Lead-Acid Battery Exhaust Venting with Segmented Blocking Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lead-acid batteries experience leakage of solution droplets due to vibrations, which is not effectively addressed by existing designs that rely on the return flow structure, as vibrations cause electrolyte solution to splash and move along the ceiling surface of the exhaust space, leading to leakage.

Innovation Solution

The battery design incorporates a sleeve member with spaced-apart blocking elements arranged at different heights, creating a passage that minimizes the entry of splashed electrolyte solution into the exhaust space while ensuring gas discharge, and includes an inclined bottom surface in the exhaust space to return solution droplets to the container.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a return flow structure is used in the exhaust space, then solution droplets can return to the container, but solution droplets still leak to the outside under continuous vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakage suppressionVSAvoidvibration-induced droplet movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust space is divided into multiple regions by partition walls, creating separate communication paths between the container interior and exhaust space. This segmentation prevents droplets from reaching the outlet by confining them to specific regions where they can return to the container through inclined surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the exhaust space are given different functions: some regions have inclined bottom surfaces for droplet return, while others have blocking elements to prevent droplet movement. This local differentiation of properties allows the system to handle droplets effectively in specific areas while maintaining overall exhaust functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the exhaust space is opened to the outside for gas discharge, then gas can be vented, but solution droplets can escape to the outside

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas discharge functionalityVSAvoidelectrolyte solution leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust space is segmented into multiple regions by partition walls, creating separate communication paths between the container interior and exhaust space. This segmentation prevents droplets from reaching the outlet by confining them to specific regions where they can return to the container through inclined surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Blocking elements are positioned at different heights within the exhaust space, creating a vertical dimension of control. This vertical arrangement allows the system to block droplet movement in the vertical direction while maintaining horizontal gas flow paths to the outlet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If blocking elements are added to prevent droplet leakage, then droplet return is improved, but gas discharge may be obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedroplet containmentVSAvoidgas discharge efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Partition walls act as intermediary structures that guide gas flow around blocking elements. These intermediate structures allow the system to block droplets while providing alternative pathways for gas to reach the outlet, maintaining gas discharge efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This configuration significantly reduces the amount of solution droplets moving along the ceiling surface, effectively suppressing leakage caused by vibrations and enhancing the reliability of the lead-acid battery in practical use.

Implementation Method 1

a bottom surface of the exhaust space is inclined such that a solution in the space returns to the inside of the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10135048B2Lead-acid battery

Publication Date: 2018.11.20 GS YUASA INT LTD

AI summary

Provided is a lead-acid battery which includes: a power generating element; an electrolyte solution; a container which houses the power generating element and the electrolyte solution; and a lid member which is configured to seal the container and in which an exhaust space and a sleeve member are formed, the exhaust space communicating with an outside, an inside of the container being communicated with the exhaust space through the sleeve member. A bottom surface of the exhaust space is inclined such that a solution in the space returns to the inside of the container. The sleeve member has blocking elements arranged in a spaced-apart manner in an extending direction of the sleeve member. The inside of the container is communicated with the exhaust space through a space formed between the blocking elements.