WO2020021909A1

WO2020021909A1 - Lead storage battery

Info

Publication number: WO2020021909A1
Application number: PCT/JP2019/023908
Authority: WO
Inventors: 小島　優
Original assignee: 株式会社Ｇｓユアサ
Priority date: 2018-07-27
Filing date: 2019-06-17
Publication date: 2020-01-30

Abstract

In order to improve the overflow performance of a lead storage battery, this lead storage battery comprises: a battery case having an opening in an upper section thereof and housing an electrode group and an electrolyte; and a lid member sealing the opening and having an exhaust port formed therein. The lid member has: a bottom wall having a recirculation hole 231 connected to inside the battery case; a top wall facing the bottom wall; and ribs 101–110 erected on the bottom wall. The ribs 101–110 form: a passage 151 from the recirculation hole 231 to the exhaust port; and first spaces 130 (131) connected to the passage 151 via one communication port 142 (143) and having electrolyte able to flow to and from said first spaces through the communication port 142 (143). The width L2 (L4) of the communication port 142 (143) is less than 1.5 times the width L1 (L3) of the passage 151 in a section adjacent to the communication port 142 (143).

Description

Lead storage battery

(4) The present invention relates to a lead storage battery provided with a lid having an exhaust port.

Patent Document 1 describes a lead storage battery provided with a lid member having an exhaust duct. The lid member has a passage wall forming a passage therein. The passage wall forms a passage that guides the gas generated in the battery case to the exhaust duct and guides the liquid in the cover member to a return hole provided in the cover member.

JP 2016-189290 A

As a result of the experiment, the inventor of the present invention formed a space communicating with the passage, through which the liquid flows in and out, inside the lid member, and further devised the configuration of the space, whereby the space from the exhaust port of the lid was formed. It has been found that the effect of suppressing liquid leakage (hereinafter also referred to as overflow performance) can be enhanced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to improve overflow performance.

鉛 The lead storage battery according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery case having an opening at an upper portion and containing an electrode group and an electrolytic solution, and a lid member closing the opening and forming an exhaust port. The lid member has a bottom wall formed with a return hole communicating with the inside of the battery case, a top wall facing the bottom wall, and a rib erected on the bottom wall. The rib forms a passage extending from the return hole to the exhaust port, and a first space that communicates with the passage through one communication port and through which the electrolyte can flow in and out through the communication port. . The width of the communication port is less than 1.5 times the width of the passage in a portion adjacent to the communication port.

According to the lead storage battery of one embodiment of the present invention, the overflow performance can be improved.

1 is a perspective view of a lead-acid battery according to a first embodiment. Vertical sectional view of the lead storage battery (II-II sectional view in FIG. 1) Top view of battery case Exploded perspective view of the lid body Exploded perspective view of the lid body Perspective view of inner lid Top view of inner lid Bottom view of top lid Partial enlarged view of the top view of the inner lid Partial enlarged view of the top view of the inner lid Partial enlarged view of the top view of the inner lid Partial enlarged view of the top view of the inner lid Plan view of the inner lid of the lead-acid battery of the second embodiment Cross section of rib in inner lid Illustration of rib

[First issue of lead-acid battery]

In a lead-acid battery, the pressure inside the battery case may increase due to the gas consisting of water vapor and mist generated in the battery case. The lid of the lead storage battery is provided with, for example, an exhaust port for discharging gas in the battery case to the outside.

Some of the lids of lead-acid batteries are box-shaped with a space inside, so-called double lids. In this type of lid, for example, a vent is provided on the bottom, an exhaust port is provided on a side wall, and a passage from the vent to the exhaust port is provided. The gas generated in the battery case enters the lid from the ventilation port, reaches the exhaust port through the passage, and is discharged from the exhaust port to the outside. For example, a reflux hole is provided in the passage, and the liquid in the lid is guided to the reflux hole through the passage, and returns from the reflux hole into the battery case.

(4) In a lead storage battery mounted and used in a vehicle or the like, when shaking or vibration is applied, the electrolyte may enter the lid from the return hole into the lid. The passage provided in the lid is provided, for example, in a bent shape so that the electrolyte that has entered the lid from the reflux hole can be prevented from leaking from the exhaust port. Further, a space into which a liquid flows may be provided in the middle of the passage.

Then, in order to allow the liquid to easily flow into the space, for example, the space is communicated with the passage so that the liquid that enters the lid from the return hole and flows backward through the passage can be smoothly introduced into the space. It is conceivable to provide two communication ports: a communication port through which the liquid flows in, and a communication port through which the liquid flows out through the passage. Alternatively, it is conceivable to provide a communication port having a width of 1.5 times or more the width of the passage in the space.

では With such a lid configuration, the liquid can be smoothly guided into the space. However, on the other hand, the liquid smoothly flows out of the space. Then, the liquid that has flowed into the space will vigorously flow out of the space due to the liquid that has flowed further into the space. The liquid that vigorously flows out of the space causes a possibility of reaching the exhaust port.

As a result of trial and error, the inventor of the present application has found that lowering the flow velocity of the liquid in the passage (hereinafter, also referred to as the force of the liquid) can improve the overflow performance that suppresses leakage of the liquid from the exhaust port. In order to weaken the momentum of the liquid in the passage, it is effective to limit the number of communication ports of the space to one and to make the width of the communication port less than 1.5 times the width of the passage. I got the knowledge.

[First outline explanation]

First, an outline of a lead storage battery according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. A lead storage battery according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a battery case having an opening at an upper portion and containing an electrode group and an electrolytic solution, and a lid member closing the opening and forming an exhaust port. The lid member has a bottom wall formed with a return hole communicating with the inside of the battery case, a top wall facing the bottom wall, and a rib erected on the bottom wall. The rib forms a passage extending from the return hole to the exhaust port, and a first space that communicates with the passage through one communication port and through which the electrolyte can flow in and out through the communication port. . The width of the communication port is less than 1.5 times the width of the passage in a portion adjacent to the communication port.

液体 The liquid flowing through the passage flows into the first space from the communication port, and is temporarily stored in the first space. The liquid that has flowed into the first space flows out of the first space due to vibration or shaking applied to the lead storage battery, or liquid that has flowed further into the first space from the communication port. Since there is only one communication port in the first space, the liquid flows into the first space from the communication port, and the liquid flows out from the communication port. Therefore, the liquid flowing out of the communication port collides with the liquid flowing in the passage, so that the force of the liquid flowing in the passage and the force of the liquid flowing out of the communication port can both be reduced. Further, since the width of the communication port of the first space is less than 1.5 times the width of the passage, the liquid flowing out of the first space through the communication port is strong enough to reduce the force of the liquid flowing through the passage. Now you can drain it. As a result, the overflow performance can be improved.

Here, the width of the communication port may be at least half the width of the passage in a portion adjacent to the communication port.

Since the width of the communication port of the first space is equal to or more than half of the width of the passage, an amount of liquid that can sufficiently reduce the force of the liquid flowing through the passage can flow into the first space from the communication port. . As a result, the overflow performance can be further improved.

The rib may communicate with the passage to further form a second space into which the liquid flows. The second space communicates with the passage through at least one of a plurality of communication openings and one communication opening having a width of 1.5 times or more the width of the passage, and does not directly communicate with the return hole. The first space is located at a position closer to the return hole in the passage than the second space.

The first space having only one narrow communication port is located at a position closer to the return hole in the passage than the second space having a plurality of communication ports or the wide one communication port. The liquid that has entered the space is weakened by the liquid flowing out of the first space, and then smoothly flows into the second space. As a result, the overflow performance can be further improved.

The rib may be a part of the passage, and form a first linear passage that is linear and a second passage that intersects the first linear passage. The communication port of the first space is provided on an extension of the first straight passage portion and facing an intersection of the first straight passage portion and the second passage portion.

Since the liquid can be guided to the communication port of the first space by the straight first linear passage portion, the liquid flows into the first space in an amount sufficient to sufficiently reduce the force of the liquid flowing out of the communication port. be able to. As a result, the overflow performance can be further improved.

The first straight passage portion and the second passage may be orthogonal to each other. Even if there is a difference between the amount and the force of the liquid flowing through the first straight passage portion and the amount and the force of the liquid flowing out from the communication port, it is possible to suppress a large change in the overflow performance due to the difference. it can. As a result, the overflow performance can be stabilized.

The ribs may include linear ribs that define a part of the first straight passage and a part of the first space. The communication port is located in the middle of the linear rib.

(4) The liquid flowing through the first linear passage is guided to the communication port of the first space along the linear rib. On the other hand, the liquid flowing out of the first space (storage space) is also guided to the communication port along the linear rib. Therefore, the liquid flowing through the first straight passage portion and the liquid flowing out from the communication port can collide head-on. As a result, the momentum of the liquid flowing through the passage can be further reduced, and the overflow performance can be further improved.

The width of the communication port in the first space may be wider than the width of the passage in a portion adjacent to the communication port. Since the width of the communication port is wider than the width of the passage in a portion adjacent to the communication port, a sufficient amount of liquid can flow into the first space 1 through the communication port.

The area of the first space may be 1.5 times or more a value obtained by squaring the width of the communication port of the first space. Since the area of the first space is at least 1.5 times the value obtained by squaring the width of the communication port, it is possible to prevent the liquid that has flowed into the first space from immediately flowing out of the first space.

The rib may form at least two of the first spaces in the passage. Since the rib forms at least two first spaces in the passage, the overflow performance can be further improved.

The communication port of the first space may be formed at a position near the return hole in the passage. Since the communication port of the first space is formed at a position near the return hole in the passage, the overflow performance can be further improved.

[First Embodiment]

鉛 The lead storage battery of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lead storage battery 10 includes a rectangular box-shaped battery case 20 having an opening on one surface, and a lid member 30 for closing the opening of the battery case 20. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1, and is a cross-sectional view of the lead storage battery 10 cut along a plane passing through a central axis of a negative electrode post 33 described later. In the following, the vertical direction 7 is defined as one surface of the battery case 20 provided with the opening is the upper surface, the direction along the short side of the rectangular box-shaped battery case 20 is defined as the front-back direction 8, and the long side is defined. A description will be given by defining a direction along the horizontal direction 9. The vertical direction 7, the front-back direction 8, and the left-right direction 9 are orthogonal to each other.

The battery case 20 includes four front, rear, left and right side plates 21 and a bottom plate 22. An internal space 23 surrounded by the four side plates 21 and the bottom plate 22 stores the electrolytic solution 6 made of diluted sulfuric acid. That is, the lead storage battery 10 is a so-called liquid storage battery. The battery case 20 is a resin molded product molded using, for example, a synthetic resin having corrosion resistance and insulation properties.

電 As shown in FIG. 3, the battery case 20 includes five partition plates 24 that partition the internal space 23 into six. The partition plate 24 has a plate shape having a thickness in the left-right direction 9. The partition plate 24 is formed integrally with the side plate 21 and the bottom plate 22 and is connected to the bottom plate 22 and the front and rear side plates 21.

The left and right side plates 21 and the five partition plates 24 are separated from each other at substantially equal intervals in the left-right direction 9. The upper end of the partition plate 24 is located at substantially the same height as the upper end of the side plate 21. The five partition plates 24 partition the internal space 23 of the battery case 20 into six cell chambers 11 to 16. Each of the cell chambers 11 to 16 stores the electrolytic solution 6 respectively.

(2) Each of the cell chambers 11 to 16 contains a positive electrode plate 25, a negative electrode plate 26, and a separator 27, respectively, as shown in FIG. The positive electrode plate 25, the negative electrode plate 26, and the separator 27 have a plate shape having a thickness in the left-right direction 9, and are separated from each other in the right-left direction 9. The separator 27 is located between the positive electrode plate 25 and the negative electrode plate 26 and separates the positive electrode plate 25 from the negative electrode plate 26.

The positive electrode plate 25 and the negative electrode plate 26 are, for example, a lattice body filled with an active material. The main component of the active material of the positive electrode plate 25 is lead dioxide. The main component of the active material of the negative electrode plate 26 is lead.

各 Each positive electrode plate 25 and each negative electrode plate 26 housed in each of the cell chambers 11 to 16 are connected to each other by a conductive strap 28. More specifically, the positive electrode plate 25 accommodated in one cell chamber is connected via a strap 28 to a negative electrode plate 26 accommodated in an adjacent cell room. The negative electrode plate 26 accommodated in one cell room is connected to the positive electrode plate 25 accommodated in the adjacent cell room via another strap 28. For example, the positive electrode plate 25 accommodated in the cell chamber 12 is connected via a strap 28 to the negative electrode plate 26 accommodated in the

cell chambers

11 and 13. The other strap 28 is connected to the positive electrode plate 25 accommodated in the

cell chambers

11 and 13. That is, the cell chambers 11 to 16 are connected in series.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lid member 30 includes a rectangular box-shaped lid main body 31, a positive pole 32 and a negative pole 33 penetrating the lid main body 31 in the up-down direction 7,

bushings

38 and 39, Is provided.

The lid body 31 is in the shape of a rectangular box. The thickness of the lid body 31 in the up-down direction 7 is shorter than a short side along the front-rear direction 8 and a long side along the left-right direction 9. That is, the lid main body 31 has a flat rectangular box shape. Lid body 31 has a lower surface that is larger than the upper surface of battery case 20. A peripheral wall 35 that covers the upper part of the outer surface of the side plate 21 of the battery case 20 protrudes downward from the peripheral end of the lower surface. The lid main body 31 is arranged by fitting the upper part of the side plate 21 of the battery case 20 inside the peripheral wall 35.

