WO2022255377A1

WO2022255377A1 - Pressure release valve for power storage device

Info

Publication number: WO2022255377A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/022181
Authority: WO
Inventors: 仁志宮前
Original assignee: 株式会社パイオラックス
Priority date: 2021-06-04
Filing date: 2022-05-31
Publication date: 2022-12-08
Also published as: WO2023233687A1

Abstract

Provided is a pressure release valve for a power storage device that is easily attached to a case and is not easily removed from the case. A pressure release valve 10 for a power storage device comprises a cylindrical seal member 20 and a valve unit 15, the valve unit 15 has a base member provided with a base member-side engaging portion 45, a valve body 70, and a coil spring 90, a temporary engaging portion 25 that engages with the base member-side engaging portion 45 of the base member at a predetermined insertion position and a main engaging portion 26 that engages with the base member-side engaging portion 45 of the base member at a deeper insertion position are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the seal member 20, a retaining portion 27 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the seal member 20, the retaining portion 27 can bend inward in the temporarily held state and the diameter reduction thereof is regulated by the base member in the fixed state.

Description

Pressure relief valve for storage device

The present invention relates to an electricity storage device pressure release valve that is attached to a case in which an electricity storage device is accommodated and releases pressure within the case.

For example, hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles use power storage devices such as batteries and capacitors, and these power storage devices are housed and arranged in a case installed inside the vehicle. When the electric storage device is, for example, a battery such as a lithium ion battery, the chemical reaction of the electrolytic solution generates gas, which may increase the pressure inside the case. In this case, a pressure relief valve is attached to the case opening to reduce the pressure in the case.

For example, Patent Literature 1 below describes a pressure regulating unit that is installed in a housing and regulates the internal pressure, and discharges gas from the housing when the internal pressure is equal to or higher than a certain pressure to regulate the pressure. A pressure regulating valve is described that includes a cover portion that maintains the pressure regulating portion in a sealed state.

The pressure regulator has a base that is attached to the opening of the housing. The base portion is a cylindrical body and has a plurality of flexibly deformable legs formed through a plurality of axially extending slits. In addition, locking projections are provided on the outer periphery of the distal end of each leg. When the base portion is inserted into the opening of the housing, the locking projection is pressed against the inner periphery of the opening, and the leg is inserted while being bent and deformed. The legs are elastically restored, and the locking protrusions are locked to the rear peripheral edge of the opening. As a result, the base portion is fixed to the opening, and the entire pressure regulating valve is attached to the opening of the housing.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-21897

In the case of the pressure regulating valve of Patent Document 1, as described above, the pressure regulating valve is attached to the opening of the housing using a plurality of flexurally deformable legs provided on the base. On the other hand, since the base portion is not fixed with bolts or nuts, it is relatively easy to attach the pressure regulating valve to the opening of the housing. On the other hand, the fixing force of the base to the opening of the housing is relatively low, and the base tends to come off from the opening.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a pressure release valve for an electricity storage device that is easy to attach to a case and is difficult to come off from the case.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an electricity storage device pressure release valve attached to a case in which an electricity storage device is accommodated, wherein the pressure release valve is a cylindrical pressure release valve that is inserted into and fixed to a case opening formed in the case. and a valve unit inserted inside the sealing member and fixed to the case via the sealing member, the valve unit separating the inner space and the outer space of the case. a base member having a communicating vent, a valve seat provided on the periphery thereof, and a base member-side engagement portion that engages with the seal member; a valve body for opening and closing the vent port; and biasing means for biasing the valve body toward the valve seat. When the unit is inserted, a temporary engaging portion that engages with the base member side engaging portion at a predetermined insertion position, and a temporary engaging portion that engages with the base member side engaging portion at an insertion position deeper than the temporary engaging portion. A main engaging portion is provided, the seal member is provided with a retaining portion that engages with the case, and the retaining portion engages the temporary engaging portion on the base member side. In a temporary holding state in which the base member is engaged, the base member can be bent inwardly. It is characterized by being configured to

According to the present invention, when the valve unit and the sealing member are inserted into the case opening in a temporary holding state in which the base member side engaging portion is engaged with the temporary engaging portion of the sealing member, the retaining portion of the sealing member However, since the seal member can bend inward, the seal member can be easily inserted into the case opening together with the valve unit. In this state, when the valve unit is inserted further and the base member side engaging portion is engaged with the main engaging portion of the seal member, the base member is positioned inside the retainer portion of the seal member. As a result, the retainer portion of the seal member is prevented from bending inward, and the contraction of the diameter of the seal member is restricted, so that the valve unit can be firmly fixed to the case via the seal member. As a result, it is possible to obtain a release valve that is easy to attach to the case and is difficult to come off from the case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of an electrical storage device pressure release valve according to the present invention; It is a perspective view of the same electrical storage device pressure relief valve. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a lower member that constitutes the pressure release valve for the electric storage device; Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a valve seat forming member that constitutes the pressure release valve for the electric storage device; It is an enlarged perspective view showing an upper member that constitutes the pressure release valve for the electricity storage device. It is a bottom view showing an upper member that constitutes the pressure release valve for the electricity storage device. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a valve body that constitutes the pressure release valve for the electric storage device; Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a cap that constitutes the pressure release valve for the electric storage device; It is a bottom view of the same cap. Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a sealing member that constitutes the pressure release valve for the same electricity storage device; FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a cover member that constitutes the pressure release valve for the electric storage device; It is cross-sectional explanatory drawing which shows the 1st assembly process of the pressure release valve for the electrical storage devices. It is cross-sectional explanatory drawing which shows the 2nd assembly process of the pressure release valve for the electrical storage devices. It is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the first step, showing a step of attaching the pressure release valve for the electricity storage device to the case. It is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the second step, showing a step of attaching the pressure release valve for the electricity storage device to the case. It is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the third step, showing a step of attaching the pressure release valve for the electricity storage device to the case. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional explanatory view when the valve body is separated from the valve seat and the vent is opened from the state shown in FIG. 15 ;

(One embodiment of pressure release valve for electrical storage device)
EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, with reference to drawings, one Embodiment of the pressure relief valve for electrical storage devices which concerns on this invention is described.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, this electricity storage device pressure release valve 10 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "release valve 10") is attached to a case 1 that accommodates an electricity storage device (not shown), and is installed inside the case. It is for releasing (lowering) the pressure when the pressure rises.

