Lead acid battery with packaging

Abstract

To reduce a possibility of an end-user and a delivery worker coming into contact with an electrolyte.SOLUTION: A lead battery with a packing includes a lead battery having a gas exhaust port and a packing for packaging the lead battery, the packing is a packing film that covers the entire lead battery and has at least one vent hole.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lead-acid battery with a packaging body. [Background technology]

[0002] Lead-acid batteries have an exhaust port because gas is generated during charging and discharging. The lead-acid battery described in Patent Document 1 has an exhaust hole (exhaust port) formed in the vent plug. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-023999 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If a lead-acid battery falls over or is handled tilted during delivery or transportation, the electrolyte (dilute sulfuric acid) may leak from the exhaust port, and end users or delivery workers (hereinafter referred to as end users, etc.) may come into contact with the electrolyte. Therefore, it was necessary to take measures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The lead-acid battery with packaging comprises a lead-acid battery having a gas exhaust port and a packaging for packaging the lead-acid battery, the packaging being a packaging film that covers the entire lead-acid battery and has at least one ventilation hole. Effect of the Invention

[0006] In the configuration of the present invention, since the entire lead-acid battery is covered with the film, even if the electrolyte leaks from the exhaust port, it is possible to prevent the end user from coming into contact with the electrolyte. In addition, the film has an air vent, which allows gas generated in the lead-acid battery to be exhausted to the outside of the package. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] Perspective view of a lead-acid battery [Diagram 2] Partial cross-sectional view of a lead-acid battery [Diagram 3] Cross-sectional view showing the exhaust path of a lead-acid battery [Figure 4] Diagram showing where to attach the detection sheet [Diagram 5] A diagram showing the results of dropping electrolyte onto the detection sheet. [Figure 6] A perspective view of a packaging box containing a lead-acid battery [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a packing procedure for a package according to the first embodiment; [Figure 8] Shrink-wrap illustration [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view of a lead-acid battery with packaging according to embodiment 1 [Figure 10] Effect explanatory diagram of the lead-acid battery with packaging according to embodiment 1 [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a packing procedure for a package according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] Cross-sectional view of a lead-acid battery with packaging according to embodiment 2 [Figure 13] Effect explanatory diagram of the lead-acid battery with packaging according to the second embodiment [Figure 14] Perspective view of lead-acid battery (EN type) [Figure 15] Cross-sectional view showing the exhaust path of a lead-acid battery (EN type) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] <Embodiment 1> A packaging-attached lead-acid battery 1 according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 10. The packaging-attached lead-acid battery 1 includes a lead-acid battery 10 and a packaging 35 for packaging the lead-acid battery 10.

[0009] 1. Structure of lead-acid battery 10 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a lead-acid battery 10, and Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lead-acid battery 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the lead-acid battery 10 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped having a top surface 10A, a side surface 10B, and a bottom surface 10C. The arrows in Fig. 1 indicate the up-down direction. The lead-acid battery 10 is used with the bottom surface 10C placed horizontally.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lead-acid battery 10 includes a plate group 11, an electrolyte W, a battery case 12 that contains the plate group 11 and the electrolyte W and is open at the top, a lid 20 that seals the opening of the battery case 12, and terminal portions 21P and 21N.

[0011] The battery case 12 is a container having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with an opening on the top surface, and is made of, for example, synthetic resin. The battery case 12 has partition walls 13. The interior of the battery case 12 is divided by the partition walls 13 into a plurality of cell chambers 14. Each of the plurality of cell chambers 14 contains a plate group 11.

[0012] The opening of the battery case 12 is sealed with a lid 20 having a shape corresponding to the opening. The peripheral portion of the lower surface of the lid 20 and the peripheral portion of the opening of the battery case 12 are joined by, for example, thermal welding. The lid 20 is provided with terminal portions 21P and 21N.

[0013] The lid 20 has water refill ports 22 extending vertically through it at positions corresponding to each of the cell chambers 14, and the lid 20 is provided with liquid vent plugs 30 that seal the water refill ports 22. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the lid 20 has six liquid vent plugs 30 arranged in a row. When refilling the lead-acid battery 10 with water, the liquid vent plugs 30 are removed and refilling liquid is supplied through the water refill ports 22.

[0014] 3, the vent plug 30 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and is provided with an exhaust port 31 that penetrates vertically. The exhaust port 31 has a function of discharging oxygen gas and hydrogen gas (hereinafter simply referred to as "gas") generated in the battery case as the lead-acid battery 10 is charged and discharged (including self-discharge) to the outside of the lead-acid battery 10.