The lid body 31 is fixed to the battery case 20. More specifically, the lid main body 31 has a rectangular frame-shaped contact surface 36 provided along the peripheral wall 35. The contact surface 36 is a part of the lower surface of the lid main body 31. The contact surface 36 is in contact with the upper end of the side plate 21 of the battery case 20. The contact surface 36 and the upper end of the side plate 21 of the battery case 20 are fixed to each other by heat welding or the like. That is, the lid main body 31 is fixed to the battery case 20.

蓋 Furthermore, the lid main body 31 is fixed to the battery case 20 so that the electrolytic solution 6 can be prevented from mutually moving between the cell chambers 11 to 16 of the battery case 20. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the lid main body 31 has five ribs 37 protruding downward from the lower surface. Each rib 37 has a thickness in the left-right direction 9 and is provided along the front-back direction 8. The lower end of each rib 37 is in contact with the upper end of each partition plate 24 of the battery case 20. The lower end of the rib 37 of the lid body 31 and the upper end of the partition plate 24 of the battery case 20 are fixed to each other by heat welding or the like. The partition plate 24 and the rib 37 prevent the electrolyte solution 6 from mutually moving between the cell chambers 11 to 16.

蓋 The lid main body 31 and the

bushings

38 and 39 shown in FIG. 1 are integrally formed by, for example, so-called insert molding. That is, the

bushings

38 and 39 are fixed to the lid main body 31.

The bushing 38 and the bushing 39 are both cylindrical and made of a conductive metal such as a lead alloy. Hereinafter, the bushing 38 will be mainly described, but the same applies to the bushing 39. The bushing 38 and the bushing 39 may have different shapes, or may have the same shape but different sizes (similar shapes).

The upper part of the bushing 38 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the lid body 31 and is exposed to the outside. That is, the bushing 38 functions as an external connection terminal. The upper end of the positive pole 32 made of a conductive metal is inserted into the bushing 38. The positive pole 32 is fixed to the bushing 38 by, for example, welding. The lower end of the positive pole 32 is connected to the strap 28 shown in FIG. Similarly, the lower end of the negative pole 33 is connected to another strap 28. The lead storage battery 10 outputs a DC voltage from a pair of positive and

negative bushings

38 and 39.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lid main body 31 has an exhaust port 45 for exhausting gas composed of mist and water vapor generated in the battery case 20 to the outside in order to prevent the internal pressure in the battery case 20 from becoming too high. On the side wall. The lid main body 31 has a configuration for preventing liquid from leaking from the exhaust port 45. Hereinafter, the configuration of the lid body 31 will be described in detail.

[Lid body 31]

蓋 As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lid main body 31 includes an inner lid 40 and an upper lid 50. The inner lid 40 and the upper lid 50 are molded products of synthetic resin.

The inner lid 40 has the above-described peripheral wall 35 that is thermally welded to the battery case 20, and is fixed to the battery case 20. The above-mentioned

bushings

38 and 39 are located at the rear of the inner lid 40 and are separated in the left-right direction 9.

The inner lid 40 has six inlets 431 to 436 for injecting the electrolyte 6 into the respective cell chambers 11 to 16 of the battery case 20 at the front. The six inlets 431 to 436 are separated from each other in the left-right direction 9. The inlets 431 to 436 are closed by the stoppers 60, respectively. Each stopper 60 is fixed to the upper lid 50, respectively. Details will be described later.

前 The front upper surface 41 which is the upper surface of the front part of the inner lid 40 is located at a position lower than the rear upper surface 42 which is the upper surface of the rear part. An upper lid 50 is arranged on the front upper surface 41 of the inner lid 40. The difference in height between the rear upper surface 42 and the front upper surface 41 of the inner lid 40 is substantially equal to the length of the upper lid 50 in the vertical direction 7. That is, in the lid body 31, the rear upper surface 42 of the inner lid 40 and the upper surface of the upper lid 50 are substantially flush. The front part of the inner lid 40 forms a bottom wall of the lid member 30.

The upper lid 50 has a rectangular plate-like portion 51 whose length along the left-right direction 9 is longer than the length along the front-rear direction 8 and has a thickness in the up-down direction 7, and a lower portion from the periphery of the lower surface of the plate-like portion 51. And a peripheral wall 52 that protrudes. The lower end of the peripheral wall 52 is fixed to the front upper surface 41 of the inner lid 40 by heat welding. That is, the upper lid 50 is fixed to the inner lid 40. The plate-shaped portion 51 of the upper lid 50 forms a top wall of the lid member 30. The plate portion 51 and the peripheral wall 52 of the upper lid 50 constitute an outer wall of the lid member 30.

The upper lid 50 has six injection openings 531 to 536 at the front thereof, which overlap with the injection ports 431 to 436 of the inner lid 40 in the vertical direction 7. Screw grooves 54 are provided on the inner peripheral surfaces of the injection openings 531 to 536, respectively. The screw groove 54 is screwed with a screw groove 61 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical plug 60. That is, the upper lid 50 fixes the six stoppers 60 respectively.

The upper lid 50 has the above-described exhaust port 45 on the peripheral wall 52. The exhaust port 45 penetrates the peripheral wall 52 in the left-right direction 9. Passages 151 to 156 (see FIG. 7) through which gas flows and which returns the liquid into the battery case 20 are formed in the space 5 surrounded by the front part of the inner lid 40 and the upper lid 50. The details will be described below.

中 As shown in FIG. 6, the inner lid 40 has six ventilation holes 161 to 166 that are the starting points of the passages 151 to 156. The ventilation holes 161 to 166 penetrate the front part of the inner lid 40 in the vertical direction 7 respectively. The vents 161 to 166 communicate the cell chambers 11 to 16 with the space 5, respectively. Specifically, the vent 161 connects the cell chamber 11 and the space 5, the vent 162 connects the cell chamber 12 and the space 5, and the vent 163 connects the cell chamber 13 and the space 5. The communication, the vent 164 connects the cell chamber 14 and the space 5, the vent 165 connects the cell chamber 15 and the space 5, and the vent 166 connects the cell chamber 16 and the space 5. .

通路 As shown in FIG. 7, passages 151 to 156 are formed in the space 5 with the vents 161 to 166 as starting points. The passage 151 is a passage from the ventilation port 161 communicating with the cell chamber 11 to the exhaust port 45. The passage 152 is a passage from the vent 162 communicating with the cell chamber 12 to the exhaust port 45. The passage 153 is a passage from the ventilation port 163 communicating with the cell chamber 13 to the exhaust port 45. The passage 154 is a passage from the ventilation port 164 communicating with the cell chamber 14 to the exhaust port 45. The passage 155 is a passage from the ventilation port 165 communicating with the cell chamber 15 to the exhaust port 45. The passage 156 is a passage from the ventilation port 166 communicating with the cell chamber 16 to the exhaust port 45.

The channel 151 is formed by the ribs 101 to 127 shown in FIG. 7 and the ribs 171 to 197 shown in FIG. The ribs 101 to 127 project upward from the front upper surface 41 of the inner lid 40. The ribs 171 to 197 project downward from the lower surface of the upper lid 50. The upper ends of the ribs 101 to 127 are in contact with the lower ends of the ribs 171 to 197, and are fixed to each other by heat welding. In FIGS. 7 and 8, a region to be thermally welded is indicated by hatching. Since the shapes of the ribs 101 to 127 and the shapes of the ribs 171 to 197 in plan view are substantially the same, the ribs 101 to 127 provided on the inner lid 40 will be described below with reference to FIG. Description of the shapes of the ribs 171 to 197 provided on the 50 is omitted.

The rib 127 is located to the right of the vent 161 and extends along the front-rear direction 8. The rib 101 is located behind the vent 161 and extends along the left-right direction 9. The rib 102 is located in front of the vent 161 and extends along the left-right direction 9. Part of the passage 151 is formed between the rib 101 and the rib 102. The gas that has entered the space 5 from the battery case 20 through the vent 161 advances to the left from the vent 161.

The rib 103 extends obliquely rightward and rearward from the left end of the rib 102. The rear end of the rib 103 is separated from the rib 101. Part of the passage 151 is formed between the rear end of the rib 103 and the rib 101. The gas that has entered the space 5 from the battery case 20 through the vent 161 advances to the left from the vent 161 and passes between the rear end of the rib 103 and the rib 101 toward the left.

The rib 104 is located to the left of the rib 103, and extends along the front-back direction 8. The rear end of the rib 104 is connected to the left end of the rib 101. Part of the passage 151 is formed between the rib 103 and the rib 104. The gas that has passed between the rear end of the rib 103 and the rib 101 passes forward between the rib 103 and the rib 104.

リブ A rib 110, a rib 105, and a rib 106 are formed before the rib 102. The rib 110 has an arc shape. The left end of the rib 110 is connected to the rib 104. The rib 105 extends rearward from the center of the rib 110 in the left-right direction 9. The rear end of the rib 105 is separated from the rib 102. Part of the passage is formed between the rear end of the rib 105 and the rib 102. The rib 106 extends rightward from the center of the rib 105 in the front-rear direction 8. Part of the passage 151 is formed between the rib 106 and the rib 102. The gas that has passed between the rib 103 and the rib 104 passes between the rear end of the rib 105 and the rib 102, and then passes between the rib 106 and the rib 102 rightward.

リブ A rib 107 is formed on the right side of the rib 106. The rib 107 is separated from the rib 106 and extends along the front-back direction 8. Part of the passage 151 is formed between the rib 106 and the rib 107. The gas that has passed between the

ribs

106 and 102 passes forward between the right end of the rib 106 and the rib 107.

リブ A rib 108 is formed before the rib 107. The rib 108 extends in the left-right direction 9 and is connected to the front end of the rib 107. A rib 109 extends rearward from the left end of the rib 108. The rear end of the rib 109 is separated from the rib 106. A part of the passage 151 is formed between the rib 109 and the rib 106. The gas that has passed between the right end of the rib 106 and the rib 107 passes between the rib 109 and the rib 106 toward the left.

一部 A portion of the passage 151 is formed by the

ribs

109, 105, and 110 described above. The gas that has passed between the

ribs

109 and 106 passes forward between the ribs 109 and the

ribs

105 and 110.

リブ A rib 111 is formed before the rib 110. The rib 111 extends along the periphery of the inlet 431. The right end of the rib 110 is connected to the rib 111. A part of the passage 151 is formed between the rib 111 and the

ribs

109 and 108. The gas that has passed between the rib 109 and the

ribs

105 and 110 passes generally between the rib 111 and the

ribs

127 and 108 obliquely rightward and forward.

リブ A rib 112 is formed on the right side of the rib 111. The rib 112 extends along the left-right direction 9. The left end of the rib 112 is connected to the rib 111. As shown by hatching, the front end of the above-described rib 127 is not thermally welded to the rib 197 (see FIG. 8) provided on the upper lid 50. A portion of the passage 151 is formed in a portion of the rib 127 where heat welding is not performed. The gas that has passed between the rib 111 and the rib 108 passes rightward through a portion of the rib 127 where heat welding is not performed.

右 The right end of the rib 112 is connected to the rib 113. The rib 113 extends along the periphery of the inlet 432. After the rib 113, a rib 124 is formed. The rib 124 extends along the left-right direction 9. Part of the passage is formed between the

ribs

124 and 113. The gas that has passed through the portion of the rib 127 that is not thermally welded passes between the rib 124 and the rib 113 toward the right. Note that the left end of the rib 124 is separated from the rib 127. Between the left end of the rib 124 and the rib 127 is a connection point where the passage 151 and a passage 152 to be described later merge.

リブ A rib 114 is formed on the right side of the rib 113. The rib 114 extends along the left-right direction 9. The left end of the rib 114 is connected to the rib 113. As shown by hatching, the front end of the rib 227 is not thermally welded to the rib 297 (see FIG. 8) provided on the upper lid 50. A portion of the passage 151 is formed in a portion of the rib 227 that is not thermally welded. The gas that has passed between the

ribs

113 and 124 passes rightward through a portion of the rib 227 that is not thermally welded.

右 The right end of the rib 114 is connected to the rib 115. The rib 115 extends along the periphery of the inlet 433. After the rib 115, a rib 125 is formed. The rib 125 extends along the left-right direction 9. Part of the passage 151 is formed between the rib 125 and the rib 115. The gas that has passed between the

ribs

114 and 124 passes rightward between the

ribs

125 and 115. The left end of the rib 125 is separated from the rib 227. Between the left end of the rib 125 and the rib 227 is a connection point where the passage 151 and a passage 153 described later merge.

リブ A rib 126 is formed on the right side of the rib 115. The rib 126 extends along the front-back direction 8. The rear end of the rib 126 is connected to the right end of the rib 125. Part of the passage 151 is formed between the rib 115 and the rib 126. The gas that has passed between the

ribs

125 and 115 passes between the

ribs

115 and 126 substantially diagonally right forward.

リブ A rib 116 is formed on the right side of the rib 126. The rib 116 extends along the periphery of the inlet 434. The rib 116 is separated from the rib 115 and the rib 126. Part of the passage 151 is formed between the rib 115 and the rib 116. The gas that has passed between the

ribs

115 and 126 passes forward between the

ribs

115 and 116. In addition, between the rib 115 and the rib 116 is a connection point where the passage 151 and a passage 156 described later merge.

リブ

Ribs

117, 118, 119 and 120 are formed on the right of the rib 116 in order from the left. The rib 117 extends in the left-right direction 9. The left end of the rib 117 is connected to the rib 116. The right end of the rib 117 is connected to the rib 118. The rib 118 extends along the periphery of the inlet 435. The rib 119 extends along the left-right direction 9. The left end of the rib 119 is connected to the rib 118. The right end of the rib 119 is connected to the rib 120. The rib 120 extends along the periphery of the inlet 436. A rib 121 is formed before the

ribs

116, 118, and 120. The rib 121 extends in the left-right direction 9. Part of the passage 151 is formed between the rib 121 and the

ribs

116, 117, 118, 119, 120. The gas that has passed between the

ribs

115 and 116 passes rightward between the ribs 121 and the

ribs

116, 117, 118, 119, and 120.

