Pressure adjustment device

Abstract

To provide a pressure adjustment device which can suppress an increase in assembly manhour.SOLUTION: A pressure adjustment device includes: a housing body 20 fixed to a housing; a valve member 30; an elastic member 59; and a screw member 55 having a shaft part 56 and a head part 57. The housing body 20 includes a second cylindrical body 27 having a support hole 27a extending in an axial direction. The valve member 30 includes: a pillar part 31 that passes through the support hole 27a in an axial direction and axially movably supported by an inner face of the support hole 27a; and a valve body part 33 closing the vent hole 21a from an axial one side and pressed against the sealing member 51 in an axial direction. A female screw 31a is provided on the pillar part 31, and a male screw 56a which is fastened into the female screw hole 31a is provided at a shaft part 56 thereof. The valve body part includes a valve body hole 33a that recesses on the other side in an axial direction. The head part 57 is formed in a polygonal shape when viewed in an axial direction. The elastic member 51 applies an elastic force in an axial direction to the second cylindrical part 27 and the head part 57.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pressure regulating device. [Background technology]

[0002] A valve structure is known that includes a valve element having a valve body portion that fits onto the inner circumferential surface of the opening of a case and a shaft portion that protrudes from the valve body portion into the inside of the case, a stopper and a biasing member through which the shaft portion passes, and an adjusting screw that is fixed to the shaft portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1).In this valve structure, the biasing member is in contact with both the stopper and the adjusting screw, and the amount of threading of the adjusting screw into the shaft portion is adjusted, thereby adjusting the biasing force with which the biasing member biases the valve body portion via the adjusting screw. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-124437 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the valve structure described above, when the adjustment screw is screwed into the stem, friction between the stem and the adjustment screw may cause the valve member to rotate together with the adjustment screw. In this case, it may be difficult to screw the adjustment screw into the stem, which may increase the number of steps required to assemble the valve structure.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, one object of the present invention is to provide a pressure adjusting device that can suppress an increase in the number of assembly steps. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One embodiment of the pressure regulating device of the present invention is a pressure regulating device that is attached to a mounting hole provided in a housing and adjusts the pressure within the housing. The pressure regulating device includes: a housing that passes axially through the mounting hole and is fixed to the housing; a valve member that is axially movable relative to the housing; a sealing member that seals between the housing and the valve member; an elastic member that is axially elastically deformable; and a screw member that has a shaft extending in the axial direction and a head that extends radially outward from the shaft. The housing includes a first cylindrical portion having an axially extending air hole; and a second cylindrical portion having an axially extending support hole and disposed inside the air hole. The sealing member is attached to the edge of the air hole on a surface facing one axial side of the first cylindrical portion. The valve member includes a pillar portion that passes axially through the support hole and is supported by the inner surface of the support hole so as to be axially movable; and a valve body portion that blocks the air hole from one axial side and is pressed axially against the sealing member. A female threaded hole is provided in one of the shaft portion and the column portion, and a male threaded portion that is screwed into the female threaded hole is provided in the other of the shaft portion and the column portion. A valve body hole that is recessed toward the other axial direction is provided on a surface of the valve body facing one axial side. The head portion is disposed on the other axial side of the second tubular portion and the column portion, and has a polygonal shape when viewed from the axial direction. The elastic member applies an elastic force to each of the second tubular portion and the head portion in the axial direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an increase in the number of assembly steps in a pressure adjusting device can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a pressure regulating device in a valve-closed state according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a pressure adjusting device according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the pressure adjusting device of the embodiment, taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a pressure regulating device in an open valve state according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a fixing member according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the assembly process of the pressure adjusting device of one embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a first cross-sectional view showing an assembly process of the pressure adjusting device of the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a second cross-sectional view showing the assembly process of the pressure adjusting device of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In each drawing, the Z-axis direction is the up-down direction, with the side toward which the Z-axis arrow points (+Z side) being the upper side and the opposite side to the side toward which the Z-axis arrow points (-Z side) being the lower side. The direction in which a central axis J, as shown appropriately in each drawing, extends is parallel to the Z-axis direction, i.e., the up-down direction. The central axis J is a virtual axis. In the following description, the direction parallel to the extension of the central axis J will be simply referred to as the "axial direction." Furthermore, the radial direction centered on the central axis J will be simply referred to as the "radial direction," and the circumferential direction centered on the central axis J will be simply referred to as the "circumferential direction." In this embodiment, the upper side corresponds to "one axial side," and the lower side corresponds to "the other axial side." Note that the up-down direction, upper side, and lower side are simply names used to describe the relative positional relationships of the respective parts, and the actual positional relationships, etc. may be other than those indicated by these names.

[0010] The circumferential direction is indicated by the arrow θ in each drawing. The side of the circumferential direction toward which the arrow θ points (+θ side) is called the "one circumferential side." The opposite side of the circumferential direction to the side toward which the arrow θ points (-θ side) is called the "other circumferential side." The one circumferential side is the side that moves clockwise around the central axis J when viewed from above. The other circumferential side is the side that moves counterclockwise around the central axis J when viewed from above.

