Pressure release mechanism

Abstract

The utility model relates to a pressure release mechanism. Provided is a technique capable of smoothly releasing the pressure inside a battery case while protecting an on-off valve. The pressure relief mechanism may be provided with: an on-off valve that opens and closes the gas discharge port; and a covering member that covers the on-off valve. Alternatively, the pressure relief mechanism may be configured so as to release the covering state in which the covering member covers the opening / closing valve by the valve opening operation of the opening / closing valve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a pressure release mechanism. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery pack pressure relief valve that is installed in an opening formed in a battery pack case. The battery pack pressure relief valve of Patent Document 1 comprises a case having a discharge hole communicating with the opening of the battery pack case and a valve mechanism capable of opening and closing the discharge hole; and a cover that, when installed in the case, forms a passage between the case and the cover for discharging gas discharged from the discharge hole. The valve mechanism comprises a valve member capable of sealing the discharge hole; and a biasing portion that biases the valve member toward a closed position that seals the discharge hole.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-194719 Utility Model Content

[0006] Problems to be solved by utility models

[0007] In the pressure release valve of Patent Document 1, the gas exhausted from the exhaust hole is exhausted to the outside through the passage between the case and the cover. Therefore, the ventilation resistance during pressure release is large, and the pressure inside the battery pack case cannot be released smoothly.

[0008] This specification provides a technology that can protect an on-off valve while smoothly releasing the pressure inside a battery case.

[0009] Solutions for solving problems

[0010] A first technical solution of the present technology relates to a pressure release mechanism, which is attached to a gas outlet of a battery case and is used to release internal pressure of the battery case. The pressure release mechanism may include: an on-off valve that opens and closes the gas outlet; and a covering member that covers the on-off valve. Alternatively, the pressure release mechanism may be configured such that the covering member releases the covering member from the on-off valve when the on-off valve opens.

[0011] With this structure, the covering member can protect the on-off valve. Furthermore, since the covering state is released by the opening of the on-off valve, gas inside the battery case, which is discharged from the gas outlet when the valve is opened, can be smoothly discharged to the outside. This protects the on-off valve while also smoothly releasing pressure inside the battery case.

[0012] In a second embodiment, according to the first embodiment, the pressure release mechanism may be configured such that the covering member ruptures upon opening of the on-off valve, thereby releasing the covering state. This configuration allows for smooth release of pressure within the battery case using a simple structure.

[0013] In the third technical solution, according to the first technical solution, the covering member may include an engaging portion that engages with another member to maintain the covering state. Alternatively, the pressure release mechanism may be configured such that the engaging portion is released by opening the on-off valve, thereby releasing the covering state. This configuration allows for smooth release of pressure within the battery case using a simple structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 This is a diagram schematically showing a battery pack equipped with the pressure release mechanism of the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a diagram schematically showing a battery pack equipped with the pressure release mechanism of the first embodiment (a diagram showing a state where the on-off valve is open).

[0016] Figure 3 This is a diagram schematically showing a battery pack equipped with a pressure release mechanism according to a second embodiment.

[0017] Figure 4 This is a diagram schematically showing a battery pack equipped with the pressure release mechanism of the second embodiment (a diagram showing a state where the on-off valve is open).

[0018] Figure 5 This is a diagram schematically showing a battery pack including a pressure release mechanism according to a modified example.

[0019] Figure 6 This is a diagram schematically showing a battery pack including a pressure release mechanism according to a modified example.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a diagram schematically showing a battery pack including a pressure release mechanism according to a modified example (a diagram showing a state where the on-off valve is open).

[0021] Description of Reference Numerals

[0022] 2. Pressure release mechanism; 10. Battery case; 12. Upper surface member; 14. Gas exhaust port; 15. Second engaging portion; 20. Covering member; 22. Peripheral end portion; 25. First engaging portion; 28. Insertion hole; 30. Open / close valve; 32. Valve core; 34. Hinge member; 38. Connecting member; 50. Base member; 52. External member; 54. Insertion member; 56. Second gas exhaust port; 58. Sealing member; 90. Battery; 100. Battery pack DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] (First embodiment)

[0024] The battery pack 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 As shown, the battery pack 100 of the first embodiment includes a battery case 10 and a pressure release mechanism 2 attached to the battery case 10 .

[0025] The battery case 10 is made of, for example, metal or resin. The battery case 10 houses a battery 90 such as a lithium-ion battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery. There is no particular limitation on the type of battery 90. The battery case 10 includes an upper surface member 12 and a gas outlet 14 provided on the upper surface member 12. In this battery pack 100, the gas inside the battery case 10 can be discharged to the outside of the battery case 10 via the gas outlet 14. In addition, there is no particular limitation on the position where the gas outlet 14 is formed. For example, the gas outlet 14 can also be provided on the side member 19 of the battery case 10.

