Structure

Abstract

To provide a structure connected to a battery pack, capable of preventing a fluid moving outside the structure from directly hitting a gasket.SOLUTION: A structure attached to a surface of an object including a flow path includes a case 20 including a communication portion communicating with the flow path of the object, a valve member including a cover covering the communication portion at a closed position and movable from the closed position to open the communication portion, and a gasket 60 disposed between the surface of the object and the case and surrounding the flow path in a plan view. The case has a side wall 32 surrounding the gasket in plan view. The side wall has a discharge part 38 for communicating the clearance S between the side wall and the gasket with the outside of the structure. The case further includes a shielding portion 39 that shields movement of fluid F from the outside of the structure toward the gasket through the discharge portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure that is attached to the surface of an object that contains a flow path. [Background technology]

[0002] A pressure release valve may be connected to the interior of an automobile. The pressure release valve includes a case including a communication part that connects the interior space of the pressure release valve with the exterior space, a valve member that opens and closes the communication part, and a gasket that is disposed between the case and the surface of an object to which the pressure release valve is attached. The pressure release valve is connected to, for example, a battery pack mounted in the automobile. In this case, the pressure inside the battery pack can be adjusted by the pressure release valve. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7059226 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] External liquid may seep into the interior of a pressure relief valve structure through the gap between the case and the valve member. To discharge the liquid that has seeped into the interior, it is conceivable to provide the case with a discharge section for discharging the internal liquid. However, the pressure relief valve may be struck by fluid moving outside. For example, when an object to which the pressure relief valve is attached is cleaned with a high-pressure washer, the pressure relief valve may be hit by a jet of water emitted from the high-pressure washer. In this case, the pressure relief valve may be struck by water. If a discharge section is provided on the case of the pressure relief valve, fluid moving outside the pressure relief valve and striking the pressure relief valve may seep into the case through the discharge section and strike the gasket directly.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a structure that can solve these problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention relates to the following [1] to [8]. [1] A structure attached to the surface of an object containing a flow path, a case including a communication portion that communicates with the flow path of the object; a valve member including a cover that covers the communication portion in a closed position and that is movable from the closed position to open the communication portion; a gasket disposed between the surface of the object and the case and surrounding the flow path in a plan view; the case has a side wall that surrounds the gasket in a plan view, the side wall has a discharge portion that connects a gap between the side wall and the gasket to the outside of the structure; The structure, wherein the case further includes a shielding portion that blocks the movement of fluid from the outside of the structure toward the gasket via the discharge portion.

[0007] [2] In the structure described in [1], the discharge portion has a first end portion which is one end portion in a circumferential direction that circulates around the periphery of the structure in a plan view, and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion in the circumferential direction, The shielding portion may overlap the entirety of the discharge portion when observed in a direction perpendicular to a line connecting the first end and the second end.

[0008] [3] In the structure according to [1] or [2], the discharge portion has a first end portion which is one end portion in a circumferential direction that circulates around the periphery of the structure in a plan view, and a second end portion which is opposite to the first end portion in the circumferential direction, The shielding portion may be connected to the first end portion.

[0009] [4] In the structure described in [3], the case further has a fastening portion provided between the side wall and the gasket and fastened to the surface of the object; In a plan view, the distance between the second end and the fastening portion may be shorter than the distance between the first end and the fastening portion.

[0010] [5] In the structure according to any one of [1] to [4], the sidewall has a corner that protrudes outward from the structure in a plan view, the case further includes a fastening portion provided between the corner portion of the side wall and the gasket and fastened to the surface of the object; The sidewall may have the discharge portion at the corner.

[0011] [6] In the structure according to any one of [1] to [5], the sidewall has a sidewall end portion that faces the surface when the structure is attached to the surface of the object; The discharge portion may be a notch formed in the end portion of the side wall.

