JPH0628992U - Gas vent valve for waterproof equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] The objective is to keep costs low and to protect the storage chamber even underwater or on land to a depth of several meters without rupturing the storage chamber. An airtight battery housing chamber is provided for the electric circuit or the like inside a waterproof device having an electric circuit or the like, and a part of the peripheral wall of the battery housing chamber matches a part of the peripheral wall of the waterproof device. An opening is provided in the portion to be provided, and further, a ventilation / water-impermeable filter and a holding member for sandwiching the same are provided, and the holding member covers the opening while keeping the ventilation / non-water-permeable filter in a sandwiched state. At this time, the holding member is fixed to a part of the waterproof device around the opening together with the ventilation / water-impermeable filter, and when the room pressure in the battery accommodating chamber exceeds a predetermined value, the holding member is ventilated. An attaching / detaching means configured so as to be detached from a portion around the opening of the waterproof device was provided together with the non-water-permeable filter, and a hole for ventilation was provided in a portion of the holding member for holding the ventilation / water-permeable filter.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a gas vent valve for a waterproof device used in water or on land up to a depth of several meters, and more specifically, it relates to a battery storage chamber located inside the device and an outer wall of the device. The present invention relates to a gas vent valve provided between them.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 Conventionally, as an example in which a gas vent valve is provided, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 56-115863 by the present applicant is known. According to this publication, a gas vent valve is provided on a part of the peripheral wall of the battery housing box.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 When using the device with the batteries housed in the battery chamber inside the device, the following precautions must be taken. If the battery is left for a long time with the battery housed, the electrolyte leaks from the battery and damages other battery circuits, etc. Then, the battery may be made airtight, but due to some reason, the battery heats up and the electrolyte inside the battery is vaporized, and the vaporization releases a high-pressure gas to the outside of the battery. When the above-mentioned battery chamber is airtight, the gas released from the battery raises the atmospheric pressure in the chamber and the chamber ruptures.

In order to solve the danger, as described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 56-115863, a gas vent valve is required, and the gas released from the battery raises the atmospheric pressure in the battery housing chamber. Then, the gas vent valve is activated by the atmospheric pressure, and the gas may be released to the outside of the device through the gas vent valve at that time.However, the gas vent valve according to the above publication has a complicated structure. However, there is a problem that the cost is high, and if the gas discharged from the battery causes the atmospheric pressure in the battery chamber to rise abnormally and a large amount of gas is discharged at once, the complicated structure described above However, there is a problem whether it can be released all at once, which may cause the battery chamber to burst.

The present invention has been made in view of these problems. The cost is kept low, and the battery accommodation chamber can be accommodated in the water or land up to a depth of several meters without rupturing the battery accommodation chamber. The purpose is to protect the room.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a battery accommodating chamber (1a) hermetically sealed to an electric circuit or the like inside a waterproof device (1) having an electric circuit or the like, as shown in FIGS. ) Is provided, and an opening (3a) is provided in the matching part (3) in the peripheral wall of the battery housing chamber (1a) including a part (3) matching a part of the peripheral wall of the waterproof device (1). And a holding member (5, 6) for sandwiching the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter (7) to protect the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter (7). When the holding member (5, 6) covers the opening (3a) while holding the ventilation / water impermeable filter (7) in a sandwiched state, the holding member (5, 6) is not Around the opening (3a) of the waterproof device (1) together with the water-permeable filter (7). The waterproof member (1) is fixed to the portion (3) and the holding member (1) together with the ventilation / water-impermeable filter (7) when the atmospheric pressure in the battery housing chamber (1a) exceeds a predetermined value. 1) The attachment / detachment means (3d, 5e) configured so as to be detached from the peripheral portion of the opening (3a), and the holding members (5, 6) for holding the ventilation / water impermeable filter (7). ), The holes (5a, 6a) for ventilation were provided.

[0007]

[Action]

 As a portion (3) of the peripheral wall of the battery housing chamber (1a) that matches a part of the peripheral wall of the waterproof device (1), in FIG. 1, a sealing member for sealing the battery housing chamber (1a). The lid (3) is shown, and the matching portion (3) is not limited to the sealing lid (3) in FIG. 1 in the present invention.