[0026] The pressure release mechanism 2 will be described. The pressure release mechanism 2 includes an on-off valve 30 that opens and closes the gas outlet 14 of the battery case 10, and a covering member 20 that covers the on-off valve 30. The on-off valve 30 includes a valve core 32 that opens and closes the gas outlet 14, and a hinge member 34 connected to the valve core 32. When the on-off valve 30 is closed, the valve core 32 seals the gas outlet 14. When closed, the valve core 32 abuts against the upper surface member 12 of the battery case 10. The upper surface member 12 functions as a valve seat for the on-off valve 30.

[0027] The valve element 32 includes a main body 32a and a sealing member 32b fixed to the main body 32a. The sealing member 32b is fixed to the surface of the main body 32a facing the battery case 10. The sealing member 32b seals the gas discharge port 14 when the on-off valve 30 is closed.

[0028] The hinge member 34 of the on-off valve 30 is configured to rotate relative to the battery case 10. The hinge member 34 is connected to the main body 32a of the valve core 32 and the upper surface member 12 of the battery case 10. The hinge member 34 rotates the valve core 32 relative to the battery case 10. The on-off valve 30 is opened or closed by the rotation of the hinge member 34. The on-off valve 30 opens when the pressure inside the battery case 10 reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure. When the pressure inside the battery case 10 is lower than the threshold pressure, the on-off valve 30 does not open.

[0029] Next, the covering member 20 will be described. The covering member 20 is composed of, for example, a waterproof filter or a waterproof film. As a waterproof filter, for example, there is a fluororesin porous film (for example, TEMISH (registered trademark) manufactured by Nitto Denko Corporation). The covering member 20 is configured in a manner that covers the entire opening and closing valve 30. The outer peripheral end portion 22 of the covering member 20 is fixed to the upper surface member 12 of the battery case 10. The outer peripheral end portion 22 of the covering member 20 is bonded to the upper surface member 12 of the battery case 10 using an adhesive, for example. The covering member 20 prevents the opening and closing valve 30 from being wetted by water. In addition, the covering member 20 prevents dust from adhering to the opening and closing valve 30.

[0030] Next, the operation of the pressure release mechanism 2 will be described. In the pressure release mechanism 2 described above, the on-off valve 30 opens when the pressure inside the battery case 10 becomes equal to or higher than the threshold pressure (see Figure 2 When the on-off valve 30 is opened, the gas inside the battery case 10 is discharged to the outside of the battery case 10 through the gas discharge port 14 .

[0031] Furthermore, in the pressure release mechanism 2, when the on-off valve 30 opens, the covering member 20 covering the on-off valve 30 breaks. The opening of the on-off valve 30 presses the covering member 20, causing it to break. When the covering member 20 breaks, the gas inside the battery case 10, which had been discharged from the gas outlet 14, is discharged to the outside of the covering member 20 through the broken portion of the covering member 20. This releases the pressure inside the battery case 10.

[0032] (Effect)

[0033] The first embodiment has been described above. As described above, the pressure release mechanism 2 of the first embodiment includes an on-off valve 30 that opens and closes the gas exhaust port 14, and a covering member 20 that covers the on-off valve 30. The covering member 20 covering the on-off valve 30 is released by the opening of the on-off valve 30. In the first embodiment, the covering member 20 is broken by the opening of the on-off valve 30, thereby releasing the covering.

[0034] With this structure, the covering member 20 can protect the on-off valve 30. Furthermore, since the covering state is released by opening the on-off valve 30, the gas inside the battery case 10 can be smoothly discharged to the outside through the gas outlet 14 when the valve is opened. This protects the on-off valve 30 while also smoothly releasing the pressure inside the battery case 10. This simple structure allows for smooth release of pressure inside the battery case 10.

[0035] The first embodiment has been described above, but the specific embodiment is not limited to the above embodiment. In the following description, detailed descriptions of the same configurations as those described above may be omitted.

[0036] (Second embodiment)

[0037] In the first embodiment described above, the covering member 20 is broken by the opening action of the on-off valve 30, but in the second embodiment, the covering member 20 may be not broken. Figure 3 As shown in FIG, the covering member 20 includes a first engaging portion 25 . The first engaging portion 25 is provided at an outer peripheral end portion of the covering member 20 .

[0038] The covering member 20 of the second embodiment is made of, for example, metal or resin and has a substantially cup shape.

