VALVE FOR BATTERY

Abstract

A valve for a battery is provided to expel the air in case of overpressure generated in a battery includes from an external body (2) and a plunger (3) that travels inside it pushed by the battery pressure. The valve presents two opening positions and is coupled to a plunger (3), at least: —a first O-ring (5) that closes the passage of the air when there is no pressure and opens it when the plunger (3) moves at a first position from a given degree of pressure, —a second O-ring (6) that prevents the direct exit outside of the air when there is only a first degree of pressure and allows it when the degree of pressure is exceeded that opens the plunger (3) at second position, and —a ventilation element (4) that allows the passage of the air through it, but not the passage of the water.

Claims

1. A valve for a battery that, applicable to expel air in case of overpressure generated in the battery because of cells of the batter are heating, the valve comprising: an external body (2) and a plunger (3) that travels inside the external body (2) pushed by pressure in the battery, is characterized in that it presents two opening positions, depending on the level of the pressure generated, by means of coupling to the plunger (3), at least: a first O-ring (5) that closes the passage of the air when there is no pressure and opens it when the plunger (3) moves at a first position from the pressure, a second O-ring (6) that prevents the direct exit of the air outside when there is only a first degree of the pressure and the air to exits when the of pressure exceeds a threshold to be the overpressure that opens the plunger (3) at second position, and a ventilation element (4) that allows the passage of the air through the ventilation element (4), but not the passage of the humidity therethrough, wherein the ventilation element (4) only acts when the of pressure is the overpressure, allowing in this situation the exit of the overpressure through the ventilation element (4) and, therefore, preventing the entrance of humidity through the ventilation element (4) while the pressure is not exceeded and so that when the overpressure exists, there exists a direct communication, through the ventilation element (4) between the inside of the battery and the outside of the battery allowing thus a quick release of the overpressure.

2. The valve according to the claim 1, characterized in that it comprises: the cylindric external body (2), comprising: at a proximal side (2a), a housing (21) open inside the battery casing, at a distal side (2b) of the cylindrical body (2), an external chamber (22) outwardly open that possesses, at its end, a series of lateral holes (23) on an end of the external chamber (22), between both sides of the cylindrical body (2), a dividing wall (24) having a central hole (25); and an internal plunger (3) that slides between both sides of the external body (2) and that, in turn, comprises: a stem (31) inserted in the central hole (25) of the dividing wall (24), remaining oriented towards the housing (21) of the proximal side (2a), a head (32) having a larger diameter than the stem (31) that remains located in the external chamber (22) of the distal side (2b) and that is hollow inside, defining a second chamber or intermediate chamber (33) that presents a series of perimetric perforations (34); the ventilation element (4), that closes the plunger (3) head (32) end; the first O-ring (5), incorporated in the plunger (3), in the area of junction between the stem (31) and the head (32) adapted to fit and seal the central hole (25) of the wall (24) where the plunger (3) stem (31) is inserted, and the second O-ring (6) that, incorporated perimetrically to the stem (3) head (32), is fitted on the internal wall of the external body (2) chamber (22), wherein when there is no pressure in the battery, the plunger (3) is located at a closed position and the first O-ring (5) seals the central hole (25) where the stem (31) is inserted, preventing the passage of the air from the battery to outside, when there is the pressure in the battery, the pressure pushes the plunger (3) towards the distal side (2b) of the external body (2) the first O-ring (5) being separated from the central hole (25) allowing the passage of the air towards the external chamber (22) where it remains retained by the second O-ring (6) and the plunger penetrates in the intermediate chamber (33) through the perforations (34) thereof, exiting outside through the ventilation element (4), and, when there is a higher pressure the overpressure within the battery, the plunger (3) is moved even more towards the second O-ring (6) remains coinciding with the lateral holes (23) of the external chamber (22) allowing that the air, in addition to exit through the ventilation element (4), exits directly outside.

3. The valve according to the claim 2, characterized in that the second O-ring (6) is incorporated in a perimetric notch of the ventilation element (4) that fits on the end of the plunger (3) head (32).

4. The valve according to the claim 2, characterized in that the central hole (25) of the dividing wall (24) of the external body (2) presents a conical configuration that opens towards the external chamber (22) providing space for the adjustment of the first O-ring (5) thereof.

5. The valve according to the claim 2, characterized in that in the housing (21) of the proximal side (2a) of the external body (2) a spring (7) is provided that allows the adjustment of the assembly to a connector provided to that effect in the battery casing.

6. The valve according to the claim 2, characterized in that at the end of the plunger (3) stem (31) there is a stop (8) that prevents that the said stem (31) passing through the central hole (25) beyond a given point.

7. The valve according to the claim 1, characterized in that the ventilation element (4) is a Gore® vent-type valve.

8. The valve according to the claim 1, characterized in that when the pressure is under 0.1 bar, the plunger (3) does not move and the passage of the air remains closed; with the pressure from 0.1 bar to 0.7 bar, the plunger (3) travels to a first opening position; and with the overpressure over 0.7 bar, the plunger travels to a second opening position.

