Pressure controlled plug

Abstract

The invention relates to the pressure-controlled plug structure, which is maintenance- free and one of the important components affecting the prolongation of battery life in rechargeable gel type lead-acid dry cell batteries, and in particular to the diaphragm structure which opens and closes automatically at certain pressure ranges within the plug, allowing the pressure, electrolyte and humidity in the battery to be controlled.

Description

[0001] PRESSURE CONTROLLED PLUG

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to the pressure-controlled plug structure, which is maintenance- free and one of the important components affecting the prolongation of battery life in rechargeable gel type lead-acid dry cell batteries. In particular, it relates to the diaphragm mechanism that opens and closes automatically at certain pressure ranges in the plug and allows the pressure, electrolyte and humidity in the battery to be controlled.

[0004] State of the Art

[0005] A battery is an energy storage tool that stores electrical energy as chemical energy and provides it as electrical energy if needed. Today, batteries are produced in Lead - Acid, Lithium - Ion, Nickel Metal - Hydride, Nickel - Cadmium, Nickel - Iron etc. types and their identification names are taken from the base metals used. Lead-Acid batteries, on the other hand, are the most widely used battery type and these batteries are basically defined as dry cell and wet cell.

[0006] The most important feature of VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead Acid) gel batteries, which is one of the most commonly used battery types, is their deep discharge feature. When gel batteries are discharged to the last point, they can be recharged without deteriorating the chemical structure of their contents. Since the electrolytes in their content have a gel consistency, they show high performance compared to other batteries at very low ambient temperatures. They are more resistant to impacts and vibration. The gaseous elements present in the gel battery condense and enter into a chemical reaction. The plug, which is defined as an element generally made of plastic, which allows the gases formed in the cell to be discharged during the charging of the battery, is used as a pressure-controlled VRLA gel plug in VRLA gel batteries, and with this element, these gases in the battery are prevented from escaping and therefore water loss is prevented. They do not need any fluid supplementation as is the case with wet cell batteries. Therefore, battery efficiency and service life are preserved. Since gel batteries are more resistant to very low and very high temperatures, impacts and vibrations compared to other batteries, they are widely used in solar energy and wind turbines. They are preferably used in telecommunication systems, vehicles such as boats and caravans, maritime, wheelchairs, golf carts, battery-powered pallet trucks, floor cleaning machines and mobile shops.

[0007] In VRLA (Valve Regulated Lead Acid) type batteries, with valve plugs keeping the pressure value in the battery within a certain range, the diaphragm mechanism in the plug opens and closes automatically at certain pressure ranges and controls the pressure, electrolyte and humidity in the battery. In this way, while the gas pressure accumulated in the battery cells is reduced, at the same time the air that will deteriorate the plates is prevented from entering the battery cell. In the state of the art, the diaphragm opening / closing pressure range is referred to as 70-130 mBar. However, in the controls made, it has been detected that this value went down to 60 mBar and went up to 155 mbar at the upper limit. However, battery manufacturers require the product to be in the range of 80-120 mBar. In the mechanisms used in the state of the art, the opening of the diaphragm at low pressure values (<70 mBar) reduces batter efficiency and life. Opening at high values (> 150 mBar) however, causes the battery to swell.

[0008] Therefore, it is necessary to develop a method that will minimize or eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages in the state of the art and an effective device that works according to this method and provides a much higher measurement accuracy without increasing the user cost too much.

[0009] Summary of the Invention

[0010] One of the advantages of the invention is that the efficiency of gel batteries, which have the features of deep discharge, being able to be recharged when discharged to the end point without deteriorating the chemical structure of its content, showing high performance at very low ambient temperature compared to other batteries, being more resistant to impacts and vibration, will be increased and their longevity will be ensured.

[0011] Another advantage of the invention is that the battery efficiency and battery lifetime will be increased by eliminating the problems of decreasing battery efficiency and lifetime caused by the opening of the diaphragm at low pressure values (<70 mBar) and swelling of the battery caused by the opening thereof at high values (> 150 mBar) thanks to stable operation.

