Battery cover

Abstract

To provide a battery cover capable of securing waterproofness.SOLUTION: A battery cover 1 has: a main body part 35 that covers the outer circumference of a battery unit 17 connected with a battery post 5 of a battery 3; and a sealing member 37 formed separately from the main body part 35 and fixed to the main body part 35 to seal between the main body part 35 and the battery 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery cover.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a battery cover, there is known one provided with a main body portion that covers the outer periphery of a fuse unit as a battery unit connected to a battery post of a battery (see Patent Document 1). In this battery cover, an opening is provided on the side of the main body portion where the battery post is located. When an opening is provided in the main body portion, water or the like may enter through the opening, which may have an adverse effect such as corrosion on the internal fuse unit.

[0003] On the other hand, as a battery cover, there is known one in which a protective wall is provided on the main body portion to close the opening of the main body portion (see Patent Document 2). In this battery cover, by closing the opening with the protective wall, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of water or the like from the opening.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in the battery cover as in Patent Document 2 above, depending on the shape of the battery, the protective wall may interfere with the battery, and there is a possibility that the battery cover cannot be arranged on the battery. If the battery cover is forced to be arranged, deformation or damage may occur in the protective wall, and there is a risk that the waterproof property may deteriorate.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art. The object of this invention is to provide a battery cover that can ensure waterproofness. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The battery cover according to this embodiment includes a main body that covers the outer circumference of a battery unit connected to the battery post of a battery, and a sealing member that is formed separately from the main body and fixed to the main body, and seals the space between the main body and the battery. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery cover that can ensure waterproofness. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the battery cover according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view of the battery cover according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the battery cover according to the first embodiment when it is placed on the battery. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the battery cover according to the first embodiment when it is placed on the battery. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the battery with the battery unit placed inside the battery. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a battery cover according to the second embodiment being placed on a battery. [Figure 7] This is an enlarged view of the main part of Figure 6. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the battery cover according to the second embodiment being placed on the battery. [Figure 9] This is a front view of the battery cover according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] This is an enlarged side view of the main part of the battery cover according to the third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The battery cover according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0011] (First Embodiment) The first embodiment will be described using Figures 1 to 5.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the battery cover 1 according to this embodiment is placed on, for example, a battery 3 mounted in a vehicle. The battery 3 is provided with battery posts 5 for both positive and negative terminals. The battery posts 5 protrude upward from the bottom surface 11 of a placement recess 9 formed by recessing from the upper surface 7 of the battery 3. The placement recess 9 has a first wall surface 13 extending upward from the bottom surface 11 and a second wall surface 15 extending upward from the bottom surface 11 in a direction perpendicular to the first wall surface 13. A battery unit 17 is fixed to the battery posts 5 located in the placement recess 9, and the battery 3 and the battery unit 17 are electrically connected.

[0013] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the battery unit 17 includes battery terminals 19 and a fuse unit 21.

[0014] The battery terminal 19 is made of a conductive material. The battery terminal 19 is provided with a post hole through which the battery post 5 is inserted. The battery terminal 19 is provided with a bolt 23 that narrows the diameter of the post hole when a nut is fastened to it. The battery terminal 19 is fixed to the battery post 5 by inserting the battery post 5 through the post hole and fastening a nut to the bolt 23, and is electrically connected to the battery 3. The battery terminal 19 is provided with a stud bolt 25 to which the fuse unit 21 is electrically connected, and to which the fuse unit 21 is fixed.

[0015] The fuse unit 21 is formed by molding a fuse element (not shown) made of a conductive material provided with a fuse that melts due to overcurrent with synthetic resin. The fuse unit 21 is formed in an L shape so as to be disposed in the placement recess 9 of the battery 3 and on the lower side surface 27 of the battery 3. One end side of the fuse unit 21 is fixed to the battery terminal 19 and electrically connected thereto by inserting a stud bolt 25 through the fuse element and fastening a nut to the stud bolt 25. A stud bolt 29 electrically connected to the fuse element is provided on the other end side of the fuse unit 21. A nut is fastened to the stud bolt 29 to fix the terminal, and the terminal is electrically connected to the fuse unit 21. The terminal is electrically connected to an electric wire 31 electrically connected to the device via a caulking portion 33, and the device is electrically connected to the battery 3 via the battery unit 17. The outer periphery of such a battery unit 17 is covered with the battery cover 1.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the battery cover 1 includes a main body portion 35 and a seal member 37. In FIG. 4, a nut (see FIG. 5) fastened to the bolt 23 of the battery terminal 19 is omitted.