Examples of the power storage device include batteries (lithium ion batteries, etc.), capacitors, capacitors, etc., which are used in hybrid vehicles including plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles. It is not particularly limited.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a case opening 3 is formed in the case 1. More specifically, the case 1 in this embodiment is formed with a substantially circular concave portion 2 . A substantially circular recess that is deeper than the recess 2 is provided from the bottom of the recess 2, a circular hole is formed in the center of the recess, and a cylindrical portion 3a protrudes from the periphery of the back side of the circular hole. ing. The cylindrical portion 3a and the inner periphery of the circular hole form the case opening 3. As shown in FIG. The bottom of the recess, which is deeper than the recess 2, forms the front peripheral edge 4 of the case opening 3. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, the internal space of the case 1 forms a case internal space R1, and the external space of the case 1 forms a case external space R2.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 13, the release valve 10 in this embodiment includes a cylindrical sealing member 20 inserted into the case opening 3 and fixed, and a cylindrical sealing member 20 inserted inside the sealing member 20. and a valve unit 15 fixed to the case 1 via 20 . Further, the valve unit 15 has a vent hole 52 that communicates the case inner space R1 and the case outer space R2, and a valve seat 53 provided on the periphery thereof. A base member provided with an engaging portion 45, a valve body 70 which is slidable with respect to the base member and which opens and closes the vent port 52, and biasing means which biases the valve body 70 toward the valve seat 53. have.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, in this embodiment, four parts, an upper member 60, a valve body 70, a cap 80, and a coil spring 90, are assembled to form a first assembly 15A. It has become. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 11, the lower member 40 and the valve seat forming member 50 are assembled to form a second assembly 15B. The urging means in this embodiment is a coil spring 90 formed by winding a wire having a predetermined diameter with a predetermined pitch.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, a cover member 30 is attached to the seal member 20. As shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the "base member" in the present invention includes the lower member 40, the valve seat forming member 50 attached to the lower member 40 and provided with the valve seat 53, and the valve seat forming member 50 attached to the lower member 40. It is composed of an upper member 60 that is mounted. A cap 80 is attached to and integrated with the valve body 70 .

In the following description, "front side" and "front side" refer to the side facing the case 1, and "back side" and "back side" are opposite to the "front side" and "front side". means This also applies to other members (base member, seal member, valve member, cap, etc.) to be described later. Further, in the following description, as shown in FIG. 13, the insertion direction F of the release valve 10 into the case opening 3 (the direction of insertion of the release valve 10 into the case opening 3) is also simply referred to as "the insertion direction F". Note that the direction of insertion of the first assembly 15A into the second assembly 15B (the direction of insertion of the first assembly 15A into the second assembly 15B) shown in FIG. 11 and the seal member 20 shown in FIG. The direction in which the valve unit 15 is inserted (the direction in which the valve unit 15 is inserted with respect to the seal member 20) is also referred to as the "insertion direction F".

First, the lower member 40 that constitutes the base member will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 11, and the like.

The lower member 40 has a tubular portion 41 having a substantially cylindrical shape. An arcuately rounded pressing portion 41a is provided on the outer periphery of the axial base end portion (the end portion on the insertion direction F side) of the tubular portion 41 . Further, an annular flange portion 42 extends from the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 41 on the axial tip portion side (the end portion on the side opposite to the insertion direction F). Further, a plurality (here, four pieces) of engagement pieces 43 having engagement holes 43a are erected from the axial end surface of the cylindrical portion 41 at equal intervals. A guide groove 43b is formed on the inner surface of the tip of each engaging piece 43 in the erecting direction. This guide groove 43b is formed from the outer surface of the engaging piece 62 when the engaging piece 62 of the upper member 60 is inserted into the tubular portion 41 of the lower member 40 in order to assemble the lower member 40 and the upper member 60 together. The projecting engaging claw 63 (see FIG. 5) is guided to facilitate engagement with the engaging hole 43a.

Furthermore, from the inner circumference of the tubular portion 41 on the proximal end side in the axial direction, an annular projection 44 protrudes toward the inside of the tubular portion 41 . A base member-side engaging portion 45 having an annular projection shape is projected from a predetermined position in the axial direction (here, a position slightly closer to the base end side in the axial direction) on the outer circumference of the tubular portion 41 . ing. A tapered surface 45 a is formed on the base end outer surface of the base member side engaging portion 45 .

Next, the valve seat forming member 50 attached to the lower member 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 11, and the like.

The valve seat forming member 50 is made of, for example, an elastic material such as rubber or elastic elastomer, and has a substantially cylindrical cylindrical portion 51 . The internal space of this cylindrical portion 51 forms a vent 52 . As shown in FIG. 16, the internal space R1 of the case 1 and the external space R2 of the case 1 communicate with each other through the vent 52. As shown in FIG. A valve seat 53 is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the vent hole 52 on the axial end surface of the cylindrical portion 51 (the end surface on the side opposite to the insertion direction F). Further, a tapered surface 51a is formed on the outer circumference of the base end portion (the end portion on the side of the insertion direction F) of the cylindrical portion 51 in the axial direction.

In addition, an engagement groove 54 is formed on the outer periphery of the tubular portion 51 on the axial direction tip side, and has an annular groove shape, with which the annular protrusion 44 of the lower member 40 is engaged. Then, as shown in FIG. 11 , the cylindrical portion 51 is arranged on the inner circumference of the base end portion of the lower member 40 , and the engagement groove 54 thereof is engaged with the annular protrusion 44 of the lower member 40 , whereby the lower member 40 is A valve seat forming member 50 is attached to the member 40 . As a result, the lower member 40 is provided with the vent 52 and the valve seat 53 .