リブ A rib 122 is formed on the right side of the rib 120. The rib 122 extends in the front-rear direction 8. The front end of the rib 122 is connected to the right end of the rib 121. The rib 122 is separated from the rib 120. Part of the passage 151 is formed between the rib 120 and the rib 122. The gas that has passed between the rib 120 and the

ribs

116, 117, 118, 119, and 120 passes rearward between the rib 120 and the rib 122.

リブ A rib 123 is formed after the rib 120. The left end of the rib 123 is connected to the rib 120, and the right end of the rib 123 is connected to the rib 122. The rib 192 (see FIG. 8) of the upper lid 50 that is thermally welded to the upper end of the rib 122 has an opening 63. The opening 63 communicates the passage 151 with the exhaust port 45. That is, the passage 151 starting from the ventilation port 161 communicates with the outside through the opening 63 and the exhaust port 45.

フィルタ A filter 64 (see FIG. 8) is arranged in a region surrounded by the

ribs

120, 122, and 123. The filter 64 prevents a spark from entering the space 5 from the exhaust port 45.

Next, the passage 152 will be described. The vent 162 serving as the starting point of the passage 152 is located to the right of the rib 127 described above. The rib 201 is formed behind the vent 162. The rib 201 extends in the left-right direction 9. A rib 202 is formed in front of the ventilation port 162. The rib 202 extends in the left-right direction 9. Part of the passage 152 is formed between the rib 201 and the rib 202. The gas that has entered the space 5 from the cell chamber 12 through the vent 162 advances rightward from the vent 162.

The rib 203 extends from the right end of the rib 202 obliquely rearward to the left. The rear end of the rib 203 is separated from the rib 201. Part of the passage 152 is formed between the rear end of the rib 203 and the rib 201. The gas that has entered the space 5 from the cell chamber 12 through the vent 162 advances rightward from the vent 162 and passes rightward between the rear end of the rib 203 and the rib 201.

The rib 227 is located to the right of the rib 203 and extends along the front-rear direction 8. The rear end of the rib 227 is connected to the right end of the rib 201. Part of the passage 152 is formed between the rib 203 and the rib 227. The gas that has passed between the rear end of the rib 203 and the rib 201 passes forward between the rib 203 and the rib 227.

リブ A rib 205 and a rib 206 are formed before the rib 202. The rib 206 extends in the left-right direction 9. The right end of the rib 206 is connected to the rib 227. The rib 205 extends in the front-rear direction 8. The front end of the rib 205 is connected to the rib 206. A portion of the passage 152 is formed between the

ribs

205 and 206 and the rib 202. The gas passing between the

ribs

203 and 227 passes between the ribs 202 and the rear end of the rib 205 toward the left, and then passes between the

ribs

202 and 206 toward the left. pass.

リブ A rib 207 is formed on the left side of the rib 206. The rib 207 is separated from the rib 206 and extends along the front-rear direction 8. A part of the passage 152 is formed between the rib 206 and the rib 207. The gas that has passed between the

ribs

206 and 202 passes forward between the left end of the rib 206 and the rib 207.

リブ A rib 208 is formed before the rib 207. The rib 208 extends in the left-right direction 9 and is connected to the front end of the rib 207. A part of the passage 152 is formed between the rib 208 and the rib 206. The gas that has passed between the left end of the rib 206 and the rib 207 passes rightward between the rib 208 and the rib 206.

右 The right end of the rib 208 is separated from the rib 227. Part of the passage 152 is formed between the right end of the rib 208 and the rib 227. The gas that has passed between the

ribs

208 and 206 passes forward between the right end of the rib 208 and the rib 227.

リブ The rib 208 is located after the above-mentioned rib 124 and is separated from the rib 124. Part of the passage 152 is formed between the rib 208 and the rib 124. The gas that has passed between the right end of the rib 208 and the rib 227 passes to the left between the rib 208 and the rib 124, and at a connection point between the left end of the rib 124 and the rib 127, the passage 151 To join.

From the lower surface of the upper lid 50, a plurality of ribs that are thermally welded to the ribs 201 and the like forming the passage 152 project downward. The rib forms a passage 152 together with the rib 201 and the like.

The passage 153 has the same configuration as the passage 152. Specifically, the shapes of the

ribs

301, 302, 303, 305, 306, 307, 308, and 327 that form the passage 153 are the same as those of the

ribs

201, 202, 203, 205, 206, and 207 that form the passage 152. 208 and 227, respectively. The passage 153 joins the passage 151 at a connection point between the left end of the rib 125 and the rib 227. In addition, a plurality of ribs that are thermally welded to the ribs 301 and the like forming the passage 153 project downward from the lower surface of the upper lid 50. The shape of the rib of the upper lid 50 that is thermally welded to the rib 301 and the like is the same as the shape of the rib 301 and the like forming the passage 153, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The passage 154 is symmetrical to the passage 153. Specifically, the

ribs

401, 402, 403, 405, 406, 407, 408, and 427 that form the passage 154 and the

ribs

301, 302, 303, 305, 306, 307, and 308 that form the passage 153 are described above. 327 is symmetric with respect to the rib 327 as the axis of symmetry. The passage 154 joins the passage 156 at a connection point between the right end of the rib 410 extending in the left-right direction 9 and the front end of the rib 427 extending in the front-rear direction 8. From the lower surface of the upper lid 50, a plurality of ribs that are thermally welded to the ribs 401 and the like forming the passage 154 project downward. The shape of the rib of the upper lid 50 that is thermally welded to the rib 401 and the like is the same as the shape of the rib 401 and the like forming the passage 154, and thus the description is omitted.

The passage 155 is symmetrical to the passage 152. Specifically, the

ribs

501, 502, 503, 505, 506, 507, 508, and 527 forming the passage 155 and the

ribs

201, 202, 203, 205, 206, 207, 208, and 208 forming the passage 152 are described above. 227 is bilaterally symmetric with the rib 327 as the axis of symmetry. The passage 155 joins the passage 156 at a connection point between the right end of the rib 510 extending in the left-right direction 9 and the front end of the rib 527 extending in the front-rear direction 8. From the lower surface of the upper lid 50, a plurality of ribs that are thermally welded to the ribs 501 and the like forming the passage 155 project downward. The shape of the rib of the upper lid 50 that is heat-welded to the rib 501 and the like is the same as the shape of the rib 501 and the like forming the passage 155, and thus the description is omitted.

The passage 156 has a symmetrical structure with the passage 151 from the ventilation port 161 to the connection point between the rib 115 and the rib 116. Specifically, the

ribs

601, 602, 603, 605, 606, 607, 608, 122, 123, and 527 forming the passage 156, and the above-described

ribs

101, 102, 103, 105, and 106 forming the passage 151 are formed. 107, 108, 104, 110, and 127 are symmetric with respect to the rib 327 as the axis of symmetry. The passage 151 and the passage 156 join at a connection point between the rib 115 and the rib 116. From the lower surface of the upper lid 50, a plurality of ribs that are thermally welded to the ribs 601 and the like forming the passage 156 project downward. Since the shape of the rib of the upper lid 50 that is thermally welded to the rib 601 and the like is the same as the shape of the rib 601 and the like forming the passage 156, the description is omitted.

The passages 151 to 156 also function as passages for returning the liquid in the space 5 from the return holes 231 to 236 into the cell chambers 11 to 16. The return holes 231 to 236 penetrate the front part of the inner lid 40 in the vertical direction 7. The return hole 231 communicates the cell chamber 11 with the passage 151. The return hole 232 connects the cell chamber 12 and the passage 152. The return hole 233 connects the cell chamber 13 and the passage 153. The return hole 234 connects the cell chamber 14 and the passage 154. The reflux hole 235 connects the cell chamber 15 and the passage 155. The return hole 236 connects the cell chamber 16 and the passage 156.

６As shown in FIG. 6, six peripheral wall ribs 66 respectively surrounding the return holes 231 to 236 project downward from the lower surface of the front part of the inner lid 40. The peripheral wall rib 66 suppresses the electrolyte 6 in the battery case 20 from reaching the return holes 231 to 236 due to shaking or vibration. Each peripheral wall rib 66 has a notch 67 cut out upward from the lower end. The notch 67 suppresses the electrolyte 6 from reaching the return holes 231 to 236 along the peripheral wall rib 66.

前 The front upper surface 41 of the inner lid 40 forming the passages 151 to 156 shown in FIG. 7 is inclined toward the return holes 231 to 236. The liquid composed of the gas liquefied in the space 5 or the liquid composed of the electrolytic solution 6 which has entered the passages 151 to 156 from the return holes 231 to 236 due to shaking or vibration is inclined forward toward the return holes 231 to 236. The upper surface 41 guides the liquid to the return holes 231 to 236, and returns to the cell chambers 11 to 16 from the return holes 231 to 236.

In order to prevent the liquid that has entered the passages 151 to 156 from the return holes 231 to 236 due to shaking or vibration from reaching the exhaust port 45, the first spaces 130 to 141 and the second spaces 240 to 243 are connected to the space 5. Is formed.

１As shown in FIG. 9, the first space 130 is a space surrounded by the rib 104, the rib 110, and the rib 105. In FIG. 9, the

first spaces

130 and 131 and the

second spaces

240 and 241 are indicated by hatching.

A communication port 142 of the first space 130 is formed between the rear end of the rib 105 and the rib 104. That is, the first space 130 communicates with the passage 151 by only one communication port 142. The liquid flows from the passage 151 into the first space 130 through the communication port 142, and the liquid flows from the first space 130 to the passage 151. Specifically, the liquid in the first space 130 is pushed out by the liquid flowing into the first space 130 from the communication port 142, or the liquid in the first space 130 is shaken or vibrated. It flows out from 130 to the passage 151. The liquid flowing out of the first space 130 into the passage 151 collides with the liquid flowing through the passage 151. As a result, the momentum of the liquid flowing out of the first space 130 into the passage 151 is weakened, and the momentum of the liquid flowing through the passage 151 is weakened. The communication port 142 is formed in the passage 151 at a position closer to the recirculation hole 231 than the exhaust port 45. Thereby, leakage of the liquid from the exhaust port 45 can be more effectively suppressed.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the rib 103, the rib 104, the front upper surface 41 of the inner lid 40, and the lower surface of the upper lid 50 are a part of the passage 151 and are substantially in the front-rear direction 8. A first linear passage portion 261 extending in a straight line is formed. In FIG. 10, the first straight passage portion 261 is indicated by an alternate long and short dash line. The communication port 142 of the first space 130 is on an extension of the first straight passage 261. Specifically, the communication port 142 is located in the middle in the front-back direction 8 of the linear rib 104 extending in the front-back direction 8. The first straight passage portion 261 guides the liquid toward the communication port 142 of the first space 130.

The rib 102, the rib 106, the front upper surface 41 of the inner lid 40, and the lower surface of the upper lid 50 form a second passage 262 that is a part of the passage 151. In FIG. 10, the second passage portion 262 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The second passage portion 262 is substantially linear and extends along the left-right direction 9. The communication port 142 of the first space 130 is provided facing an intersection 263 between the first straight passage 261 and the second passage 262 which are orthogonal to each other.

As shown in FIG. 9, the liquid that has entered the passage 151 from the return hole 231 flows to the left from the return hole 231, partially collides with the rib 103, and after its momentum is weakened, The vehicle travels leftward between the rear end of the rib 103 and the rib 101, and then collides with the rib 104 to further reduce its momentum. After that, the liquid flows forward along the rib 104 and flows into the first space 130 from the communication port 142. The liquid that has flowed into the first space 130 is pushed out by the liquid that has flowed further into the first space 130, or flows out of the first space 130 through the communication port 142 due to shaking or vibration. The liquid flowing out of the communication port 142 flows backward along the linear rib 104. That is, the linear rib 104 guides the liquid forward toward the communication port 142 and guides the liquid flowing out of the first space 130 through the communication port 142 rearward. The liquid that has flowed backward from the communication port 142 collides with the liquid that flows forward along the rib 104 in front. The liquid flowing backward from the communication port 142 and the liquid flowing forward along the rib 104 collide head-on, so that the force of the liquid flowing through the passage 151 is reduced.

の長 The length between the rib 104 and the front end of the rib 103 in the left-right direction 9 is the passage width L1 of the passage 151 immediately before being connected to the first space 130. The passage width L1 is an example of the “width of the passage in a portion adjacent to the communication port” in the present invention. That is, the “width of the passage in the portion adjacent to the communication port” in the present invention refers to the width of the narrowest portion of the passage in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the liquid flows, of the passage near the return hole and the communication port. means.

幅 The width L2 of the communication port 142 is about 1.4 times the width L1 of the passage. That is, the width L2 of the communication port 142 is wider than the passage width L1 so that a sufficient amount of liquid can flow into the first space 130 through the communication port 142, and weakens the momentum of the liquid flowing through the passage 151. The passage width L1 is set to less than 1.5 times so that the liquid flows out of the first space 130 through the communication port 142 with as much force as possible. The liquid whose momentum has been weakened flows rightward between the rear end of the rib 105 and the rib 102. Then, the liquid flows rightward along the rib 102 extending in the left-right direction 9 and flows into the first space 131. Note that the area of the first space 130 as viewed in the up-down direction 7 is preferably at least 1.5 times the value obtained by squaring the width L2 of the communication port 142. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the liquid that has flowed into the first space 130 from immediately flowing out of the first space 130. The same applies to the other first spaces 131 to 141.

