Pressure release valve and pressure release valve mounting structure
The pressure relief valve is efficiently attached to a case by rotating the base member, utilizing a retaining and stopper mechanism, addressing inefficiencies in existing screw-based attachment methods.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024129598
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing pressure relief valves for electricity storage devices, such as those described in Patent Document 1, are inefficient in terms of mounting efficiency due to the use of screws for attachment.
A pressure relief valve design that includes a base member with an insertion portion, retaining portion, first stopper portion, and second stopper portion, allowing attachment to a case by rotating the base member without using screws, with the retaining portion engaging with the case edge and stopper portions restricting rotation in specific directions.
Improves the efficiency of the installation work by allowing secure attachment through rotation, enhancing stability and reliability while reducing the need for fastening members.
Smart Images

Figure 2026027594000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a pressure release valve that is attached to a case that houses, for example, an electricity storage device, and that releases pressure inside the case, and to a pressure release valve mounting structure. [Background technology]
[0002] Hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles generally use power storage devices such as batteries and capacitors. The power storage device is housed inside a case installed inside the vehicle. When the power storage device is a battery such as a lithium-ion battery, a chemical reaction in the battery's electrolyte can generate gas, causing the pressure inside the case to increase. Therefore, a pressure relief valve is attached to the case to reduce the pressure inside the case.
[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a pressure release valve for an electricity storage device that releases pressure inside a case. In the pressure release valve for an electricity storage device described in Patent Document 1, a fixing hole is formed in each fixing portion of the base member. The base member is fixed to the case by threading a screw into the fixing hole of the base member and the fixing hole of the case. As a result, the pressure release valve for an electricity storage device is fixed to the case.
[0004] However, since the pressure release valve for an electricity storage device described in Patent Document 1 is fixed to the case by threading a screw into the fixing hole of the base member and the fixing hole of the case, there is room for improvement in the pressure release valve for an electricity storage device described in Patent Document 1 in terms of improving the efficiency of the work of attaching the pressure release valve for an electricity storage device to the case. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2022 / 255376 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pressure release valve and a pressure release valve mounting structure that can improve the efficiency of the mounting work on the case. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a pressure release valve comprising: a base member fixed to a case having an opening and having an air vent hole that connects the internal space of the case with the external space of the case; a valve member that moves toward and away from the base member to open and close the air vent hole; and a biasing member that biases the valve member in the direction in which the valve member abuts the base member, wherein the base member has an insertion portion that is inserted into the opening, and the insertion portion has a retaining portion that engages with the edge of the opening to prevent the insertion portion from coming out of the opening in the direction of the axis of the base member, a first stopper portion that restricts the base member from rotating in a first direction around the axis, and a second stopper portion that restricts the base member from rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the first stopper portion is positioned closer to the second direction than the retaining portion, and the retaining portion engages with the edge by rotating in the first direction.
[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the base member has an insert portion that is inserted into an opening formed in the case. The insert portion has a retaining portion that prevents the insert portion from being removed from the opening in the case in the axial direction of the base member. The retaining portion engages with the edge of the opening in the case by rotating in a first direction around the axis of the base member. As a result, the pressure release valve of the present invention is attached to the case. In this way, the pressure release valve of the present invention is engaged with and attached to the case by rotating relative to the case, without using fastening members such as screws and bolts. This improves the efficiency of the installation work of the pressure release valve of the present invention to the case. [Effects of the Invention]
[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pressure relief valve that can improve the efficiency of the installation work on the case. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a pressure relief valve and a pressure relief valve mounting structure according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is an exploded view showing the pressure relief valve and the pressure relief valve mounting structure according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the base member of the present embodiment as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axis. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base member of the present embodiment as viewed from the back side. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base member of the present embodiment as viewed from the front side. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the base member of the present embodiment as viewed from the back side. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the base member of the present embodiment as viewed from the front side. [Figure 9] 1 is a plan view illustrating a state before the base member of the present embodiment is fixed to the edge of the opening of the case. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting plane BB shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of an area A5 shown in FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a plan view showing the state after the base member of the present embodiment has been fixed to the edge of the opening of the case. FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cutting plane CC shown in FIG. 12. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of an area A6 shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are preferred examples of the present invention, and therefore various technically preferable limitations are applied thereto, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these aspects unless otherwise specified in the following description to the effect that the present invention is particularly limited. Furthermore, in each drawing, similar components are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a pressure relief valve and a pressure relief valve mounting structure according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the pressure relief valve and the pressure relief valve mounting structure according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting plane AA shown in FIG.