Next, the upper member 60 assembled to the lower member 40 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The upper member 60 has an annular base portion 61 having a substantially annular shape. A plurality of engaging pieces 62 are vertically provided at equal intervals from the base end surface (the end surface on the insertion direction F side) of the annular base portion 61 . Here, four engaging pieces 62 are provided corresponding to the engaging pieces 43 of the lower member 40 . Each engaging piece 62 is arranged inside the corresponding engaging piece 43 of the lower member 40 when the upper member 60 is assembled to the lower member 40 . Further, each engaging piece 62 is formed with an engaging claw 63 which is flexibly deformable through a substantially U-shaped slit 63a. 12, an engaging piece 62 is arranged inside the engaging piece 43 of the lower member 40, and the engaging claw 63 is inserted into the engaging hole 43a of the engaging piece 43 of the lower member 40. The upper member 60 is attached to the lower member 40 by engaging the circumference.

In addition, an annular ceiling portion 64 is arranged at the center of the annular base portion 61 in the radial direction and protruding from the annular base portion 61 . Further, the annular base portion 61 and the ceiling portion 64 are connected to each other by a plurality of ribs 65 radially extending from the axis of the upper member 60 . An opening 66 is formed between the

adjacent ribs

65, 65 to allow communication between the inner space and the outer space of the base member. Further, a cylindrical portion 67 having a substantially cylindrical shape is vertically provided from the peripheral edge of the back side of the ceiling portion 64 .

Next, the valve body 70 slidably accommodated within the base member will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 11 and the like.

The valve body 70 has a flange portion 72 that contacts and separates from the valve seat 53 and a shaft portion 71 that protrudes from the radial center of the front side of the flange portion 72 . The shaft portion 71 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a closed top surface 71a at the axial tip (the end opposite to the insertion direction F). It can also be said that the flange portion 72 has a shape that expands annularly from the outer circumference of the base end portion (the end portion on the insertion direction F side) of the shaft portion 71 in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 11, the shaft portion 71 is arranged coaxially with the cylindrical portion 67 of the upper member 60 and is slidably inserted into and supported by the cylindrical portion 67 . .

Also, the flange portion 72 of the valve body 70 is arranged to face the ceiling portion 64 and the rib 65 of the upper member 60 . The flange portion 72 has a circular outer periphery and an outer diameter that is larger than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 51 of the valve seat forming member 50 , and contacts and separates from the valve seat 53 to form the vent hole 52 . It opens and closes. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the flange portion 72 is formed to have a dimension that substantially matches the inner diameter of the plurality of engaging pieces 62 of the upper member 60 (see FIG. 13). It slides up and down while being restrained.

An annular recess 72a recessed to a predetermined depth is formed in the inner diameter portion of the front side of the flange portion 72, and one end (base end in the axial direction) of the coil spring 90 abuts against the bottom surface of the annular recess 72a. supported by Furthermore, on the back side of the flange portion 72, a seal projection portion 73 in the form of an annular projection protrudes from the outer peripheral portion thereof. The seal projection 73 contacts and separates from the valve seat 53 of the valve seat forming member 50 to open and close the vent 52 (see FIGS. 15 and 16).

In relation to the above valve body 70, the relationship with the coil spring 90, which is the biasing means, will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, the coil spring 90 is arranged on the outer circumference of the cylindrical portion 67 of the upper member 60 into which the shaft portion 71 of the valve body 70 is inserted, and one end of the coil spring 90 is attached to the annular flange portion 72 of the valve body 70 . The other end (tip in the axial direction) is in contact with and supported by the bottom surface of the recessed portion 72a, and the other end (tip in the axial direction) is in contact with and supported by the back side peripheral edge portion of the cylindrical portion 67 of the ceiling portion 64 of the upper member 60 . As a result, the coil spring 90 is accommodated and held in a compressed state within the base member to urge the valve body 70 toward the valve seat 53 .

Returning to the description of the valve body 70, a protrusion 75 protrudes from the center in the radial direction of the ceiling surface 71a of the shaft portion 71, and a band-like retaining piece 75a is continuously provided at the tip of the protrusion 75. As shown in FIG. 11, the protrusion 75 and the retainer piece 75a are inserted into the shaft insertion hole 84a of the cap 80, and the retainer piece 75a is inserted into the shaft insertion hole when the valve body 70 is rotated by a predetermined angle. It engages with the front peripheral edge of 84a.

Next, the cap 80 fixed and integrated with the valve body 70 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The cap 80 of this embodiment includes a substantially circular plate-shaped ceiling portion 81, a peripheral wall 83 extending obliquely outwardly from the outer periphery of the ceiling portion 81, and a base end portion (inserted portion) of the peripheral wall 83. It has a seal flange portion 85 extending annularly from the outer periphery (the end on the direction F side). As shown in FIG. 15, the cap 80 has a shape with a larger diameter than the outer circumferences of the lower member 40 and the upper member 60 so as to cover the entire base member. The plurality of openings 66 formed in the lower member 40 can be opened and closed by bringing the seal flange portion 85 into contact with and separating from the flange portion 32 of the cover member 30 constituting the seal member 20 (FIG. 15). and FIG. 16).

In addition, on the front side of the ceiling part 81 and in the center part in the radial direction thereof, a retaining recess 84 having a circular concave shape with a predetermined depth is formed. A keyhole-shaped shaft insertion hole 84a is formed at the bottom of the retaining recess 84. As shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a pair of retaining

protrusions

84b, 84b are provided at the bottom of the retaining recess 84 and at the outer peripheral edge of the shaft insertion hole 84a.

Then, after inserting the projection 75 of the valve body 70 and the retainer piece 75a into the shaft insertion hole 84a, the cap 80 is rotated by 90° so that the retainer piece 75a is aligned with the outer periphery of the shaft insertion hole 84a. By locking, the cap 80 is held against the valve body 70 so that the valve body 70 and the cap 80 are integrated. Also, in this state, one end of the retaining piece 75a is fitted between the pair of retaining

protrusions

84b, 84b to prevent the cap 80 from rotating with respect to the valve body . As a result of the cap 80 being integrated with the valve body 70 in this manner, the cap 80 also approaches the front side of the upper member 60 that constitutes the base member as the valve body 70 slides with respect to the base member. The seal flange portion 85 moves away from the flange portion 32 of the cover member 30 and separates from the flange portion 32 .