The first space 131 is a space surrounded by the rib 102, the rib 127, and the rib 107. A communication port 143 of the first space 131 is formed between the rear end of the rib 107 and the rib 102. The first space 131 communicates with the passage 151 through only one communication port 143. That is, the liquid flows from the passage 151 into the first space 131 through the communication port 143, and the liquid flows out of the first space 131 to the passage 151. Specifically, the liquid in the first space 131 is pushed out by the liquid that has flowed into the first space 131 from the communication port 143, or the liquid flows from the first space 131 to the passage 151 by shaking or vibration. leak. The liquid flowing out of the first space 131 into the passage 151 collides with the liquid flowing through the passage 151. As a result, the momentum of the liquid flowing out of the first space 131 to the passage 151 is weakened, and the momentum of the liquid flowing through the passage 151 is weakened.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the rib 102 and the rib 106, the front upper surface 41 of the inner lid 40, and the lower surface of the upper lid 50 are a part of the passage 151 and have a linear first shape. A straight passage portion 264 is formed. In FIG. 10, the first straight passage portion 264 is indicated by a dashed line.

連 The communication port 143 of the first space 131 is on an extension of the first straight passage portion 264. Specifically, the communication port 143 is located in the middle in the left-right direction 9 of the linear rib 102 extending in the left-right direction 9. The first straight passage portion 264 guides the liquid toward the first space 131. The right end of the rib 106, the rib 107, the front upper surface 41 of the inner lid 40, and the lower surface of the upper lid 50 form a second passage 265 that is a part of the passage 151. In FIG. 10, the second passage portion 265 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. That is, the communication port 143 of the first space 131 is provided so as to face the intersection 266 of the orthogonal first straight passage 264 and the second passage 265.

The liquid flowing rightward along the first straight passage portion 264 along the rib 102 flows into the first space 131 from the communication port 143. The liquid that has flowed into the first space 131 is pushed out by the liquid that has flowed further into the first space 131, or flows out of the first space 131 through the communication port 143 due to shaking or vibration. The liquid flowing out of the communication port 143 flows out of the communication port 143 to the left along the linear rib 102. That is, the linear rib 102 guides the liquid to the right toward the communication port 143, and guides the liquid flowing out of the first space 131 through the communication port 143 to the left. The liquid that has flowed leftward from the communication port 143 collides with the liquid that flows rightward in the passage 151 along the rib 102. The liquid flowing to the left from the communication port 143 and the liquid flowing to the right along the rib 104 collide with each other, so that the force of the liquid flowing through the passage 151 is weakened.

As shown in FIG. 9, the length between the rear end of the rib 102 and the rear end of the rib 106 in the front-rear direction 8 is the passage width L3 of the passage 151 immediately before being connected to the first space 131. The width L4 of the communication port 143 is substantially the same as the passage width L3. That is, the width L4 of the communication port 143 is such that the liquid can flow into the first space 131 through the communication port 143, and the force of the liquid flowing through the passage 151 can be reduced by the liquid flowing out of the first space 131. In addition, the passage width L3 is substantially the same as the passage width L3. As a result, both the force of the liquid flowing rightward in the passage 151 and the force of the liquid flowing leftward from the first space 131 can be reduced. The weakened liquid flows forward along the rib 107 extending in the front-rear direction 8 and flows into the second space 240.

As shown in FIG. 11, the second space 240 is a space surrounded by the rib 107, the rib 108, and the rib 109. In FIG. 11, the

second spaces

240 and 241 are indicated by solid oblique lines (hatched lines).

連 A communication port 144 through which the liquid flows in and out is formed between the rear end of the rib 109 and the rear end of the rib 107. The width L6 of the communication port 144 is at least 1.5 times the width L5 of the passage 151 immediately before being connected to the second space 240. That is, the width L6 of the communication port 144 is set to be 1.5 times or more the width L5 of the passage 151 in order to smoothly guide the liquid weakened by the

first spaces

130 and 131 to the second space 240. In the illustrated example, the width L6 of the communication port 144 is about 2.8 times the width L5 of the passage 151.

As described above, the

first spaces

130 and 131 are spaces for suppressing the overflow by weakening the momentum of the liquid flowing through the passage, and the second space 240 is configured to temporarily store the liquid and remove the overflow. It is a space to suppress.

液体 The liquid that cannot be temporarily stored in the second space 240 and overflows from the second space 240 flows out from the communication port 144, flows toward the left, and flows into the second space 241.

The second space 241 is a space surrounded by the rib 105, the rib 106, and the rib 110. A communication port 145 through which liquid flows in and out is formed between the right end of the rib 106 and the rib 110. The width L8 of the communication port 145 is 1.5 times or more the passage width L7 of the passage 151 immediately before being connected to the second space 241. That is, in order to smoothly guide the liquid flowing out of the second space 240 to the second space 241, the width L8 of the communication port 145 is 1.5 times or more the width L7 of the passage 151. In the illustrated example, the width L8 of the communication port 145 is about 2.8 times the width L7 of the passage 151.

Next, the

first spaces

132 and 133 communicating with the passage 152 will be described with reference to FIG. The first space 132 is a space surrounded by the rib 227, the rib 206, and the rib 205. The first space 132 communicates with the passage 152 through only one communication port 146. That is, the liquid flows into the first space 132 from the passage 152 through the communication port 146, and the liquid flows out of the first space 132 to the passage 152. Specifically, the liquid in the first space 132 is pushed out by the liquid flowing into the first space 132 from the communication port 146, or the liquid in the first space 132 is shaken or vibrated. It flows out from 132 to the passage 152. The liquid flowing out of the first space 132 into the passage 152 collides with the liquid flowing through the passage 152. As a result, the momentum of the liquid flowing out of the first space 132 into the passage 152 is weakened, and the momentum of the liquid flowing through the passage 152 is weakened.

の長 The length between the rib 203 and the front end of the rib 205 in the left-right direction 9 is the passage width L9 of the passage 152 immediately before being connected to the first space 132. The width L10 of the communication port 146 is about 1.4 times the width L9 of the passage. That is, the width L10 of the communication port 146 is wider than the passage width L9 so that a sufficient amount of liquid can flow into the first space 132 through the communication port 146, and weakens the momentum of the liquid flowing through the passage 152. The passage width L9 is set to less than 1.5 times so that the liquid flows out of the first space 132 through the communication port 146 with as much force as possible. The liquid whose flow has been weakened flows between the rear end of the rib 205 and the rib 202 toward the left. Then, the liquid flows leftward along the rib 202 extending in the left-right direction 9 and flows into the first space 133.

The first space 133 is a space surrounded by the rib 202, the rib 127, the rib 208, and the rib 207. The first space 133 communicates with the passage 152 by only one communication port 147. That is, the liquid flows from the passage 152 into the first space 133 through the communication port 147, and the liquid flows from the first space 133 to the passage 152. Specifically, the liquid in the first space 133 is pushed out by the liquid flowing into the first space 133 from the communication port 147, or the liquid in the first space 133 is shaken or vibrated. 133 flows out to the passage 152. The liquid flowing out of the first space 133 into the passage 152 collides with the liquid flowing through the passage 152. As a result, the momentum of the liquid flowing out of the first space 133 into the passage 152 is weakened, and the momentum of the liquid flowing through the passage 152 is weakened.

The length between the left end of the rib 206 and the rib 202 is the passage width L11 of the passage 152 immediately before being connected to the first space 133. The width L12 of the communication port 147 is substantially the same as the passage width L11. That is, the width L12 of the communication port 147 is such that the liquid can flow into the first space 133 through the communication port 147 and that the liquid flowing through the passage 152 can be weakened by the liquid flowing out of the first space 133. In addition, the passage width L11 is substantially the same as the passage width L11. As a result, both the momentum of the liquid flowing rightward in the passage 152 and the momentum of the liquid flowing leftward from the first space 133 can be reduced.

As described above, the shapes of the ribs 301 to 303, 305 to 308, 327, and 125 that form the passage 153 are the same as the shapes of the ribs 201 to 203, 205 to 208, 227, and 124 that form the passage 152. Therefore, the shapes of the

first spaces

134 and 135 communicating with the passage 153 are the same as those of the

first spaces

132 and 133, and the description is omitted.

Further, as described above, the shapes of the ribs 401 to 403, 405 to 408, 427, and 126 forming the passage 154 are symmetrical with the shapes of the ribs 301 to 303, 305 to 308, 327, and 125 forming the passage 153. It is. Therefore, the shapes of the

first spaces

136 and 137 communicating with the passage 154 are also symmetrical with the shapes of the

first spaces

134 and 135, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

Further, as described above, the shapes of the ribs 501 to 503, 505 to 508, 527, and 126 forming the passage 155 are symmetrical with the shapes of the ribs 201 to 203, 205 to 208, 227, and 124 forming the passage 152. It is. Therefore, the shapes of the

first spaces

138 and 139 communicating with the passage 155 are also bilaterally symmetric with the

first spaces

132 and 133, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the shapes of the ribs 601 to 603, 605 to 609, 123, and 122 forming the passage 156 are symmetrical to the shapes of the ribs 101 to 110 forming the passage 151. Therefore, the shapes of the first spaces 140 and 141 communicating with the passage 156 are the same, and the description is omitted.

[Effects of First Embodiment]
In the above-described embodiment, in addition to the

second spaces

240 and 241 in which the width of the

communication ports

144 and 145 is 1.5 times or more the width of the passage 151, the

first spaces

130 and 131 are formed to communicate with the passage 151. ing. The first space 130 has only one communication port 142 communicating with the passage 151, and the first space 131 has only one communication port 143 communicating with the passage 151. Further, the width of the

communication ports

142 and 143 is at least half the width of the passage 151 to which the

communication ports

142 and 143 are connected. Furthermore, the width of the

communication ports

142 and 143 is less than 1.5 times the width of the passage 151 to which the

communication ports

142 and 143 are connected. Therefore, the liquid can be made to flow out of the

first spaces

130 and 131 with a momentum and an amount capable of weakening the momentum of the liquid flowing through the passage 151. As a result, the overflow performance can be improved as compared with a lid member in which only the space having the same configuration as the

second spaces

240 and 241 is provided in the passage 151.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the

first spaces

130 and 131 for weakening the momentum of the liquid are located closer to the return hole 231 in the passage 151 than the

second spaces

240 and 241 for temporarily storing the liquid. It is located in. Therefore, the overflow performance can be improved as compared with the case where the

first spaces

130 and 131 are located farther from the return hole 231 in the passage 151 than the

second spaces

240 and 241.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the

communication ports

142 and 143 of the

first spaces

130 and 131 are on an extension of the linear first

linear passage portions

261 and 264 and are orthogonal to the first linear passage portions 261. It is provided facing the intersection 263 with the two passages 262. Therefore, the liquid flowing through the passage 151 and the liquid flowing out of the

first spaces

130 and 131 through the

communication ports

142 and 143 can collide head-on. As a result, the liquid overflowing performance can be improved as compared with a case where the liquid flowing through the passage 151 and the liquid flowing out of the

first spaces

130 and 131 through the

communication ports

142 and 143 do not collide with each other.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the first straight passage 261 and the second passage 262 are orthogonal to each other, so that the overflow performance can be stabilized. More specifically, if there is a difference between the amount and the force of the liquid flowing toward the communication port 142 and the amount and the force of the liquid flowing out of the first space 130 through the communication port 142, the first straight passage portion 261 and The momentum of the liquid flowing from the intersection 263 to the second passage 262 changes depending on the angle formed by the second passage 262. Then, the overflow performance changes according to the difference between the amount and the force of the liquid flowing toward the communication port 142 and the amount and the force of the liquid flowing out of the first space 130 through the communication port 142. By making the first straight passage portion 261 and the second passage portion 262 orthogonal, the amount and the force of the liquid flowing toward the communication port 142 and the amount and the force of the liquid flowing out of the first space 130 through the communication port 142 are determined. The change in the overflow performance due to the difference between the two can be reduced. That is, the overflow performance can be stabilized. The same applies to the first straight passage 264, the second passage 265, and the first space 131.

Further, of the first space 130 and the first space 131, the width of the communication port 142 of the first space 130 closer to the return hole 231 is set to the width of the communication port 143 of the first space 131 far from the return hole 231. By making the width wider than the width, the overflow performance can be further improved. More specifically, the amount of liquid flowing through the passage 151 is larger near the return hole 231. By making the width of the communication port 142 of the first space 130 close to the return hole 231 and through which more liquid flows through the passage larger than the width of the communication port 143 of the first space 131 far from the return hole 231, A sufficient amount of liquid that can reduce the force of the liquid flowing through the passage 151 can flow into the first space 130. As a result, the overflow performance can be further improved.

In the above description, the effects of the

first spaces

130 and 131 in the passage 151 have been described. However, the same effects as described above can be obtained in the passages 152 to 156.

[Another embodiment for solving the first problem]
In the embodiment described above, the width of the communication port 142 of the first space 130 is about 1.4 times the width of the passage 151, and the width of the communication port 143 of the first space 131 is substantially the same as the width of the passage 151. Has been described. However, the width of the

communication ports

142 and 143 of the

first spaces

130 and 131 may be substantially equal to or greater than the width of the passage 151 and less than 1.2 times.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, of the first space 130 and the first space 131, the width of the communication port 142 of the first space 130 that is closer to the return hole 231 is set to the first space that is farther from the return hole 231. The example in which the width is larger than the width of the communication port 143 of the 131 has been described. However, the width of the communication port 142 of the first space 130 and the width of the communication port 143 of the first space 131 may be substantially the same. Also in this case, it was confirmed that only the space having the same configuration as the

second spaces

240 and 241 had higher overflow performance than the lid member formed in the passage.