[0012] [7] The structure according to any one of [1] to [6], further comprising a second gasket disposed between the case and the valve member and surrounding the communication portion in a plan view; The case may further have a groove portion that opens toward the cover of the valve member and accommodates the second gasket, and a hole portion that is provided on the surface of the groove portion and connects the groove portion to the gap between the side wall and the gasket.

[0013] [8] In the structure according to any one of [1] to [7], the object may be a housing of a battery pack. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a fluid moving outside the structure from directly hitting the gasket. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a structure and an object. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a structure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view showing an example of a structure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a case, a gasket, and a second gasket. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a case, a gasket, and a second gasket. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the structure of FIG. 2 taken along the line VI-VI. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the structure of FIG. 2 taken along line VII-VII. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a structure attached to an object. [Figure 9] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a part of FIG. 4. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing one of the exhaust sections and one of the shield sections along with the adjacent side walls. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a comparative example structure attached to an object. [Figure 12] 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views showing an example of the operation of a pressure release valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the scale and aspect ratios of the drawings have been appropriately changed and exaggerated from those of the actual objects for ease of understanding.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a structure 10 and an object 100. The structure 10 is attached to a surface 101 of the object 100, which includes a flow path 103. In the example of FIG. 1, the object 100 is a housing of a battery pack, and the structure 10 is a pressure relief valve attached to the housing. The pressure relief valve is a device for regulating the pressure inside the battery pack. For example, the pressure relief valve operates to release a fluid, such as a gas, inside the battery pack to the outside when the pressure inside the battery pack exceeds a threshold. Devices, such as battery cells, are housed inside the battery pack.

[0018] The object 100 includes a surface 101, a back surface 102, and a flow path 103. The flow path 103 is a structure for releasing a fluid such as a gas inside the object 100 to the outside. The flow path 103 is, for example, an opening that penetrates the housing of the object 100. The flow path 103 is covered by the structure 10. The structure 10 overlaps the outer edge 103e of the flow path 103 in a planar view. A planar view means viewing the object along the normal direction of the surface 101 of the object 100. The surface 101 faces the structure 10. The back surface 102 is located on the opposite side of the surface 101 in the thickness direction.

[0019] The object 100 includes a plurality of fastening holes 105. Fasteners for fixing the structure 10 to the object 100 are inserted into the fastening holes 105. The fasteners are, for example, bolts.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the structure 10. Fig. 2 corresponds to a diagram showing the structure 10 as viewed from above. Fig. 3 is a side view showing an example of the structure 10. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the structure 10 includes a case 20 and a valve member 40.

[0021] Although not shown in FIG. 1 , the structure 10 further includes a gasket 60. Although not shown in FIG. 1 , the structure 10 further includes a second gasket 65. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the case 20 and the gasket 60 of the structure 10, observed from the side facing the surface 101 of the object 100 when the structure 10 is fixed to the surface 101. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the case 20 and the second gasket 65 of the structure 10, observed from the side opposite to the side facing the surface 101 of the object 100 when the structure 10 is fixed to the surface 101 of the object 100. The gasket 60 is disposed between the surface 101 of the object 100 and the case 20. The gasket 60 surrounds the flow path 103 in a plan view. When the structure 10 is attached to the surface 101 of the object 100, the gasket 60 comes into close contact with the case 20 and the surface 101, thereby improving the sealing between the case 20 and the surface 101. In this embodiment, the gasket 60 has an annular shape. The second gasket 65 is disposed between the case 20 and the valve member 40. In a plan view, the second gasket 65 surrounds a communication portion 25 of the case 20, which will be described later. When the valve member 40 is in the closed position, the second gasket 65 comes into close contact with the case 20 and the cover 41 of the valve member 40, thereby improving the sealing between the case 20 and the cover 41 of the valve member 40. In this embodiment, the second gasket 65 has an annular shape.