[0017] The main body portion 35 is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, for example. The main body portion 35 is fixed to the battery unit 17 via fixing means (not shown) and disposed in the placement recess 9 of the battery 3. The main body portion 35 includes an upper wall 39, side walls 41, and an opening 43.

[0018] The upper wall 39 mainly covers the upper portion of the battery terminal 19 in the battery unit 17. The upper wall 39 is provided with an extension portion 45 extending toward the upper surface 7 of the battery 3. The extension portion 45 is spaced from the upper surface 7 of the battery 3 and disposed to face the upper surface 7 in the height direction of the battery 3 when the upper wall 39 is disposed in the placement recess 9.

[0019] The side wall 41 is formed from a single member continuous with the upper wall 39 and comprises a first side wall 47, a second side wall 49, and a third side wall 51.

[0020] The first side wall 47 mainly covers one side of the battery terminals 19 in the battery unit 17. The first side wall 47 extends to the extension 45 of the upper wall 39. When the main body 35 is placed in the battery 3, the first side wall 47 is positioned in contact with or with a small gap from the bottom surface 11 of the placement recess 9. When the main body 35 is placed in the battery 3, the extension 45 side of the first side wall 47 is exposed from the placement recess 9 and is positioned in contact with or with a small gap from the upper side surface 53 of the battery 3.

[0021] The second side wall 49 mainly covers the other side of the battery terminal 19 in the battery unit 17. The second side wall 49 is shorter than the first side wall 47 and extends to just before the extension 45 of the upper wall 39. Therefore, the extension 45 is provided straddling the first side wall 47 and the second side wall 49, and is formed in an L-shape overall. When the main body 35 is placed in the battery 3, the second side wall 49 is positioned in contact with the bottom surface 11 of the placement recess 9, or with a small gap. When the main body 35 is placed in the battery 3, the extension 45 side of the second side wall 49 is positioned in contact with the second wall surface 15 of the placement recess 9, or with a small gap.

[0022] The third side wall 51 mainly covers the outer circumference of the fuse unit 21 in the battery unit 17. The third side wall 51 is formed from a single member continuous with the first side wall 47 and the second side wall 49, and extends downward in the height direction of the battery 3. When the main body 35 is placed in the battery 3, the third side wall 51 is exposed from the placement recess 9 and is positioned in contact with or with a small gap from the lower side surface 27 of the battery 3.

[0023] The opening 43 is located on the side of the extension 45 between the upper wall 39, the first side wall 47, and the second side wall 49. The opening 43 is located such that, when the main body 35 is viewed facing the inner surface of the third side wall 51, the bolt 23 side of the battery terminal 19 is visible in the battery unit 17. When the main body 35 is placed in the battery 3, the opening 43 is positioned so that the bolt 23 side of the battery terminal 19 faces the second wall surface 15 of the placement recess 9 with a small gap between them.

[0024] In this type of battery cover, when the main body 35 is placed on the battery 3, a gap is formed between the extension 45 of the upper wall 39 and the upper surface 7 of the battery 3. In conventional battery covers, a protective wall was provided as a single piece of material that was continuous with the upper wall 39 in the area where the opening 43 was located. As a result, the opening 43 was almost completely closed by the protective wall, and the waterproofness of the battery unit 17 was ensured. However, conventional protective walls had different shapes depending on the type of battery 3, and when the main body 35 was placed on the battery 3, the protective wall may, for example, come into contact with the upper surface 7 of the battery 3 or interfere with the second wall surface 15 of the placement recess 9. As a result, if the main body 35 was forcibly placed on the battery 3, there was a risk of deformation or damage to the protective wall, which could reduce the waterproofness. Therefore, a sealing member 37 is integrally fixed to the extension 45 of the upper wall 39 to fill and seal the gap between the extension 45 and the upper surface 7.

[0025] The sealing member 37 is formed separately from the main body 35 and is made of, for example, a foamed material such as sponge or an elastic material such as rubber. The sealing member 37 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape and is formed as an L-shape similar to the extension 45. One outer surface of the sealing member 37 in the thickness direction is bonded to the inner surface of the extension 45 with an adhesive and is fixed integrally with the main body 35. A fixing member 55 is integrally fixed to the other outer surface of the sealing member 37 in the thickness direction.