[0013] The pressure release valve mounting structure according to this embodiment includes a case 9 and a pressure release valve 2. The pressure release valve 2 is attached to the case 9 that houses an electricity storage device or the like, and releases gas inside the case 9 when the pressure inside the case 9 increases, thereby releasing the pressure inside the case 9.
[0014] Examples of the power storage device housed in case 9 include batteries (lithium ion batteries, etc.) used in hybrid vehicles including plug-in hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, etc. However, the power storage device housed in case 9 is not limited to these. Furthermore, the contents housed in case 9 are not limited to power storage devices.
[0015] 2, the case 9 has an opening 91. An edge 92 of the opening 91 has a flange 922. The flange 922 protrudes radially inward from an inner circumferential surface 921 of the edge 92. Here, in this specification, the "front side" refers to the side of the case 9 facing the external space S2 (see FIG. 3) of the case 9, or the direction from the internal space S1 (see FIG. 3) of the case 9 toward the external space S2 of the case 9. Also, in this specification, the "rear side" refers to the side of the case 9 facing the internal space S1 of the case 9, or the direction from the external space S2 of the case 9 toward the internal space S1 of the case 9.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the pressure release valve 2 includes a cap 3, a valve member 4, a base member 5, a sealing ring 6, a biasing member 7, and a locking member 8.
[0017] The base member 5 is fixed to the edge 92 of the opening 91 of the case 9 by rotating in a first direction A11 (see FIG. 1) about the axis A1. This will be described in detail later. The base member 5 is released from the edge 92 of the opening 91 of the case 9 by rotating in a second direction A12 (see FIG. 1) about the axis A1, i.e., in the direction opposite to the first direction A11.
[0018] The axis A1 is the axis of the base member 5, as well as the axes of the cap 3, the valve member 4, the seal ring 6, the biasing member 7, and the locking member 8. In other words, the axis of the base member 5 coincides with the axes of the cap 3, the valve member 4, the seal ring 6, the biasing member 7, and the locking member 8.
[0019] 2, the base member 5 has an annular portion 51, a ceiling portion 52, and a rib 53. The annular portion 51 has a substantially circular ring shape and forms the outermost portion of the base member 5 in the radial direction. The annular portion 51 has a valve seat 511. The valve seat 511 has a front surface, i.e., a surface facing the seal portion 42 of the valve member 4.
[0020] The ceiling portion 52 has a disk shape and is provided inside the annular portion 51. Specifically, the ceiling portion 52 is provided on the front side of the annular portion 51 in the radial center of the base member 5. The ceiling portion 52 has a through hole 521. The through hole 521 is formed in the radial center of the ceiling portion 52 and penetrates the ceiling portion 52 in the direction of the axis A1.
[0021] The rib 53 is connected to the ceiling portion 52 and the insertion portion 54 (see FIG. 4). That is, the ceiling portion 52 is connected to the insertion portion 54 via the rib 53. The insertion portion 54 is connected to an inner circumferential surface 513 (see FIG. 6) of the annular portion 51. As a result, the ceiling portion 52 is connected to the annular portion 51 via the rib 53 and the insertion portion 54. Details of the insertion portion 54 will be described later.
[0022] 2, the base member 5 of this embodiment has a plurality of ribs 53. The plurality of ribs 53 are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. Ventilation holes 512 are formed between adjacent ribs 53. The ventilation holes 512 communicate between an internal space S1 of the case 9 and an external space S2 of the case 9.
[0023] The valve member 4 has a base portion 41 and a seal portion 42. The base portion 41 is formed from a material harder than the material of the seal portion 42, and has a ceiling portion 411, a peripheral wall portion 412, and a flange portion 413. The ceiling portion 411 has a disk shape and is provided in the radial center of the valve member 4. An engagement portion 414 is provided on the front surface of the ceiling portion 411. The engagement portion 414 engages with the engagement portion 312 of the cap 3.