The air-permeable and water-impermeable filter (7) sandwiched by the holding members (5, 6) in the figure acts as follows because it allows only gas to pass, not liquid. Is obtained. Even if water droplets try to enter from the outside of the waterproof device (1) to a depth of a few meters or on land, the ventilation holes (5a) of the holding members (5, 6) in FIG. It is blocked by the water permeable filter (7), so that water droplets do not enter the battery storage chamber (1a) inside the device (1), and the battery and the like can be protected. Therefore, the battery accommodating chamber is not ruptured and can be protected.

As described above, the battery (8a) housed in the battery housing chamber (1a) generates heat for some reason, and the battery (8a) releases gas to increase the atmospheric pressure of the battery housing chamber (1a). When the height rises, the ventilation holes (5a, 6a) provided in the holding member (5, 6) for holding the ventilation / water impermeable filter (7) as shown in FIG. The gas mentioned above is discharged through the filter (7) to the outside of the waterproof device (1) while countering the atmospheric pressure on land or the water pressure in water, and therefore the atmospheric pressure of the battery housing chamber (1a) is increased. It is possible to lower and prevent the accommodation chamber (1a) from rupturing.

Further, when a large amount of gas is discharged at once due to the discharge of the battery, the atmospheric pressure of the battery storage chamber (1a) exceeds a predetermined value, and the attachment / detachment means (3d, 5e) described above is used. Accordingly, the holding member (5, 6) and the ventilation / water-impermeable filter (7) are provided around the opening (3a) of the waterproof device (1) (3) against the atmospheric pressure and water pressure around the device. ), The opening (3a) is opened, so that a large amount of gas can be released all at once to the outside of the device (1) through the opening (3a).

At that time, on land, due to the release of the gas, the atmospheric pressure of the battery storage chamber (1a) is lowered in the same manner as described above, and the bursting of the storage chamber (1a) can be prevented. In exchange for the release of the gas, water will enter the battery chamber (1a) through the opening (3a), but the battery chamber (1a) ruptures due to the release of the gas to the outside of the device. Since this is not done, the accommodation chamber (1a) can be protected.

Further, since the holding member (5, 6) and the air-impermeable and water-impermeable filter (7) are used, the structure is simple and the cost can be kept low. From the above, the above-mentioned object can be achieved.

[0013]

【Example】

 FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the OUT side indicates the outside of the device 1 and the IN side indicates the device 1 with respect to a boundary line A located on the outer wall of the waterproof device 1 in the figure. It shows the inside. In the figure, a lid 3 for sealing the battery housing chamber 1a of the waterproof device 1 is screwed to the male screw portion 1b of the waterproof device 1 via an elastic ring 2 in the figure, and the upper portion of the lid 3 is covered. 2 is provided with respective components 5, 6, 7 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lid 3 is provided with an opening 3a, and ring-shaped steps 3b and 3c are formed around the opening 3a. Among the above-mentioned respective components, the component denoted by reference numeral 5 is a holding cap 5, and on the upper part of the cap 5, ventilation holes 5a and blocking portions 5b are alternately provided in an elongated shape. There is. Although not shown in FIG. 2 in the lower part of the cap 5, as shown in FIG. 1, there is also a ventilation hole 5a and a blocking part 5b in the lower part so as to be reversed to the upper hole 5a and the blocking part 5b, respectively. It is set up.

Out of the periphery of the holding cap 5 in FIG. 2, a protrusion 5c on the left side in the figure formed integrally with the cap 5 is provided with a fitting hole 5d for fitting with the screw 4. ing. Further, a plurality of engaging convex portions 5e are provided on the peripheral surface of the holding cap 5, and a large number of engaging concave portions 3d (in the drawing, shown) are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the lid 3 according to the convex portions 5e. Is provided). These concavo-convex portions 3d and 5e constitute the attaching / detaching means described above.