[0026] The fixing member 55 is formed separately from the sealing member 37 and is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin, or an elastic material such as rubber. The fixing member 55 is formed in a thin plate shape and is formed in an L-shape as a whole, similar to the sealing member 37. One outer surface of the fixing member 55 in the thickness direction is bonded with adhesive to the outer surface of the sealing member 37 opposite to the extension portion 45, and is fixed integrally with the sealing member 37. The other outer surface of the fixing member 55 in the thickness direction is provided with a plurality (two in this case) of fixing portions 57 that protrude outward. When the main body portion 35 is placed on the battery 3, the plurality of fixing portions 57 are inserted by press-fitting into a plurality (two in this case) of holes 59 formed in the upper surface 7 of the battery 3. By fixing the fixing portions 57 in the holes 59, the sealing member 37 does not move relative to the battery 3, and waterproofing can be ensured.

[0027] The sealing member 37, which is fixed integrally with the fixing member 55, fills the gap between the extension 45 and the upper surface 7 when the battery cover 1 is placed on the battery 3, thereby sealing the space between the main body 35 and the battery 3. Therefore, there is no need to provide a protective wall over the opening 43, and the sealing member 37 can seal the space between the main body 35 and the battery 3.

[0028] Such a sealing member 37 is formed separately from the main body 35 and is integrally fixed to the main body 35. Therefore, in areas where a gap is formed between the main body 35 and the battery 3, the sealing member 37 can be fixed to any position on the main body 35 according to the shape of the battery 3. Accordingly, for example, when the battery cover 1 is placed on the battery 3, excessive external force is not applied to the sealing member 37, preventing deformation or damage to the sealing member 37 and ensuring waterproofness.

[0029] Although the sealing member 37 and the fixing member 55 having the fixing portion 57 are formed separately and fixed together, the design is not limited to this, and the fixing portion 57 may also be provided on the sealing member 37. Providing the fixing portion 57 on the sealing member 37 reduces the number of parts. Furthermore, by forming the sealing member 37 and the fixing member 55 separately, the fixing member 55 can be integrally fixed to any position on the sealing member 37. For this reason, the sealing member 37 can be fixed to the battery 3 by modifying the design of the fixing member 55 without modifying the design of the sealing member 37 to match the shape of the battery 3.

[0030] Such a battery cover 1 includes a main body portion 35 that covers the outer circumference of the battery unit 17 connected to the battery post 5 of the battery 3, and a sealing member 37 that is formed separately from the main body portion 35, fixed to the main body portion 35, and seals the space between the main body portion 35 and the battery 3.

[0031] The sealing member 37 is formed separately from the main body 35 and is fixed to the main body 35. Therefore, in areas where a gap is formed between the main body 35 and the battery 3, the sealing member 37 can be fixed to any position on the main body 35 in accordance with the shape of the battery 3.

[0032] Therefore, in such a battery cover 1, excessive external force is not applied to the sealing member 37, preventing deformation or damage to the sealing member 37 and ensuring waterproofness.

[0033] Furthermore, the sealing member 37 is provided with a fixing portion 57 that is secured to the battery 3. Therefore, the sealing member 37 does not move relative to the battery 3, ensuring waterproofness.

[0034] Furthermore, the battery unit 17 is positioned in a recessed area 9 that is recessed from the upper surface 7 of the battery 3. The main body 35 has an upper wall 39 that covers the top of the battery unit 17, a side wall 41 that covers the side of the battery unit 17, and an opening 43 that opens toward the second wall surface 15 which is the wall surface of the recessed area 9. Furthermore, the upper wall 39 is provided with an extension portion 45 that extends from the opening 43 toward the upper surface 7 of the battery 3. The sealing member 37 is fixed to the portion of the extension portion 45 that faces the upper surface 7 of the battery 3, and seals the space between the extension portion 45 and the upper surface 7 of the battery 3.