Next, the sealing member 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9, 12 to 15, and the like.

The seal member 20 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastic elastomer, and has a substantially cylindrical body portion 21 . A tubular portion 41 of a lower member 40 is inserted into the body portion 21 .

A pair of

annular protrusions

22 and 23 are arranged side by side on the outer periphery of the main body 21 and at the tip in the axial direction (the end on the side opposite to the insertion direction F). is set. The annular protrusion 22 protrudes from the outer circumference of the distal end of the main body 21 in the axial direction. end), and has a larger diameter than the annular protrusion 22 . Further, as shown in FIG. 14 , the annular protrusion 23 is a portion of the case 1 that abuts against the front peripheral edge portion 4 of the case opening 3 .

Furthermore, an annular mounting groove 24 is formed on the outer circumference of the main body 21 and between the two

annular protrusions

22 and 23 . The cover member 30 is attached to the seal member 20 through the attachment groove 24 .

In relation to the mounting groove 24, the cover member 30 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The cover member 30 includes a substantially cylindrical tubular portion 31 and a thin annular flange portion 32 extending from the axial tip of the tubular portion 31 (the end opposite to the insertion direction F). and a mounting projection that forms an annular projection protruding from the inner periphery of the axial base end (the end on the insertion direction F side) of the cylindrical portion 31 and is inserted into the mounting groove 24 of the seal member 20. 33. An axial end portion of the body portion 21 of the seal member 20 can be inserted into the cylindrical portion 31 . In addition, the flange portion 32 is arranged so as to face the front peripheral edge portion 4 of the case opening 3 with a predetermined gap in a state where the release valve 10 is fixed to the case opening 3 (see FIG. 14). ).

Then, as shown in FIG. 12, by inserting the mounting protrusion 33 of the cover member 30 into the mounting groove 24 of the seal member 20, the mounting protrusion 33 is sandwiched between the pair of

annular protrusions

22 and 23, A cover member 30 is attached to the seal member 20 . As a result, the outer periphery of the seal member 20 on the axial tip side is covered with the cover member 30 . The seal flange portion 85 of the cap 80 is brought into contact with and separated from the surface side of the flange portion 32 (see FIGS. 15 and 16) to open and close the opening 31a of the cover member 30 on the tip side in the axial direction.

Let us return to the description of the sealing member 20 again.

A temporary engagement portion 25 that engages with the base member-side engagement portion 45 of the base member at a predetermined insertion position when the valve unit 15 is inserted into the seal member 20 is provided on the inner circumference of the seal member 20; A final engaging portion 26 that engages with the base member side engaging portion 45 of the base member at an insertion position deeper than the temporary engaging portion 25 is provided.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the inner periphery of the main body portion 21 of the seal member 20 is hollowed out on the tip end side in the axial direction. A portion 21a is provided. A provisional engagement portion 25 having an annular projection shape is projected radially inward of the main body portion 21 from the axial tip of the inner circumference of the main body portion 21 via the gouged portion 21a. Then, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 , the valve unit 15 is attached to the seal member 20 by engaging the base member side engaging portion 45 on the base member side with the rear peripheral portion of the temporary engaging portion 25 . Temporarily held. The temporary engaging portion 25 is arranged at the same height in the axial direction as the annular protrusion 22 . That is, the annular projection 22 and the temporary engaging portion 25 are provided on the outer and inner circumferences of the axial tip of the body portion 21 , respectively.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the gouged portion 21a is formed such that the tapered surface 45a of the base member side engaging portion 45 and the main body portion 21 are in a state where the base member side engaging portion 45 is engaged with the temporary engaging portion 25. As shown in FIG. A clearance can be secured with respect to the inner periphery, and the valve unit 15 can be easily pushed into the body portion 21 of the seal member 20 .

Further, from a position closer to the proximal end in the axial direction than the temporary engaging portion 25 on the inner periphery of the main body 21, the inner side of the main body 21 is directed toward the proximal end in the axial direction of the main body 21. A tapered surface 25a is formed in which the amount of protrusion gradually increases.

An annular groove having a predetermined depth is formed on the inner periphery of the body portion 21 at an axially intermediate position, here, at a position adjacent to the top portion of the tapered surface 25a (the portion where the amount of protrusion inward of the body portion is the largest). A groove-shaped main engagement portion 26 is formed. Then, as shown in FIG. 15, the base member side engaging portion 45 on the base member side is inserted into the main engaging portion 26, and the base member side engaging portion 45 is engaged with the main engaging portion 26. The valve unit 15 is permanently fixed to the seal member 20 by engaging with the inner peripheral surface on the tip end side in the axial direction.

Furthermore, the sealing member 20 is provided with a retaining portion 27 that engages with the case 1 . Further, the sealing member 20 is arranged so that the outer peripheral surface thereof engages with the case 1 in a fully fixed state in which the main engaging portion 26 of the sealing member 20 is engaged with the base member side engaging portion 45 of the base member. (In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, an engaging protrusion 29 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the proximal end of the retaining portion 27 engages with the rear peripheral edge of the case opening 3.).

The retaining portion 27 can be bent inward in a temporary holding state in which the temporary engaging portion 25 of the sealing member 20 is engaged with the base member side engaging portion 45 of the base member (see FIG. 14). In the fully fixed state in which the base member-side engaging portion 45 of the base member is engaged with the main engaging portion 26 of the sealing member 20, the base member is positioned inside the retaining portion 27, so that the base member prevents the seal member from coming off. The diameter reduction of the stop portion 27 is regulated, and is configured to engage with the back side peripheral portion of the case opening 3 (see FIG. 15).

More specifically, the retaining portion 27 is located at a position on the base end side of the main body portion 21 of the seal member 20 relative to the main engaging portion 26 in the axial direction (relative to the case opening 3 relative to the main engaging portion 26). (position on the insertion direction F side) so as to be flexibly deformable.

