DE10257917B4 - accumulator - Google Patents

Abstract

Accumulator, in particular lead accumulator, with a housing comprising several cells and a block cover closing the housing, which comprises a lower cover (1) and an upper cover (2), between which a gas space for acid separation is formed, which is divided into several cavities (3-8) , is divided according to the number of cells and which has at least one degassing opening, a filling opening (9-14) being provided for each cell in the lower cover (1), characterized in that the filling openings (9-14) opposite the upper cover (2) are sealed and that in the walls (54) of the filling openings (9-14) gas outlet points (50) are provided, the size of which is dimensioned so that when the battery is tilted briefly, no more acid flows out of the cell than from the its assigned cavity (3-8) can be accommodated, no air can get into the cell and, after the accumulator has returned to the normal position, the acid flows back into the cell allowed.

Description

The invention relates to an accumulator, in particular a lead-acid battery, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such accumulators are used for various purposes, including as starter batteries for motor vehicles. The accumulator is filled with an acid or other electrolytic fluid. In normal operation, the accumulator is in a horizontal position, so that the acid can not leak. In the event of an accident, the accumulator may be tilted so that there is a risk that the acid will leak and cause damage.

From the EP 0 570 703 A1 An accumulator according to the preamble of claim 1 is known, which has a certain tilting safety. In this accumulator sealing plug for the filling openings are present. The filling openings have semicircular extensions, are formed by the gas outlet points whose size is such that with short-term tilt no more acid can escape from the gas space of the cell, as is absorbed by its associated cavity. However, it is necessary to produce these extensions with a very high accuracy. The tool required for the production of the cover parts must therefore be manufactured with a very high accuracy.

From the EP 0 858 116 B1 is an accumulator with a multi-cell housing and a housing final block cover known. The block lid comprises a lower lid and an upper lid between which a gas space for acid deposition is formed, which is divided into a plurality of cavities corresponding to the number of cells. The block lid has a degassing opening and provides a filling opening for each cell in the lower lid.

In the from the EP 0 858 116 B1 known accumulator, the block cover on a variety of cell ventilation devices in the lower lid. Each cell venting device is designed to direct gases from within a corresponding cell into the interior of the block cover. Each cell vent is slotted and extends from the top lid through a respective cell drain into the bottom lid, each cell vent having an opening to transfer gases from a corresponding cell of the battery to the interior of the block lid. The known accumulator is designed such that it is protected by a housing closing block cover from leaking or leaking at a tilt. However, it is necessary to produce the block cover with cell ventilation devices according to the generic type accumulator with a very low manufacturing tolerance. The tool required for the production of the cover parts must therefore be manufactured with a very high accuracy.

From the US 4,778,735 A is itself a block lid for a battery known. This block cover comprises a lower lid and an upper lid, between which a gas space for acid deposition is formed, which is divided into a plurality of cavities corresponding to the number of battery cells. Furthermore, the block cover has a degassing opening and in the lower lid a filling opening for each cell. Gas outlet points are realized in the block cover by the cylindrical upper, downwardly open chambers are arranged on the upper cover, which have a smaller radius than the filling openings and project into these filling openings. Thus, the filling openings of the lower lid form with the cylindrical downwardly open chambers of the upper lid an annular gap through which the gases pass through the cavities in the vent channel.

From the EP 0 584 528 A1 is a lid for a lead-acid battery with a degassing known, there is no effective prevention of leakage or leakage is realized in tilting of the battery.

The invention is based on the object, the generic type accumulator to design and further develop that with a simple construction leakage or leakage is effectively avoided at a tilt.

According to the invention the above object is solved by the features of claim 1. Thereafter, the generic accumulator is characterized in that the filling openings are sealed relative to the upper lid and that gas discharge points are provided in the region of the filling openings in the walls of the filling openings whose size is such that with short-term tilting of the accumulator no more acid flows out of the cell , as can be absorbed by its associated cavity, no air enters the cell and allowed to return the accumulator in the normal position, a back flow of the acid into the cell.

The fact that the filling openings are sealed relative to the upper lid and that the gas outlet points are part of the filling openings, the production is simplified. The filling openings can be made in a conventional manner. It is only necessary, the tolerances for the production of the gas outlet parts to comply with, without the interaction with other components must be considered.