[0012] Another advantage of the invention is that the pressure, electrolyte and humidity in the battery can be controlled by the automatic opening and closing of the diaphragm mechanism in the plug at certain pressure ranges. In this way, while the gas pressure accumulated in the battery cells is reduced, at the same time the air that will deteriorate the plates will be prevented from entering the battery cell.

[0013] Another advantage of the invention is that customer satisfaction will be increased with the production of plugs suitable for different operating pressure ranges depending on customer demand, and the dependence of battery manufacturers on plug imports will be prevented, facilitating access when needed. In this way, high savings will be achieved in terms of cost and time.

[0014] Description of the Drawings

[0015] Figure 1 : It is a representative view of the plug of the invention from a perspective view.

[0016] Figure 2: It is a representative view of the plug of the invention from a perspective view in exploded state.

[0017] Figure 3: It is a representative view of the plug of the invention from a cross section.

[0018] Figure 4: It is a representative top view of the plug of the invention.

[0019] Figure 5: It is a representative front view of the plug of the invention.

[0020] Figure 6: It is a representative bottom view of the plug of the invention.

[0021] Figure 7: It is another representative view of the plug of the invention from a cross section.

[0022] Description of the References in the Drawings

[0023] For a better understanding of the invention, the description of the numbers in the figures is given below:

[0024] 100. Plug

[0025] 1. Top cover 1a-Pressure pin

[0026] 1b-Gas outlet channel

[0027] 2. Diaphragm

[0028] 3. Main body

[0029] 3a-Cap

[0030] 3b-Slot

[0031] 3c-Tab

[0032] 3d-Thread

[0033] 3e-Circular channel

[0034] 3f-Platform

[0035] 3g-Air hole

[0036] 4. Sealing element

[0037] 5. Bottom cover

[0038] 5a-Gas inlet channel

[0039] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0040] Example embodiments are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying descriptions below. However, embodiments may be created in different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments presented herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this description will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those skilled in the art.

[0041] The terminology used in this description is intended to describe a particular example embodiment only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the forms "a", "at least", and "preferably" are intended to include plural forms as well, unless the context clearly states otherwise.

[0042] The pressure-controlled plug (100) of the invention comprises at least one top cover (1 ) including at least one pressure pin (1 a) with an end having an outwardly curved form and at least one gas outlet channel (1b), at least one diaphragm (2) for controlled air passage, at least one cap (3a), at least one main body (3) including at least one slot (3b) and at least one tab (3c), at least one sealing element (4) disposed on said main body (3), at least one bottom cover (5) including at least one gas inlet channel (5a). In the plug (100) of the invention, the top cover (1), the diaphragm (2), the sealing element (4) and the bottom cover (5) are all located on the main body (3). Said main body (3) is preferably made of acid-resistant, hard-textured ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic material. Optionally, it can be made of PPH (Polypropylene homopolymer) or PPC (Polypropylene Copolymer) materials. The top cover (1) is locked by tightly engaging the slot (3b) on the cap (3a) of the main body (3). Said top cover (1) is made of ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) material. On the edge of the slot (3b), there is a gear wheel form consisting of at least one tab (3c), preferably 10 in the invention, which is used to remove and install the plug (100) with an apparatus. This form allows the plug (100) to be removed and installed by means of the apparatus without damaging the battery cover. Inside the main body (3), shown representatively in Figure-7, there is a platform (3f) on which the diaphragm (2) sits and at least one air hole (3g) in the middle that allows gas passage. The threads (3d) on the main body (3) are fully matching with the helix on the battery cover and are easy to connect. The top cover (1 ) comprises at least one, preferably 4 gas outlet channels (1 b) on the edge of the cap part. The pressure pin (1a) applying pressure to the flat diaphragm (2) has an end with an outwardly curved structure in order to provide point contact with the diaphragm (2). Since the length of the pressure pin (1a) on the top cover (1 ) is designed in an adjustable structure in the plastic injection mold, it is produced in different lengths and variable operating pressure ranges are provided.