[0015] The vent plug 30 holds a splash guard 32 and a filter 33 inside the exhaust port 31. The splash guard 32 has a plurality of splash guard plates. The splash guard plates divide the internal space of the vent plug 30 into a maze shape, so that the electrolyte W does not easily leak out.

[0016] The filter 33 is located inside the vent plug 30 and above the splash guard 32. The filter 33 suppresses the release of water vapor from the lead-acid battery 10 and also suppresses the intrusion of external sparks.

[0017] The gas generated in the battery case 12 is discharged to the outside of the lead-acid battery 10 through the path indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3. If the lead-acid battery 10 is tilted or tipped over, the electrolyte W may leak to the outside from the exhaust port 31 through the same path as the gas. In the following description, the leakage of the electrolyte W from the exhaust port 31 of the lead-acid battery 10 will be referred to as "leakage".

[0018] 2. Regarding the packaging 35 of the lead-acid battery 10 The packaging body 35 is used for packaging the lead-acid battery 10 during delivery and storage, and includes a packaging film 40, a packaging box 50, and a detection sheet 45 (see FIG. 9). The packaging film 40 is a thin film made of a transparent synthetic resin such as polypropylene or polyethylene, and has the property of shrinking when heated. The packaging film 40 is acid-resistant and is not altered by the electrolyte W (dilute sulfuric acid). The packaging film 40 covers the entire lead-acid battery 10.

[0019] The packaging film 40 has at least one minute ventilation hole 41. The diameter of the ventilation hole 41 is smaller than a droplet of the electrolyte W after shrinkage, which will be described later, and is, for example, 1 mm or less.

[0020] After shrinkage, the portion of the packaging film 40 facing the top surface 10A is the first surface 40A, the portion facing the side surface 10B is the second surface 40B, and the portion facing the bottom surface 10C is the third surface 40C. The ventilation hole 41 is provided only on the first surface 40A. No ventilation hole 41 is present on the second surface 40B or the third surface 40C. The packaging film 40 is transparent, and an end user or the like can visually check the lead-acid battery 10 without opening the packaging film 40.

[0021] 3.About Detection Sheet 45 Next, the detection sheet 45 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. An adhesive is applied to one side of the detection sheet 45, and the detection sheet 45 can be attached and fixed in any desired location. In this embodiment, the detection sheet 45 is attached to the lid 20, and all six exhaust ports 31 are covered with a single detection sheet 45 cut into a rectangular shape.

[0022] Detection sheet 45 has the property of discoloring when it comes into contact with electrolyte W. FIG. 5 shows the color change when electrolyte W is dropped near the center of detection sheet 45 cut to an arbitrary size. When electrolyte W comes into contact with detection sheet 45, it soaks into it, and the soaked part discolors and becomes discolored area 46. In FIG. 5, the center part of detection sheet 45 is discolored area 46, and the area around discolored area 46 is undiscolored area 47. The color difference is particularly large at the boundary between discolored area 46 and undiscolored area 47. Even if time passes after the dropping of electrolyte W and detection sheet 45 dries, the color of discolored area 46 does not return to its original color.

[0023] 4, when a detection sheet 45 is attached over the exhaust port 31, in the event of leakage, the electrolyte W soaks into the detection sheet 45, and the soaked portion discolors, forming a discolored area 46. When an end user or the like visually recognizes the discolored area 46, it can be determined that leakage is occurring or has occurred in the past.

[0024] As the detection sheet 45, absorbent paper such as general quality paper cut to any size can be used. Fig. 5 is a photograph of a case where green quality paper is used as the detection sheet 45. By using colored paper as the detection sheet 45, not limited to green, the visibility of the discolored portion is improved, making it easier to recognize the occurrence of a liquid leak.

[0025] The adhesive applied to one side of the detection sheet 45 is an adhesive that has a weak adhesive strength and can be easily peeled off, such as the type commonly used for sticky notes. The detection sheet 45 can be easily peeled off when it is no longer needed. In addition, because the adhesive strength is weak, the detection sheet 45 does not prevent gas from being discharged from the exhaust port 31.

[0026] 4. About the packing box 50 The packaging box 50 shown in Fig. 6 is a cardboard box for packaging the lead-acid battery 10. The packaging box 50 is formed by folding a cardboard plate of a predetermined shape, and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape surrounded by a top surface 50A, side surfaces 50B, and a bottom surface 50C. The lead-acid battery 10 wrapped in a packaging film 40 is accommodated in the internal space of the packaging box 50.