The component denoted by reference numeral 6 is a holding plate, and the holding plate 6 is provided with a large number of rectangular holes 6 a for ventilation, and by the holding cap 5 and the holding plate 6 described above, The above-mentioned holding member for sandwiching the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter 7 in the figure is constituted. Further, one end 12a of a string (string) 12 in the figure is connected to the central portion 6b of the holding plate 6, and the other end of the string 12 is connected to a fixture 14 in the figure.

The fitting 14 is provided with a fitting hole 14a for fitting with the mounting screw 13, and the female screw portion in FIG. 1 provided on the bottom surface of the lid 3 through the hole 14a. The above-mentioned mounting screw 13 is used for screwing into 3e. On the upper surface of the lid 3, a female screw portion 3f to be screwed to the screw 4 is provided via a fitting hole 5d of the holding cap 5.

The air-impermeable / water-impermeable filter 7 is made of a cloth in which the stitches are finely woven using special fine fibers, and a substance having a molecular structure larger than the fineness of the stitches cannot pass through the filter. It allows smaller substances to pass through. Therefore, the aeration / water impermeable filter 7 used in the present invention has a characteristic that does not allow large molecules such as water molecules to pass through but allows small molecules of gas to pass through. A contact surface 7a for contacting the ring-shaped bottom surface of the holding cap 5 is provided around the ventilation / water-impermeable filter 7 described above.

When inserting both sides of the ventilation / non-water-permeable filter 7 by the holding cap 5 and the holding plate 6 into the opening 3 a of the lid 3, the fixture 14 shown in FIG. 3a to move to the bottom side of the lid 3, and the mounting screw 13 is screwed to the female screw portion 3e of the lid 3 in FIG. 1 via the fitting hole 14a of the fixture 14. . Next, an adhesive is applied to the step portion 3c of the lid 3 in FIG. 2, and the peripheral portion of the holding plate 6 is adhered to the step portion 3c of the lid 3 by the adhesive, and the upper surface of the holding plate 6 is covered. An adhesive is applied to each of the portions other than the ventilation hole 6a and the stepped portion 3b of the lid 3 so that the ventilation / water impermeable filter 7 is adhered.

Subsequent to the adhesion, the contact surface 7a around the filter 7 is coated with an adhesive to insert the holding cap 5, and at that time, the engaging convex portion 5e of the cap 5 is made into the concave portion of the lid 3. While engaging with 3d, the ring-shaped bottom surface of the cap 5 is adhered to the contact surface 7a of the ventilation / water-impermeable filter by the above-mentioned adhesive, and then the screw is inserted through the fitting hole 5d of the cap 5 4 is screwed into the female screw portion 3f of the lid 3.

Due to the engagement of the engaging concave portion 3d and the convex portion 5e, as shown in FIG. 1, the holding cap 5 and the holding plate 6 sandwich the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter 7, and the lid 3 is fixed. Liquid or gas is fixed to the opening 3a and does not pass through the bonded portion (such as the contact surface 7a) by the above-mentioned adhesive, and ventilation is performed for each of the holding cap 5 and the holding plate 6. It is performed only through the air-impermeable and water-impermeable filter 7 through the holes 5a and 6a. Since the liquid is blocked by the filter 7, it is possible to prevent the liquid from entering. The holding cap 5, the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter 7 and the holding plate 6 shown in FIG. 1 constitute a gas vent valve of a waterproof device.

In FIG. 1, a battery pack 8 containing a battery 8 a is housed in the battery housing chamber 1 a of the waterproof device 1. Even if the battery pack 8 is a commercially available battery, It may be a dedicated battery. A take-out electrode 11 (at least two plus and minus) is fixedly provided on a part of the peripheral wall of the battery housing chamber 1a, and the take-out electrode 11 is connected to the electrode of the battery pack 8 as shown in the figure. The connecting terminal 9 and the spring 10 are installed. The battery pack 8 supplies power to an electric circuit (not shown) located outside the battery housing chamber 1a via the connection terminal 9 and the spring 10 and the extraction electrode 11 described above.