[0022] The case 20 of this embodiment has an outer portion 30 and an inner portion 27. The outer portion 30 is a portion of the case 20 located outside the outer contour L1 of the gasket 60 in a plan view. In FIG. 2, the position of the outer contour L1 of the gasket 60 is indicated by a dashed line labeled with the symbol L1. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the outer contour L1 of the gasket 60 is circular in a plan view. "Outside" refers to a direction away from the center point of the flow path 103 in a plan view. The inner portion 27 is a portion of the case 20 located inside the outer contour L1 of the gasket 60 in a plan view. "Inside" refers to a direction approaching the center point of the flow path 103 in a plan view.

[0023] The case 20 includes a communication portion 25, a side wall 32, a fastening portion 35, and a shielding portion 39. The case 20 of this embodiment includes the communication portion 25 in the inner portion 27. The case 20 of this embodiment includes the side wall 32, the fastening portion 35, and the shielding portion 39 in the outer portion 30.

[0024] In this embodiment, the case 20 further includes a housing portion 36 having a housing groove 361 that houses the gasket 60. When the structure 10 is attached to the surface 101 of the object 100, the housing groove 361 opens toward the surface 101. A portion of the gasket 60 protrudes from the housing groove 361.

[0025] In this embodiment, the case 20 further includes a groove 37 that accommodates the second gasket 65. The groove 37 opens toward the cover 41 of the valve member 40. A portion of the second gasket 65 protrudes from the groove 37.

[0026] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the case 20 further has a hole 371 provided on the surface of the groove 37 to connect the groove 37 to the gap S between the side wall 32 and the gasket 60.

[0027] In this embodiment, the inner portion 27 and the outer portion 30 are integrally formed. In this embodiment, the communication portion 25, the side wall 32, the fastening portion 35, the shielding portion 39, the storage portion 36, and the groove portion 37 are integrally formed. The case 20 may be a member produced by injection molding.

[0028] The case 20 may contain resin, and the object 100 may also contain resin.

[0029] The communication portion 25 communicates with the flow path 103 of the target object 100. The communication portion 25 includes a hole that penetrates the case 20. The communication portion 25 may have a cylindrical shape. The communication portion 25 is located inside the gasket 60 in a plan view.

[0030] The side wall 32 is a portion that constitutes the outer periphery of the case 20 in a plan view. The side wall 32 surrounds the gasket 60 in a plan view. The side wall 32 has a side wall end portion 33 that faces the surface 101 of the object 100 when the structure 10 is attached to the surface 101 of the object 100. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 , the side wall 32 has an outer surface 34 that is perpendicular to the surface 101 of the object 100 when the structure 10 is attached to the surface 101 of the object 100. Although not shown, the outer surface 34 of the side wall 32 may be non-perpendicular and non-parallel to the surface 101 of the object 100 when the structure 10 is attached to the surface 101 of the object 100.

[0031] In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the side wall 32 has a corner 321 that protrudes outward from the structure 10 in a planar view. In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the side wall 32 has multiple corners 321. The range of the corner 321 is defined as follows. Consider the outer contour L1 of the gasket 60 and the outer contour L2 of the case 20 in a planar view. Furthermore, consider a figure A that is similar to the outer contour L1 of the gasket 60, has the same orientation as the outer contour L2 of the gasket 60, and is inscribed in the outer contour L2 of the case 20 at three or more points. In a planar view, a portion of the side wall 32 that is located outside the figure A is considered to be the corner 321. Although not shown, the side wall 32 does not necessarily have the corner 321. In other words, the case 20 may have a shape in which it is not possible to draw a figure A inscribed in the outer contour of the case 20 at three or more points, and the range of the corner 321 of the side wall 32 cannot be specified.

[0032] In this embodiment, the side wall 32 has a plurality of corners 321, in particular, four corners 321.