In the above embodiment, the example in which the first straight passage 261 and the second passage 262 for guiding the liquid to the

communication ports

142 and 143 are orthogonal to each other has been described. However, the first straight passage 261 and the second passage 262 do not have to be orthogonal. Even when the first straight passage portion 261 and the second passage portion 262 are not orthogonal to each other, the overflow performance is improved as compared with the lid member having the same space as the

second spaces

240 and 241 formed in the passage. It was confirmed that.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the first straight passage 261 and the second passage 262 are both linear has been described. However, the first straight passage portion 261 and the second passage portion 262 may be curved, such as in an arc shape. Also in this case, it was confirmed that only the space having the same configuration as the

second spaces

In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the exhaust port 45 is provided on the peripheral wall 52 of the upper lid 50 that forms the side wall of the lid member 30 has been described. However, the exhaust port 45 may be provided in the plate-shaped portion 51 of the upper lid 50 that constitutes the top wall of the lid member 30, or the front part of the inner lid 40 may be expanded left and right or back and forth, and the expanded portion may be provided. May be provided.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the

first spaces

130 and 131 communicate with the passage 151 through one

communication port

142 or 143 has been described. However, the

first spaces

130 and 131 may be in communication with the passage 151 through an opening, a slit, or a hole having a width that does not allow the liquid to pass, in addition to the

communication ports

142 and 143. The “openings, slits, and holes having a width that does not allow liquid to pass through” are not included in “one communication port” in the present invention.

Note that one embodiment of the present invention can be implemented in the following forms.

(1)
A container having an opening at the top and containing an electrode group and an electrolytic solution,
Closing the opening, and a lid member formed with an exhaust port,
The lid member,
A bottom wall formed with a return hole communicating with the inside of the battery case,
A top wall facing the bottom wall,
A rib erected on the bottom wall,
The rib is
A passage from the return hole to the exhaust port,
A first space through which the electrolyte solution can flow in and out through the communication port and the communication port through one communication port,
A lead-acid battery, wherein the width of the communication port is less than 1.5 times the width of the passage in a portion adjacent to the communication port.

(2)
The lead storage battery according to (1), wherein a width of the communication port is at least half a width of the passage in a portion adjacent to the communication port.

(3)
The rib is
A second space that communicates with the passage and into which the liquid flows, is further formed;
The second space communicates with the passage through at least one of a plurality of communication openings and one communication opening having a width of 1.5 times or more the width of the passage, and does not directly communicate with the return hole. ,
The lead storage battery according to (1) or (2), wherein the first space is located closer to the return hole in the passage than the second space.

(4)
The rib is
A first straight passage portion which is a part of the passage and is linear;
A second passage section intersecting with the first straight passage section,
The communication port of the first space is provided on the extension of the first straight passage portion and facing the intersection of the first straight passage portion and the second passage portion. The lead storage battery according to any one of 3).

(5)
The lead storage battery according to (4), wherein the first straight passage portion and the second passage are orthogonal to each other.

(6)
The rib includes a linear rib that defines a part of the first straight passage portion and a part of the first space,
The lead-acid battery according to (4) or (5), wherein the communication port is located in the middle of the linear rib.

[Second problem of lead storage battery]

Lead storage batteries are equipped with a battery case for storing electrolyte. The battery case has a plurality of cell chambers for storing the electrolytic solution, respectively. The lead storage battery is mounted on a vehicle or the like, and is heated by heat from an engine or the like mounted on the vehicle. When the lead storage battery is heated, the temperature of the electrolyte stored in each cell chamber rises. The electrolytic solution having an increased temperature generates a gas composed of mist and water vapor. The generated gas increases the internal pressure of the cell chamber. When the internal pressure in the cell chamber increases, the gas in the cell chamber is discharged to the outside from an exhaust port provided in a lid member that closes the opening of the battery case.

(4) The amount of electrolyte in the cell chamber is reduced by discharging the gas in the cell chamber to the outside through the exhaust port of the lid member. The amount of decrease in the electrolytic solution differs for each cell chamber. As a result, with the use of the lead storage battery, there is a difference in the amount of the electrolyte stored in each cell chamber.

The inventor of the present application has found that, as a result of the experiment, among the cell chambers of the battery case, the outer cell chamber that is easily heated by the heat from the engine has a larger reduction amount of the electrolyte than the inner cell chamber. Obtained knowledge.

In addition, as a result of the experiment, the inventor of the present application has thought that the amount of reduction of the electrolyte in the cell chamber may be different depending on the length of the passage from the vent port to the exhaust port provided in the lid member. Obtained. More specifically, when the driving of the engine is stopped and the lead storage battery is cooled by the outside air temperature, the internal pressure in the cell chamber decreases as the temperature of the electrolyte decreases. As the internal pressure in the cell chamber decreases, gas remaining on the passage is drawn into the cell chamber. The gas drawn into the cell chamber liquefies as the temperature decreases and returns to the electrolyte. Therefore, the inventor of the present application concluded that the longer the length of the passage, the larger the amount of gas stagnating on the passage, and the longer the length of the passage, the more the amount of gas drawn into the cell chamber with a decrease in temperature. , And as a result, the decrease in the amount of the electrolytic solution is considered to decrease.

Therefore, the inventor of the present application reduced the difference in the amount of reduction in the electrolyte in each cell chamber by the difference in the lengths of the plurality of passages from the ventilation port to the exhaust port in each cell chamber, and stored the respective cell chambers respectively. The present invention has been made to reduce the difference in the amount of electrolyte solution to be used.

[Second outline explanation]

First, an outline of the lead storage battery of one embodiment of the present invention will be described. The lead storage battery of one embodiment of the present invention has an opening, and a partition plate is provided in an internal space continuous with the opening, so that the first cell chamber partitioned on the outer edge side and the inner side of the first cell chamber. A battery case having a second cell chamber partitioned into a cell, a first ventilation opening that seals the opening, a relay space is partitioned inside, and a communication port between the first cell chamber and the relay space; A lid member having a second vent that communicates the second cell chamber with the relay space, and an exhaust port that communicates the relay space with the outside is provided. The lid member has a rib that forms a first passage from the first vent to the exhaust port and a second passage from the second vent to the exhaust port. The length of the first passage is set longer than the length of the second passage.

温度 The temperature of the electrolyte stored in the cell chamber rises due to the rise in outside air temperature. The electrolytic solution having an increased temperature generates a gas composed of mist and water vapor. When the internal pressure in the first cell chamber is increased by the generated gas, the gas generated in the first cell chamber enters the first passage from the first vent. When the internal pressure in the second cell chamber is increased by the generated gas, the gas generated in the second cell chamber enters the second passage from the second vent. The gas that has entered the first passage and the second passage is discharged to the outside from the exhaust port. When the temperature of the electrolyte stored in the cell chamber decreases due to a decrease in the outside air temperature, the gas in the cell chamber liquefies, and the gas liquefies, so that the internal pressure in the cell chamber decreases. The first cell chamber having a reduced internal pressure draws the gas remaining in the first passage. The second cell chamber having a reduced internal pressure draws the gas remaining in the second passage. The length of the first passage is longer than the length of the second passage. Therefore, the amount of gas staying in the first passage is larger than the amount of gas staying in the second passage. Then, the amount of gas drawn into the first cell chamber becomes larger than the amount of gas drawn into the second cell chamber. That is, the first cell chamber that generates more gas than the second cell chamber draws in more gas than the second cell chamber as the outside air temperature decreases. Therefore, the electrolyte stored in the first cell chamber is smaller than the configuration in which the length of the first passage is equal to the length of the second passage or the configuration in which the length of the first passage is shorter than the length of the second passage. The difference between the decrease amount of the electrolyte solution and the decrease amount of the electrolyte stored in the second cell chamber is reduced. As a result, a temporal difference between the amount of the electrolyte stored in the first cell chamber and the amount of the electrolyte stored in the second cell chamber can be reduced as compared with the above configuration.

Here, the first passage and the second passage are merged, and the length from the first vent to the merging position of the first passage and the second passage is from the second vent. The length may be set to be longer than the length to the merging position.

一部 Part of the gas that has entered the first passage and the second passage is cooled and liquefied in the first passage and the second passage. The liquid composed of the liquefied gas flows through the first passage and the second passage, and returns to the first cell chamber and the second cell chamber. Since the length from the first vent to the junction of the first passage and the second passage is set longer than the length from the second vent to the junction, the length within the lid member is limited. In the closed space, the length of the first passage and the length of the second passage can be made longer than when the first passage and the second passage do not merge. Since the length of the first passage and the length of the second passage can be increased, the amount of gas liquefied in the relay space can be increased. As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of reduction of the electrolyte in the first cell chamber and the second cell chamber.

The third cell chamber may be partitioned by the partition plate inside the second cell chamber. The lid member has a third vent that communicates the relay space with the third cell chamber. The rib forms a third passage from the third ventilation port to the exhaust port. The length of the second passage is set longer than the length of the third passage.

The battery case has a first cell chamber, a second cell chamber, and a third cell chamber in order from the outside. As the outside air temperature rises, the electrolyte stored in the first cell chamber generates a larger amount of gas than the electrolyte stored in the second cell chamber. As the outside air temperature rises, the electrolyte stored in the second cell chamber generates a larger amount of gas than the electrolyte stored in the third cell chamber. On the other hand, the length of the first passage of the first cell chamber is longer than the length of the second passage of the second cell chamber, and the length of the second passage of the second cell chamber is equal to the length of the third passage of the third cell chamber. Longer than the length. Therefore, the difference between the reduced amount of the electrolyte stored in the first cell chamber, the reduced amount of the electrolyte stored in the second cell chamber, and the reduced amount of the electrolyte stored in the third cell chamber is reduced. can do. As a result, there is a temporal change in the amount of the electrolyte stored in the first cell chamber, the amount of the electrolyte stored in the second cell chamber, and the amount of the electrolyte stored in the third cell chamber. The difference can be reduced.

The lid member may define the relay space and have a protrusion projecting from a bottom surface, and a wall surface of the protrusion may be an inclined surface that is gradually inclined toward the exhaust port.

For example, when a lead-acid battery is mounted on a vehicle, the vehicle on which the lead-acid battery is mounted travels on a slope, and the lead-acid battery is inclined such that the exhaust port side of the convex portion is downward, the liquid is formed by the step formed by the rib. Over the exhaust port side is suppressed. On the other hand, when the lead storage battery is inclined such that the vent side of the convex portion is downward, the liquid can flow to the vent side beyond the convex portion due to the inclined surface. As a result, the leakage of the electrolyte from the exhaust port can be suppressed, and the amount of reduction of the electrolyte can be further reduced.

先端 Furthermore, the tip of the projection may have a protruding piece projecting toward the vent.

(4) Since the protruding piece is provided at the tip of the projection on the ventilation port side, the flow of the liquid beyond the projection to the exhaust port side is further suppressed. As a result, the amount of reduction of the electrolytic solution can be further reduced.

[Second embodiment]

鉛 The lead storage battery of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In addition, about the structure common to the said 1st Embodiment, the drawing used in the said 1st Embodiment is diverted.

The lead storage battery 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is mounted on, for example, a vehicle and used as a power source for starting an engine.

(4) The lead storage battery 10 includes a rectangular box-shaped battery case 20 having an opening on one surface, and a lid member 30 for closing the opening of the battery case 20. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1, and is a cross-sectional view of the lead storage battery 10 cut along a plane passing through a central axis of a negative electrode post 33 described later. In the following, the vertical direction 7 is defined as one surface of the battery case 20 provided with the opening is the upper surface, the direction along the short side of the rectangular box-shaped battery case 20 is defined as the front-back direction 8, and the long side is defined. A description will be given by defining a direction along the horizontal direction 9. The vertical direction 7, the front-back direction 8, and the left-right direction 9 are orthogonal to each other.

The left and right side plates 21 and the five partition plates 24 are separated from each other at substantially equal intervals in the left-right direction 9. The upper end of the partition plate 24 is located at substantially the same height as the upper end of the side plate 21. The five partition plates 24 partition the internal space 23 of the battery case 20 into six first to sixth cell chambers 11 to 16. The first cell chamber 11 is located at the leftmost position in the battery case 20. Next, in order from the left, the second cell chamber 12, the third cell chamber 13, the fourth cell chamber 14, the fifth cell chamber 15, and the sixth cell chamber 16 are formed in the battery case 20. Each of the first to sixth cell chambers 11 to 16 stores the electrolytic solution 6 respectively. The first cell chamber 11 and the sixth cell chamber 16 are examples of the first cell chamber of the present invention. The second cell chamber 12 and the fifth cell chamber 15 are examples of the second cell chamber of the present invention. The third cell chamber 13 and the fourth cell chamber 14 are examples of the third cell chamber of the present invention.

(2) Each of the first to sixth cell chambers 11 to 16 contains a positive electrode plate 25, a negative electrode plate 26, and a separator 27, respectively, as shown in FIG. The positive electrode plate 25, the negative electrode plate 26, and the separator 27 have a plate shape having a thickness in the left-right direction 9, and are separated from each other in the right-left direction 9. The separator 27 is located between the positive electrode plate 25 and the negative electrode plate 26 and separates the positive electrode plate 25 from the negative electrode plate 26.

正極 The positive electrode plates 25 and the negative electrode plates 26 accommodated in the first to sixth cell chambers 11 to 16 are connected to each other by conductive straps 28. More specifically, the positive electrode plate 25 accommodated in one cell chamber is connected via a strap 28 to a negative electrode plate 26 accommodated in an adjacent cell room. The negative electrode plate 26 accommodated in one cell room is connected to the positive electrode plate 25 accommodated in the adjacent cell room via another strap 28. For example, the positive electrode plate 25 accommodated in the second cell chamber 12 is connected via a strap 28 to the negative electrode plate 26 accommodated in the first cell chamber 11 and the third cell chamber 13, and the second cell chamber The negative electrode plate 26 accommodated in 12 is connected to the positive electrode plate 25 accommodated in the first cell chamber 11 and the third cell chamber 13 via another strap 28. That is, the first cell chamber 11 to the sixth cell chamber 16 are connected in series.

bushings

38 and 39, Is provided.