A pressing projection 28 having an annular projection shape is projected from the inner peripheral surface of the retainer portion 27 and from the most proximal end in the axial direction. It should be noted that this pressing protrusion 28 constitutes a "protrusion" in the present invention. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the inner diameter dimension of the pressing protrusion 28 is formed smaller than the outer diameter dimension of the cylindrical portion 41 of the lower member 40 . Therefore, when the valve unit 15 is further pushed into the sealing member 20 from the temporary holding state of the valve unit 15 in which the valve unit 15 is temporarily held by the sealing member 20 as shown in FIG. The pressing protrusion 28 is pressed by the pressing portion 41a on the outer periphery of the base end portion of the shaped portion 41, so that the retainer portion 27 can be bent and deformed toward the outside of the seal member 20. As shown in FIG.

Furthermore, a taper surface 28a is formed on the outer surface of the pressing protrusion 28, the amount of protrusion gradually increasing toward the insertion direction F side. By forming this tapered surface 28a, when the pressing projection 28 is pressed by the cylindrical portion 41 of the lower member 40, the pressing projection 28 is easily pressed.

Further, an engaging projection 29 having an annular projection shape is projected from the most proximal end in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the retaining portion 27 . That is, the retaining portion 27 in this embodiment has a pressing protrusion 28 and an engaging protrusion 29 extending from the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the proximal end in the axial direction (the most distal end on the side of the insertion direction F with respect to the case opening 3). Each has a protruding configuration. As shown in FIG. 15, the engaging projection 29 is pushed by the retaining portion 27 via the pressing projection 28, and is flexurally deformed outward of the seal member 20. (back side end surface of tubular portion 3a). Furthermore, the engaging protrusion 29 and the annular protrusion 23 are arranged so as to sandwich the case opening 3 of the case 1 (here, the portion from the front side of the case opening 3 to the proximal end of the cylindrical portion 3a). It has become.

A tapered surface 29a is formed on the outer surface of the engaging protrusion 29 so that the amount of protrusion gradually decreases toward the insertion direction F side. The tapered surface 29a facilitates insertion of the body portion 21 of the seal member 20 into the case opening 3. As shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 13 , the outer diameter of the engaging protrusion 29 (the outer diameter of the most protruding top portion) is formed larger than the inner diameter of the case opening 3 of the case 1 . Therefore, as shown by arrow F in FIG. 13, when the valve unit 15 is inserted into the case opening 3, the top of the engaging protrusion 29 and the tapered surface 29a are pressed against the inner periphery of the case opening 3. , the retaining portion 27 is flexurally deformed inwardly of the seal member 20 .

Then, in the sealing member 20, the valve unit 15 is put into a temporary holding state or a permanently fixed state in the following manner.

12, when the valve unit 15 is pushed into the seal member 20 in the insertion direction F, the tubular portion 41 of the lower member 40 is inserted into the body portion 21 of the seal member 20. is inserted. Then, the tapered surface 45a of the base member-side engaging portion 45 of the lower member 40 is pressed against the temporary engaging portion 25 of the seal member 20, and the cylindrical portion 41 of the lower member 40 is slightly deformed inward. When the base member side engaging portion 45 climbs over the temporary engaging portion 25, as shown in FIGS. As a result, the valve unit 15 is temporarily held at a relatively shallow insertion position with respect to the seal member 20 . In this temporary holding state, the cylindrical portion 41 of the lower member 40 is not arranged inside the retaining portion 27 , so that the retaining portion 27 can bend and deform inward of the seal member 20 . It should be noted that the retainer portion 27 of the seal member 20 is positioned further in the insertion direction than the base end of the cylindrical portion 41 of the lower member 40 in the temporary holding state in which the base member-side engaging portion 45 is engaged with the temporary engaging portion 25 . It can also be said that it extends long toward the F side.

When the valve unit 15 is further pushed in the insertion direction F side with respect to the seal member 20 from the above temporary holding state, the base member side engaging portion 45 is disengaged from the temporary engaging portion 25, and the gouged portion 21a moves a predetermined distance. After the movement, the base member side engaging portion 45 slides on the tapered surface 25a inside the main body portion 21, and when the base member side engaging portion 45 is inserted into the main engaging portion 26, the base member side engaging portion 45 slides. The member-side engaging portion 45 engages with the inner peripheral surface of the main engaging portion 26 on the tip end side in the axial direction, and the valve unit 15 is permanently fixed to the sealing member 20 at the insertion position deeper than the temporary holding state. (See FIG. 15). At the same time, the tapered surface 28a of the pressing projection 28 of the retaining portion 27 is pressed against the pressing portion 41a of the cylindrical portion 41 of the lower member 40, and the retaining portion 27 is pushed outward from the sealing member 20. As a result of flexural deformation, the engaging projection 29 on the outer circumference of the base end of the retainer 27 engages with the rear peripheral edge of the case opening 3 (the rear peripheral edge of the cylindrical portion 3a of the case opening 3). As a result, the valve unit 15 is fixed to the case opening 3 via the sealing member 20 . In the fully fixed state described above, since the cylindrical portion 41 of the lower member 40 is arranged inside the retainer portion 27, the retainer portion 27 suppresses the inward bending deformation of the seal member 20. As a result, the diameter reduction is regulated.

(Modification)
In the embodiment described above, the case 1 has a configuration in which the case openings 3 are provided at the bottoms of a plurality of recesses. A configuration in which a case opening is provided may be employed. Further, the shape of the case opening may be rectangular, square, elliptical, or the like, as long as the shape allows attachment of the release valve.

Furthermore, the shapes and structures of the sealing member, cover member, lower member, valve seat forming member, upper member, valve body, cap, etc. that constitute the pressure release valve are not limited to the above modes.