[0011] The pressure regulator 10 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is attached to a battery pack mounted on a vehicle or the like. More specifically, the pressure regulator 10 is attached to a mounting hole 81a provided in a housing 80 that houses a battery, such as a lithium-ion battery, that supplies power to the vehicle. In this embodiment, the pressure regulator 10 is a pressure regulation valve that adjusts the pressure inside the housing 80. The pressure regulator 10 is normally in a closed state, but opens when the pressure inside the housing 80 increases due to a rise in battery temperature. When the pressure regulator 10 opens, air inside the housing 80 is discharged to the outside, thereby reducing the pressure inside the housing 80. The pressure regulator 10 includes a housing 20, a valve member 30, a fixing member 40, a sealing member 51, a ring member 52, a screw member 55, and an elastic member 59.

[0012] In the present embodiment, the housing 80 has a first housing portion 81 and a second housing portion 82. The first housing portion 81 is disposed outside the second housing portion 82. The first housing portion 81 and the second housing portion 82 may each be made of metal or resin. The first housing portion 81 and the second housing portion 82 may each be made of the same material or different materials. The first housing portion 81 is provided with a mounting hole 81a. The mounting hole 81a is a hole that penetrates the first housing portion 81 in the axial direction. The mounting hole 81a is a circular hole centered on the central axis J. The pressure adjusting device 10 is attached to the mounting hole 81a. The second housing portion 82 is provided with a hole portion 82a. The hole portion 82a is a hole that penetrates the second housing portion 82 in the axial direction. The hole portion 82a is a circular hole centered on the central axis J. In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the hole 82a is smaller than the inner diameter of the mounting hole 81a.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 20 has a substantially circular ring shape centered on a central axis J. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 20 holds the components of the pressure adjusting device 10, such as the valve member 30, the fixing member 40, and the sealing member 51. The housing 20 is passed axially through the interior of the mounting hole 81a. In this embodiment, the housing 20 is made of metal. For example, the housing 20 is made of aluminum. The housing 20 has a first cylindrical portion 21, a recess 22, a connecting portion 25, and a second cylindrical portion 27.

[0014] The first cylindrical portion 21 has a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the first cylindrical portion 21 has a substantially cylindrical shape centered on the central axis J. The first cylindrical portion 21 has openings on both the upper and lower sides. The first cylindrical portion 21 passes through the mounting hole 81a in the axial direction. The radial outer edge of the first cylindrical portion 21 faces the surface of the first housing portion 81 facing upward in the axial direction. In other words, the radial outer edge of the first cylindrical portion 21 faces the surface facing the upper side of the housing 80, i.e., the surface facing one axial side (+Z side) in the axial direction. The surface of the first cylindrical portion 21 facing downward in the axial direction faces the surface of the second housing portion 82 facing upward in the axial direction. The first cylindrical portion 21 has an air vent 21a. The first cylindrical portion 21 is provided with a groove 21c, a housing groove 21d, and a recess 22.

[0015] The ventilation hole 21a is a hole that penetrates the first cylindrical portion 21 in the axial direction. The ventilation hole 21a is a hole that extends in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 3, when viewed from the axial direction, the ventilation hole 21a has a substantially circular shape centered on the central axis line J. As shown in FIG. 1, the interior of the second housing portion 82 and the exterior of the housing 80 are connected via the ventilation hole 21a.

[0016] Groove portion 21c is a groove provided on the upper side of first cylindrical portion 21, i.e., on the surface facing one axial side (+Z side). As shown in Fig. 2, groove portion 21c extends in the circumferential direction. Groove portion 21c is an annular groove extending along the edge of air hole 21a.

[0017] 1, the accommodation groove 21d is a groove provided on the downward surface of the first cylindrical portion 21. Although not shown, the accommodation groove 21d extends in the circumferential direction. The accommodation groove 21d is an annular groove that extends along the edge of the air hole 21a.

[0018] The recesses 22 are holes recessed radially inward from the radial outer surface of the first cylindrical portion 21. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the recesses 22 are holes recessed from the radial outer surface of the first cylindrical portion 21 toward the radial inner side and the other circumferential side (-θ side). In this embodiment, a plurality of recesses 22 are provided in the first cylindrical portion 21. Thus, the container 20 has a plurality of recesses 22. In this embodiment, the container 20 has two recesses 22. The recesses 22 are provided at positions radially opposite each other across the central axis J. The number of recesses 22 provided in the container 20 may be three or more. In this case, it is preferable that the recesses 22 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0019] The connecting portion 25 has a plate shape extending radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the first cylindrical portion 21. The plate surface of the connecting portion 25 faces the circumferential direction. The radially inner end of the connecting portion 25 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the second cylindrical portion 27. As shown in FIG. 1, when viewed in the circumferential direction, the connecting portion 25 has a generally trapezoidal shape whose axial dimension decreases toward the radially inner side. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the housing 20 has four connecting portions 25. The connecting portions 25 are arranged at approximately equal intervals from one another along the circumferential direction. The number of connecting portions 25 included in the housing 20 may be three or less, or may be five or more.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1 , the second cylindrical portion 27 has a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction. In the present embodiment, the second cylindrical portion 27 has a substantially cylindrical shape centered on the central axis J. The second cylindrical portion 27 has openings on both the upper and lower sides. The second cylindrical portion 27 is disposed inside the air vent 21a. The second cylindrical portion 27 is connected to the first cylindrical portion 21 via a plurality of connecting portions 25. The upper end of the second cylindrical portion 27 is located below the upper end of the first cylindrical portion 21. The lower end of the second cylindrical portion 27 is located above both the lower end of the first cylindrical portion 21 and the second housing portion 82. The second cylindrical portion 27 has a support hole 27a.