[0027] Top surface 50A is made up of two flaps, a first flap 51 and a second flap 52. The two flaps function as a lid that opens and closes an opening of packaging box 50 on the top surface 50A side.

[0028] The second flap 52 is provided with a rectangular opening window 53. When the lead-acid battery 10 is accommodated inside the packaging box 50 and the lid of the packaging box 50 is closed, the window 53 is located above the detection sheet 45. An end user or the like can visually recognize the detection sheet 45 accommodated inside the packaging box 50 through the window 53.

[0029] 5. Packing instructions for lead-acid batteries 10 The procedure for packaging the lead-acid battery 10 in the packaging body 35 will be described with reference to (A) to (E) of FIG.

[0030] A detection sheet 45 is attached to the lead-acid battery 10 before packaging (A) from above so as to cover all six exhaust ports 31 (B). Next, the entire lead-acid battery 10 is shrink-packaged with packaging film 40 (C). Next, the shrink-packaged lead-acid battery 10 is housed in a packaging box 50 (D). Next, the first flap 51 and the second flap 52 are closed (E).

[0031] The shrink packaging process will now be described with reference to (A) to (C) of Fig. 8. Shrink packaging is a packaging method in which an item to be packaged is covered with a shrink film that has the property of shrinking when heated, such as the packaging film 40 described above, and then the shrink film is heated to shrink and adhere to the item.

[0032] First, the lead-acid battery 10 is wrapped in a packaging film 40, and then the edges of the packaging film 40 are sealed by bonding using a method such as heat welding. In this manner, the lead-acid battery 10 and air are contained inside the airtight bag-shaped packaging film 40, as shown in Fig. 8(A). In addition, a vent hole 41 is formed by piercing the packaging film 40 in a portion facing the top surface 10A with a needle-shaped object or the like.

[0033] Next, as shown in Fig. 8(B), the packing film 40 is heated by blowing hot air around it, for example. The packing film 40 shrinks as the temperature rises, and comes into close contact with the side surface 10B and bottom surface 10C of the lead-acid battery 10, as shown in Fig. 8(C). On the top surface 10A, since the terminal portions 21P, 21N extend upward from the top surface 10A, the packing film 40 becomes tent-shaped with the terminal portions 21P, 21N as pillars. The air that filled the inside of the packing film 40 before heating is discharged through the ventilation holes 41 when the packing film 40 shrinks.

[0034] Fig. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the lead-acid battery 1 with packaging packaged according to the procedures shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. The packaging film 40 covers the entire lead-acid battery 10 to which the detection sheet 45 is attached from the outside. The packaging box 50 further covers the lead-acid battery 10 covered with the packaging film 40 from the outside. The ventilation hole 41 is present only on the first surface 40A, and is not present on the second surface 40B or the third surface 40C.

[0035] 6.Effects In the lead-acid battery 1 with packaging, the lead-acid battery 10 is entirely covered with the packaging film 40. Therefore, even if the lead-acid battery 10 falls over or is handled in an inclined state during delivery or transportation, causing the electrolyte W to leak from the exhaust port 31, end users and the like are less likely to come into contact with the electrolyte W compared to a case in which the packaging film 40 is not present.

[0036] In addition, since the packaging film 40 has an air vent 41, breathability can be ensured, and gas generated inside the lead-acid battery 10 can be discharged to the outside of the packaging film 40 through the exhaust port 31 and the air vent 41.

[0037] The packaged lead-acid battery 1 has a packaging box 50 that houses the lead-acid battery 10 covered with a packaging film 40.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 10, even if the electrolyte W leaks from the ventilation hole 41 of the packaging film 40, the leaked electrolyte W is absorbed by the packaging box 50, so that the end user and the like are less likely to come into contact with the electrolyte W.

[0039] In the lead-acid battery 1 with packaging, the ventilation hole 41 is provided only in the portion (first surface 40A) of the packaging film 40 that covers the top surface 10A of the lead-acid battery 10, and is not provided in the portion (second surface 40B) that covers the side surface 10B of the lead-acid battery 10.