For example, the main body of the seal member, the tubular portion of the cover member, the tubular portion of the lower member, the tubular portion of the valve seat forming member, etc. are cylindrical. Alternatively, it may be in the shape of a square tube or the like. The flange portion of the valve body has a circular outer periphery corresponding to the shapes of the valve seat forming member and the cylindrical portion of the upper member, but may have an elliptical shape, a rectangular shape, or the like. It may have any shape as long as it can open and close the vent by coming into contact with and separating from the valve seat of the valve seat forming member.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sealing member 20 and the cover member 30, and the lower member 40 and the valve seat forming member 50 are separate members. After that, the sealing member and the cover member, and the lower member and the valve seat forming member are formed by so-called two-color molding, in which the sealing member and the valve seat forming member are molded while holding them in the same mold. It may be integrally formed.

In this embodiment, as a structure for engaging the upper member and the lower member, an engaging piece 43 having an engaging hole 43a is provided on the lower member 40 side, and an engaging hole 43a is provided on the upper member 60 side. However, for example, the lower member may be provided with engaging claws and engaging legs, and the upper member may be provided with engaging holes for engaging them. The engagement structure between the member and the lower member is not particularly limited.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cylindrical portion 67 is provided on the upper member 60 side, and the shaft portion 71 is provided on the flange portion 72 side of the valve body 70 (see FIG. 11). A tubular portion may be provided on the flange portion side, and a shaft portion may be provided on the upper member side so as to be inserted into the tubular portion and slidably supported.

In addition, the retaining portion 27 of the seal member 20 in this embodiment has a cylindrical wall shape that is continuous in an annular shape. (2) the continuous cylindrical wall or the plurality of flexible pieces as described above may be arranged along the axis of the sealing member; (3) The continuous cylindrical wall or the plurality of flexible pieces may bulge in the axial direction. You may provide a part. That is, the retainer has a structure that can be engaged with the case (a structure that can be engaged with the peripheral edge of the back side of the case opening) when the base member side engaging portion engages with the main engaging portion to achieve the final fixing state. ), and the base member is positioned inside the main fixing state, and the diameter reduction of the retainer portion can be restricted by the base member.

In addition, in this embodiment, the pressing protrusion 28 and the engaging protrusion 29 are provided on the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the retainer 27, but one or both of these protrusions may be absent. . If the pressing protrusion 28 is not provided on the inner peripheral surface of the retainer portion 27, the inner peripheral surface of the retainer portion will be pushed when the base member side engaging portion engages with the main engaging portion to achieve the final fixing state. , It is preferable to have a structure that can be expanded from the inside by the outer peripheral surface of the valve unit (for example, the size of the inner periphery of the proximal end of the retainer is smaller than the size of the outer periphery of the proximal end of the valve unit). do). On the other hand, even if the engaging protrusion 29 is not provided on the outer peripheral surface of the retaining portion 27, the retaining portion is attached to the case when the main engaging portion is engaged with the base member side engaging portion to achieve the final fixing state. It is sufficient if it can be engaged (for example, if a pressing protrusion 28 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the retaining portion 27, the retaining portion 27 can be pushed open from the inside when the valve unit or the seal member is finally fixed. , the outer peripheral surface thereof can be engaged with the back side peripheral edge of the case opening 3).

Further, the base member of this embodiment is a case-shaped valve case that slidably accommodates the valve body in the inner space of the lower member and the upper member. It may have any shape and structure as long as it has a seat, an engaging portion is provided on the outer periphery, and the valve body can be slidably supported.

Further, the upper member 60 of this embodiment has a plurality of openings 66 which are opened and closed by a cap 80. However, the configuration is such that the upper member does not have openings without providing caps. may be However, in this case, it is preferable to form a slot or the like that can communicate with the vent in the peripheral wall of the base member so that the gas in the case can flow. In other words, any shape or structure may be used as long as the internal space and the external space of the case can be communicated with each other when the valve body is separated from the valve seat and the vent is opened.

(Effect)
Next, the effects of the release valve 10 according to the present invention configured as described above will be described.

First, the process of assembling the release valve 10 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 11, the axial tip of the coil spring 90 is arranged on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 67 of the upper member 60, and the axial tip of the coil spring 90 is supported by the back side peripheral edge of the ceiling portion 64 in contact with it. , the shaft portion 71 of the valve body 70 is inserted through the opening on the back side of the cylindrical portion 67 of the upper member 60 , and the base end of the coil spring 90 is supported in contact with the bottom surface of the annular recess 72a of the valve body 70 . In this state, the cap 80 is placed on the front side of the upper member 60, and the projection 75 and the retainer piece 75a of the valve body 70 are aligned with the shaft insertion hole 84a (see FIG. 8). And the retaining piece 75a is inserted from the shaft insertion hole 84a. After that, the cap 80 is rotated by 90° to engage the retainer 75a with the front peripheral edge of the shaft insertion hole 84a, and one end of the retainer piece 75a is attached to the pair of

retainer protrusions

84b, 84b (Fig. 8), the cap 80 can be attached to the valve body 70 in a state in which the cap 80 is prevented from coming off from the valve body 70 and its rotation is restricted. As a result, the first assembly 15A consisting of four parts, the upper member 60, the valve body 70, the cap 80, and the coil spring 90, is assembled.

In the above state, the coil spring 90 is interposed between the upper member 60 and the valve body 70 in a compressed state, and the flange portion 72 of the valve body 70 is attached in a direction away from the ceiling portion 64 of the upper member 60. It is designed to be enforced.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the tubular portion 51 of the valve seat forming member 50 is inserted into the inner circumference of the base end portion of the lower member 40, and the engagement groove 54 of the valve seat forming member 50 is engaged with the lower member 40. The valve seat forming member 50 can be attached to the lower member 40 by engaging the annular protrusion 44 . As a result, the second assembly 15B composed of two parts, the lower member 40 and the valve seat forming member 50, is assembled.

After aligning the corresponding engagement pieces 43 of the lower member 40 constituting the second assembly 15B with the corresponding engagement pieces 62 of the upper member 60 constituting the first assembly 15A, arrow F in FIG. , the first assembly 15A is pushed into the second assembly 15B. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the plurality of engaging pieces 62 of the upper member 60 are inserted into the cylindrical portion 41 of the lower member 40, and the engaging claws 63 engage corresponding engaging members on the lower member 40 side. The valve unit 15 is assembled by assembling the first assembly 15A and the second assembly 15B with each other by engaging with the engagement hole 43a of the joint piece 43. As shown in FIG. In this state, the flange portion 72 of the valve body 70 urged by the coil spring 90 is urged toward the valve seat 53 side of the valve seat forming member 50, and the seal protrusion on the back side of the flange portion 72 of the valve body 70 73 abuts against the valve seat 53 to block the vent 52 (see FIG. 12).