The lead-out electrode 11 is assembled by a method such as insert molding, press fitting, or a waterproof shaft structure using an O-ring on the peripheral wall of the battery housing chamber 1a so that no gap is formed. Even if the room air pressure rises, the gas and the electrolytic solution will not leak to the outside of the peripheral wall of the battery housing chamber 1a. Therefore, an electric circuit (not shown) can be protected. The battery 8a loaded in the battery pack 8 may be one in which the user of the device sets the battery in the battery pack.

Next, the operation of the configuration shown in FIG. 1 will be described. Even if a water drop from the outside of the waterproof device 1 tries to enter the inside of the device 1 in the water up to a depth of several meters or on land, the aeration / water impermeable filter 7 in FIG. 1 causes the water drop to the battery chamber 1a. The entry is blocked, and therefore the battery 8a in the battery housing chamber 1a and the pack 8 thereof can be protected. The above-mentioned holding plate 6 can have a function of resisting the water pressure by receiving the water pressure applied to the air-impermeable and water-impermeable filter 7 and transmitting the force to the step portion 3c of the lid 3.

As described above, when the battery 8a releases gas to the outside through the pack 8 for some reason, the gas pressure in the battery housing chamber 1a rises due to the release, and the holding plate 6 in FIG. The force of pushing up acts, and the force of pushing up is also generated in the ventilation / water impermeable filter 7 and the holding cap 5 according to the force. When the pushing-up force is weaker than the engaging force of the engaging portions 3d, 5e, the gas generated by the discharge of the battery 8 causes the ventilation hole 6a of the holding plate 6 and the ventilation non-water-permeable filter in FIG. The air is discharged to the outside through the ventilation hole 5a of the luter 7 and the holding cap 5 while countering the atmospheric pressure or water pressure around the device 1, and therefore the atmospheric pressure of the battery storage chamber 1a is lowered, and It is possible to prevent the chamber 1a from bursting.

When a large amount of the above-mentioned gas is released in an instant, the air pressure in the battery chamber 1a exceeds a predetermined value, and the force for pushing up the above-mentioned components 5, 6, 7 is applied. It becomes stronger than the engaging force of the portions 3d and 5e, and at this time, the engagement of the engaging portions 3b and 5e is released, and the holding cap 5 is removed from the opening 3a of the lid 3 as shown in FIG. To be done. Although the above-mentioned ventilation / water-impermeable filter 7 and the holding plate 6 are not shown in FIG. 3, the holding plate 6 is not air-permeable beforehand by an adhesive when the respective parts 6, 7 are loaded into the opening 3a. Since it is adhered to the water-permeable filter 7 and the contact surface 7a of the filter 7 is adhered to the ring-shaped bottom surface of the retaining cap 5 with an adhesive, the retaining cap 5 of FIG. The non-water-permeable filter 7 and the holding plate 6 are integrally removed from the opening 3a. Therefore, the opening 3a is opened, and the large amount of gas can be released to the outside of the device 1 at once.

When the above-mentioned opening 3a is opened in water and a large amount of gas is released at once, in exchange for the release, the battery housing chamber 1a may be flooded through the opening 3a. The battery storage chamber 1a is not ruptured due to the release of gas to the outside of the device, and the storage chamber 1a can be protected. Further, since the accommodation chamber 1a is waterproof and airtight with respect to the surrounding electric circuits and the like as described above, water leakage does not occur in the battery circuits and the like to the surroundings due to the above-mentioned inundation. It can also protect electrical circuits.

When the amount of gas discharged from the battery 8 in the battery housing chamber 1a in FIG. 1 is further increased and the force for pushing up the above-mentioned respective parts 5, 6, 7 is stronger, the engaging portion 3b, 5e is disengaged, and as shown in FIG. 4, the cap 5 is torn from the protrusion 5c of the holding cap 5 through the screw 4, and the ventilation / water-impermeable filter 7 and the holding plate 6 are Since the opening 3a is removed from the opening 3a and the opening 3a is opened as in FIG. 3, a large amount of gas can be discharged to the outside of the device 1 at once.