[0040] When the lead-acid battery 1 with packaging falls over and the top surface 10A is laid on its side, there is a possibility that the electrolyte will leak from the exhaust port 31. At this time, the electrolyte W flows down along the top surface 10A toward the side surface 10B and is likely to accumulate between the side surface 10B and the second surface 40B. The ventilation port 41 is provided only on the first surface 40A, avoiding the second surface 40B where the electrolyte W is likely to accumulate. Therefore, even if the lead-acid battery 10 falls over or the like and leaks, the leaked electrolyte W is unlikely to reach the ventilation port 41, and the end user or the like is unlikely to come into contact with the electrolyte W.

[0041] In the lead-acid battery 1 with packaging, a detection sheet 45 that changes color when it comes into contact with the electrolyte W is attached to the exhaust port 31.

[0042] When leakage occurs and the electrolyte W leaks from the exhaust port 31, the electrolyte W comes into contact with the detection sheet 45 and soaks into the detection sheet 45, causing the detection sheet 45 to discolor at the soaked area. An end user or the like can determine whether leakage has occurred by visually checking whether or not there is a discolored area 46 on the detection sheet 45. This makes it difficult for the end user or the like to come into contact with the electrolyte W.

[0043] In the lead-acid battery 1 with packaging body, the packaging film 40 is transparent, and the packaging box 50 has a window 53 opening at a position facing the exhaust port 31. An end user or the like can visually check whether or not the detection sheet 45 has discolored from outside the packaging box 50 through the window 53 and the packaging film 40.

[0044] In this way, the end user or the like can determine whether or not leakage has occurred in the lead-acid battery 10 without opening the packaging box 50 or the packaging film 40. This makes it difficult for the end user or the like to come into contact with the electrolyte W.

[0045] <Embodiment 2> 11 to 13, a packaging-attached lead-acid battery 101 according to embodiment 2 will be described. Hereinafter, in embodiment 2, components that are substantially the same as those in embodiment 1 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0046] The procedure for packaging the package 135 will be described with reference to Figures 11(A) to (D). (A) A detection sheet 45 is attached to the lead-acid battery 10 before packaging so as to cover the six exhaust ports 31 from above (B). Next, the lead-acid battery 10 is placed in the packaging box 150 from above, and the first flap 151 and the second flap 152 are closed (C). Next, the entire packaging box 150 is shrink-wrapped with the film 140 (D).

[0047] A cross-sectional view of the lead-acid battery 101 with packaging packaged by the above-mentioned procedure is shown in Fig. 12. The packaging box 150 contains the lead-acid battery 10 with the detection sheet 45 attached. The film 140 further covers the entire packaging box 150 from the outside.

[0048] In the shrinked packaging film 140, a portion facing the top surface 10A is a first surface 140A, a portion facing the side surface 10B is a second surface 140B, and a portion facing the bottom surface 10C is a third surface 140C. The ventilation hole 141 is provided only in the first surface 140A, and is not provided in the second surface 140B or the third surface 140C.

[0049] The difference between the packaging body 35 and the packaging body 135 is the order in which the components (the packaging film and the packaging box) cover the lead-acid battery 10. In the packaging body 35, as shown in Fig. 9, the packaging film 40 and the packaging box 50 are placed in this order from the side closest to the lead-acid battery 10. In contrast, in the packaging body 135, as shown in Fig. 12, the packaging box 150 and the film 140 are placed in this order from the side closest to the lead-acid battery 10.

[0050] The effect of the packaged lead-acid battery 101 will be described with reference to FIG. 13. When leakage occurs in the lead-acid battery 10, the electrolyte W is absorbed or blocked by the packaging box 50 that covers the immediate outside of the lead-acid battery 10. The electrolyte W that is not completely absorbed or blocked by the packaging box 150 reaches the outside of the packaging box 150, but the outside of the packaging box 150 is covered with the film 140. The film 140 does not allow the electrolyte W to pass through except through the ventilation hole 141, so the amount of electrolyte W leaking to the outside of the film 140 can be reduced. This makes it less likely for end users and the like to come into contact with the electrolyte W.

[0051] <Other embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and in the drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, in addition to the embodiments described below, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0052] (1) In the above embodiment, the lead-acid battery 10 to be packaged has been described as a so-called JIS type in which the exhaust port 31 is located on the top surface 10A of the lead-acid battery 10. In addition to this, the present invention is also applicable to a so-called EN type lead-acid battery 60 as shown in FIG.