[0035] The outer circumference of the battery unit 17, positioned in the recess 9, is covered by the upper wall 39 and side wall 41 of the main body 35, and is exposed through the opening 43 of the main body 35. The opening 43 of the main body 35 opens toward the second wall surface 15 of the recess 9. The extension 45 extends from the opening 43 side of the upper wall 39 toward the upper surface 7 of the battery 3. Therefore, the gap between the extension 45 and the upper surface 7 is in communication with the gap between the second wall surface 15 and the opening 43. The sealing member 37 is fixed to the portion of the extension 45 facing the upper surface 7 of the battery 3, and seals the space between the extension 45 and the upper surface 7 of the battery 3. Therefore, the gap between the second wall surface 15 and the opening 43 is sealed by the sealing member 37. By forming the main body 35 and the sealing member 37 separately, the sealing member 37 can be placed in the minimum necessary location, thereby suppressing the enlargement of the battery cover 1.

[0036] (Second Embodiment) A second embodiment will be described using Figures 6 to 8.

[0037] In this embodiment, the battery cover 101 has a sealing member 103 that is retractably positioned between the main body 35 and the battery 3.

[0038] Note that components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their configurations and functional descriptions are omitted, referring to the first embodiment. However, since the configurations are similar, the resulting effects and benefits are the same. Also, in Figures 6 and 8, the nuts (see Figure 5) fastened to the bolts 23 of the battery terminal 19 are omitted.

[0039] Here, when fixing the battery cover 101 to the battery unit 17, variations in the height of the battery 3 may occur due to the worker's fixing process. If the fixing position of the battery cover 101 to the battery unit 17 is high, the gap between the extension portion 45 of the main body 35 and the upper surface 7 of the battery 3 becomes larger. Therefore, the sealing member 103 is provided to be expandable and retractable.

[0040] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the sealing member 103 is made of the same material as the sealing member 37 (see Figure 2) and is formed in the same shape. The sealing member 103 has multiple (in this case, three) slits 105 formed therein. The multiple slits 105 allow the sealing member 103 to expand and contract in the height direction of the battery 3.

[0041] For example, as shown in Figure 8, if the gap between the extension portion 45 of the main body 35 and the upper surface 7 of the battery 3 is large, the sealing member 103 extends in the height direction of the battery 3 to seal the gap between the extension portion 45 and the upper surface 7. If the gap between the extension portion 45 and the upper surface 7 is small, the sealing member 103 contracts due to the pressure applied between the extension portion 45 and the upper surface 7 to seal the gap between the extension portion 45 and the upper surface 7. By making the sealing member 103 expandable and contractible, the gap between the main body 35 and the battery 3 can be sealed even if the gap between the main body 35 and the battery 3 changes.

[0042] In this type of battery cover 101, the sealing member 103 is arranged to expand and contract between the main body 35 and the battery 3. Therefore, even if the gap between the main body 35 and the battery 3 changes, the gap between the main body 35 and the battery 3 can be sealed, and waterproofing can be maintained.

[0043] (Third embodiment) A third embodiment will be described using Figures 9 and 10.

[0044] In this embodiment, the battery cover 201 has a sealing member 37 that is elastically deformable and has a first contact surface 203 and a second contact surface 205 extending in a direction perpendicular to the first contact surface 203. The main body 35 has a first contact surface 207 against which the first contact surface 203 abuts, and a second contact surface 209 against which the second contact surface 205 abuts. The angle θ formed between the first contact surface 207 and the second contact surface 209 is set to be smaller than a right angle.

[0045] In addition, components similar to those in other embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their configurations and functional descriptions are omitted, referring to other embodiments. However, since the configurations are similar, the resulting effects and benefits are the same. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fixing member 55 (see Figure 2) is omitted. Alternatively, the space between the extension 45 and the upper surface 7 of the battery 3 may be sealed using only the sealing member 37, without providing the fixing member 55.

[0046] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the sealing member 37 is made of, for example, a foamed material or an elastic material and is elastically deformable. The sealing member 37 has a first contact surface 203 and a second contact surface 205. The first contact surface 203 is in contact with a first contact surface 207 formed on the extension 45 of the upper wall 39. The second contact surface 205 extends in a direction perpendicular to the first contact surface 203. The second contact surface 205 is in contact with a second contact surface 209 formed on the second side wall 49.

[0047] The first contact surface 207 is inclined to slope upward from the tip of the extension 45 toward the second side wall 49. The second contact surface 209 is the end face of the second side wall 49. The second side wall 49 is provided with a rib 211 extending toward the first side wall 47, and the second contact surface 209 also includes the end face of the rib 211. The angle θ formed between the first contact surface 207 and the second contact surface 209 is set to be less than a right angle due to the inclination of the first contact surface 207. The angle θ can be adjusted by changing the inclination of the first contact surface 207.