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the mounting protrusion 33 of the cover member 30 is inserted into the mounting groove 24 of the seal member 20 and sandwiched between the pair of

annular protrusions

22 and 23, whereby the seal member 20 and the cover member are attached. 30 can be worn.

Then, as the valve unit 15 is pushed in the insertion direction F side as shown by the arrow F in FIG. After that, as shown in FIG. 13 , the base member side engaging portion 45 of the lower member 40 engages with the back side peripheral portion of the temporary engaging portion 25 of the sealing member 20 , so that the sealing member 20 is relatively flat. The valve unit 15 is temporarily held at the shallow insertion position. As a result, the release valve 10 consisting of the valve unit 15 and the seal member 20 is constructed. In this temporary holding state, the retaining portion 27 is flexurally deformable inward of the seal member 20 . The release valve 10 in this embodiment is transported with the valve unit 15 temporarily held by the seal member 20 .

Then, the release valve 10 is aligned with the case opening 3, and the release valve 10 is inserted from the front side of the case opening 3 as indicated by the arrow F in FIG. Then, the engagement projection 29 of the seal member 20 is pressed against the inner periphery of the case opening 3 , and the retaining portion 27 is flexed and deformed inward of the seal member 20 . After that, the release valve 10 is pushed into the case opening 3 until the annular projection 22 of the sealing member 20 abuts against the front peripheral edge portion 4 of the case opening 3, and the engaging projection 29 of the sealing member 20 contacts the case. When the seal member 20 is pulled out of the back side opening of the tubular portion 3a of the opening 3, the retaining portion 27 of the sealing member 20 is elastically restored. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the engaging projection 29 of the retainer 27 is arranged with a slight gap from the back side end surface of the cylindrical portion 3a of the case opening 3, and the case opening 3 is sealed. The member 20 is temporarily fixed and thus the release valve 10 can be temporarily fixed in the case opening 3 . Even in this state, the retaining portion 27 can be bent inwardly of the seal member 20 .

After that, as shown by arrow F in FIG. 14, the valve unit 15 is pushed into the sealing member 20 temporarily fixed to the case opening 3. In this case, the valve unit 15 is pushed in until the flange portion 42 of the lower member 40 comes into contact with the annular protrusion 22 and the temporary engagement portion 25 of the body portion 21 of the seal member 20 . Then, the base member side engaging portion 45 of the lower member 40 is disengaged from the temporary engaging portion 25 of the sealing member 20, and the base member side engaging portion 45 is inserted into the main engaging portion 26 of the sealing member 20. . As a result, as shown in FIG. 15, the base member-side engaging portion 45 engages with the inner peripheral surface of the main engaging portion 26 on the distal end side in the axial direction, and the pressing protrusion 28 is formed into the tubular shape of the lower member 40. By being pressed by the portion 41 , the retaining portion 27 is flexurally deformed toward the outside of the sealing member 20 , and the engaging protrusion 29 engages with the rear peripheral edge of the cylindrical portion 3 a of the case opening 3 . That is, the retainer portion 27 is pushed outward through the pressing protrusion 28, and the engaging protrusion 29 provided on the outer periphery of the retainer portion 27 is strongly attached to the back side peripheral edge of the cylindrical portion 3a of the case opening 3. By being pressed, the engaging projection 29 engages with the back side peripheral edge of the tubular portion 3a of the case opening 3 without any gap.

As a result, the valve unit 15 is permanently fixed to the seal member 20 at an insertion position deeper than the temporary holding state of the valve unit 15 shown in FIG. The proximal end portion of the tubular portion 3a is held from the front side of the case opening 3 by the engaging protrusion 29 of the valve unit 15 and the sealing member 20 with respect to the case opening 3, as shown in FIG. The entire release valve 10 can be attached to the case 1 by being permanently fixed via the . In this fully fixed state, the cylindrical portion 41 of the lower member 40 is arranged inside the retainer portion 27, so that the retainer portion 27 is restrained from bending inwardly of the seal member 20. As a result, the contraction of the diameter is regulated, and the engaging protrusion 29 of the retainer 27 is maintained in a state of being engaged with the back side peripheral edge of the cylindrical portion 3a of the case opening 3. The state in which the valve unit 15 is permanently fixed via the seal member 20 can be maintained.

In the release valve 10, the temporary engagement portion 25 of the seal member 20 is engaged with the base member side engagement portion 45 of the base member of the valve unit 15 in a temporary holding state, as shown in FIG. , when the valve unit 15 and the seal member 20 are inserted into the case opening 3 of the case 1, the retaining portion 27 of the seal member 20 can bend toward the inside of the seal member 20. 20 can be easily inserted into the case opening 3 (see FIG. 14). In this state, as shown by arrow F in FIG. 14, the valve unit 15 is further inserted to engage the main engagement portion 26 of the seal member 20 with the base member side engagement portion 45 of the base member. , the base member is positioned inside the retaining portion 27 (here, the tubular portion 41 of the lower member 40 constituting the base member is positioned inside the retaining portion 27), and the base member provides a seal. Since the retaining portion 27 of the member 20 does not bend toward the inside of the sealing member 20 and restricts its diameter reduction, the valve unit 15 can be firmly fixed to the case opening 3 via the sealing member 20. can be done. As a result, it is possible to obtain the release valve 10 that is easy to attach to the case 1 and that is difficult to come off from the case 1 .