[0021] The support hole 27a is a hole that axially penetrates the second cylindrical portion 27. The support hole 27a is a hole that extends in the axial direction. As shown in Fig. 3, when viewed in the axial direction, the support hole 27a has a substantially circular shape centered on the central axis line J.

[0022] The fixing member 40 shown in FIG. 1 is a part of the pressure adjusting device 10 that is fixed to the first housing portion 81. In other words, the fixing member 40 is a part of the pressure adjusting device 10 that is fixed to the housing 80. The pressure adjusting device 10 includes a plurality of fixing members 40. In the present embodiment, the pressure adjusting device 10 includes two fixing members 40. Each fixing member 40 is housed inside a different recess 22 of the housing 20. Each fixing member 40 is fixed to the inner surface of the recess 22. As a result, each fixing member 40 is held in the housing 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the fixing member 40 has a main body portion 41 and an elastic portion 47.

[0023] The main body portion 41 has a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction. When viewed in the axial direction, the main body portion 41 has a generally U-shape that opens radially inward. As shown in FIG. 1, the main body portion 41 is disposed inside the recess 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the main body portion 41 has a first main body portion 42, a second main body portion 43, a third main body portion 44, and a fourth main body portion 45. As shown in FIG. 5, the main body portion 41 has a first protrusion 41a and a second protrusion 41b.

[0024] The first main body portion 42 has a plate shape that extends in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction. When viewed from the radial direction, the first main body portion 42 has a substantially rectangular shape with its long sides extending in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the surface of the first main body portion 42 facing radially outward is exposed to the outside of the recess 22. As shown in FIG. 5, the first main body portion 42 has a hole portion 42a. The hole portion 42a is a hole that penetrates the first main body portion 42 in the radial direction. When viewed from the radial direction, the hole portion 42a has a substantially rectangular shape with its long sides extending in the axial direction.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the second main body portion 43 has a plate shape that extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The second main body portion 43 protrudes radially inward from the lower end of the first main body portion 42. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the second main body portion 43 protrudes from the lower end of the first main body portion 42 toward the gap between the radially inward and the other circumferential side (-θ side) in the circumferential direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the second main body portion 43 contacts the surface of the inner surface of the recess 22 that faces upward in the axial direction. In other words, the main body portion 41 contacts the inner surface of the recess 22 in the axial direction. This determines the axial position of each fixing member 40 relative to the housing 20.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 5, the third main body portion 44 is plate-shaped and extends radially inward from an end portion on one circumferential side (+θ side) of the first main body portion 42. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, the third main body portion 44 protrudes from the end portion on one circumferential side of the first main body portion 42 toward between the radially inward side and the other circumferential side (-θ side). The third main body portion 44 faces the surface of the inner surface of the recess 22 that faces the other circumferential side. As shown in Fig. 5, the third main body portion 44 has a first portion 44a and a second portion 44b.

[0027] The first portion 44a is the upper portion of the third main body portion 44. When viewed in the circumferential direction, the first portion 44a has a generally rectangular shape with its long sides extending in the axial direction. The second portion 44b is the lower portion of the third main body portion 44. When viewed in the circumferential direction, the second portion 44b has a generally rectangular shape with its long sides extending in the axial direction. The radial dimension of the second portion 44b is larger than the radial dimension of the first portion 44a. The first portion 44a and the second portion 44b are connected in the axial direction.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 2, the fourth main body portion 45 is plate-shaped and extends radially inward from the end portion on the other circumferential side (-θ side) of the first main body portion 42. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, the fourth main body portion 45 protrudes from the end portion on the other circumferential side of the first main body portion 42 toward between the radially inward and the other circumferential side. The fourth main body portion 45 faces the surface of the inner surface of the recess 22 that faces one circumferential side. As shown in Fig. 2, the fourth main body portion 45 has a third portion 45a and a fourth portion 45b.

[0029] The third portion 45a is the upper portion of the fourth main body portion 45. When viewed in the circumferential direction, the third portion 45a has a generally rectangular shape with its long sides extending in the axial direction. The fourth portion 45b is the lower portion of the fourth main body portion 45. When viewed in the circumferential direction, the fourth portion 45b has a generally rectangular shape with its long sides extending in the axial direction. The radial dimension of the fourth portion 45b is larger than the radial dimension of the third portion 45a. The third portion 45a and the fourth portion 45b are connected in the axial direction.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5, the first protrusion 41a is a protrusion that protrudes in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the main body 41 has two first protrusions 41a. One of the first protrusions 41a protrudes upward from the upward surface of the first portion 44a. The other first protrusion 41a protrudes upward from the upward surface of the third portion 45a. Although not shown, each first protrusion 41a contacts a downward surface of the inner surface of the recess 22. In this embodiment, each first protrusion 41a is press-fitted into the downward surface of the inner surface of the recess 22. This fixes the fixing member 40 to the housing 20.