The size of the respective gas outlet point is dimensioned such that when the accumulator is tilted, no air can enter the cell through the gas outlet. The gas outlet point is thus at most so large that when the acid flows out no air can flow. However, it is dimensioned so large that the acid can run back into the cell after completion of the tilt, ie when the accumulator has resumed its normal position. The fact that, when the acid flows through the gas outlet, air can not simultaneously flow through this gas exit point into the cell, it is ensured that with increasing outflow of the acid from the cell in this cell, a negative pressure forms, with further outflow of the acid becomes larger and prevents the further outflow of the acid at the latest when the respective cavity is filled. The cavity is dimensioned so that this condition is met.

Advantageous developments are described in the subclaims.

The upper lid can be configured as a flat plate. He is in this case particularly inexpensive to produce.

A further advantageous development is characterized in that a filling opening is provided with a diagnostic probe ("magic eye"), in particular with a diagnostic probe according to the DE 298 21 994 U , which has a probe body on which a lens with at least one float ball, a thread and a screw-in are provided. The diagnostic probe is used to monitor the acid level in the battery. It can be screwed or plugged into the lower lid. It is advantageous if the upper cover completely or at least in the area in which the diagnosis probe is made of transparent material.

The upper lid can be permanently connected, in particular welded, to the lower lid.

However, it is also possible that the upper lid to the lower lid is releasably connected or detachably connected, in particular clipped to the lower lid or screwed to it.

The upper cover can be equipped with an elastic sealing contour. This is particularly advantageous when the upper lid is designed as a 2K part and / or releasably connected to the lower lid, in particular clipped to the lower lid or screwed to it.

The lower lid may have a groove-shaped contour for sealing the upper lid. This is particularly advantageous if the upper lid is releasably connectable to the lower lid, in particular clipped to the lower lid or screwed to it.

The gas outlet points may have a circular cross section. To ensure that no more acid can escape from the cell during short-term tilting of the accumulator, as is absorbed by its associated cavity, the diameter of the respective gas outlet point can be 2 to 4 mm, preferably 3 mm.

The gas outlet points may be funnel-shaped. As a result, the reflux of the acid can be improved.

A further advantageous development is characterized in that the cavities are subdivided by walls into one or more chambers. It is advantageous if the chambers are designed like a labyrinth. The chambers are thus preferably configured such that a labyrinth system is created. In this way it can be achieved that the respective cavity, in particular also in the case of different tilting directions of the accumulator, is advantageously utilized.

The wall closest to the gas outlet is preferably designed such that it delimits a spiral chamber. The spiral preferably extends over 360 ° or more, more preferably over 450 ° or more. As a result, the volume of the cavity is well utilized.

It is advantageous if the outlet cross section of one or more chambers is the same size as the cross section of the gas outlet point. This is particularly advantageous if the chambers are designed like a labyrinth and / or if a spiral-shaped chamber is present.

The lower cover preferably has a leading to the gas outlet point gradient. In this way it can be achieved that the acid which penetrates into the cavity during tilting runs back into the cell when the accumulator returns to its normal position.

The return surfaces in the lower cover may have a faceted and / or continuous slope to the gas outlet.

Preferably, the cavities open into a central degassing, at the end one or more degassing openings can be provided. The degassing channel is preferably located on a longitudinal side of the accumulator. The arrangement is preferably made such that it is ensured that, when the accumulator is tilted, no acid can penetrate as far as the degassing duct.

One or more, in particular two, end chambers may be present at the one or more ends of the central degassing channel, one or more of which may be configured with a flashback protection, in particular a flashback protection frit.

A further advantageous development is characterized in that the upper lid has walls which form overflow sleepers in the top position of the accumulator. As a result, the tilting security is improved even with a tilt of the battery by 180 °. The overflow thresholds are designed so high that the leaked acid does not exceed them.

The gas outlet points are provided in the walls of the filling openings.

In addition, it is also possible that gas outlet points are formed by recesses in the lower lid and / or in the upper lid.

Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings in detail. In the drawing shows

1 a lower lid and an upper lid in a perspective view,

2 4 shows a modified embodiment of a lower cover and an upper cover, which form a block cover, in a perspective view;

3 an embodiment of a block cover after 2 , as used in an accumulator according to the invention,

4 the sealing area of the upper lid on the lower lid in an enlarged view,

5 a modification of the lower lid with a schematic representation of the acid level in the cavities with a tilt of the accumulator to the left,

6 the lower lid according to 5 with a schematic representation of the acid level in the cavities with a tilt of the accumulator to the right,

7 the lower lid according to 5 and 6 with a schematic representation of the acid level in the cavities with a tilt of the accumulator forward,

8th the lower lid according to 5 to 7 with a schematic representation of the acid level in the cavities with a tilt of the accumulator to the rear,

9 a cross-section through a modified embodiment of a block cover,

10 the block cover according to 9 in a view from above,

11 painted,

12 painted,

13 a portion of the upper lid within the associated filling opening in a cross-sectional view, wherein the upper lid is clipped to the lower lid,

14 a modification in which the upper lid is screwed to the lower lid,

15 a further modification, in which the upper lid is inserted in the lower lid,

16 a detail from the 13 and

17 a block cover at a tilt of the accumulator by 180 °, partially in section.

The in 1 shown block cover of a battery consists of a lower lid 1 and an upper lid 2 between which a gas space for acid deposition is formed, in six cavities 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8th is divided so that for each of the six cells of the accumulator a cavity 3 - 8th is available. In the lower lid is a filling opening 9 . 10 . 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 intended for each cell.

2 shows a modified embodiment in a perspective view. The upper lid 2 is designed as a flat plate. It can be made of PP-crystal clear. In the upper lid 2 is an opening 52 intended for the "magic eye".

The upper lid 2 , which is made of 2-component plastic, is equipped with an elastic sealing contour and with the lower lid 1 releasably connectable. The lower lid 1 has a groove-shaped contour for sealing the upper lid 2 on.

The filling openings 9 - 14 are in the off 3 apparent manner extended upward so that they to the bottom of the designed as a flat plate upper lid 2 pass. The upper lid 2 has on its underside down-reaching projections 53 covering the upper ends of the walls 54 the filling holes. In this way, the filling openings are closed.

4 shows a circumferential seal 55 located in the outer area of the upper lid 2 located at the bottom and with a correspondingly designed contour 56 on the lower lid 1 cooperates sealingly.

The cavities 3 - 8th open into a central degassing channel 34 which runs on a longitudinal side of the accumulator, namely on the longitudinal side, the end poles 35 . 36 opposite.

The cavities 3 - 8th are through walls 37 (see. 1 ) are subdivided into chambers, which are designed like a labyrinth. These are the respective gas outlet point 50 nearest walls 37 formed such that they surround a spiral chamber.

The lower lid 1 points in the 3 apparent way to a respective gas outlet point 50 leading gradient in which 3 So a gradient of the return surface 38 to the gas outlet 50 that runs continuously.

The upper lid 2 has walls 39 ( 17 ), which form in the head position of the accumulator overflow thresholds. The arrangement can be made such that the walls 39 of the upper lid 2 on corresponding walls of the lower lid 1 rest and that to the central degassing 34 Crossing thresholds 40 are present, whose height is lower, but which are still so high that even in the case of a head position of the accumulator, the in 17 the acid present in the cavities is shown 41 the crossing threshold 40 does not exceed and thus no acid in the central degassing 34 can penetrate.

In the 5 to 8th further embodiments for cavities are shown. in 5 is the space that the acid 41 at a tilt of the accumulator to the left, ie in the direction of the arrow 61 , drawn, hatched. 6 shows the corresponding conditions at a tilt of the accumulator to the right, ie in the direction of the arrow 62 . 7 at a tilt of the accumulator forward, ie in the direction of the arrow 63 , and 8th at a tilt of the accumulator backwards, ie in the direction of the arrow 64 , In all cases, the volumes of the cavities are sized and the walls in the cavities are designed such that the acid 41 reliably held and in particular prevented from entering the central degassing 34 penetrates. In the drawing figures 1 and 5 to 8th is for every cavity 3 - 8th another configuration of the walls 37 shown. In actually manufactured batteries, it is advantageous if one of these configurations for all six cavities 3 - 8th is used.

