Path opening / closing valve 333 ・ ・ ・ Plate valve body 334 ・ ・ ・ Cylinder casing 335 ・ ・ ・ Communication path 337 ・ ・ ・ Valve seat

Claims (3)

A battery case having an opening and a housing chamber that is continuous with the opening, and a plurality of cell chambers that house the electrode group and the electrolyte solution in the housing room,
An exhaust port, an inner lid that seals the opening, an upper lid provided in the inner lid, an exhaust passage formed between the inner lid and the upper lid, and connecting the storage chamber and the exhaust port, And a lid member having
The exhaust passage has a plurality of individual passages communicating with the respective cell chambers and a common passage communicating with the individual passages and connecting to the exhaust port,
A filter disposed in the common passage;
And a passage opening / closing valve disposed in the common passage.   2. The lead storage battery according to claim 1, wherein in the common passage, the filter is disposed closer to the exhaust port than the passage opening / closing valve. 3. The passage opening / closing valve is
A tubular casing formed with a communication passage and a valve seat communicating with the common passage,
A plate-shaped valve main body that is arranged in the cylindrical casing and opens and closes the communication path,
The plate-shaped valve main body is supported by the valve seat so that the posture can be changed between a posture in which the communication passage is closed by contacting the valve seat and a posture in which the communication passage is opened apart from the valve seat. The lead-acid battery according to claim 2, which is provided.

Images