Further, in the state shown in FIG. 15, the valve body 70 is urged toward the valve seat forming member 50 by the coil spring 90 held in the compressed state within the base member, and the back side of the flange portion 72 of the valve body 70 is pushed. , the seal projection 73 contacts the valve seat 53 to close the air vent 52 . Furthermore, the cap 80 integral with the valve body 70 is biased toward the cover member 30 via the coil spring 90, and the seal flange portion 85 contacts the front side of the flange portion 32 of the cover member 30. A plurality of openings 66 of the upper member 60 are closed.

Then, gas is generated in the case due to the power storage device due to the power supply to the drive source and electrical components by the power storage device, the external environment and the internal environment of the case in which the power storage device is housed (for example, lithium ion When a power storage device such as a battery supplies electric power by driving a motor or the like, a gas is generated by a chemical reaction of the electrolyte solution), the operation is as follows.

That is, when the pressure in the internal space R1 of the case 1 rises and exceeds the urging force of the coil spring 90 as the urging means, the valve body 70 is pushed out from the valve seat forming member 50 against the urging force of the urging means. The flange portion 72 is separated from the valve seat 53 by sliding in the separating direction.

Then, as shown in FIG. 16, the vent hole 52 of the valve seat forming member 50 is opened, and the cap 80 integral with the valve body 70 moves away from the front side of the cover member 30 in conjunction with the valve body 70, and the upper A plurality of openings 66 in member 60 are opened. As a result, the internal space R<b>1 and the external space R<b>2 of the case 1 communicate with each other through the vent hole 52 of the valve seat forming member 50 and the plurality of openings 66 of the upper member 60 .

As a result, the gas in the internal space R1 of the case 1 passes through the case opening 3, the vent 52 of the valve seat forming member 50, and the opening 66 of the upper member 60, as indicated by the arrow L in FIG. 1, the pressure inside the case 1 can be released (reduced).

Further, in this embodiment, a protrusion (pressing protrusion 28) is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the sealing member 20. The pressing protrusion 28 is attached to the main engaging portion 26 of the sealing member 20, It is configured such that the retainer portion 27 is pressed by the base member to expand the diameter thereof in the permanently fixed state in which the base member-side engaging portion 45 of the base member is engaged.

According to this aspect, in the fully fixed state in which the base member side engaging portion 45 of the base member is engaged with the main engaging portion 26 of the sealing member 20, the retainer portion 27 is pressed by the base member to expand the diameter of the retainer portion 27. By doing so, the seal member 20 can be more firmly fixed to the case opening 3 .

Further, in this embodiment, the valve body 70 has a flange portion 72 that contacts and separates from the valve seat 53, and the base member includes the lower member 40 provided with the valve seat 53 and the lower member 40 attached to the lower member 40. A cylindrical portion 67 is formed on the upper member 60 side, and a shaft portion 71 that is inserted into the cylindrical portion 67 and slide-supported is formed on the flange portion 72 to provide biasing force. The means consists of a coil spring 90 , one end of which is supported by the flange portion 72 of the valve body 70 and the other end of which is supported by the upper member 60 .

According to the above aspect, it is possible to assemble the lower member 40 and the upper member 60 while maintaining the coil spring 90, which is the biasing means, in a compressed state, so that the assembling workability of the valve unit 15 can be improved. That is, by using the shaft portion 71 of the valve body 70 and the cylindrical portion 67 that slides and supports the coil spring 90, the coil spring 90 is maintained in a posture (straight posture without tilting) along the axis of the valve body 70. Since the lower member 40 and the upper member 60 can be assembled while compressing the coil spring 90, the assembling workability of the valve unit 15 is good (if the posture of the coil spring 90 cannot be maintained, the elastic force of the coil spring 90 will affect it). , making it difficult to assemble). Further, the same effect can be obtained when the tubular portion is formed on the flange portion side and the shaft portion that is inserted into the tubular portion and slide-supported is formed on the upper portion side.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modified embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention, and such embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention. .

1 Case 3 Case opening 10 Pressure release valve for power storage device (release valve)
15 Valve unit 20 Sealing member 25 Temporary engaging portion 26 Main engaging portion 27 Retaining portion 28 Pressing protrusion 40 Lower member 45 Base member side engaging portion 50 Valve seat forming member 52 Vent 53 Valve seat 60 Upper member 67 Cylinder Part 70 Valve body 71 Shaft part 72 Flange part 80 Cap 90 Coil spring

Claims

An electricity storage device pressure release valve attached to a case housing the electricity storage device,
a cylindrical sealing member inserted into and fixed to a case opening formed in the case;
a valve unit inserted inside the seal member and fixed to the case via the seal member,
The valve unit is
a base member having a vent for communicating the internal space and the external space of the case, a valve seat provided on the periphery thereof, and a base member-side engaging portion that engages with the sealing member;
a valve body that is slidable with respect to the base member and that opens and closes the vent;
and biasing means for biasing the valve body toward the valve seat,
A temporary engaging portion that engages with the base member side engaging portion at a predetermined insertion position when the valve unit is inserted into the sealing member is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the sealing member. a main engagement portion that engages with the base member side engagement portion at an insertion position deeper than the portion,
The sealing member is provided with a retaining portion that engages with the case,
The retaining portion can be bent inward in a temporary holding state in which the base member side engaging portion is engaged with the temporary engaging portion, and the base member side engaging portion is engaged with the permanent engaging portion. A pressure release valve for an electric storage device, wherein the base member restricts the diameter reduction in the permanently fixed state.
A protrusion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the sealing member,
2. The electricity storage device according to claim 1, wherein said projecting portion is pressed by said base member in a fully fixed state in which said base member side engaging portion is engaged with said main engaging portion to expand the diameter of said retaining portion. Device pressure relief valve.
The valve body has a flange portion that contacts and separates from the valve seat,
The base member has a lower member provided with the valve seat and an upper member assembled to the lower member,
A cylindrical portion is formed on one of the flange portion and the upper member,
The other of the flange portion and the upper member is formed with a shaft portion that is inserted into the tubular portion and is slidably supported,
3. The electricity storage device according to claim 1, wherein said biasing means comprises a coil spring arranged on the outer circumference of said tubular portion, one end of which is supported by said flange portion of said valve body, and the other end of which is supported by said upper member. pressure relief valve.