In the walls 54 the filling openings are each a gas outlet point 50 provided in the area of the return surface 38 located.

During operation of the accumulator, acid deposition gases may pass through the gas exit points 50 into the cavities 3 - 8th and from there into the central degassing duct 34 in whose end chambers flashback protection frits are present, which deposit the acid.

In the case of tilting of the accumulator acid passes through the gas outlet points 50 in the cavities 3 - 8th However, it is no longer possible for acid to escape from the cells, that is, for the respectively assigned cavities 3 - 8th can be included. When the accumulator resumes its normal position, the acid flows through the slope of the return surfaces 38 to the gas exit points 50 and through them back to the lines. The size of the gas outlet points is dimensioned such that, with short-term tilting of the accumulator, no more acid can escape from the cell than is absorbed by the cavity assigned to it.

In 9 a modified embodiment is shown, are provided in the same parts with the same reference numerals.

The 13 to 15 are only in relation to the connection of upper lid 1 and lower lid 2 relevant. According to 13 is the top cover 2 on the lower lid 1 clipped. In the embodiment according to 14 are screws 59 present, with which the upper cover 2 on the lower lid 1 screwed. In the embodiment according to 15 is the top cover 2 in the lower lid 1 plugged. The 16 shows the circumferential seal between the lower lid 1 and the top lid 2 in the clipped embodiment according to 13 ,

Claims (18)

Battery, in particular lead-acid battery, comprising a housing comprising a plurality of cells and a housing cover closing a lid cover ( 1 ) and an upper lid ( 2 ), between which a gas space for acid deposition is formed, which is divided into several cavities ( 3 - 8th ), according to the number of cells, and which has at least one degassing opening, wherein in the lower lid ( 1 ) a filling opening ( 9 - 14 ) is provided for each cell, thereby characterized in that the filling openings ( 9 - 14 ) opposite the upper lid ( 2 ) and that in the conversions ( 54 ) of the filling openings ( 9 - 14 ) Gas outlets ( 50 ) are provided whose size is such that with short-term tilting of the accumulator no more acid flows out of the cell than from its associated cavity ( 3 - 8th ), no air gets into the cell and, after the return of the accumulator to the normal position, a backflow of the acid into the cell is allowed. Accumulator according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper cover ( 2 ) is designed as a flat plate. Accumulator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a filling opening ( 9 - 14 ) is provided with a diagnostic probe. Accumulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper cover ( 2 ) with the lower lid ( 1 ) inseparably connected, in particular welded. Accumulator according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the upper cover ( 2 ) with the lower lid ( 1 ) is detachably connected, in particular to the lower cover ( 1 ) or screwed to it. Accumulator according to claim 5, characterized in that the upper cover ( 2 ) with an elastic sealing contour ( 21 ) Is provided. Accumulator according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the lower cover ( 1 ) a groove-shaped contour for sealing the upper cover ( 2 ) having. Accumulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas outlet points ( 50 ) have a circular cross-section. Accumulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas outlet points ( 50 ) are funnel-shaped. Accumulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cavities ( 3 - 8th ) are subdivided into one or more chambers. Accumulator according to claim 10, characterized in that the chambers are designed like a labyrinth. Accumulator according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the gas outlet point ( 50 ) nearest wall ( 37 ) is formed such that it defines a spiral-shaped chamber, wherein the spiral preferably extends over 450 ° or more. Accumulator according to claim 10 to 12, characterized in that the outlet cross section of one or more chambers is the same size as the cross section of the gas outlet point ( 50 ). Accumulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower cover ( 1 ) to the gas outlet ( 50 ) has a leading gradient. Accumulator according to claim 14, characterized in that the gradient is continuous and / or faceted. Accumulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cavities ( 3 - 8th ) in a central degassing channel ( 34 ). Accumulator according to Claim 16, characterized in that one or both are connected to the central degassing channel ( 34 ) connected (s) Endkammer (s) is equipped with a flashback protection (are). Accumulator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper cover ( 2 ) Walls ( 39 ), which in head position of the accumulator overflow thresholds ( 40 ) form.

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