9. The valve according to the claim 3, characterized in that the central hole (25) of the dividing wall (24) of the external body (2) presents a conical configuration that opens towards the external chamber (22) providing space for the adjustment of the first O-ring (5) thereof.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] To complement the description being carried out and in order to assist to best understanding the characteristics of the invention, attached to this specification, as an integral part thereof, there is a set of drawings in which, for illustration and no limitation purpose, the following has been represented:

[0021] FIG. 1—It shows a schematic sectional view of an example of embodiment of the valve for battery object of the invention, which has been represented in closed or rest position, the parts and elements it comprises can be seen;

[0022] FIG. 2—It shows a view of the valve of the invention similar to that shown in the FIG. 1, in this case represented in a first opening position, which is reached when a given value of pressure is exceeded; and

[0023] FIG. 3—It shows a sectional view of the valve, similar to that of the preceding figures, in this case represented at a second opening position, which is reached when a second degree of pressure is exceeded.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Seen the said figures, and according to the numerals adopted, a non-limiting example of embodiment of the battery valve of the invention can be seen in them, which comprises what is described in detail thereafter.

[0025] Thus, as it can be seen in the said figures, the valve (1) of the invention applicable for its implementation in the casing of a cell battery (not shown), as a safety means to relieve an eventual excess of pressure provoked by the heat of the cells within the said casing, comprises: [0026] a cylindric external body (2), that in turn comprises: [0027] at a proximal side (2a), a housing (21) open inside the battery casing [0028] at a distal side (2b), an external chamber (22) outwardly open that possesses, at its end, a series of lateral holes (23), and [0029] between both sides, a dividing wall (24) having a central hole (25); [0030] and an internal plunger (3) that slides between both sides of the external body (2) and that, in turn, comprises: [0031] a stem (31) inserted in the central hole (25) of the dividing wall (24), remaining oriented towards the housing (21) of the proximal side (2a), [0032] a head (32) having a larger diameter than the stem (31) that remains located in the external chamber (22) of the distal side (2b) and that is hollow inside, defining a second chamber or intermediate chamber (33) that presents a series of perimetric perforations (34); [0033] a ventilation element (4), concretely a Gore® vent-type valve, that closes the plunger (3) head (32) end allowing the passage of the air through it, but not the humidity, [0034] a first O-ring (5), incorporated in the plunger (3), in the area of junction between the stem (31) and the head (32) adapted to fit and seal the central hole (25) of the wall (24) where the plunger (3) stem (31) is inserted, and [0035] a second O-ring (6) that, incorporated perimetrically to the stem (3) head (32), is fitted on the internal wall of the external body (2) chamber (22).

[0036] With all that, the operation of the valve is so that: [0037] When there is no pressure in the battery, preferably under 0.1 bar, the plunger (3) is located at a closed position (FIG. 1), so that the first O-ring (5) seals the central hole (25) where the stem (31) is inserted, preventing the passage of the air from the battery to outside. [0038] When there is a given degree of pressure in the battery, preferably between 0.1 and 0.7 bar, the said pressure pushes the plunger (3) towards the distal side (2b) of the external body (2) so that the first O-ring (5) is separated from the central hole (25) in which it is fitted, allowing the passage of the air through the said central hole (25) from the housing (21) of the proximal side (2a) towards the external chamber (22) where it remains retained by the adjustment of the second O-ring (6) on the walls thereof and it penetrates in the intermediate chamber (33) that the plunger (3) head (32) defines through the perforations (34) thereof, exiting outside through the ventilation element (4), as it is shown in the FIG. 2. [0039] And, when there is a higher pressure within the battery, preferably over 0.7 bar, the plunger (3) is moved even more towards the distal side (2b) of the external body (2) until the second O-ring (6) remains coinciding with the lateral holes (23) of the external chamber (22) allowing that the air, in addition to continue exiting through the ventilation element (4), exits directly outside through the said lateral holes (23), as it is shown in the FIG. 3.

[0040] Preferably, to secure the fixation of the ventilation element (4), the second O-ring (6) is incorporated in a perimetric notch of the said element that fit on the plunger (3) head (32) end so that, at same time, the sealing effect of this second O-ring (8) is secured on the internal walls of the external chamber (22).

[0041] Preferably, the central hole (25) of the dividing wall (24) of the external body (2) presents a conical configuration that opens towards the external chamber (22) with the aim of providing space for the adjustment of the first O-ring (5) thereof.

[0042] Preferably, in the housing (21) of the proximal side (2a) of the external body (2) a spring (7) is provided that allows the adjustment of the assembly to a connector (not shown) arranged in the casing of the battery to that effect.

[0043] Likewise, at the end of the plunger (3) stem (31) that remains oriented towards the battery there is the incorporation of a stop (8) that prevents that the said stem (31) passes through the central hole (25) beyond a given point and the plunger goes out of its place.

[0044] On the other hand, in a preferred embodiment, the valve comprises in addition a third O-ring (9) situated externally to the external body (2) close to a perimetric thickening (26) thereof provided for its coupling in the said battery connector.

[0045] Summarizing, therefore, the valve (1) object of the invention, applicable to expel the air in case of overpressure generated in a battery because of its cells heating, is distinguished in that it presents two opening positions depending on the level of pressure generated for which, being formed from an external body (2) and a plunger (3) that travels inside it pushed by the pressure of the battery, comprises, coupled to the said plunger (3), at least: [0046] a first O-ring (5) that closes the passage of the air when there is no pressure and opens it when the plunger (3) moves at a first position from a given degree of pressure, [0047] a second O-ring (6) that prevents the direct exit outside of the air when there is only a first degree of pressure and allows it when the said degree of pressure is exceeded that opens the plunger (3) at second position, and [0048] a ventilation element (4) that, in both opening positions allows the passage of the air through it, but not the passage of the humidity.

[0049] Sufficiently disclosed the nature of this invention, as well as the manner of implementing it, it is not deemed necessary to extend anymore its explanation in order that any person skilled in the art understands its extends and the advantages arising from it.