[0043] In the invention, the diaphragm (2) is made of EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Dianene Monomer) rubber with a Shore A hardness value preferably in the range of 55-70, and has a cylindrical structure. When the gas pressure in the battery cell rises, it opens from the edges and discharges gas.

[0044] In the plug (100) of the invention, at least one sealing element (4) is connected to the circular channel (3e) at the bottom of the cap (3a) on the main body (3). Said sealing element (4) is an O-ring gasket, preferably made of NBR (Nitrile rubber) material. Since the battery type in which the plug (100) will be used is a dry cell battery, NBR (Nitrile rubber) raw material was preferred since there is no direct acid contact and its cost is low. The sealing element (4) prevents the passage of gases trying to leak between the main body (3) threads (3d). It allows gases to pass only through the diaphragm (2). Furthermore, it prevents air, liquid dust and dirt from entering the battery cell from the external environment. In the invention, the bottom cover (5) is preferably made of acid-resistant polypropylene raw material. There are at least one, preferably 4 gas inlet channels (5a) in the invention, in said lower cover (5), allowing the gases in the battery cell to enter the main body (3). The bottom cover (5) prevents undesired substances from entering the main body (3).

[0045] The basic operation principle of the plug (100) of the invention is as follows; the plug (100) is connected to the battery cover. When the plug (100) is tightened to the battery cover, preferably with a torque of 1 -1.5 Nm, the sealing element (4) attached to the main body (3) is clamped between the plug (100) and the battery cover, providing a seal. The gases accumulated in the battery cell pass through the 4 gas inlet channels (5a) on the bottom cover (5) and enter the plug (100). When the pressure in the cell reaches a certain value between 70-130 mBar, the diaphragm (2) opens and the gases pass to the upper chamber above the diaphragm (2). Gases are discharged out of the battery by means of 4 gas outlet channels (1b) on the top cover (1 ). When the pressure drops in the battery cell, the diaphragm (2) closes by the force exerted on the diaphragm (2) by the pressure pin (1 a) on the top cover (1) and the air entry to the battery cell from the outside is cut off. In this way, it prevents the gases in the battery cell from coming out of any hole; only allowing the passage through the diaphragm (2). It also cuts off the air entry into the battery cell from the outside; preventing undesired substances such as liquid, dust and dirt from entering the battery cell.

[0046] Industrial Applicability of the Invention

[0047] The subject of the invention relates to a pressure-controlled plug (100), which is maintenance-free and one of the important components affecting the prolongation of battery life in rechargeable gel type lead-acid dry cell batteries, and is industrially applicable.

[0048] The invention is not limited to the above example embodiments, and the person skilled in the art can readily present other different embodiments of the invention. These should be considered within the protection scope of the invention claimed by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. The pressure-controlled plug (100), characterized in that it comprises at least one top cover (1) including at least one pressure pin (1 a) with an end having an outwardly curved form and at least one gas outlet channel (1 b), at least one diaphragm (2) for controlled air passage, at least one cap (3a), at least one main body (3) including at least one slot (3b) and at least one tab (3c), at least one sealing element (4) disposed on said main body (3), at least one bottom cover (5) including at least one gas inlet channel (5a).

2. The plug (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the main body (3) comprises at least one thread (3d).

3. The plug (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the main body (3) comprises at least one circular channel (3e) to which the sealing element (4) is connected.

4. The plug (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the main body (3) is made of acid-resistant, hard-textured ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) material.

5. The plug (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the diaphragm (2) is made of EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Dianene Monomer) rubber with a Shore A hardness value preferably in the range of 55-70.

6. The plug (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the bottom cover (5) is made of acid-resistant polypropylene raw material.

7. The plug (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the sealing element (4) is made of NBR (Nitrile rubber) material.

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