[0031] The second protrusions 41b are protrusions that protrude in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the main body 41 has four second protrusions 41b. Two of the second protrusions 41b protrude toward one circumferential side from a surface of the second portion 44b facing one circumferential side (+θ side). The two second protrusions 41b are arranged at intervals from each other along the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the other two second protrusions 41b protrude toward the other circumferential side from a surface of the fourth portion 45b facing the other circumferential side (-θ side). The other two second protrusions 41b are arranged at intervals from each other along the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 3, each second protrusion 41b contacts a surface of the inner surface of the recess 22 facing the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, each second protrusion 41b is press-fitted into the surface of the inner surface of the recess 22 facing the circumferential direction. This fixes the fixing member 40 to the housing 20.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5, the elastic portion 47 protrudes upward from the edge of the lower end of the hole 42a of the first main body portion 42. When viewed from the radial direction, the elastic portion 47 overlaps with the hole 42a. The elastic portion 47 is plate-shaped with its plate surface facing the radial direction. The elastic portion 47 is elastically deformable radially inward. The elastic portion 47 has claw portions 48.

[0033] The claws 48 protrude radially outward from the edge of the elastic portion 47. The claws 48 protrude radially outward beyond the first main body portion 42. The radial outer edges of the claws 48 are positioned radially outward as they move upward, i.e., toward one axial side (+Z side). As a result, the radial outer edges of the claws 48 form inclined surfaces that are positioned radially outward as they move upward. As shown in FIG. 1 , the claws 48 are positioned below the first housing portion 81. The surface of the claws 48 facing upward axially faces the surface of the first housing portion 81 facing downward. In other words, the claws 48 are axially opposed to the surface of the housing 80 facing downward, i.e., the other axial side (-Z side). Therefore, in this embodiment, when an upward force is applied to the housing 20 as the pressure inside the housing 80 increases, the claws 48 come into contact with the housing 80 in the axial direction. This makes it possible to prevent the pressure adjustment device 10 from moving upward relative to the housing 80 even if the pressure inside the housing 80 increases. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the pressure adjustment device 10 from coming off the housing 80 even if the pressure inside the housing 80 increases.

[0034] As described above, the radial outer edge of the housing 20 faces the upper side of the housing 80, i.e., the surface facing one axial side (+Z side). This makes it possible to prevent the housing 20 from moving downward relative to the housing 80. As described above, the claw portions 48 make it possible to prevent the housing 20 from moving upward relative to the housing 80. As a result, the housing 20 is fixed to the housing 80.

[0035] The valve member 30 is a valve that opens and closes the vent hole 21a of the container 20. The valve member 30 is axially movable relative to the container 20. In this embodiment, the valve member 30 is made of metal. The valve member 30 is made of aluminum, for example. The valve member 30 has a pillar portion 31 and a valve body portion 33.

[0036] The column portion 31 has a columnar shape extending in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the column portion 31 has a substantially cylindrical shape centered on the central axis J. The column portion 31 is passed through the support hole 27a in the axial direction. The column portion 31 is supported by the inner surface of the support hole 27a so as to be movable in the axial direction. This allows the valve member 30 to move in the axial direction relative to the container 20. In this embodiment, the column portion 31 is provided with an internally threaded hole 31a. That is, the internally threaded hole 31a is provided in one of the screw member 55 and the column portion 31. Note that the column portion 31 does not necessarily have to be provided with an internally threaded hole 31a, in which case an externally threaded portion is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the column portion 31.

[0037] The female threaded hole 31a is a hole recessed upward, i.e., toward one axial side (+Z side), from the lower side of the column portion 31, i.e., the surface facing the other axial side (-Z side). Although not shown in the figure, when viewed from the axial direction, the female threaded hole 31a has a substantially circular shape centered on the central axis line J. Although not shown in the figure, a female thread portion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the female threaded hole 31a.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the valve body 33 has a plate shape that extends in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. When viewed in the axial direction, the valve body 33 has a substantially circular shape centered on the central axis J. As shown in FIG. 1, the valve body 33 is connected to the upper end of the column portion 31. The valve body 33 is disposed above the housing 20. In the closed valve state, the valve body 33 blocks the vent hole 21a from above, i.e., from one axial side (+Z side). As shown in FIG. 4, in the open valve state, when the valve member 30 moves upward, the valve body 33 opens the vent hole 21a. As a result, air inside the housing 80 is discharged to the outside of the housing 80 through the vent hole 21a. The valve body 33 is provided with a valve hole 33a.

[0039] The disc hole 33a is provided on the upper side of the valve body 33, i.e., on the surface facing one axial side (+Z side). The disc hole 33a is a hole recessed downward, i.e., on the other axial side (-Z side). As shown in FIG. 2, the disc hole 33a has a polygonal shape centered on the central axis J when viewed from the axial direction. In this embodiment, the disc hole 33a is hexagonal. That is, the disc hole 33a has a polygonal shape with six corners. The disc hole 33a may have a polygonal shape other than a hexagon, such as a triangular shape or a rectangular shape. However, in an assembly process Pa of the pressure regulating device 10, which will be described later, a second tool 92 inserted into the disc hole 33a prevents the valve member 30 from rotating about the central axis J. Therefore, it is preferable that the number of corners of the disc hole 33a be six or less.

[0040] The sealing member 51 has a substantially circular ring shape centered on the central axis J. In this embodiment, the sealing member 51 is made of an elastic material such as rubber. As shown in FIG. 1, the sealing member 51 is disposed inside the groove 21c. The sealing member 51 is attached to the groove 21c. As a result, the sealing member 51 is attached to the upper side of the first cylindrical portion 21, i.e., the edge of the air vent 21a on the surface facing one axial side (+Z side). In the closed-valve state, the valve body 33 is pressed against the sealing member 51 in the axial direction. This allows the sealing member 51 to seal between the housing 20 and the valve member 30. Therefore, in the closed-valve state, foreign matter such as dust can be prevented from entering the housing 80, thereby improving the operational stability of the battery pack. As shown in FIG. 4, in the open-valve state, when the valve member 30 moves upward, the sealing member 51 and the valve body 33 move apart in the axial direction. Therefore, in the open valve state, the air inside the housing 80 is discharged to the outside of the housing 80 through the gap between the sealing member 51 and the valve body portion 33.

