MXPA98000153A - Bat - Google Patents

Abstract

A battery is described in which leaks of electrolytes can be observed with the naked eye. The battery includes a box or case, a positive plate and a negative plate located on the plate, which are mutually insulated, a lid support located on the upper portion of the interior of the box electrically to the positive plate, a fixed cap to the lid holder to cover the lid, an installed gasket enters the lid and the box to insulate the lid and the box and means detecting the electrolyte, interposed between the lid and the box, in such a way that at least a portion of the they are exposed to the outside, to react with the electrolytes that escape from the

Description

BATTERY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a battery and more particularly to a battery in which leakage of electrolytes can be detected with the naked eye. With reference to Figure 1, a conventional battery normally comprises a case or cylindrical case 11, within which positive plates 12 and negative plates 13 are laminated. Here, a separator 14 located between the positive plate 12 and the negative plate 13 electrically insulates the two plates 12 and 13. The two plates 12 and 13 and the separator 14 are attached to the inner wall of the box 11. The two plates 12 and 13 and separator 14 are supported by a ring element 15 installed on a lower portion to the interior of box 11. Also, each of the upper edges of two plates 12 and 13 and spacer 14 are supported by a portion of molding 16 formed by the curvature of a predetermined portion of the upper portion of the box 11 inwardly. The lid support 17 having an opening or hole 17a will be attached to the flDkfcra JL6 prpipn. Stage stage 17 is provided with a gasket 18 disposed to molding portion 16 of box JLL. A rubber or rubber vent 19 for covering the opening or opening 17a is located on the holder 17 of the lid and a cover 20 covering the rubber vent 19 is attached to and held by the holder 17 of the lid. Here, the lid support 17 is electrically connected to the positive plate 12 by a wire 21 connected to the lower part of the lid support 17. The box 11 and the lid 20 are electrically insulated by the gasket 18.

REP: 26599 In the battery described above, when the internal pressure in the case 11 increases beyond a predetermined level, the gas and electrolytes leak through a space formed between the opening or hole 17a, the rubber vent 19 and the cover 17 support. The leaks occur in a defective battery or a used battery and contain heavy metals that are harmful to humans. However, since conventional batteries have no means to show the degree to which leaks occur, the initial leaks of electrolytes can not be easily detected. Therefore, exposure to heavy metals included in electrolyte leaks may occur. Also, a device that uses the battery can be damaged due to leaking electrolyte.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a battery having leak detection means for detecting the initial leakage of electrolytes. To carry out the above object of the present invention, a battery is provided comprising: a box or case; a positive plate and a negative plate located in the box and that are mutually isolated; a lid support located on the upper portion of the interior of the box and electrically connected to the positive plate; a fixed lid to the lid support to cover the box; a gasket installed between the lid and the box to insulate the lid and the box; and electrolyte detection means, interposed between the lid and the box, in such a way that at least a portion of them are exposed to the outside, to react with the electrolytes leaking from the box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent when describing in detail a preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a partial sectional view of a battery conventional; and Figure 2 is a partial sectional view of a battery according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As shown in Figure 2, a battery according to the present invention includes a case or cylindrical case 31 and a group of plates 40 laminated to the interior of case 31. A group of plates 40 includes a plate positive 41 composed of nickel oxide, a negative plate 42 composed of hydrogen trapping alloys and a separator 43 interposed between the two plates 41 and 42 to electrically isolate the positive plate 41 from the negative plate 42. In order to fix the upper portion of the group of plates 40, a portion of the molding 32 is formed on the box 31. The lower portion of the group of plates 40 is supported by a ring element 33 installed on the lower portion of the box 31. On the upper portion of the box 31, a support 35 of cover, a rubber vent 36 and a cover 37 are provided sequentially in order to seal the box 31. The support 35 of the cover has an opening or hole 35a in the central portion thereof and is supported by a seal 34 installed adjacent to the molding portion 32 in the box 31. A wire 38 is attached to the bottom of the lid holder 35 to electrically connect the positive plate 41 to the holder 35 of the lid. The lid 37 is electrically connected to the holder 35 of the lid and the central portion thereof projects from a hole 31a of the box 31. The rubber vent 36 is interposed between the holder 35 of the lid and the lid 37 to cover the opening 35a of the support 35 of the lid by elastic pressure. The seal 34 electrically insulates the holder 35 from the lid and the case 31. Between the lid 37 and the case 31 a portion 50 is provided which detects the electrolyte, which reacts with any electrolyte that leaks out of the case 31 through the electrolyte. the opening 35a. A part of the portion 50 that detects the electrolyte is exposed to the outside through the opening 31a of the box 31, to thereby show leaks of the electrolytes which can be detected with the naked eye. It is desirable that the electrolyte detection portion 50 has litmus paper, which changes colors according to the electrolytes. The color of the litmus paper is changed according to the pH of the electrolyte, in the case that the litmus paper is stained with the electrolyte that leaks from the inside of the box 31. The litmus paper can also replace a small retaining ring manufactured of paper or synthetic resins employed in order to prevent an electrical short of the box 31 and the lid 37. As described above, the battery according to the present invention includes a portion that detects the electrolyte, thereby showing the electrolyte leaks from the battery with the naked eye. Thus, it is easy to distinguish a defective battery or a used battery from a normal battery, in such a way that damage to an appliance, due to leakage of electrolytes and toxic exposure of heavy metals, can be prevented. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrated mode and that many changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the invention by a person skilled in the art. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best known method for the solidtante to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it refers. Having described the invendón as above, property is claimed as contained in the following

Claims (2)

1. Claims 1. A battery characterized in that it comprises: a box; a positive plate and a negative plate located in the box, which are mutually isolated; a lid support located on the upper portion of the interior of the box and electrically connected to the positive plate; a fixed lid to the lid support to cover the lid; a gasket installed between the lid and the box to insulate the lid and the box; and electrolyte detection means, interposed between the lid and the box, in such a way that at least one pordop of them is exposed to the outside, to react with the electrolytes that leak out of the box.
2. 2. A battery according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrolyte detection means comprise litmus paper, which changes color according to the exposure to the electrolyte.