[0024] The peripheral wall portion 412 is connected to the outer peripheral edge of the ceiling portion 411 and extends from the outer peripheral edge of the ceiling portion 411 toward the back side, i.e., the side of the base member 5. The flange portion 413 is connected to the tip of the peripheral wall portion 412 in the extension direction and extends radially outward from the tip of the peripheral wall portion 412 in the extension direction.
[0025] The seal portion 42 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or an elastic elastomer, and is formed integrally with the flange portion 413 of the base portion 41. The seal portion 42 extends radially outward from the outer peripheral edge of the flange portion 413 and also extends from the outer peripheral edge of the flange portion 413 toward the back side, i.e., the side of the base member 5. The seal portion 42 moves toward and away from the valve seat 511 of the base member 5 to open and close the vent hole 512.
[0026] The seal portion 42 has a protrusion 421. The protrusion 421 protrudes from the front surface of the flange portion 413 toward the front side. As shown in Fig. 3, the protrusion 421 is interposed between the front surface of the flange portion 413 and the back surface of the cap 3, and biases the cap 3 toward the front side.
[0027] The base 41 further has a shaft 415. The shaft 415 is connected to the radial center of the ceiling 411 and extends from the ceiling 411 along the axis A1 toward the back side, i.e., the side of the base member 5. The shaft 415 is inserted into a through-hole 521 formed in the ceiling 52 of the base member 5 and prevents the valve member 4 from coming off the base member 5. In other words, the shaft 415 is a retaining portion for preventing the valve member 4 from coming off the base member 5. This will be described in detail later.
[0028] 3, the shaft portion 415 has an engaging portion 416. The engaging portion 416 is provided at the tip of the shaft portion 415 in the extension direction, and extends radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 415. The engaging portion 416 engages with the engaging portion 811 of the locking member 8.
[0029] The cap 3 has a ceiling portion 31, a peripheral wall portion 32, and a flange portion 33. The ceiling portion 31 has a disk shape and is provided in the radial center of the cap 3. The ceiling portion 31 has a through hole 311. The through hole 311 is formed to extend in the circumferential direction near the outer peripheral edge of the ceiling portion 31 and penetrates the ceiling portion 31 in the direction of the axis A1. An engagement portion 312 is provided at the edge of the through hole 311. The engagement portion 312 protrudes from the edge of the through hole 311 toward the inside of the through hole 311 and engages with an engagement portion 414 provided on the ceiling portion 411 of the valve member 4.
[0030] That is, the engaging portion 414 of the valve member 4 is inserted into the through-hole 311 of the cap 3, and the cap 3 is rotated in the first direction A11 (see FIG. 1), whereby the engaging portion 312 of the cap 3 engages with the engaging portion 414 of the valve member 4. As a result, the cap 3 is attached to the valve member 4 and covers the valve member 4.
[0031] The peripheral wall portion 32 is connected to the outer peripheral edge of the ceiling portion 31 and extends from the outer peripheral edge of the ceiling portion 31 toward the back side, i.e., the side of the valve member 4. The flange portion 33 is connected to the tip of the peripheral wall portion 32 in the extension direction and extends radially outward from the tip of the peripheral wall portion 32 in the extension direction. As shown in FIG. 3 , when the cap 3 is attached to the valve member 4, the flange portion 33 covers the seal portion 42 of the valve member 4 and the valve seat 511 of the base member 5. This allows the cap 3 to prevent water sprayed from, for example, a high-pressure washer from directly hitting the seal portion 42 of the valve member 4.
[0032] The seal ring 6 is a so-called "O-ring" and is made of an elastic material such as rubber and has a circular ring shape. As shown in Fig. 3, the seal ring 6 is attached to an annular protrusion 514 formed on the back side of the valve seat 511 of the base member 5. The seal ring 6 is interposed between the base member 5 and the case 9, and biases the base member 5 toward the front side.
[0033] The biasing member 7 is a coil spring formed by winding a wire rod of a predetermined diameter at a predetermined pitch, for example. As shown in Fig. 3, the biasing member 7 is disposed radially outside the shaft portion 415 of the valve member 4 and is supported by the shaft portion 415.