[0041] According to the present embodiment, as described above, the housing 20 and the valve member 30 are each made of metal. Therefore, compared to a case where one of the housing 20 and the valve member 30 is made of metal and the other of the housing 20 and the valve member 30 is made of metal, the difference between the linear expansion coefficient of the housing 20 and the linear expansion coefficient of the valve member 30 can be made smaller. Therefore, even if the temperature of the pressure regulating device 10 fluctuates due to fluctuations in the temperature of the battery housed inside the housing 80, for example, the difference between the amount of thermal deformation of the housing 20 and the amount of thermal deformation of the valve member 30 can be made smaller. This makes it possible to suppress fluctuations in the contact state between the sealing member 51 and each of the housing 20 and the valve member 30, even if the temperature of the pressure regulating device 10 fluctuates. Therefore, the sealing member 51 can stably seal between the housing 20 and the valve member 30.

[0042] According to this embodiment, an annular groove 21c extending along the edge of the air vent 21a is provided on the upper side of the first cylindrical portion 21, i.e., on the surface facing one axial side (+Z side), and the sealing member 51 is annular and is disposed inside the groove 21c. This allows the position of the sealing member 51 relative to the first cylindrical portion 21 to be determined with high precision. This more suitably prevents fluctuations in the contact state between the sealing member 51 and the housing body 20 and the valve member 30. Therefore, the sealing member 51 can more stably seal between the housing body 20 and the valve member 30.

[0043] In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, the sealing member 51 is annular. Therefore, the sealing member 51 can seal the entire circumference of the vent hole 21a. Therefore, the sealing member 51 can more stably seal the gap between the housing body 20 and the valve member 30.

[0044] The ring member 52 shown in FIG. 1 has a substantially circular ring shape centered on the central axis J. In this embodiment, the ring member 52 is made of an elastic material such as rubber. The ring member 52 is disposed inside the housing groove 21d. The ring member 52 is attached to the housing groove 21d. As a result, the ring member 52 is attached to the edge of the air vent 21a on the downward-facing surface of the first cylindrical portion 21. The ring member 52 comes into contact with the upward-facing surface of the second housing portion 82. As a result, the ring member 52 seals the gap between the second housing portion 82 and the housing 20.

[0045] The screw member 55 is fixed to the column portion 31 of the valve member 30. In this embodiment, the screw member 55 is a male screw. The screw member 55 has a shaft portion 56 and a head portion 57.

[0046] The shaft portion 56 has a columnar shape extending in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the shaft portion 56 has a substantially cylindrical shape centered on the central axis J. When viewed in the axial direction, the shaft portion 56 overlaps with the valve body hole 33a in the axial direction. That is, when viewed in the axial direction, the valve body hole 33a overlaps with the shaft portion 56. A male thread portion 56a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 56. Therefore, the male thread portion 56a is provided on the other of the screw member 55 and the column portion 31. When the shaft portion 56 is inserted into the female threaded hole 31a of the column portion 31 and the male thread portion 56a is tightened into the female threaded hole 31a, the screw member 55 is fixed to the valve member 30. Note that the shaft portion 56 does not necessarily have to have a male thread portion 56a. In this case, the shaft portion 56 has a female threaded hole recessed downward. When the male screw portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the column portion 31 is screwed into the female screw hole, the screw member 55 is fixed to the valve member 30.

[0047] The head 57 is plate-shaped and extends radially outward from the lower end of the shaft 56. The plate surface of the head 57 faces the axial direction. The head 57 is disposed below both the second tubular portion 27 and the pillar portion 31, i.e., on the other axial side (-Z side). The surface of the head 57 facing upward is in axial contact with the lower end of the pillar portion 31. In other words, the head 57 is in axial contact with the pillar portion 31. Note that the head 57 does not necessarily have to be in axial contact with the pillar portion 31.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2 , when viewed in the axial direction, the head 57 has a polygonal shape centered on the central axis J. In the present embodiment, the head 57 has a hexagonal shape. That is, the head 57 has a polygonal shape having six corners. The head 57 may have a polygonal shape other than a hexagon, such as a triangular shape or a rectangular shape. However, in order to easily rotate the screw member 55 about the central axis J using a first tool 91 attached to the head 57 in an assembly process Pa of the pressure adjusting device 10, which will be described later, the number of corners that the head 57 has is preferably six or less.

[0049] The elastic member 59 applies a downward elastic force to the valve member 30. In this embodiment, the elastic member 59 is a coil spring extending in the axial direction. The elastic member 59 is elastically deformable in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 1 , the column portion 31 passes through the interior of the elastic member 59 in the axial direction. The elastic member 59 is disposed between the second cylindrical portion 27 and the head portion 57. The elastic member 59 contacts both the second cylindrical portion 27 and the head portion 57 in the axial direction. The elastic member 59 applies an axial elastic force to each of the second cylindrical portion 27 and the head portion 57. As a result, a downward elastic force is applied to the head portion 57.