[0033] The side wall 32 has a discharge portion 38. In this embodiment, the side wall 32 has a plurality of discharge portions 38, particularly eight discharge portions 38. In this embodiment, the side wall 32 has the discharge portions 38 at corner portions 321. In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the side wall 32 has a plurality of corner portions 321, and the plurality of discharge portions 38 are provided such that at least one fastening portion 35 is disposed at each of the plurality of corner portions 321. In particular, the plurality of discharge portions 38 are provided such that two fastening portions 35 are disposed at each of the plurality of corner portions 321. Details of the discharge portions 38 will be described later.

[0034] The fastening portion 35 is a portion of the case 20 that is fixed to the surface 101 of the object 100. The case 20 of this embodiment includes a plurality of fastening portions 35, particularly four fastening portions 35. In a plan view, the plurality of fastening portions 35 are aligned in a circumferential direction D2 that goes around the periphery of the structure 10. In a plan view, the plurality of fastening portions 35 may be aligned at equal intervals in the circumferential direction D2 that goes around the periphery of the structure 10. Each of the plurality of fastening portions 35 includes a hole through which a fastener is inserted. The hole of the fastening portion 35 overlaps with the fastening hole 105 of the object 100. In this embodiment, the fastening portion 35 is a columnar, particularly cylindrical, portion that includes a hole through which a fastener is inserted.

[0035] The fastening portion 35 is provided between the side wall 32 and the gasket 60. In particular, the fastening portion 35 is provided between the corners 321 of the side wall 32 and the gasket 60. In this embodiment, the side wall 32 has a plurality of corners 321, and the plurality of fastening portions 35 are provided so that one fastening portion 35 is disposed between each of the plurality of corners 321 and the gasket 60.

[0036] In this embodiment, the fastening portion 35 is connected to the side wall 32. In particular, the fastening portion 35 is connected to a corner portion 321 of the side wall 32. Furthermore, the fastening portion 35 is connected to the storage portion 36.

[0037] A gap S is formed between the side wall 32 and the gasket 60. In this embodiment, the gasket 60 is accommodated in an accommodating groove 361 of the accommodating portion 36. A gap S is formed between the side wall 32 and the accommodating portion 36 that accommodates the gasket 60.

[0038] The shielding portion 39 is a portion that blocks the movement of fluid from the outside of the structure 10 toward the gasket 60 via the discharge portion 38. The case 20 of this embodiment includes a plurality of shielding portions 39. In this embodiment, the side wall 32 has a plurality of discharge portions 38, and the plurality of shielding portions 39 are provided such that at least one shielding portion 39 corresponds to each of the plurality of discharge portions 38. In particular, the plurality of shielding portions 39 are provided such that one shielding portion 39 corresponds to each of the plurality of discharge portions 38. Details of the shielding portions 39 will be described later.

[0039] The valve member 40 includes a cover 41 that covers the communication portion 25 of the case 20 when in the closed position. The valve member 40 is movable from the closed position to open the communication portion 25. The valve member 40 moves to open the communication portion 25 when the pressure inside the object 100 exceeds a threshold value. In the structure 10 shown in FIG. 1 , when the pressure inside the object 100 exceeds the threshold value, the valve member 40 moves in a first direction D1 so that the cover 41 moves away from the case 20. The first direction D1 is a normal direction to the surface 101 of the object 100. Although not shown, the valve member 40 may open the communication portion 25 by moving from the closed position in a direction other than the first direction D1.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the structure 10 of FIG. 2 taken along line VI-VI. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the structure 10 of FIG. 2 taken along line VII-VII. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the structure 10 may include an elastic member 50. The elastic member 50 biases the valve member 40 toward the object 100 in a first direction D1. The elastic member 50 expands and contracts in the first direction D1 in response to movement of the valve member 40 in the first direction D1. The elastic member 50 is, for example, a spring. When the pressure inside the object 100 becomes greater than the biasing force that the valve member 40 receives from the elastic member 50, the valve member 40 moves in the first direction D1 so as to move away from the case 20.

[0041] The valve member 40 may include a shaft 42 extending from an inner surface 411 of the cover 41 toward the case 20. The inner surface 411 of the cover 41 is the surface of the cover 41 that faces the surface 101 when the structure 10 is attached to the surface 101 of the object 100. The shaft 42 may be inserted into the elastic member 50.