[0039] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the upper surface member 12 of the battery case 10 includes a second engaging portion 15. The second engaging portion 15 of the battery case 10 engages with the first engaging portion 25 of the covering member 20. The first engaging portion 25 and the second engaging portion 15 may have, for example, a snap-fit structure. The first engaging portion 25 of the covering member 20 is inserted into the second engaging portion 15 of the battery case 10, and the first engaging portion 25 engages with the second engaging portion 15. When the covering member 20 covers the entire opening and closing valve 30, the first engaging portion 25 engages with the second engaging portion 15. The engagement of the first engaging portion 25 with the second engaging portion 15 maintains the covering state of the covering member 20.

[0040] In the second embodiment, Figure 4 As shown, when the on-off valve 30 is opened, the gas inside the battery case 10 is discharged to the outside of the battery case 10 through the gas discharge port 14. In the second embodiment, when the on-off valve 30 is opened, the opening action of the on-off valve 30 presses the covering member 20, thereby releasing the engagement between the first engaging portion 25 of the covering member 20 and the second engaging portion 15 of the battery case 10. This releases the covering member 20 from covering the on-off valve 30.

[0041] (Effect)

[0042] As described above, in the second embodiment, the covering member 20 includes the first engaging portion 25 that engages with the upper surface member 12 of the battery case 10 to maintain the covering state. The opening of the on-off valve 30 releases the engagement of the first engaging portion 25, thereby releasing the covering state of the covering member 20. This configuration allows for smooth release of pressure within the battery case 10 using a simple structure.

[0043] (Variation)

[0044] (1) In a modified example, Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the pressure release mechanism 2 may also include a base member 50. The base member 50 is attached to the upper surface member 12 of the battery case 10. The base member 50 includes an outer member 52 and an insert member 54 fixed to the outer member 52.

[0045] The outer member 52 is disposed on the upper surface member 12 of the battery case 10. The insert member 54 is inserted into the gas exhaust port 14 of the battery case 10. The insert member 54 is provided with a second gas exhaust port 56. A sealing member 58 is disposed between the insert member 54 and the upper surface member 12 of the battery case 10. The sealing member 58 seals the space between the insert member 54 and the upper surface member 12.

[0046] In the pressure release mechanism 2 of the modified example, when the on-off valve 30 is opened, the gas inside the battery case 10 is discharged to the outside of the battery case 10 through the second gas discharge port 56 of the base member 50 .

[0047] (2) In addition, in a modified example, Figure 6 As shown, the outer member 52 of the base member 50 may also include a second engaging portion 15. The second engaging portion 15 of the base member 50 engages with the first engaging portion 25 of the covering member 20. The first engaging portion 25 and the second engaging portion 15 may have, for example, a snap-fit structure. For example, the first engaging portion 25 of the covering member 20 is inserted into the second engaging portion 15 of the base member 50, and the first engaging portion 25 engages with the second engaging portion 15. When the covering member 20 covers the entire on-off valve 30, the first engaging portion 25 engages with the second engaging portion 15.

[0048] (3) In addition, in a modified example, Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the on-off valve 30 may include a connecting member 38. The connecting member 38 is a substantially rod-shaped member and includes a base end portion 38a and a tip end portion 38b.

[0049] The base end portion 38a of the connecting member 38 is fixed to the valve core 32 of the on-off valve 30. The top end portion 38b of the connecting member 38 is inserted into the insertion hole 28 provided in the covering member 20. The top end portion 38b of the connecting member 38 has a plurality of protrusions 39 that protrude toward the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 28. The top end portion 38b of the connecting member 38 is inserted into the insertion hole 28 in a snap-fit manner, for example, and fits into the insertion hole 28. Thus, the connecting member 38 connects the valve core 32 and the covering member 20.

[0050] In this structure, when the on-off valve 30 is opened, the covering member 20 is pressed by the opening action of the on-off valve 30. The covering member 20 is pressed by the connecting member 38 of the on-off valve 30. As a result, the covering state of the covering member 20 is released.

[0051] The above describes in detail the specific examples of the present invention, but these are merely examples and do not limit the claims. The technology described in the claims includes technologies obtained by various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above. The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings can exert technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of application. In addition, the technology illustrated in this specification or the drawings can achieve multiple purposes simultaneously, and achieving one of the purposes itself has technical usefulness.

Claims

1. A pressure release mechanism, mounted on a gas outlet of a battery housing, for releasing the internal pressure of the battery housing, characterized in that: The pressure relief mechanism has: an on-off valve that opens and closes the gas exhaust port; and a covering member covering the opening and closing valve, The pressure release mechanism is configured to release the covering state of the on-off valve by the covering member when the on-off valve is opened.

2. The pressure release mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: The pressure release mechanism is configured such that the covering member is broken by the opening operation of the on-off valve, thereby releasing the covering state.

3. The pressure release mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: The covering member includes an engaging portion that engages with other members to maintain the covering state. The pressure release mechanism is configured to release the engagement of the engagement portion by opening the on-off valve, thereby releasing the covering state.

Images