[0034] The locking member 8 has a tubular portion 81 and a flange portion 82. The tubular portion 81 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is provided in the radial center of the locking member 8. The tubular portion 81 has an engagement portion 811. The engagement portion 811 is provided inside the tubular portion 81 and extends radially inward from the inner circumferential surface of the tubular portion 81. The engagement portion 811 engages with an engagement portion 416 provided on the shaft portion 415 of the valve member 4 when the locking member 8 rotates in the second direction A12 (see FIG. 1). As a result, the locking member 8 is attached to the tip of the shaft portion 415 of the valve member 4, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0035] The flange portion 82 is connected to the tip of the cylindrical portion 81 in the direction of the axis A1, and extends radially outward from the tip of the cylindrical portion 81. As shown in Fig. 3, the flange portion 82 sandwiches the urging member 7 together with the ceiling portion 52 of the base member 5. In other words, the urging member 7 is sandwiched in a contracted state between the flange portion 82 of the locking member 8 and the ceiling portion 52 of the base member 5.
[0036] As a result, the locking member 8 is urged in the direction of arrow A18 shown in Fig. 3, i.e., toward the back side. Because the locking member 8 is attached to the tip of the shaft portion 415 of the valve member 4, the valve member 4 is urged in the direction of arrow A18 shown in Fig. 3, i.e., toward the back side, by the urging member 7 via the locking member 8. Therefore, when the pressure inside the case 9 is normal, the seal portion 42 contacts the valve seat 511 of the base member 5 and closes the air vent 512. This seals the internal space S1 of the case 9.
[0037] When the pressure in the internal space S1 of the case 9 increases, the valve member 4 receives a force toward the front side from the gas inside the case 9 through the vent hole 512. When the pressure in the internal space S1 of the case 9 increases above a predetermined value, the valve member 4, cap 3, and locking member 8 move integrally toward the front side while resisting the biasing force of the biasing member 7. As a result, the gas in the internal space S1 of the case 9 passes through the vent hole 512, passes through the gap formed between the seal portion 42 of the valve member 4 and the valve seat 511 of the base member 5, and passes through the gap formed between the flange portion 33 of the cap 3 and the annular portion 51 of the base member 5, and is released into the external space S2 of the case 9.
[0038] At this time, the maximum movement position (full stroke position) of the valve member 4, cap 3, and locking member 8 is determined by the flange portion 82 of the locking member 8 abutting against the rib 53 of the base member 5. In other words, the locking member 8 attached to the shaft portion 415 of the valve member 4, together with the rib 53 of the base member 5, determines the maximum movement position of the valve member 4, cap 3, and locking member 8. In this way, the shaft portion 415 of the valve member 4 and the locking member 8 prevent the valve member 4 from coming off the base member 5. In other words, the shaft portion 415 of the valve member 4 and the locking member 8 function as a retaining portion for preventing the valve member 4 from coming off the base member 5.
[0039] Next, the base member 5 of this embodiment will be further described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the base member of this embodiment as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axis. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the base member of this embodiment as viewed from the back side. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the base member of this embodiment as viewed from the front side. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the base member of this embodiment as viewed from the back side. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the base member of this embodiment as viewed from the front side.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, the base member 5 has an insertion portion 54. The insertion portion 54 is a portion that is inserted into the opening 91 (see FIG. 2) of the case 9. The insertion portion 54 is connected to the inner circumferential surface 513 (see FIGS. 6 and 8) of the annular portion 51, and has a generally annular shape that fits along the inner circumferential surface 513 of the annular portion 51. The insertion portion 54 has a retaining portion 541, a first stopper portion 542, and a second stopper portion 543.
[0041] 6 and 8, the retaining portion 541 is formed to protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface 549 of the insertion portion 54, and has a retaining surface 541a facing the direction of the axis A1. The normal to the retaining surface 541a is along the axis A1. The retaining surface 541a extends in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral surface 549 of the insertion portion 54.