[0042] 6 and 7, an end lock 45 may be attached to the tip of the shaft 42. The end lock 45 may be in contact with the end of the elastic member 50.

[0043] 6 and 7, the case 20 may include a stopper portion 51 that contacts the end of the elastic member 50 opposite to the end that contacts the end lock 45. As shown in FIG. 7, the case 20 may include a beam 52 that extends in the radial direction of the communicating portion 25 to connect the stopper portion 51 to the communicating portion 25.

[0044] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure 10 attached to the object 100. In the cross-sectional view of Fig. 8, the structure 10 is cut along the line VI-VI in Fig. 2, similar to Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 8, the gasket 60 may be disposed in a compressed state between the case 20 and the surface 101 of the object 100. The gasket 60 may include a compressible elastic material.

[0045] The discharge portion 38 will be described in detail. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of one of the discharge portions 38 and one of the shielding portions 39 in FIG. 4. The discharge portion 38 connects the gap S between the side wall 32 and the gasket 60 to the outside of the structure 10. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the discharge portion 38 is a notch formed in the side wall end portion 33 of the side wall 32. Although not shown, the discharge portion 38 may be a through-hole formed in the side wall 32. From the viewpoint of facilitating the formation of the discharge portion 38 and the shielding portion 39 associated with the discharge portion 38 in the manufacture of the structure 10, it is preferable that the discharge portion 38 be a notch formed in the side wall end portion 33 of the side wall 32.

[0046] The exhaust portion 38 provides the following effects. External liquid may infiltrate the interior of the structure 10 through the gap between the case 20 and the valve member 40. The structure 10 of this embodiment includes a second gasket 65 disposed between the case 20 and the valve member 40. In this case, external liquid may infiltrate the interior of the structure 10 through the gap between the second gasket 65, which is in close contact with the case 20, and the valve member 40. As an example, external liquid may infiltrate through the gap S1 between the case 20 and the valve member 40 shown in FIGS. 2, 6, and 7. When the structure 10 is connected to a vehicle, water, particularly muddy water, from outside the vehicle may infiltrate the interior of the structure 10 as external liquid. Liquid that has infiltrated the interior of the structure 10 may infiltrate the gap S between the side wall 32 and the gasket 60.

[0047] In contrast, according to the structure 10 of the present embodiment, the liquid that has entered the gap S can be discharged via the discharge portion 38 that connects the gap S to the outside of the structure 10.

[0048] In particular, in this embodiment, the case 20 has a groove 37 that opens toward the cover 41 of the valve member 40 and accommodates the second gasket 65. In this case, external liquid can infiltrate the groove 37 through the gap S1. In particular, external liquid can infiltrate into a space S2 in the groove 37 that is outside the second gasket 65, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 . In this embodiment, the case 20 has a hole 371 provided on the surface of the groove 37 and that connects the groove 37 to the gap S between the side wall 32 and the gasket 60. Therefore, liquid that has infiltrated the groove 37 can be discharged to the gap S through the hole 371. In particular, the hole 371 connects the space S2 in the groove 37 that is outside the second gasket 65 to the gap S between the side wall 32 and the gasket 60. Therefore, liquid that has infiltrated into the space S2 can be discharged through the hole 371 to the gap S. According to the structure 10 of this embodiment, the liquid discharged into the gap S can be further discharged to the outside of the structure 10 via the discharge portion 38.