[0048] The sealing member 37 is integrally fixed to the main body 35 with its first contact surface 203 and second contact surface 205 in contact with the first contact surface 207 and the second contact surface 209. At this time, the sealing member 37 is elastically deformable, and since the angle θ is less than a right angle, the sealing member 37 contracts. The contracted sealing member 37, by its restoring force, strengthens the contact between the first contact surface 203 and the second contact surface 205 and the first contact surface 207 and the second contact surface 209. As a result, the adhesion between the main body 35 and the sealing member 37 is increased, and the waterproofness of the main body 35 and the sealing member 37 can be improved. In addition, by increasing the adhesion between the main body 35 and the sealing member 37, the number of adhesive points required to bond the main body 35 and the sealing member 37 can be reduced. For example, the main body 35 and the sealing member 37 can be integrally fixed by bonding either the first contact surface 203 and the first contact surface 207, or the second contact surface 205 and the second contact surface 209, with an adhesive.

[0049] In such a battery cover 201, the sealing member 37 is provided so as to be elastically deformable and has a first contact surface 203 and a second contact surface 205 extending in a direction perpendicular to the first contact surface 203. The main body 35 has a first contact surface 207 against which the first contact surface 203 abuts, and a second contact surface 209 against which the second contact surface 205 abuts. The angle θ formed between the first contact surface 207 and the second contact surface 209 is set to be smaller than a right angle.

[0050] The sealing member 37 is elastically deformable, and the angle θ is less than a right angle. As a result, the sealing member 37 contracts while the first contact surface 203 and the second contact surface 205 are in contact with the first contact surface 207 and the second contact surface 209. The contracted sealing member 37, through its restoring force, strengthens the contact between the first contact surface 203 and the second contact surface 205 and the first contact surface 207 and the second contact surface 209. This increases the adhesion between the main body 35 and the sealing member 37, improving the waterproofing of the main body 35 and the sealing member 37. In addition, by increasing the adhesion between the main body 35 and the sealing member 37, the number of fixing points between the main body 35 and the sealing member 37 can be reduced, improving the ease of assembling the sealing member 37 to the main body 35.

[0051] Although this embodiment has been described above, this embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of this embodiment.

[0052] For example, in this embodiment, the sealing member is positioned between the main body and the top surface of the battery, but it is not limited to this. The sealing member may be positioned at any location between the main body and the battery, and it is sufficient to fix the sealing member to the main body in accordance with the shape of the battery.

[0053] Furthermore, the shape of the sealing member is not limited to an L-shape; the sealing member can be molded to match the shape of the part of the main body to which the sealing member is fixed, or the shape between the main body and the battery. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 1,101,201 Battery Cover 3 Batteries 5 Battery Post 7 Top side 9. Placement recess 15. Second wall (wall) 17 Battery Unit 35 Main body 37,103 sealing member 39 Upper wall 41 Side wall 43 opening 45. Extension Section 57 Fixing part 203 First contact surface 205 Second Interface 207 The first person to be contacted 209 The second person to be contacted θ angle

Claims

1. The main body covers the outer circumference of the battery unit connected to the battery post of the battery, A sealing member is formed separately from the main body and fixed to the main body, and seals the space between the main body and the battery. It has, The battery unit is positioned in a recessed area on the upper surface of the battery. The main body has an upper wall that covers the top of the battery unit, a side wall that covers the side of the battery unit, and an opening that opens toward the wall surface of the arrangement recess. The upper wall is provided with an extension that extends from the opening side toward the upper surface of the battery, The sealing member is fixed to the portion of the extension facing the upper surface of the battery, and is a battery cover that seals the space between the extension and the upper surface of the battery.

2. The battery cover according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is provided with a fixing portion that is fixed to the battery.

3. The battery cover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealing member is arranged to be expandable and contractible between the main body and the battery.

4. The sealing member is provided so as to be elastically deformable and has a first contact surface and a second contact surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the first contact surface. The main body portion has a first contact surface to which the first contact surface abuts, and a second contact surface to which the second contact surface abuts, The battery cover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the angle formed between the first contact surface and the second contact surface is set to be less than a right angle.

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