[0042] As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the base member 5 is fixed to the edge 92 of the opening 91 of the case 9 by rotating in the first direction A11 (see FIG. 1) around the axis A1. At this time, the retaining portion 541 engages with the edge 92 of the opening 91 of the case 9. Furthermore, by rotating the retaining portion 541 in the first direction A11, the retaining surface 541a comes into contact with the back surface 923 of the flange portion 922 (see FIGS. 11 and 14). This will be described in detail later. As a result, the retaining portion 541 prevents the insertion portion 54 from slipping out toward the front side along the direction of the axis A1.
[0043] The first stopper portion 542 is disposed closer to the second direction A12 than the retaining portion 541. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the first stopper portion 542 is formed to protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface 549 of the insertion portion 54.
[0044] 6 and 8, the first stopper portion 542 has a first stopper surface 542a facing the first direction A11. The first stopper surface 542a extends radially outward from the outer circumferential surface 549 of the insertion portion 54. In other words, the normal to the first stopper surface 542a is along the tangent to the outer circumferential surface 549 of the insertion portion 54.
[0045] When the base member 5 is fixed to the edge portion 92 of the opening 91 of the case 9 by rotating in the first direction A11, the first stopper portion 542 rotates in the first direction A11, causing the first stopper surface 542a to abut against the first end surface 924 (see FIG. 2) of the flange portion 922. This will be described in detail later. In this way, the first stopper portion 542 restricts the rotation of the base member 5 in the first direction A11 around the axis A1. The first end surface 924 of the present embodiment is an example of the "one end surface" in the present invention.
[0046] 6, the retaining surface 541a and the first stopper surface 542a are connected to each other. Specifically, the first stopper surface 542a is connected to the end of the retaining surface 541a in the second direction A12 and extends from the end of the retaining surface 541a in the second direction A12 toward the front side along the axis A1. Note that the retaining surface 541a and the first stopper surface 542a do not necessarily have to be connected to each other and may be separated from each other in the circumferential direction along the outer circumferential surface 549 of the insertion portion 54.
[0047] The second stopper portion 543 is disposed closer to the first direction A11 than the retaining portion 541. In other words, the first stopper portion 542 and the second stopper portion 543 are disposed at positions offset from each other in the circumferential direction along the outer circumferential surface 549 of the insertion portion 54, with the retaining portion 541 sandwiched between them. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the second stopper portion 543 is formed to protrude radially outward from the outer circumferential surface 549 of the insertion portion 54.
[0048] More specifically, the second stopper portion 543 has a base portion 544 , an elastic piece 545 , and a protrusion portion 546 . The base portion 544 is connected to the outer peripheral surface 549 of the insertion portion 54 and is formed to protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface 549 of the insertion portion 54 .
[0049] The elastic piece 545 is connected to the radially outer tip of the base 544 and extends from the radially outer tip of the base 544 in the circumferential direction along the outer circumferential surface 549 of the insertion portion 54. As shown in FIG. 8, the elastic piece 545 is spaced apart from the outer circumferential surface 549 of the insertion portion 54. Therefore, the elastic piece 545 is flexible in the direction of the axis A1, as indicated by arrow A15 in FIG. 4. Specifically, the elastic piece 545 is flexible in the direction of the axis A1 so as to rotate substantially around the base 544.
[0050] The protrusion 546 is connected to the tip end in the second direction A12 of the elastic piece 545. As shown in Fig. 4, the protrusion 546 has a shape that protrudes toward the front side beyond the front surface 545a of the elastic piece 545 (see Figs. 11 and 14).
[0051] 5 and 8, the second stopper portion 543 has a second stopper surface 546a facing the second direction A12. The second stopper surface 546a is an end surface of the protrusion 546 in the second direction A12 and extends radially outward. In other words, the normal to the second stopper surface 546a is along a tangent to the outer circumferential surface 549 of the insertion portion 54.
[0052] When the base member 5 is fixed to the edge portion 92 of the opening 91 of the case 9 by rotating in the first direction A11, the second stopper portion 543 rotates in the first direction A11, causing the second stopper surface 546a to abut against the second end surface 925 (see FIG. 2) of the flange portion 922. The second end surface 925 of this embodiment is an example of the "other end surface" of the present invention. This will be described in detail later. In this way, the second stopper portion 543 restricts the base member 5 from rotating in the second direction A12 around the axis A1.