蓋 Furthermore, the lid main body 31 is fixed to the battery case 20 so as to prevent the electrolyte solution 6 from mutually moving between the first cell room 11 to the sixth cell room 16 of the battery case 20. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the lid main body 31 has five ribs 37 protruding downward from the lower surface. Each rib 37 has a thickness in the left-right direction 9 and is provided along the front-back direction 8. The lower end of each rib 37 is in contact with the upper end of each partition plate 24 of the battery case 20. The lower end of the rib 37 of the lid body 31 and the upper end of the partition plate 24 of the battery case 20 are fixed to each other by heat welding or the like. The partition plate 24 and the rib 37 prevent the electrolyte solution 6 from mutually moving between the first cell chamber 11 to the sixth cell chamber 16.

蓋 The lid main body 31 and the

bushings

38 and 39 are fixed to the lid main body 31.

negative bushings

38 and 39.

[Lid body 31]

bushings

The inner lid 40 has six inlets 431 to 436 for injecting the electrolyte 6 into the first cell chamber 11 to the sixth cell chamber 16 of the battery case 20 at the front, respectively. The six inlets 431 to 436 are separated from each other in the left-right direction 9. The inlets 431 to 436 are closed by the stoppers 60, respectively. Each stopper 60 is fixed to the upper lid 50, respectively. Details will be described later.

The upper lid 50 has a rectangular plate-like portion 51 whose length along the left-right direction 9 is longer than the length along the front-rear direction 8 and has a thickness in the up-down direction 7, and a lower portion from the periphery of the lower surface of the plate-like portion 51. And a peripheral wall 52 that protrudes. The lower end of the peripheral wall 52 is fixed to the front upper surface 41 of the inner lid 40 by heat welding. That is, the upper lid 50 is fixed to the inner lid 40. The upper lid 50 constitutes a top wall and a side wall of the lid main body 31.

排気 The above-described exhaust port 45 is formed in the peripheral wall 52 of the upper lid 50. The exhaust port 45 penetrates the peripheral wall 52 in the left-right direction 9. In the relay space 5 surrounded by the front portion of the inner lid 40 and the upper lid 50, gas flows, and the first passage 151 to the sixth passage 156 (return the liquid composed of the liquefied gas into the battery case 20). FIG. 13) is formed. The details will be described below.

中 As shown in FIG. 6, the inner lid 40 has six first to sixth vents 161 to 166 that are the starting points of the first to sixth passages 151 to 156. The first ventilation port 161 to the sixth ventilation port 166 respectively penetrate the front part of the inner lid 40 in the vertical direction 7. The first ventilation port 161 to the sixth ventilation port 166 communicate the first cell chamber 11 to the sixth cell chamber 16 with the relay space 5, respectively. Specifically, the first vent 161 communicates the first cell chamber 11 with the relay space 5, the second vent 162 communicates the second cell chamber 12 with the relay space 5, and the third vent The port 163 connects the third cell chamber 13 to the relay space 5, the fourth vent 164 connects the fourth cell chamber 14 to the relay space 5, and the fifth vent 165 connects the fifth cell chamber. 15 and the relay space 5, and the sixth vent 166 connects the sixth cell chamber 16 and the relay space 5. The first vent 161 and the sixth vent 166 are examples of the first vent of the present invention. The second vent 162 and the fifth vent 165 are examples of the second vent of the present invention. The third vent 163 and the fourth vent 164 are examples of the third vent of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 13, first to sixth passages 151 to 156 are formed in the relay space 5 with the first to sixth vents 161 to 166 as starting points. The first passage 151 is a passage from the first ventilation port 161 communicating with the first cell chamber 11 to the exhaust port 45. The second passage 152 is a passage from the second vent 162 communicating with the second cell chamber 12 to the exhaust port 45. The third passage 153 is a passage from the third ventilation port 163 communicating with the third cell chamber 13 to the exhaust port 45. The fourth passage 154 is a passage from the fourth ventilation port 164 communicating with the fourth cell chamber 14 to the exhaust port 45. The fifth passage 155 is a passage extending from the fifth ventilation port 165 communicating with the fifth cell chamber 15 to the exhaust port 45. The sixth passage 156 is a passage from the sixth vent 166 communicating with the sixth cell chamber 16 to the exhaust port 45. The first passage 151 and the sixth passage 156 are examples of the first passage of the present invention. The second passage 152 and the fifth passage 155 are examples of the second passage of the present invention. The third passage 153 and the fourth passage 154 are examples of the third passage of the present invention.

The first passage 151 is formed by a plurality of ribs 101 to 127 shown in FIG. 13 and a plurality of ribs 171 to 197 shown in FIG. The ribs 101 to 127 project upward from the front upper surface 41 of the inner lid 40. The ribs 171 to 197 project downward from the lower surface of the upper lid 50. The upper ends of the ribs 101 to 127 are in contact with the lower ends of the ribs 171 to 197, and are fixed to each other by heat welding. In FIG. 13 and FIG. 8, the region to be thermally welded is indicated by hatching. Since the shapes of the ribs 101 to 127 and the shapes of the ribs 171 to 197 in plan view are substantially the same, the ribs 101 to 127 provided on the inner lid 40 will be described below with reference to FIG. Description of the shapes of the ribs 171 to 197 provided on the 50 is omitted.

The rib 127 is located to the right of the first ventilation port 161 and extends along the front-rear direction 8. The rib 101 is located behind the first vent 161 and extends along the left-right direction 9. The rib 102 is located in front of the first vent 161 and extends along the left-right direction 9. A part of the first passage 151 is formed between the rib 101 and the rib 102. The gas that has entered the relay space 5 from the battery case 20 through the first vent 161 advances to the left from the first vent 161.

The rib 103 extends obliquely rightward and rearward from the left end of the rib 102. The rear end of the rib 103 is separated from the rib 101. Part of the first passage 151 is formed between the rear end of the rib 103 and the rib 101. The gas passes between the rear end of the rib 103 and the rib 101 toward the left.

The rib 104 is located to the left of the rib 103, and extends along the front-back direction 8. The rear end of the rib 104 is connected to the left end of the rib 101. Part of the first passage 151 is formed between the rib 103 and the rib 104. The gas passes forward between the rib 103 and the rib 104.

リブ A rib 110, a rib 105, and a rib 106 are formed before the rib 102. The rib 110 has an arc shape. The left end of the rib 110 is connected to the rib 104. The rib 105 extends rearward from the center of the rib 110 in the left-right direction 9. The rear end of the rib 105 is separated from the rib 102. A part of the first passage 151 is formed between the rear end of the rib 105 and the rib 102. The rib 106 extends rightward from the center of the rib 105 in the front-rear direction 8. Part of the first passage 151 is formed between the rib 106 and the rib 102. The gas passes between the rear end of the rib 105 and the rib 102 and then passes between the rib 106 and the rib 102 to the right.

リブ A rib 107 is formed on the right side of the rib 106. The rib 107 is separated from the rib 106 and extends along the front-back direction 8. A part of the first passage 151 is formed between the rib 106 and the rib 107. The gas passes forward between the right end of the rib 106 and the rib 107.

リブ A rib 108 is formed before the rib 107. The rib 108 extends in the left-right direction 9 and is connected to the front end of the rib 107. A rib 109 extends rearward from the left end of the rib 108. The rear end of the rib 109 is separated from the rib 106. A part of the first passage 151 is formed between the rib 109 and the rib 106. The gas passes between the

ribs

109 and 106 toward the left.

一部 A part of the first passage 151 is formed by the

ribs

109, 105, and 110 described above. The gas passes forward between the rib 109 and the

ribs

105 and 110.

リブ A rib 111 is formed before the rib 110. The rib 111 extends along the periphery of the inlet 431. The right end of the rib 110 is connected to the rib 111. A part of the first passage 151 is formed between the rib 111 and the

ribs

109 and 108. The gas passes between the rib 111 and the

ribs

127 and 108 generally obliquely rightward and forward.

リブ A rib 112 is formed on the right side of the rib 111. The rib 112 extends along the left-right direction 9. The left end of the rib 112 is connected to the rib 111. As indicated by hatching, the front end of the rib 127 is spaced apart from the rib 112. Part of the first passage 151 is formed between the front end of the rib 127 and the rib 112. The gas passes between the

ribs

127 and 112 toward the right.

右 The right end of the rib 112 is connected to the rib 113. The rib 113 extends along the periphery of the inlet 432. After the rib 113, a rib 124 is formed. The rib 124 extends along the left-right direction 9. Part of the first passage is formed between the rib 124 and the rib 113. The gas passes between the

ribs

124 and 113 to the right.

左 The left end of the rib 124 is separated from the rib 127. Between the left end of the rib 124 and the rib 127 is a first junction position 55 where the first passage 151 and a later-described second passage 152 merge. The passage from the first vent 161 to the first junction position 55 constitutes a first individual passage of the first passage 151. A passage from the first junction position 55 to the exhaust port 45 described below forms a common passage between the first passage 151 and the second passage 152.

リブ A rib 114 is formed on the right side of the rib 113. The rib 114 extends along the left-right direction 9. The left end of the rib 114 is connected to the rib 113. The front end of the rib 227 is spaced from the rib 114, as indicated by hatching. Part of the first passage 151 is formed between the front end of the rib 227 and the rib 114. The gas passes between the front end of the rib 127 and the rib 114 toward the right.

右 The right end of the rib 114 is connected to the rib 115. The rib 115 extends along the periphery of the inlet 433. After the rib 115, a rib 125 is formed. The rib 125 extends along the left-right direction 9. The gas passes between the

ribs

125 and 115 to the right. The left end of the rib 125 is separated from the rib 227. Between the left end of the rib 125 and the rib 124 is a second merging position 56 where the first passage 151 and a third passage 153 described later merge.

リブ A rib 126 is formed on the right side of the rib 115. The rib 126 extends along the front-back direction 8. The rear end of the rib 126 is connected to the right end of the rib 125. A part of the first passage 151 is formed between the rib 115 and the rib 126. The gas passes between the rib 115 and the rib 126 generally obliquely rightward and forward.

リブ A rib 116 is formed on the right side of the rib 126. The rib 116 extends along the periphery of the inlet 434. The rib 116 is separated from the rib 115 and the rib 126. A part of the first passage 151 is formed between the rib 115 and the rib 116. The gas passes forward between the

ribs

115 and 116. Note that a third junction 57 between the first passage 151 and a sixth passage 156 described below is provided between the rib 115 and the rib 116.

リブ

Ribs

ribs

116, 118, and 120. The rib 121 extends in the left-right direction 9. A part of the first passage 151 is formed between the rib 121 and the

ribs

116, 117, 118, 119, 120. The gas passes between the rib 121 and the

ribs

116, 117, 118, 119, 120 toward the right.

リブ A rib 122 is formed on the right side of the rib 120. The rib 122 extends in the front-rear direction 8. The front end of the rib 122 is connected to the right end of the rib 121. The rib 122 is separated from the rib 120. Part of the first passage 151 is formed between the rib 120 and the rib 122. The gas passes rearward between the

ribs

120 and 122.

リブ A rib 123 is formed after the rib 120. The left end of the rib 123 is connected to the rib 120, and the right end of the rib 123 is connected to the rib 122. The rib 192 (see FIG. 8) of the upper lid 50 that is thermally welded to the upper end of the rib 122 has an opening 63. The opening 63 connects the first passage 151 and the exhaust port 45. That is, the first passage 151 starting from the first ventilation port 161 communicates with the outside through the opening 63 and the exhaust port 45.

フィルタ A filter 64 (see FIG. 8) is arranged in a region surrounded by the

ribs

120, 122, and 123. The filter 64 prevents sparks from entering the relay space 5 from the exhaust port 45.

Next, the second passage 152 will be described. The second vent 162 serving as a starting point of the second passage 152 is located to the right of the rib 127 described above. The rib 201 is formed after the second ventilation port 162. The rib 201 extends in the left-right direction 9. A rib 202 is formed in front of the second vent 162. The rib 202 extends in the left-right direction 9. A part of the second passage 152 is formed between the rib 201 and the rib 202. The gas that has entered the relay space 5 from the second cell chamber 12 through the second vent 162 advances rightward from the second vent 162.

The rib 203 extends from the right end of the rib 202 obliquely rearward to the left. The rear end of the rib 203 is separated from the rib 201. Part of the second passage 152 is formed between the rear end of the rib 203 and the rib 201. The gas that has entered the relay space 5 from the second cell chamber 12 through the second vent 162 advances rightward from the second vent 162 and passes rightward between the rear end of the rib 203 and the rib 201. I do.

The rib 227 is located to the right of the rib 203 and extends along the front-rear direction 8. The rear end of the rib 227 is connected to the right end of the rib 201. A part of the second passage 152 is formed between the rib 203 and the rib 227. The gas passes forward between the

ribs

203 and 227.

リブ A rib 205 and a rib 206 are formed before the rib 202. The rib 206 extends in the left-right direction 9. The right end of the rib 206 is connected to the rib 227. The rib 205 extends in the front-rear direction 8. The front end of the rib 205 is connected to the rib 206. A part of the second passage 152 is formed between the rib 205 and the rib 206 and the rib 202. The gas passes between the rib 202 and the rear end of the rib 205 to the left, and then passes between the rib 202 and the rib 206 to the left.

リブ A rib 207 is formed on the left side of the rib 206. The rib 207 is separated from the rib 206 and extends along the front-rear direction 8. Part of the second passage 152 is formed between the rib 206 and the rib 207. The gas passes forward between the left end of the rib 206 and the rib 207.