[0050] According to this embodiment, the pressure regulating device 10 includes an elastic member 59 that is elastically deformable in the axial direction, and a screw member 55 having a shaft portion 56 extending in the axial direction and a head portion 57 that extends radially outward from the shaft portion 56. The head portion 57 is disposed below the second cylindrical portion 27 and the column portion 31, i.e., on the other axial side (-Z side). One of the screw member 55 and the column portion 31 is provided with an internally threaded hole 31a, and the other of the screw member 55 and the column portion 31 is provided with an externally threaded portion 56a that is screwed into the internally threaded hole 31a. The elastic member 59 applies an axially directed elastic force to the second cylindrical portion 27 and the head portion 57. Therefore, as described above, the elastic member 59 can apply a downward elastic force to the head portion 57. Furthermore, as described above, the screw member 55 is fixed to the valve member 30. As a result, a downward elastic force can be applied to the valve member 30 via the screw member 55, so that the valve body portion 33 can be pressed against the sealing member 51. Therefore, in the open valve state, the sealing member 51 can stably seal the gap between the container 20 and the valve member 30.

[0051] When the pressure inside the housing 80 increases due to a rise in the battery temperature, an upward force is applied to the screw member 55 and the valve member 30. When this force becomes greater than the elastic force of the elastic member 59, the valve member 30 moves upward, as shown in FIG. 4 . At this time, the valve body portion 33 and the sealing member 51 move apart in the axial direction, and the pressure regulating device 10 enters an open state. In the open state, air inside the housing 80 is discharged to the outside of the housing 80 through the vent hole 21a and the gap between the valve body portion 33 and the sealing member 51. This reduces the pressure inside the housing 80, thereby preventing damage to the housing 80. When the upward force applied to the screw member 55 and the valve member 30 becomes smaller than the elastic force of the elastic member 59 due to a decrease in pressure inside the housing 80, the valve member 30 moves downward. This returns the pressure regulating device 10 to a closed state in which the valve body portion 33 is pressed against the sealing member 51. In this way, the pressure adjusting device 10 adjusts the pressure inside the housing 80 .

[0052] Next, the assembly process Pa of the pressure adjusting device 10 of this embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 6, the assembly process Pa includes an attachment process P01 in which each of the multiple fixing members 40, the sealing member 51, and the ring member 52 is attached to the housing 20, an insertion process P02 in which the column portion 31 is inserted into the support hole 27a, and a fixing process P03 in which the screw member 55 is fixed to the column portion 31. In the following description, "workers, etc." includes workers and assembly equipment, etc., who perform the work in each process. The work in each process may be performed by workers alone, by an assembly equipment alone, or by both workers and assembly equipment.

[0053] In the attachment step P01, the multiple fixing members 40, sealing members 51, and ring members 52 are attached to the housing 20. As shown in FIG. 7 , in the attachment step P01, an operator inserts each fixing member 40 into a different recess 22 of the housing 20. As a result, as described above, the two first protrusions 41a and the four second protrusions 41b of the main body 41 are press-fit into the inner surfaces of the recesses 22, and each fixing member 40 is fixed to the housing 20. Next, the operator attaches the sealing member 51 to the groove 21c of the housing 20. Next, the operator attaches the ring member 52 to the housing groove 21d of the housing 20. When the multiple fixing members 40, sealing members 51, and ring members 52 are attached to the housing 20, the attachment step P01 is completed.

[0054] In the insertion step P02, the column portion 31 is inserted into the support hole 27a. As shown in Fig. 7, in the insertion step P02, the worker or the like moves the valve member 30, which is positioned above the container 20, downward to insert the column portion 31 into the support hole 27a. As shown in Fig. 8, the valve member 30 is moved downward until the valve body portion 33 comes into axial contact with the sealing member 51, and the insertion step P02 is completed.

[0055] In the fixing step P03, the screw member 55 is fixed to the column portion 31. As shown in FIG. 8 , in the fixing step P03, first, the worker or the like moves the elastic member 59, which is positioned below the column portion 31, upward to pass the column portion 31 through the elastic member 59. Next, the worker or the like inserts the head portion 57 into the first hole portion 91a, which is a polygonal hole provided at the upper end of the first tool 91. This attaches the first tool 91 to the head portion 57. In this embodiment, the first hole portion 91a is a hexagonal hole. In this embodiment, for example, a socket driver and a ratchet wrench can be used as the first tool 91. Next, the worker or the like inserts the polygonal insertion portion 92a of the second tool 92 into the valve body hole portion 33a. Next, the worker or the like holds the second tool 92 so that the second tool 92 does not rotate around the central axis J. In this embodiment, the insertion portion 92a is hexagonal. In this embodiment, for example, a hexagonal wrench can be used as the second tool 92. Next, the worker inserts the shank 56 of the screw member 55 into the female threaded hole 31a of the column portion 31 and rotates the first tool 91 around the central axis J to tighten the male threaded portion 56a into the female threaded hole 31a. As described above, the second tool 92 is held so as not to rotate around the central axis J. Therefore, when the male threaded portion 56a is tightened into the female threaded hole 31a, frictional force between the screw member 55 and the column portion 31 acts on the column portion 31, causing the valve member 30 to rotate around the central axis J together with the screw member 55. This causes the insertion portion 92a to come into contact with the inner surface of the valve body hole 33a in the circumferential direction. This prevents the valve member 30 from rotating around the central axis J together with the screw member 55 when tightening the male threaded portion 56a into the female threaded hole 31a, making it easier to tighten the male threaded portion 56a into the female threaded hole 31a. 1, when the male threaded portion 56a is tightened into the female threaded hole 31a until the head 57 comes into axial contact with the column portion 31, the screw member 55 is fixed to the column portion 31. When the screw member 55 is fixed to the column portion 31, the fixing step P03 is completed. When the fixing step P03 is completed, the assembly step Pa of the pressure adjusting device 10 is completed.