[0053] Next, the operation of the base member 5 of this embodiment when it is fixed to the edge 92 of the opening 91 of the case 9 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the state before the base member of this embodiment is fixed to the edge of the opening of the case. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting plane BB shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of an area A5 shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the state after the base member of this embodiment has been fixed to the edge of the opening of the case. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting plane CC shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of an area A6 shown in FIG. 9 and 12 are plan views of the base member 5 and the opening 91 of the case 9 viewed from the side of the internal space S1 of the case.
[0054] 9, before the base member 5 is fixed to the edge portion 92 of the opening 91 of the case 9, the retaining portion 541, the first stopper portion 542, and the second stopper portion 543 are disposed between adjacent flange portions 922 in the circumferential direction. 10 and 11, before the base member 5 is fixed to the edge portion 92 of the opening 91 of the case 9, the retaining portion 541, the first stopper portion 542, and the second stopper portion 543 are inserted into the opening 91 of the case 9, and are disposed on the rear side of the rear surface 923 of the flange portion 922.
[0055] 11, the contact surface 547 of the insertion portion 54 contacts the front surface 93 of the case 9. As shown in FIG. 2, the front surface 93 of the case 9 is flush with the front surface of the flange portion 922. In addition, the back surface 923 of the flange portion 922 is flush with the back surface of the case 9.
[0056] 10 and 11, when the base member 5 rotates in the first direction A11 around the axis A1, the flange portion 922 rotates in a direction A21 opposite to the first direction A11 relative to the base member 5. Here, as shown in FIG. 11, the plate thickness T of the case 9 in the direction of the axis A1 is thinner than the gap S11 between the abutment surface 547 of the insertion portion 54 and the front surface 545a of the elastic piece 545. The front surface of the base portion 544 is flush with the front surface 545a of the elastic piece 545.
[0057] Therefore, when the base member 5 rotates in the first direction A11, the flange portion 922 enters the gap S11 between the abutment surface 547 of the insertion portion 54 and the front surface 545a of the elastic piece 545. When the base member 5 rotates further in the first direction A11, the protrusion 546 reaches a first end of the flange portion 922. The first end of the flange portion 922 is an end of the flange portion 922 that has a first end surface 924 (see FIG. 2) facing the second direction A12, and is an example of "one end" in the present invention.
[0058] 11, the plate thickness T of the case 9 is thicker in the direction of the axis A1 than the gap S12 between the abutment surface 547 of the insertion portion 54 and the front surface 546b of the protrusion 546. Therefore, when the base member 5 further rotates in the first direction A11, the protrusion 546 abuts against the first end of the flange portion 922.
[0059] 4, the elastic piece 545 is flexible in the direction of the axis A1. Therefore, when the protrusion 546 comes into contact with the first end of the flange portion 922, the elastic piece 545 is flexible in the direction of the arrow A15 shown in FIGS.
[0060] 12 to 14, when second stopper portion 543 rotates in first direction A11, elastic piece 545 bends in the direction of arrow A15, causing second stopper surface 546a to move from the first end side of flange portion 922 over flange portion 922 to the second end side of flange portion 922. The second end side of flange portion 922 is an end of flange portion 922 having second end surface 925 (see FIG. 2) facing first direction A11, and is an example of the "other end" of the present invention. When second stopper surface 546a moves toward the second end side of flange portion 922, elastic force of elastic piece 545 itself causes elastic piece 545 to return to the state it was in before protrusion 546 abutted against the first end side of flange portion 922.
[0061] In this way, the retaining surface 541a of the retaining portion 541 abuts against the back surface 923 of the flange portion 922. As a result, the retaining portion 541 prevents the insertion portion 54 from slipping out toward the front side along the direction of the axis A1. Also, as shown in FIG. 14, the first stopper surface 542a of the first stopper portion 542 abuts against the first end surface 924 of the flange portion 922. As a result, the first stopper portion 542 restricts the base member 5 from rotating in the first direction A11 around the axis A1.
[0062] 14, the second stopper surface 546a of the second stopper portion 543 abuts against the second end surface 925 of the flange portion 922. This causes the second stopper portion 543 to restrict the base member 5 from rotating in the second direction A12 around the axis A1. In other words, the second stopper portion 543 restricts the flange portion 922 from rotating relative to the base member 5 in the direction A22 (see FIGS. 13 and 14), which is the same as the first direction A11.