リブ A rib 208 is formed before the rib 207. The rib 208 extends in the left-right direction 9 and is connected to the front end of the rib 207. Part of the second passage 152 is formed between the rib 208 and the rib 206. The gas passes between the

ribs

208 and 206 to the right.

右 The right end of the rib 208 is separated from the rib 227. Part of the second passage 152 is formed between the right end of the rib 208 and the rib 227. The gas passes forward between the right end of the rib 208 and the rib 227.

リブ The rib 208 is located after the above-mentioned rib 124 and is separated from the rib 124. Part of the second passage 152 is formed between the rib 208 and the rib 124. The gas passes between the rib 208 and the rib 124 toward the left, and merges with the first passage 151 at a first junction position 55 between the left end of the rib 124 and the rib 127.

From the lower surface of the upper lid 50, a plurality of ribs that are thermally welded to the ribs 201 and the like forming the second passage 152 project downward. The rib forms a second passage 152 together with the rib 201 and the like.

３The third passage 153 has the same configuration as the second passage 152. Specifically, the shapes of the ribs 301 to 303, 305 to 308, 327, and 125 that form the third passage 153 are the same as those of the ribs 201 to 203, 205 to 208, 227, and 124 that form the second passage 152. Each has the same shape. The third passage 153 joins the first passage 151 at the above-described second joining position 56. Note that a plurality of ribs that are thermally welded to the ribs 301 and the like forming the third passage 153 project downward from the lower surface of the upper lid 50. The shape of the rib of the upper lid 50 that is thermally welded to the rib 301 and the like is the same as the shape of the rib 301 and the like forming the third passage 153, and a description thereof is omitted.

４The fourth passage 154 is symmetrical to the third passage 153 with the rib 327 as the target axis. Specifically, the ribs 401 to 403, 405 to 408, 427, and 410 that form the fourth passage 154 are the same as the ribs 301 to 303, 305 to 308, 327, and 125 that form the third passage 153, respectively. It is symmetrical. The fourth passage 154 joins a later-described sixth passage 156 at a fifth junction position 58 between the right end of the rib 410 extending in the left-right direction 9 and the front end of the rib 427 extending in the front-rear direction 8. From the lower surface of the upper lid 50, a plurality of ribs that are thermally welded to the ribs 401 and the like forming the fourth passage 154 project downward. The shape of the rib of the upper lid 50 that is thermally welded to the rib 401 and the like is the same as the shape of the rib 401 and the like forming the fourth passage 154, and thus the description is omitted.

５The fifth passage 155 is symmetrical to the second passage 152 with the rib 327 as a target axis. Specifically, the ribs 501 to 503, 505 to 508, 527, and 510 that form the fifth passage 155 are the same as the ribs 201 to 203, 205 to 208, 227, and 124 that form the second passage 152, respectively. It is symmetrical. The fifth passage 155 merges with a later-described sixth passage 156 at a fourth junction position 59 between the right end of the rib 510 extending in the left-right direction 9 and the rib 527 extending in the front-rear direction 8. From the lower surface of the upper lid 50, a plurality of ribs that are thermally welded to the ribs 501 and the like forming the fifth passage 155 project downward. The shape of the rib of the upper lid 50 that is thermally welded to the rib 501 and the like is the same as the shape of the rib 501 and the like forming the fifth passage 155, and thus the description is omitted.

The sixth passage 156 has a symmetrical configuration with respect to the first passage 151 from the first ventilation port 161 to the third junction position 57 and the rib 327 as a target axis. Specifically, the ribs 601 to 603, 605 to 609, 122, 123, and 527 that form the sixth passage 156 are the same as the ribs 101 to 103, 105 to 109, 104, and 110 that form the first passage 151. 127, respectively. The first passage 151 and the sixth passage 156 join at a third joining position 57. From the lower surface of the upper lid 50, a plurality of ribs that are thermally welded to the ribs 601 and the like forming the sixth passage 156 project downward. Since the shape of the rib of the upper lid 50 that is thermally welded to the rib 601 and the like is the same as the shape of the rib 601 and the like forming the sixth passage 156, the description is omitted.

The first passage 151 to the sixth passage 156 transfer the liquid generated by liquefying the gas in the relay space 5 from the first return hole 231 to the sixth return hole 236 shown in FIG. It also functions as a passage returning into the sixth cell chamber 16. The first return hole 231 to the sixth return hole 236 penetrate the front part of the inner lid 40 in the vertical direction 7. The first return hole 231 communicates the first cell chamber 11 with the first passage 151. The second return hole 232 communicates the second cell chamber 12 with the second passage 152. The third return hole 233 connects the third cell chamber 13 and the third passage 153. The fourth reflux hole 234 connects the fourth cell chamber 14 and the fourth passage 154. The fifth return hole 235 connects the fifth cell chamber 15 and the fifth passage 155. The sixth reflux hole 236 connects the sixth cell chamber 16 and the sixth passage 156.

As shown in FIG. 6, six peripheral wall ribs 66 respectively surrounding the first to sixth return holes 231 to 236 project downward from the lower surface of the front part of the inner lid 40. The peripheral wall ribs 66 prevent the electrolytic solution 6 in the battery case 20 from reaching the first reflux hole 231 to the sixth reflux hole 236 due to shaking or vibration. Each peripheral wall rib 66 has a notch 67 cut out upward from the lower end. The notch 67 prevents the electrolytic solution 6 from reaching the first return hole 231 to the sixth return hole 236 along the peripheral wall rib 66.

前 The front upper surface 41 of the inner lid 40 forming the first to sixth passages 151 to 156 is inclined toward the first to sixth return holes 231 to 236. The liquid composed of the gas liquefied in the relay space 5 or the liquid composed of the electrolytic solution 6 that has entered the first passage 151 to the sixth passage 156 from the first reflux hole 231 to the sixth reflux hole 236 by shaking or vibration, The slanted front upper surface 41 guides the first return hole 231 to the sixth return hole 236 and returns from the first return hole 231 to the sixth return hole 236 to the first cell chamber 11 to the sixth cell chamber 16.

In front of the

ribs

127, 227, 427, and 527 shown in FIG. 13, first to fourth ribs 731 to 734 projecting upward from the front upper surface 41 of the inner lid 40, which is the bottom surface of the lid main body 31, are provided. Have been. The first rib 731 and the second rib 732 have the same shape, and the first rib 731, the second rib 732, the third rib 733, and the fourth rib 734 are bilaterally symmetric with respect to the rib 327 as a target axis. Therefore, the first rib 731 will be described, and the description of the second rib 732 to the fourth rib 734 will be omitted. The ribs 731 to 734 are an example of the projection of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 14, the first rib 731 has a step surface 735 on the first vent 161 side (left side) and an inclined surface 736 on the exhaust port 45 side (right side). The first rib 731 has a protruding piece 737 that protrudes from the upper end of the step surface 735 toward the first vent 161. The projecting piece 737 can be formed, for example, by melting a part of the first rib 731 when the inner lid 40 and the upper lid 50 are thermally welded.

The ribs 731 to 734 are formed by a liquid composed of a gas liquefied in the first cell chamber 11 to the sixth cell chamber 16 or the first passage 151 to the sixth passage from the first reflux hole 231 to the sixth reflux hole 236 by shaking or vibration. The liquid that has entered the passage 156 is prevented from reaching the exhaust port 45, and the liquid in the passage from the ribs 731 to 734 to the exhaust port 45 is easily returned to the first return hole 231 to the sixth return hole 236.

説明 A detailed description will be given with reference to FIG. When a vehicle equipped with the lead storage battery 10 travels uphill (downhill), the lead storage battery 10 tilts (upper view in FIG. 15). Since the ribs 731 to 734 have the step surfaces 735 on the first ventilation port 161 to the sixth ventilation port 166 side, the liquid shown by the dotted hatching in the figure passes over the ribs 731 to 734 by the step surfaces 735. Flow to the exhaust port 45 side is suppressed. Further, from the upper end of the step surface 735, a protruding piece 737 protrudes toward the first ventilation port 161 to the sixth ventilation port 166. The protruding pieces 737 further suppress the liquid from flowing over the ribs 731 to 734 toward the exhaust port 45.

On the other hand, when the vehicle equipped with the lead storage battery 10 travels downhill (uphill), the lead storage battery 10 tilts in the opposite direction (lower view in FIG. 15). Since the ribs 731 to 734 have the inclined surface 736 on the exhaust port 45 side, the liquid in the passage from the ribs 731 to 734 to the exhaust port 45 passes over the ribs 731 to 734 by the inclined surface 736 and the first liquid. It is easy to flow from the reflux hole 231 to the sixth reflux hole 236.

[motion]

In the following, when the lead storage battery 10 is mounted on a vehicle and used, generation of gas in the first cell chamber 11 to the sixth cell chamber 16 and generation of the gas by the first cell chamber 11 to the sixth cell chamber 16 will be described. Will be described with reference to FIG.

(4) When the engine mounted on the vehicle is started and the engine generates heat, the temperature of the electrolyte 6 in the first cell chamber 11 to the sixth cell chamber 16 of the battery case 20 of the lead storage battery 10 increases due to the heat from the engine. The electrolyte 6 whose temperature has risen generates a gas composed of water vapor and mist.

The amount of gas generated in the first cell chamber 11 to the sixth cell chamber 16 until the temperature of the first cell chamber 11 to the sixth cell chamber 16 becomes substantially constant depends on the amount of the first cell chamber 11 to the sixth cell. It depends on the degree of temperature rise in the chamber 16. The degree of temperature rise is a value of temperature rise per unit time. The greater the degree of temperature rise, the greater the amount of gas generated. The degree of temperature rise in the first cell chamber 11 to the sixth cell chamber 16 is greatest in the outer first cell chamber 11 and the sixth cell chamber 16 which are apt to receive heat from the engine. Further, the degree of temperature rise in the third and

fourth cell chambers

13 and 14 on the inside is the smallest. The degree of temperature rise in the second cell chamber 12 and the fifth cell chamber 15 depends on the degree of temperature rise in the third cell chamber 13 and the fourth cell chamber 14 and the degree of temperature rise in the first cell chamber 11 and the sixth cell chamber 16. Is in the middle of the degree. Note that “inside” and “outside” are positions based on the center position of the battery case 20. That is, the third cell room 13 and the fourth cell room 14 closest to the center position of the container 20 are the innermost cell rooms, and the first cell room 11 farthest to the center position of the container 20, The sixth cell chamber 16 is the outermost cell chamber.

The gas generated in the first cell chamber 11 enters the first passage 151 through the first ventilation port 161, passes through the first passage 151, and is exhausted from the exhaust port 45 to the outside.

The gas generated in the second cell chamber 12 enters the second passage 152 through the second ventilation port 162, joins the first passage 151 at the first junction position 55, passes through the first passage 151, and passes through the exhaust port 45. Is discharged to the outside.

The gas generated in the third cell chamber 13 enters the third passage 153 through the third vent 163, joins the first passage 151 at the second junction position 56, passes through the first passage 151, and passes through the exhaust port 45. Is discharged to the outside.

The gas generated in the sixth cell chamber 16 enters the sixth passage 156 through the sixth ventilation port 166, joins the first passage 151 at the third junction 57, passes through the first passage 151, and passes through the exhaust port 45. Is discharged to the outside.

The gas generated in the fifth cell chamber 15 enters the fifth passage 155 through the fifth vent 165, joins the sixth passage 156 at the fourth junction 59, and enters the first passage 151 at the third junction 57. They merge and pass through the first passage 151 and are discharged from the exhaust port 45 to the outside.

The gas generated in the fourth cell chamber 14 enters the fourth passage 154 through the fourth vent 164, joins the sixth passage 156 at the fifth junction 58, and enters the first passage 151 at the third junction 57. They merge and pass through the first passage 151 and are discharged from the exhaust port 45 to the outside.

When the engine is stopped and the first cell chamber 11 to the sixth cell chamber 16 in the battery case 20 of the lead storage battery 10 are cooled by the outside temperature, the gas in the first cell chamber 11 to the sixth cell chamber 16 is liquefied. Then, the internal pressure in the first cell chamber 11 to the sixth cell chamber 16 decreases. When the internal pressure in the first cell chamber 11 to the sixth cell chamber 16 decreases, the gas remaining in the first passage 151 to the sixth passage 156 is drawn into the first cell chamber 11 to the sixth cell chamber 16 and the first cell It liquefies in the chamber 11 to the sixth cell chamber 16 and returns to the electrolytic solution 6.

(4) The amount of gas drawn into each of the first to sixth cell chambers 11 to 16 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The gas remaining in the first passage 151 from the third junction position 57 to the exhaust port 45 is divided into a first passage 151 on the left and a sixth passage 156 on the right at the third junction 57, and The cells are drawn into the cell chambers 11 to 13 and the fourth to sixth cell chambers 14, respectively. Since the left passage and the right passage at the third junction position 57 have a symmetrical shape, the amount of gas drawn into the first cell chamber 11 to the third cell chamber 13 and the fourth cell chamber 14 to The amount of gas drawn into the six-cell chamber 16 is almost the same. Since the left passage and the right passage at the third junction position 57 have a symmetrical shape, the first cell chamber 11 to the third cell chamber 13 on the left will be described below, and the fourth cell chamber on the right will be described. The description of the fourteenth to sixth cell chambers 16 is omitted.