[0049] In this embodiment, the sidewall 32 has a discharge portion 38 at a corner 321. The effect of this will be described. In this embodiment, the case 20 has a housing portion 36 that houses the gasket 60 and a fastening portion 35 located outside the housing portion 36. By forming the housing portion 36 and the fastening portion 35 in the case 20 while keeping the size of the case 20 small, the case 20 has a shape in which the portion of the fastening portion 35 is formed protrudes outward from the outer contour L1 of the gasket 60. Because the portion of the fastening portion 35 protrudes outward in this manner, the sidewall 32 near the fastening portion 35 becomes a corner 321. A relatively large gap S is formed between the corner 321 of the sidewall 32 and the gasket 60. Because the sidewall 32 has the discharge portion 38 at the corner 321, the large gap S formed between the corner 321 of the sidewall 32 and the gasket 60 can be used as space for providing the discharge portion 38 and a shielding portion 39 associated with the discharge portion 38.

[0050] The details of the shielding portion 39 will be described. The shape of the shielding portion 39 is not particularly limited as long as it can block the movement of fluid from the outside of the structure 10 toward the gasket 60 via the discharge portion 38. In the example shown in Fig. 9, the shielding portion 39 has a plate-like shape.

[0051] The location of the shielding portion 39 is not particularly limited as long as it can block the movement of fluid from the outside of the structure 10 toward the gasket 60 via the discharge portion 38. In the example shown in FIG. 9 , the shielding portion 39 is included in the outer portion 30 of the case 20.

[0052] 9, the shielding portion 39 is disposed inside the outer surface 34 of the side wall 32. The shielding portion 39 is disposed in the gap S between the side wall 32 and the gasket 60. In particular, the shielding portion 39 is disposed in the gap S between the corner portion 321 of the side wall 32 and the gasket 60. By disposing the shielding portion 39 in this manner, it is possible to prevent the shielding portion 39 from protruding outward from the outer surface 34 of the side wall 32, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of the structure 10.

[0053] The effect of the shielding portion 39 will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating one of the discharge portions 38 and one of the shielding portions 39, together with the nearby sidewalls 32, as viewed from the first direction D1. FIG. 10 corresponds to a diagram illustrating a portion of the structure 10 viewed from above. For example, when the structure 10 and the object 100 are placed inside an automobile, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a fluid F may collide with the structure 10 from the outside. The fluid F may be, for example, a jet of water emitted from a high-pressure washer. The pressure of the jet of the high-pressure washer is, for example, 5 kPa or more and 50 kPa or less. The shielding portion 39 can prevent the fluid F moving outside the structure 10 from directly hitting the gasket 60 via the discharge portion 38. This can prevent damage to the gasket 60. Furthermore, it can prevent the gasket 60 from being displaced due to the collision of the fluid F. This can prevent the fluid inside the object 100 from leaking to the outside of the object 100 and the structure 10.

[0054] The discharge section 38 has a first end 381 and a second end 382 in a planar view. The first end 381 is one end in a rotation direction D2 around the structure 10 in a planar view. The second end 382 is the end opposite the first end 381 in the rotation direction D2. Consider a line L3 connecting the first end 381 and the second end 382. The line L3 is an imaginary line that can be drawn in a planar view of the structure 10 and is parallel to the surface 101 of the object 100 when the structure 10 is fixed to the surface 101. Furthermore, consider a direction D3 perpendicular to the line L3 in a planar view. The direction D3 is a direction parallel to the surface 101 of the object 100 when the structure 10 is fixed to the surface 101. In the example shown in FIG. 10 , the shielding section 39 overlaps the entire discharge section 38 when observed from the direction D3 perpendicular to the line L3. By arranging the shielding portion 39 in this manner, the shielding portion 39 can prevent the fluid F from directly hitting the gasket 60 via the discharge portion .