[0063] As described above, in the pressure release valve 2 according to this embodiment, the base member 5 has the insertion portion 54 that is inserted into the opening 91 formed in the case 9. The insertion portion 54 has a retaining portion 541 that prevents the insertion portion 54 from coming out of the opening 91 of the case 9 in the direction of the axis A1. The retaining portion 541 engages with the edge portion 92 of the opening 91 of the case 9 by rotating in the first direction A11 around the axis A1. As a result, the pressure release valve 2 according to this embodiment is attached to the case 9. In this way, the pressure release valve 2 according to this embodiment is engaged with and attached to the case 9 by rotating relative to the case 9, without using fastening members such as screws or bolts. This improves the efficiency of the attachment work of the pressure release valve 2 according to this embodiment to the case 9.
[0064] Furthermore, the first stopper portion 542 is disposed closer to the second direction A12 around the axis A1 than the retaining portion 541. Therefore, the first stopper portion 542 restricts rotation of the base member 5 in the first direction A11 on the second direction A12 side of the retaining portion 541. Furthermore, the retaining portion 541 prevents the insertion portion 54 from coming out of the opening 91 of the case 9 in the direction of the axis A1 on the first direction A11 side of the first stopper portion 542. This improves the efficiency of the attachment work to the case 9 while stably and reliably restricting rotation of the base member 5 and preventing the insertion portion 54 from coming out, compared to when the first stopper portion 542 and the retaining portion 541 restrict rotation of the base member 5 and prevent the insertion portion 54 from coming out at approximately the same position in the circumferential direction.
[0065] Furthermore, because retaining surface 541a of retaining portion 541 and first stopper surface 542a of first stopper portion 542 are connected to each other, it is possible to increase the strength of retaining portion 541 and first stopper portion 542 compared to a case in which retaining surface 541a and first stopper surface 542a are not connected to each other. This makes it possible to improve the force of retaining portion 541 that prevents insertion portion 54 from coming out of opening 91 of case 9 in the direction of axis A1 (i.e., the retaining force of retaining portion 541) and the force of first stopper portion 542 that restricts rotation of base member 5 in first direction A11 around axis A1 (i.e., the rotation restricting force of first stopper portion 542).
[0066] Furthermore, the second stopper portion 543 is disposed closer to the first direction A11 around the axis A1 than the retaining portion 541. That is, the first stopper portion 542 and the second stopper portion 543 are disposed at positions offset from each other in the circumferential direction of the insertion portion 54, with the retaining portion 541 sandwiched therebetween. Therefore, the first stopper portion 542 alone restricts the rotation of the base member 5 in the first direction A11. The second stopper portion 543 alone restricts the rotation of the base member 5 in the second direction A12. This improves the durability of the first stopper portion 542 and the second stopper portion 543 compared to when a single stopper portion restricts the rotation of the base member 5 in both the first direction A11 and the second direction A12.
[0067] Furthermore, according to the pressure release valve mounting structure of this embodiment, the elastic piece 545 of the second stopper portion 543 extends in the circumferential direction along the outer circumferential surface 549 of the insertion portion 54, which makes it possible to ensure a longer overall length while reducing the size of the base member 5 compared to when the elastic piece 545 extends in the radial direction of the insertion portion 54. Therefore, the elastic piece 545 of the second stopper portion 543 can ensure a greater amount of deflection while maintaining strength when the second stopper surface 546a overcomes the flange portion 922. As a result, the pressure release valve mounting structure of this embodiment can improve the efficiency of the installation work on the case 9.
[0068] Furthermore, the plate thickness T of the case 9, in the direction of the axis A1, is thinner than the gap S11 between the abutment surface 547 of the insertion portion 54 and the front surface 545a of the elastic piece 545, and thicker than the gap S12 between the abutment surface 547 of the insertion portion 54 and the front surface 546b of the protrusion 546. This reduces the resistance received from the case 9 when the base member 5 rotates in the first direction A11, and more reliably provides a clicking sensation when the second stopper surface 546a moves from the first end side of the flange portion 922 over the flange portion 922 to the second end side of the flange portion 922. As a result, the pressure release valve mounting structure according to this embodiment can further improve the efficiency of the installation work on the case 9.