[0056] According to this embodiment, the valve member 30 has a column portion 31 that is passed axially through the support hole 27a and supported by the inner surface of the support hole 27a so as to be axially movable, and a valve body portion 33 that blocks the air vent hole 21a from the upper side, i.e., from one axial side (+Z side), and is pressed axially against the sealing member 51, and a female threaded hole 31a is provided on one of the shaft portion 56 and the column portion 31, and a male threaded portion 56a that is screwed into the female threaded hole 31a is provided on the other of the shaft portion 56 and the column portion 31, and a valve body hole portion 33a that is recessed downward, i.e., to the other axial side (-Z side) is provided on the surface facing upward of the valve body portion 33, and the head portion 57 is positioned lower than both the second tubular portion 27 and the column portion 31, and is polygonal when viewed from the axial direction. Therefore, as described above, in the fixing step P03, by rotating the first tool 91 around the central axis J while the first tool 91 is attached to the head 57, the male threaded portion 56a can be easily tightened into the female threaded hole 31a. This makes it possible to easily fix the screw member 55 to the column portion 31, thereby preventing an increase in the number of steps in the fixing step P03. Therefore, an increase in the number of steps in assembling the pressure adjusting device 10 can be prevented.

[0057] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, in the fixing step P03, the male threaded portion 56a can be fastened into the female threaded hole 31a while the insertion portion 92a holds the second tool 92 inserted into the valve body hole 33a so as not to rotate about the central axis J. Therefore, as described above, when the male threaded portion 56a is fastened into the female threaded hole 31a, the valve element 30 can be prevented from rotating about the central axis J together with the screw member 55. This makes it easier to fix the screw member 55 to the column portion 31, thereby more preferably preventing an increase in the number of steps in the fixing step P03. Therefore, it is more preferably preventing an increase in the number of steps in assembling the pressure adjusting device 10.

[0058] According to this embodiment, the male thread portion 56a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 56, and the female thread hole 31a is recessed upward, i.e., toward one axial side (+Z side), from the lower side of the column portion 31, i.e., the surface facing the other axial side (-Z side). Therefore, compared to when the male thread portion 56a is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the column portion 31 and the female thread hole 31a is provided on the shaft portion 56, the outer diameter of the column portion 31 can be made larger. This makes it easier to increase the rigidity of the column portion 31, and therefore makes it easier to prevent the column portion 31 from being damaged even if a large force is applied to the valve body portion 33 due to an increase in pressure inside the housing 80. Therefore, the operational stability of the pressure adjusting device 10 can be improved.

[0059] According to this embodiment, the head 57 is in axial contact with the column portion 31. This makes it easier to stabilize the axial distance between the second cylindrical portion 27 and the head 57. Furthermore, as described above, the elastic member 59 is in axial contact with both the second cylindrical portion 27 and the head 57. This makes it easier to suppress variations in the amount of elastic deformation of the elastic member 59 in the axial direction. This suppresses variations in the elastic force of the elastic member 59 applied to the head 57, thereby suppressing variations in the pressure inside the housing 80 that moves the valve member 30 upward. This makes it possible to more suitably stabilize the pressure inside the housing 80, thereby more suitably suppressing damage to the housing 80.

[0060] According to this embodiment, the valve element hole 33a overlaps with the shaft portion 56 and has a polygonal shape when viewed in the axial direction. Therefore, the valve element hole 33a can be positioned on the rotation axis of the shaft portion 56, which prevents an increase in the rotational torque applied to the second tool 92 when the male threaded portion 56a is tightened into the female threaded hole 31a. Furthermore, because the valve element hole 33a has a polygonal shape, when the valve element 33 attempts to rotate around the central axis J, the insertion portion 92a of the second tool 92 and the inner surface of the valve element hole 33a are likely to catch in the circumferential direction. Therefore, when the male threaded portion 56a is tightened into the female threaded hole 31a, the valve element 30 can be more effectively prevented from rotating together with the screw member 55 around the central axis J. This makes it easier to fix the screw member 55 to the column portion 31, which prevents an increase in the number of steps required for the fixing process P03. Therefore, an increase in the number of steps required for assembling the pressure adjusting device 10 can be more effectively prevented.

[0061] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the configurations and combinations thereof in the embodiments are merely examples, and additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications of the configurations are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

[0062] The main body portion may not have at least one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion. Even if the main body portion does not have one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion, the other of the first protrusion and the second protrusion can be press-fitted into the inner surface of the recess, allowing the fixing member to be press-fitted and fixed to the container. Furthermore, if the main body portion does not have both the first protrusion and the second protrusion, the main body portion may be adhesively fixed to the inner surface of the recess 22, for example, with an adhesive, or may be fixed to the container with a fastening member such as a screw.

[0063] The elastic member is not limited to a coil spring, but may be, for example, a leaf spring having one end supported by the head of the screw member and the other end supported by the housing.

[0064] The configuration of the housing is not limited to this embodiment, and for example, the housing may not have the second housing portion. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent an increase in the number of steps required to attach the pressure adjusting device to the mounting hole of the housing.