[0055] In the example shown in FIG. 9 , the shielding portion 39 is connected to the first end 381. The shielding portion 39 is not connected to the second end 382. As a result, the shielding portion 39 is supported by the first end 381, making the shielding portion 39 less susceptible to damage due to collision with the fluid F. Furthermore, the flow path of the fluid F entering the discharge portion 38 can be limited. This more effectively prevents the fluid F from colliding with the gasket 60. In the example shown in FIG. 9 , the shielding portion 39 is connected to the case 20 at one of its ends in the first direction D1. As a result, the shielding portion 39 is supported by the portion of the case 20 connected to the shielding portion 39, making the shielding portion 39 even less susceptible to damage due to collision with the fluid F. In addition, the flow path of the fluid F entering the discharge portion 38 can be further limited. Although not shown, the shielding portion 39 may be connected to the second end 382 and not connected to the first end 381. The shielding portion 39 may not be connected to the first end portion 381 and the second end portion 382, ​​and may be connected to the case 20 at one of the ends in the first direction D1.

[0056] 9 and 10 , the surface of the shielding portion 39 is non-parallel to the outer surface 34 of the side wall 32. Although not shown, the entire or part of the surface of the shielding portion 39 may be parallel to the outer surface 34 of the side wall 32.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 10 , in a plan view, the distance w2 between the second end 382 and the fastening portion 35 is shorter than the distance w1 between the first end 381 and the fastening portion 35. When the case 20 includes multiple fastening portions 35, the distance w1 is the smallest distance between each of the multiple fastening portions 35 and the first end 381. Furthermore, the distance w2 is the smallest distance between each of the multiple fastening portions 35 and the first end 381. As described above, the shielding portion 39 is connected to the first end 381, and the distance w2 is shorter than the distance w1, thereby achieving the following effects: Because the shielding portion 39 is connected to the first end 381, the fluid F that has entered the discharge portion 38 is bent by the shielding portion 39 toward the second end 382, ​​which is closer to the fastening portion 35. This allows the fluid F that has entered the discharge portion 38 to flow toward the fastening portion 35. The fastening portion 35 is a portion that includes a hole into which a fastener is inserted and is designed to be relatively strong. By flowing the fluid F toward the fastening portion 35 and receiving the fluid F at the fastening portion 35, it is possible to prevent the fluid F from colliding with other parts of the structure 10, particularly parts that are less strong than the fastening portion 35.

[0058] To further explain the effects of the structure 10 of this embodiment, a structure 90 shown in Fig. 11 will be considered as a comparative example. With regard to the structure 90 of the comparative example shown in Fig. 11, the same parts as those of the structure 10 of this embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0059] In the comparative structure 90, the discharge portion 38 is provided with an uneven structure. That is, in the discharge portion 38, the sidewall end portion 33 of the sidewall 32 has a convex portion 91 that protrudes toward the surface 101 of the object 100. A concave portion 92 is formed on the surface 101 of the object 100 at a position facing the convex portion 91. A portion of the convex portion 91 is inserted into the concave portion 92. A gap is provided between the convex portion 91 and the concave portion 92. It is also considered that the comparative structure 90 can discharge the liquid in the gap S to the outside of the structure 10 via the discharge portion 38 while preventing the fluid F from directly hitting the gasket 60 via the discharge portion 38. However, in the comparative structure 90, not only is the convex portion 91 provided on the sidewall 32 of the case 20 of the structure 10, but also the concave portion 92 needs to be provided on the surface 101 of the object 100. Therefore, since the concave portion 92 needs to be formed in the object 100 as well, the cost required for attaching the structure 90 to the surface 101 of the object 100 increases. In contrast, the structure 10 of this embodiment is attached to the surface 101 of the object 100 without forming any recesses or protrusions on the surface 101 of the object 100. In other words, as shown in Fig. 8, the portion of the surface 101 of the object 100 that overlaps with the discharge portion 38 in the first direction D1 can be made flat. Therefore, compared to the structure 90 of the comparative example, the cost required for the attachment to the surface 101 of the object 100 can be reduced.