[0053] In an EN type lead-acid battery 60, gas generated in each cell is not discharged above the vent plugs 63 but is discharged laterally inside the lid 61. The gas discharged from the multiple vent plugs 63 passes through the inside of the lid 61 and is discharged collectively from an exhaust port 62 provided on the side of the lid 61. The exhaust path of gas inside the lead-acid battery 60 is indicated by an arrow in Fig. 15. When the lead-acid battery 60 leaks, the electrolyte W leaks out from the exhaust port 62 via the same path as the gas exhaust path.

[0054] The present invention can also be applied to an EN type lead-acid battery 60 by attaching a detection sheet to the exhaust port 62 on the side of the lid 61 and providing a window portion of the packaging box in a position facing the exhaust port 62.

[0055] (2) In the above embodiment, the vents 41, 141 are provided on the first surfaces 40A, 140A. The vents may be provided on the second surfaces 40B, 140B or the third surfaces 40C, 140C, which are surfaces other than the first surfaces 40A, 140A. In this way, even if the electrolyte W leaks from the lead-acid battery 60, the end user is less likely to come into contact with the electrolyte compared to the case where there is no film.

[0056] (3) In the above embodiment, the six exhaust ports 31 are covered with one detection sheet 45, but each exhaust port 31 may be covered with its own detection sheet. Also, two or more exhaust ports 31 may be covered with one detection sheet.

[0057] (4) In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the detection sheet 45 was applied to one side with an adhesive and attached and fixed onto the lid 20, but it may also be fixed using an adhesive tape.

[0058] (5) In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which fine paper is used as the detection sheet 45. As the detection sheet 45, any paper that changes color when it comes into contact with the electrolyte W, such as paper other than fine paper or litmus paper, can be used.

[0059] (6) In the above embodiment, the lead-acid battery 10 and the packaging box 50 are packaged by shrink packaging using the packaging film 40. However, the lead-acid battery 10 and the like may be packaged by a means other than shrink packaging. Furthermore, when the lead-acid battery 10 and the like are packaged by a means other than shrink packaging and there is no need to exhaust air from inside the packaging film 40, the vent hole 41 may be formed after packaging.

[0060] (7) In the above embodiment, the top surface 50A of the packaging box 50 is formed by two flaps (the first flap 51 and the second flap 52), but the top surface 50A may be formed by a single flap.

[0061] (8) In the above embodiment, the window portion 53 is provided in the second flap 52, but the window portion may be provided in the first flap 51. In addition, the window portion may be provided in both of the two flaps.

[0062] (9) In the above embodiment, the lead-acid battery 10 is accommodated from above in the packaging box 50 that is open at the top. However, the opening of the packaging box may be located on the side or bottom.

[0063] (10) The window 53 may be opened at a position that allows the detection sheet 45 to be viewed from the outside, and the position of the window 53 in the packaging box 50 is not limited to the top surface 50A.

[0064] (11) In the above embodiment, shrink packaging is performed using the packaging film 40 as packaging means for covering the entire lead-acid battery 10. However, shrink packaging is only an example, and the lead-acid battery 10 may be packaged using other packaging means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1 Lead-acid battery with packaging 10 Lead acid battery 10A Top 20 Lid 30 Liquid outlet plug 31 Exhaust port 35 Packaging 40 Film 40A Page 1 41 Ventilation hole 45 Detection Sheet 50 Packing Boxes 53 Window

Claims

1. a lead-acid battery having a gas exhaust port; A packaging body for packaging the lead-acid battery, The packaging body includes a packaging film that covers the entire lead-acid battery and has at least one ventilation hole; the vent hole is provided only in a portion of the packaging film that covers a top surface of the lead-acid battery, The lead-acid battery with packaging, wherein the vent hole has a diameter of 1 mm or less.

2. The lead-acid battery with packaging according to claim 1, The packaging includes a packaging box that houses the lead-acid battery covered with the packaging film.

3. a lead-acid battery having a gas exhaust port; A packaging body for packaging the lead-acid battery, The packaging body is A packaging box that houses the lead-acid battery; A packaging film covering the entire packaging box and having at least one ventilation hole; the vent hole is provided only in a portion of the packaging film that covers a top surface of the lead-acid battery, The lead-acid battery with packaging, wherein the vent hole has a diameter of 1 mm or less.

4. The lead-acid battery with packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The package includes a detection sheet that changes color when it comes into contact with an electrolyte, The detection sheet is attached to the exhaust port.

5. A lead-acid battery with packaging according to claim 4, The lead-acid battery is covered with the packaging film, or a packaging box that contains the lead-acid battery, The packaging box has a window opening at a position opposite to the exhaust port, The packaging film is transparent.

Images