The gas remaining in the first passage 151 from the second junction position 56 to the exhaust port 45 is drawn into the third cell chamber 13 through the third passage 153, and is discharged through the first passage 151 and the second passage 152. It is drawn into the first cell chamber 11 and the second cell chamber 12. The amount of gas drawn into the first cell chamber 11 and the second cell chamber 12 through the first passage 151 and the second passage 152 is much larger than the amount of gas drawn into the third cell chamber 13 through the third passage 153. Many.

explain in detail. First, the force of drawing gas in the first cell chamber 11, the second cell chamber 12, and the third cell chamber 13 (hereinafter, also referred to as a suction force) will be described. The first cell chamber 11 is located on the outermost side of the battery case 20, and has a larger contact area with the outside air via the side plate 21 of the battery case 20 than the second cell room 12 and the third cell room 13. . Therefore, the first cell chamber 11 has a greater degree of temperature drop than the second cell chamber 12 and the third cell chamber 13. The degree of temperature drop is a value of temperature drop per unit time. The first cell chamber 11 having the largest degree of temperature drop has a larger suction force than the second cell chamber 12 and the third cell chamber 13. The second cell chamber 12 has the same contact area with the outside air via the side plate 21 of the battery case 20 as the third cell chamber 13, but is adjacent to the first cell chamber 11 where the degree of temperature drop is the largest. Thus, the degree of temperature drop is greater than in the third cell chamber 13. Therefore, the second cell chamber 12 has a larger suction force than the third cell chamber 13. That is, the suction force of the first cell chamber 11 to the third cell chamber 13 is larger in the order of the first cell chamber 11, the second cell chamber 12, and the third cell chamber 13.

At the second merging position 56, gas is generated by the suction power of the first cell chamber 11 and the suction power of the second cell chamber 12 that combine the suction power of the second cell chamber 12 and the suction power of the third cell chamber 13. And it is drawn into the 2nd cell room 12 side and the 3rd cell room 13 side. Therefore, the amount of gas drawn into the first cell chamber 11 and the second cell chamber 12 is much larger than the amount of gas drawn into the third cell chamber 13.

The gas drawn into the first cell chamber 11 and the second cell chamber 12 from the second merging position 56 is drawn into the first cell chamber 11 and the second cell chamber 12 at the first merging position 55. . As described above, since the suction force of the first cell chamber 11 is larger than the suction force of the second cell chamber 12, the amount of gas drawn into the first cell chamber 11 at the first junction position 55 is It is larger than the amount of gas drawn into the two-cell chamber 12.

As shown in FIG. 13, the length of the first passage 151 from the first vent 161 to the first merging position 55 is the length of the first passage 151 from the second vent 162 to the first merging position 55. It is longer than the length of the two passages 152. The longer the length of the passage, the greater the amount of stagnant gas. Further, the length of the passage from the second vent 162 to the second junction position 56 is longer than the length of the passage from the third vent 163 to the second junction position 56. The longer the length of the passage, the greater the amount of stagnant gas.

As described above, by utilizing the fact that the degree of the temperature drop of the first cell chamber 11 after the engine is stopped is the largest, the gas remaining in the common portion of the first passage 151 to the third passage 153 is removed. More cells are drawn into the first cell chamber 11 than the two cell chambers 12 and the third cell chamber 13. Further, the length of the first passage 151 from the first vent 161 to the first junction position 55 is made longer than the length of the second passage 152 from the second vent 162 to the first junction position 55. Thus, the amount of gas drawn into the first cell chamber 11 is made larger than the amount of gas drawn into the second cell chamber 12 and the third cell chamber 13.

Further, by utilizing the fact that the degree of the temperature drop of the second cell chamber 12 after the engine is stopped is greater than the degree of the temperature drop of the third cell chamber 13, a common portion of the first passage 151 to the third passage 153 is used. The retained gas is drawn into the second cell chamber 12 more than the third cell chamber 13. In addition, the length of the passage from the second vent 162 to the second junction position 56 is longer than the length of the third passage 153 from the third vent 163 to the second junction 56, and The amount of gas drawn into the second cell chamber 12 is set to be larger than the amount of gas drawn into the third cell chamber 13.

Therefore, the first cell chamber 11, which generates the most gas after the engine is started, draws the most gas after the engine is stopped. In addition, the second cell chamber 12 that generates more gas than the third cell chamber 13 after the engine is started draws more gas than the third cell chamber 13 after the engine is stopped. The gas drawn into the cell chambers 11 to 13 is liquefied in the cell chambers 11 to 13 and returned to the electrolyte 6. Therefore, the difference in the amount of electrolyte solution 6 reduced in the first cell chamber 11 to the third cell chamber 13 is reduced. That is, the difference in the amount of the electrolytic solution 6 stored in the first cell chamber 11 to the third cell chamber 13 over time is reduced.

[Effect of Second Embodiment]

In the above-described embodiment, the length of the first passage 151 from the first vent 161 to the first junction position 55 is the same as the length of the second passage 152 from the second vent 162 to the first junction position 55. Longer than the length. Therefore, a larger amount of gas can be drawn into the first cell chamber 11 that generates a larger amount of gas than the second cell chamber 12. Therefore, the difference in the amount of liquid reduction between the first cell chamber 11 and the second cell chamber 12 can be reduced. As a result, the difference in the amount of the electrolytic solution 6 between the first cell chamber 11 and the second cell chamber 12 over time can be reduced.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the first passage 151 and the second passage 152 join at the first junction position 55, and a part of the passage from the first ventilation port 161 to the exhaust port 45, A part of the passage from the two ventilation ports 162 to the exhaust port 45 is common. Therefore, in the relay space 5 in the lid main body 31, the length of the first passage 151 and the second passage 152 can be made longer than in a configuration in which the first passage 151 and the second passage 152 do not merge. As the length of the passage increases, the amount of gas cooled and liquefied in the relay space 5 of the lid body 31 increases. As a result, the amount of reduction of the electrolytic solution 6 in the first to sixth cell chambers 11 to 16 can be reduced.

In the above-described embodiment, the length of the passage from the second vent 162 to the second junction position 56 is equal to the length of the third passage 153 from the third vent 163 to the second junction 56. Longer than it is. Therefore, a larger amount of gas can be drawn into the second cell chamber 12 that generates a larger amount of gas than the third cell chamber 13. Therefore, the difference in the amount of liquid reduction between the second cell chamber 12 and the third cell chamber 13 can be reduced. As a result, the difference in the amount of the electrolytic solution 6 between the second cell chamber 12 and the third cell chamber 13 over time can be reduced.

In the above-described embodiment, the ribs 731 to 734 have the step surface 735 on the first ventilation port 161 to the sixth ventilation port 166 side and the inclined surface 736 on the exhaust port 45 side. Therefore, for example, when the vehicle on which the lead storage battery 10 is mounted travels on a slope, it is possible to suppress the electrolyte 6 from leaking out of the exhaust port 45 to the outside. Further, the liquid in the first to sixth passages 151 to 156 can be returned to the first to sixth return holes 231 to 236. As a result, the amount of the electrolyte solution 6 stored in the first cell chamber 11 to the sixth cell chamber 16 can be reduced.

In the above-described embodiment, the ribs 731 to 734 have the protruding pieces 737 projecting from the upper end of the step surface 735 toward the first return hole 231 to the sixth return hole 236. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the liquid from going over the ribs 731 to 734. As a result, it is possible to further suppress the electrolyte 6 from leaking out of the exhaust port 45 to the outside.

Also, by merging the first passage 151 to the third passage 153, the amount of gas drawn into the first passage 151 by utilizing the difference in the degree of temperature drop between the first cell chamber 11 to the third cell chamber 13. Can be increased more than when the first to third passages 151 to 153 do not merge. As a result, the difference in the amount of the electrolytic solution 6 stored in the first cell chamber 11 to the third cell chamber 13 over time can be further reduced.

[Another embodiment for solving the second problem]

In the above-described embodiment, both the first reflux hole 231 to the sixth reflux hole 236 and the first ventilation port 161 to the sixth ventilation port 166 are provided in each of the first cell chamber 11 to the sixth cell chamber 16. Examples have been described. However, only the first to sixth return holes 231 to 236 may be provided in each of the first to sixth cell chambers 11 to 16. In this case, the first reflux hole 231 to the sixth reflux hole 236 also have the function of the first ventilation port 161 to the sixth ventilation port 166. That is, the gas generated in the first to sixth cell chambers 11 to 16 flows out to the first to sixth passages 151 to 156 through the first to sixth return holes 231 to 236.

In the above-described embodiment, the length of the first passage 151 from the first vent 161 to the first junction position 55 is the length of the second passage 152 from the second vent 162 to the first junction position 55. The example in which the ribs 731 to 734 are provided in the configuration longer than the length has been described. However, the ribs 731 to 734 may be provided irrespective of the length of the first passage 151 and the second passage 152.

In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the number of the exhaust ports 45 is one has been described. However, the number of exhaust ports 45 may be two or more.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the first passage 151 to the sixth passage 156 join each other has been described. However, the first to sixth passages 151 to 156 need not be merged.

Note that one embodiment of the present invention can be implemented in the following forms.
(1)
An electrode having an opening and a partition plate provided in an internal space continuous with the opening has a first cell chamber partitioned on the outer edge side and a second cell chamber partitioned inside the first cell chamber. Tank and
The opening is closed, a relay space is defined inside, a first vent communicating the first cell chamber and the relay space, and a first vent communicating the second cell chamber and the relay space. A cover member having 2 vents, and an exhaust port communicating the relay space with the outside,
The lid member has a first passage from the first vent to the exhaust port, and a rib forming a second passage from the second vent to the exhaust port,
The lead storage battery wherein the length of the first passage is set longer than the length of the second passage.

(2)
The first passage and the second passage are joined,
(1) The length from the first vent to the junction of the first passage and the second passage is set longer than the length from the second vent to the junction. Lead storage battery.

(3)
A third cell chamber is defined inside the second cell chamber by the partition plate,
The lid member has a third vent that communicates the relay space with the third cell chamber,
The rib forms a third passage from the third ventilation port to the exhaust port,
The lead storage battery according to (1) or (2), wherein the length of the second passage is set to be longer than the length of the third passage.

(4)
The lid member partitions the relay space, and has a projection projecting from the bottom surface,
The lead-acid battery according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the wall surface of the convex portion is an inclined surface that is gradually inclined toward the exhaust port side.

(5)
(4) The lead-acid battery according to (4), wherein a tip of the protrusion has a protruding piece protruding toward the vent.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Lead storage batteries 11-16 ... Cell room 20 ... Battery case 30 ... Lid member 31 ... Lid body 40 ... Inner lid 45 ... Exhaust port 50 ... Upper lid 55 ... 59 ... converging positions 101-127 ... ribs 130-141 ...

first spaces

142, 143 ...

communication ports

144, 145 ... communication ports 151-156 ... passages 161-166 ... ..Vent holes 231 to 236 reflux holes 240 to 243 second spaces 731 to 734 rib 735 step surface 736 inclined surface 737 projecting piece

Claims

A container having an opening at the top and containing an electrode group and an electrolytic solution,
Closing the opening, and a lid member formed with an exhaust port,
The lid member,
A bottom wall formed with a return hole communicating with the inside of the battery case,
A top wall facing the bottom wall,
A rib erected on the bottom wall,
The rib is
A passage from the return hole to the exhaust port,
A first space that communicates with the passage through one communication port and through which the electrolyte can flow in and out through the communication port;
The lead storage battery, wherein the width of the communication port is less than 1.5 times the width of the passage in a portion adjacent to the communication port.
The lead-acid battery according to claim 1, wherein the width of the communication port is at least half the width of the passage in a portion adjacent to the communication port.
The rib is
A second space that communicates with the passage and into which the liquid flows, is further formed;
The second space communicates with the passage through at least one of a plurality of communication openings and one communication opening having a width of 1.5 times or more the width of the passage, and does not directly communicate with the return hole. ,
The lead-acid battery according to claim 1, wherein the first space is located at a position closer to the return hole in the passage than the second space.
The rib is
A first straight passage portion which is a part of the passage and is linear;
A second passage section intersecting with the first straight passage section,
The communication port of the first space is provided on an extension of the first straight passage portion and facing an intersection of the first straight passage portion and the second passage portion. The lead-acid battery according to any one of the above.
The lead-acid battery according to claim 4, wherein the first straight passage portion and the second passage are orthogonal to each other.
The rib includes a linear rib that defines a part of the first straight passage portion and a part of the first space,
The lead-acid battery according to claim 4, wherein the communication port of the first space is located in the middle of the linear rib.
The lead-acid battery according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a width of the communication port in the first space is wider than a width of the passage in a portion adjacent to the communication port.
The lead-acid battery according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the area of the first space is at least 1.5 times the square of the width of the communication port of the first space.
The lead-acid battery according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the rib forms at least two of the first spaces in the passage.
The lead-acid battery according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the communication port of the first space is formed at a position near the return hole in the passage.
The battery case has a first cell chamber partitioned on the outer edge side and a second cell chamber partitioned inside the first cell chamber by providing a partition plate in an internal space continuous with the opening. ,
In the lid member, a relay space is defined inside, and a first vent that communicates the first cell chamber and the relay space, and a second vent that communicates the second cell chamber and the relay space. And an exhaust port for communicating the relay space with the outside,
The lid member further includes a rib that forms a first passage from the first vent to the exhaust port, and a second passage from the second vent to the exhaust port,
The lead-acid battery according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the length of the first passage is set longer than the length of the second passage.
The first passage and the second passage are joined,
The length from the first vent to the junction of the first passage and the second passage is set to be longer than the length from the second vent to the junction. Lead storage battery.
A third cell chamber is defined inside the second cell chamber by the partition plate,
The lid member has a third vent that communicates the relay space with the third cell chamber,
The rib forms a third passage from the third ventilation port to the exhaust port,
The lead-acid battery according to claim 11, wherein the length of the second passage is set to be longer than the length of the third passage.
The lid member partitions the relay space, and has a projection projecting from the bottom surface,
The lead-acid battery according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein a wall surface of the projection is an inclined surface that is gradually inclined toward the exhaust port.
The lead-acid battery according to claim 14, wherein a tip of the projection has a projecting piece projecting toward the vent.