[0065] The valve body hole may be located at a position radially spaced from the central axis. Even in this configuration, when the male threaded portion is tightened into the female threaded hole, the second tool can be used to prevent the valve member from rotating around the central axis together with the screw member. Furthermore, when the valve body hole is located at a position radially spaced from the central axis, the valve body hole may be circular when viewed axially. Even in this configuration, the second tool can be used to prevent the valve member from rotating around the central axis together with the screw member.

[0066] The use of the pressure regulator to which the present invention is applied is not particularly limited. The pressure regulator may be attached to a battery pack that supplies power to electrical equipment other than a vehicle. Note that the configurations described above in this specification can be combined as appropriate within a range that does not contradict each other.

[0067] The present technology can be configured as follows. (1) A pressure regulating device that is attached to a mounting hole provided in a housing and adjusts the pressure inside the housing, comprising: a housing that is passed axially through the mounting hole and fixed to the housing; a valve member that is axially movable relative to the housing; a sealing member that seals between the housing and the valve member; an elastic member that is elastically deformable in the axial direction; and a screw member that has a shaft that extends in the axial direction and a head that extends radially outward from the shaft. The housing has a first cylindrical part that has an air hole that extends in the axial direction, and a second cylindrical part that has a support hole that extends in the axial direction and is disposed inside the air hole. The sealing member is attached to an edge of the air hole on a surface of the first cylindrical part that faces one axial side, and the sealing member is attached to an edge of the air hole on a surface of the first cylindrical part that faces one axial side. a valve member having a column portion that is passed axially through the support hole and supported by the inner surface of the support hole so as to be axially movable, and a valve body portion that blocks the air hole from one axial side and is pressed axially against the sealing member, one of the shaft portion and the column portion has a female threaded hole, and the other of the shaft portion and the column portion has a male thread portion that is screwed into the female threaded hole, a valve body hole portion that is recessed toward the other axial side is provided on the surface of the valve body portion facing the one axial side, the head portion is positioned on the other axial side of the second cylindrical portion and the column portion and is polygonal when viewed from the axial direction, and the elastic member applies an elastic force to each of the second cylindrical portion and the head in the axial direction. (2) A pressure adjusting device as described in (1), wherein the male threaded portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion, and the female threaded hole is recessed from the surface of the column portion facing the other axial side to one axial side. (3) The pressure regulating device according to (1) or (2), wherein the head portion is in axial contact with the column portion. (4) The pressure adjusting device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the valve body hole overlaps with the shaft portion when viewed in the axial direction and has a polygonal shape. (5) The pressure regulating device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the container and the valve member are each made of metal. (6) A pressure regulating device described in any one of (1) to (5), wherein a surface of the first cylindrical portion facing one axial side is provided with an annular groove portion extending along the edge of the air hole, and the sealing member is annular and is positioned inside the groove portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 10...pressure regulating device, 20...accommodating body, 21...first cylindrical portion, 21a...vent hole, 21c...groove portion, 27...second cylindrical portion, 27a...support hole, 30...valve member, 31...pillar portion, 31a...female threaded hole, 33...valve body portion, 33a...valve body hole portion, 51...sealing member, 55...screw member, 56...shaft portion, 56a...male threaded portion, 57...head portion, 59...elastic member, 80...casing, 81a...mounting hole

Claims

1. A pressure adjusting device that is attached to a mounting hole provided in a housing and adjusts pressure inside the housing, a housing that is passed through the mounting hole in the axial direction and fixed to the housing; a valve member axially movable relative to the housing; a sealing member that seals between the container and the valve member; an elastic member that is elastically deformable in an axial direction; a screw member having a shank extending in an axial direction and a head extending radially outward from the shank; Equipped with The container is a first cylindrical portion having an air hole extending in the axial direction; a second cylindrical portion having a support hole extending in the axial direction and disposed inside the air vent; and the sealing member is attached to an edge portion of the air hole on a surface of the first cylindrical portion facing one axial side, The valve member is a column portion that is passed through the support hole in the axial direction and supported by an inner surface of the support hole so as to be movable in the axial direction; a valve body portion that closes the vent hole from one axial side and is pressed against the sealing member in the axial direction; and a female screw hole is provided in one of the shaft portion and the column portion, and a male screw portion is provided in the other of the shaft portion and the column portion to be screwed into the female screw hole; a valve body hole portion recessed toward the other axial side is provided on a surface of the valve body portion facing one axial side; the head portion is disposed on the other axial side of the second cylindrical portion and the base portion, and has a polygonal shape when viewed from the axial direction; The elastic member applies an elastic force to each of the second cylindrical portion and the head portion in an axial direction.

2. The pressure adjusting device according to claim 1 , wherein the male thread portion is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion, and the female thread hole is recessed from a surface of the column portion facing the other axial side toward one axial side.

3. The pressure regulating device of claim 1 , wherein the head is in axial contact with the post.

4. The pressure adjusting device according to claim 1 , wherein the valve body hole overlaps the shaft portion when viewed in the axial direction and has a polygonal shape.

5. The pressure regulating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container and the valve member are each made of metal.

6. a surface of the first cylindrical portion facing one axial side thereof is provided with an annular groove portion extending along an edge of the air hole; The pressure regulating device according to claim 1 , wherein the sealing member is annular and is disposed inside the groove.

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