Lead-Acid Battery Vent Plug Structure for Electrolyte Overflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Increased liquid level height in lead-acid batteries leads to a shortened distance between the electrolyte solution liquid level and the vent plug, causing the electrolyte solution to easily overflow when gas is generated during charging.
Innovation Solution
A vent plug design featuring a cylindrical portion with a spiral screw thread on its outer surface, a slit, and a through hole that allows communication between the inside and outside, with a filter positioned axially to manage gas discharge and prevent electrolyte overflow, where the screw thread intersects the slit only at specific points, extending the distance from the liquid level to the vent plug and reducing the likelihood of overflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the liquid level height of the electrolyte solution is increased to increase battery capacity, then the battery capacity is improved, but the distance between the liquid level and the vent plug is shortened, causing the electrolyte solution to easily overflow
Solution Approach 1:
The cylindrical portion is divided into multiple regions by providing slits at specific positions. The slit is positioned to extend from the bottom end toward the head portion, creating segmented zones that control electrolyte solution movement. This segmentation allows gas to escape through the slits while preventing the electrolyte solution from overflowing, even when the liquid level is increased for higher battery capacity.
2Ease of operation
If the slit extends upward from the bottom portion to allow gas escape, then gas discharge function is improved, but the electrolyte solution may enter the cylindrical body and overflow when liquid level rises
Solution Approach 1:
The slit is designed with specific local characteristics: it extends from the bottom end toward the head portion but stops at a predetermined position before reaching the top. This local configuration allows gas to escape through the slit while the unslitted upper portion and the through hole with filter provide a controlled path that prevents electrolyte solution from entering the cylindrical body and overflowing.
3Ease of operation
If the through hole is provided to allow communication between inside and outside of the cylindrical body, then gas discharge is improved, but the electrolyte solution may enter through the through hole and overflow
Solution Approach 1:
A filter is provided as an intermediary component at the through hole. The filter allows gas to pass through while blocking the electrolyte solution, thus enabling the through hole to serve as an effective gas discharge path without allowing electrolyte solution to enter the cylindrical body and cause overflow.
4Ease of operation
If the screw thread portion is provided discontinuously to allow slit functionality, then gas discharge is improved, but the sealing performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The screw thread portion and the slit are merged into a single integrated structure. The screw thread portion is provided discontinuously along the circumferential direction, with the gaps forming the slit. This merging allows the screw thread to provide both fastening function and gas discharge function through the slit, maintaining sealing performance while enabling gas escape.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design effectively suppresses electrolyte solution overflow by ensuring gas can escape through the slit and through hole while maintaining the axial length of the screw thread portion, allowing for increased liquid level height and battery capacity without compromising sealing or dynamic performance.
Implementation Method 1
a filter (34) provided inside the cylindrical portion (36)... the filter (34) is disposed at a position where the through hole (43) is provided in an axial direction of the cylindrical portion (36)
Data Source
AI summary
A vent plug (18) includes a head portion (35), a cylindrical portion (36), and a filter (34). The cylindrical portion (36) includes a cylinder portion (40), a screw thread portion (42), a slit (45), and a through hole (43). The filter (34) is disposed at a position where the through hole (43) is provided in a central axis (L) direction. The screw thread portion (42) intersects the slit (45) only at a first-peripheral screw thread portion.