[0069] The above describes the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. The configurations of the above embodiments can be partially omitted or arbitrarily combined in a different manner from the above. [Explanation of symbols]
[0070] 2: Pressure release valve, 3: Cap, 4: Valve member, 5: Base member, 6: Seal ring, 7: Biasing member, 8: Lock member, 9: Case, 31: Ceiling portion, 32: Peripheral wall portion, 33: Flange portion, 41: Base portion, 42: Seal portion, 51: Annular portion, 52: Ceiling portion, 53: Rib, 54: Insertion portion, 81: Cylindrical portion, 82: Flange portion, 91: Opening, 92: Edge portion, 93: Surface, 311: Through hole, 312: Engagement portion, 411: Ceiling portion, 412: Peripheral wall portion, 413: Flange portion, 414: Engagement portion, 415: Shaft portion, 416: Engagement portion, 421: Protrusion portion, 511: Valve seat, 512: Vent hole, 513: Inner peripheral surface, 514: protrusion, 521: through hole, 541: retaining portion, 541a: retaining surface, 542: first stopper portion, 542a: first stopper surface, 543: second stopper portion, 544: base, 545: elastic piece, 545a: surface, 546: protrusion, 546a: second stopper surface, 546b: surface, 547: abutting surface, 549: outer circumferential surface, 811: engaging portion, 921: inner circumferential surface, 922: flange portion, 923: surface, 924: first end surface, 925: second end surface
Claims
1. a base member fixed to a case having an opening and having an air hole that connects an internal space of the case with an external space of the case; a valve member that moves toward and away from the base member to open and close the vent hole; a biasing member that biases the valve member in a direction in which the valve member abuts against the base member; Equipped with the base member has an insertion portion that is inserted into the opening, The insertion portion is a retaining portion that engages with an edge of the opening to prevent the insertion portion from being removed from the opening in the axial direction of the base member; a first stopper portion that restricts the base member from rotating in a first direction around the axis; a second stopper portion that restricts the base member from rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and the first stopper portion is disposed on the second direction side of the retaining portion, The pressure release valve, wherein the retaining portion is engaged with the edge portion by rotating in the first direction.
2. The retaining portion has a retaining surface facing in the axial direction, the first stopper portion has a first stopper surface facing the first direction, 2. The pressure relief valve of claim 1, wherein the retaining surface and the first stop surface are connected to one another.
3. The first stopper portion and the second stopper portion are each formed to protrude radially outward from an outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion, 2. The pressure release valve according to claim 1, wherein the second stopper portion is disposed on a side of the retaining portion in the first direction.
4. a case having an opening formed therein; a pressure relief valve attached to the case; Equipped with the case has a flange portion that protrudes radially inward from an inner circumferential surface of an edge portion of the opening, The pressure relief valve a base member fixed to the case and having an air hole that connects an internal space of the case with an external space of the case; a valve member that moves toward and away from the base member to open and close the vent hole; a biasing member that biases the valve member in a direction in which the valve member abuts against the base member; and the base member has an insertion portion that is inserted into the opening, The insertion portion is a retaining portion that engages with the edge portion to prevent the insertion portion from being removed from the opening in the axial direction of the base member; a first stopper portion that restricts the base member from rotating in a first direction around the axis; a second stopper portion that restricts the base member from rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and The retaining portion has a retaining surface facing in the axial direction, the first stopper portion has a first stopper surface facing the first direction, the second stopper portion has an elastic piece extending in a circumferential direction of the insertion portion and being flexible in the axial direction, and a second stopper surface facing the second direction, the retaining surface comes into contact with a rear surface of the flange portion when the retaining portion rotates in the first direction, the first stopper surface comes into contact with one end surface of the flange portion when the first stopper portion rotates in the first direction; a pressure relief valve mounting structure characterized in that, when the second stopper portion rotates in the first direction, the elastic piece bends in the direction of the axis, causing the second stopper surface to move from one end side of the flange portion over the flange portion to the other end side of the flange portion and abut against the other end face of the flange portion.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Pressure relief valve for power storage device
WO2022255376A1