[0060] Furthermore, in the structure 90 of the comparative example, when the liquid in the gap S is discharged to the outside of the structure 10 via the discharge portion 38, the liquid must flow along the gap between the convex portion 91 and the concave portion 92 while changing its flow path multiple times in order to be discharged to the outside of the structure 10. In particular, the liquid must first flow to the first side SA in the first direction D1 shown in FIG. 11 and then flow to the second side SB in the first direction D1 in order to be discharged to the outside of the structure 10. In contrast, in the structure 10 of the present embodiment, the flow path of the liquid can be simplified when the liquid in the gap S is discharged to the outside of the structure 10 via the discharge portion 38. In particular, the liquid flow path can be designed so that the liquid is discharged to the outside of the structure 10 without flowing in the first direction D1. Furthermore, the liquid flow path can be designed to be linear.

[0061] 12 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the operation of the structure 10 configured as a pressure release valve. When the pressure inside the object 100 exceeds a threshold, the valve member 40 moves in the first direction D1 so that the cover 41 moves away from the case 20. As a result, a flow path is formed between the cover 41 and the case 20.

[0062] As fluid such as gas inside the object 100 passes through the flow path and is released to the outside of the structure 10, the pressure inside the object 100 decreases. This prevents the battery pack from exploding, for example, when the object 100 is a housing for a battery pack. In this way, the structure 10 configured as a pressure relief valve contributes to improving the safety of the battery pack.

[0063] When the pressure inside the object 100 becomes smaller than the force that the elastic member 50 applies to the valve member 40, the valve member 40 moves toward the case 20. As a result, the flow path 103 of the object 100 is sealed by the valve member 40 again.

[0064] It is also possible to combine the multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments as needed, or to delete some of the components disclosed in the above embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10 Structure 20 cases 25 Communication part 27 Inner part 30 outer part 32 Side wall 321 Corner 33 Side wall end 35 Fastening part 36 Storage section 361 Storage Groove 37 Groove 371 Hole 38 Discharge section 381 First end 382 Second end 39 Shield part 40 Valve member 41 Cover 60 gaskets 65 Second gasket 100 objects 101 Surface

Claims

1. A structure attached to a surface of an object including a flow path, a case including a communication portion that communicates with the flow path of the object; a valve member including a cover that covers the communication portion in a closed position and that is movable from the closed position to open the communication portion; a gasket disposed between the surface of the object and the case and surrounding the flow path in a plan view; the case has a side wall that surrounds the gasket in a plan view, the side wall has a discharge portion that connects a gap between the side wall and the gasket to the outside of the structure; The structure, wherein the case further includes a shielding portion that blocks the movement of fluid from the outside of the structure toward the gasket via the discharge portion.

2. the discharge portion has a first end portion which is one end portion in a circumferential direction that circulates around the structure in a plan view, and a second end portion which is opposite to the first end portion in the circumferential direction, The structure according to claim 1 , wherein the shielding portion overlaps the entirety of the discharge portion when observed in a direction perpendicular to a line connecting the first end and the second end.

3. the discharge portion has a first end portion which is one end portion in a circumferential direction that circulates around the structure in a plan view, and a second end portion which is opposite to the first end portion in the circumferential direction, The structure of claim 1 , wherein the shielding portion is connected to the first end.

4. the case further includes a fastening portion provided between the side wall and the gasket and fastened to the surface of the object; The structure according to claim 3 , wherein, in a plan view, a distance between the second end and the fastening portion is shorter than a distance between the first end and the fastening portion.

5. the sidewall has a corner that protrudes outward from the structure in a plan view, the case further includes a fastening portion provided between the corner portion of the side wall and the gasket and fastened to the surface of the object; The structure of claim 1 , wherein the sidewall has the drain at the corner.

6. the sidewall has a sidewall end that faces the surface when the structure is attached to the surface of the object; The structure of claim 1 , wherein the outlet is a notch formed in the sidewall end.

7. a second gasket disposed between the case and the valve member and surrounding the communication portion in a plan view; 2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the case further includes a groove portion that opens toward the cover of the valve member and accommodates the second gasket, and a hole portion that is provided in a surface of the groove portion and connects the groove portion to the gap between the side wall and the gasket.

8. The structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the object is a housing of a battery pack.

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