In FIG. 4, since the string 12 does not cause each component 5 (including components 6 and 7 not shown) to fly farther than the outside of the device 1, the danger to the outside can be reduced. You can However, as shown in FIG. 3, when the holding cap 5 is removed from the opening 3a, as long as the holding cap 5 does not break from the projection 5c, the above-mentioned cord 12 is not used. Is also good.

According to the above-mentioned embodiments, since the above-mentioned battery housing chamber 1a is made waterproof and airtight with respect to the electric circuit and the like around the battery housing chamber 1a, there is an accident in which the electrolytic solution leaks from the battery. However, it does not damage the electric circuits around it, and the damage can be minimized by simply removing the electrolyte from the battery chamber. In the present embodiment, the engaging concave portion 3d and the convex portion 5e are used as the attaching / detaching means described above, but the present invention does not need to use the engaging concave portion 3d and the convex portion 5e. As the detaching means, the above-mentioned adhesive is used, and the holding cap 5 and the holding plate 6 in FIG. 1 are used together with the ventilation / water-impermeable filter 7 by the adhesive to open the opening 3a of the sealing lid 3. As long as the air pressure in the battery chamber 1a does not exceed a predetermined value, the respective parts 5, 6 and 7 will not come off from the device 1 if they are fixed to the surrounding area.

Further, when the amount of gas discharged from the battery 8 becomes large and the atmospheric pressure of the battery housing chamber 1a exceeds a predetermined value, the force (atmospheric pressure) for pushing up the respective parts 5, 6, 7 is increased by the above-mentioned contact. It becomes stronger than the adhesive strength of the adhesive, and the holding cap 5 and the holding plate 6 are peeled off together with the ventilation / water impermeable filter 7 from the area around the opening 3a. Similarly, the opening 3a is opened, so that a large amount of gas can be released to the outside of the device 1 at once. Therefore, it goes without saying that the battery chamber 1a can be protected.

If the above-mentioned filter 7 is impregnated with an alkaline indicator such as a PH (pH) reagent in the above-mentioned aeration / water-impermeable filter 7, even if the electrolytic solution of the battery 8 leaks, the electrolytic The liquid causes discoloration of the filter 7 described above, and the user can find the discoloration and confirm the leakage accident of the battery 8. Leakage from alkaline batteries and nicad batteries shows strong alkalinity, which corrodes the contacts inside the battery storage chamber.However, the discoloration of the above filter causes the user to Corrosion treatment such as wiping can be performed without delay.

[0033]

[Effect of device]

 As described above, according to the present invention, the gas generated by the discharge of the above-mentioned battery can be discharged to the outside of the device through the ventilation holes of the ventilation / water-impermeable filter and the holding member even in water or on land to a depth of several meters. It is released into the battery compartment, which can prevent the battery chamber from bursting.

Further, as described above, even when a large amount of gas is discharged at a dash due to the discharge of the battery, the holding member and the ventilation / water impermeable filter are separated from the periphery of the opening by the attaching / detaching means, and therefore, The opening is opened, so that the large amount of gas described above can be released to the outside of the device at once. At this time, even if the battery chamber is submerged in water, as described above, it is possible to prevent the chamber from rupturing, and therefore a safer product can be provided.

Further, since the structure is simple only with the air-impermeable / water-impermeable filter and the holding member for sandwiching the filter, the cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a gas vent valve is provided in a portion of a peripheral wall of a battery housing chamber that corresponds to a part of a peripheral wall of a waterproof device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of each component forming the gas vent valve in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which a gas vent valve is disengaged due to the atmospheric pressure of the battery housing chamber.

FIG. 4 shows that the gas vent valve is operated by the air pressure in the battery chamber.
It is a figure which shows the state when it is torn and detached from a part thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Waterproof device, 1a Battery accommodation chamber, 3 Sealing lid of battery accommodation chamber 5 Holding cap, 6 Holding plate, 7 Breathable water-impermeable filter 8a Battery

Claims (3)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An interior of a waterproof device having an electric circuit or the like provided therein with an airtight battery accommodating chamber for the electric circuit or the like, and the battery accommodating part including a portion that matches a part of a peripheral wall of the waterproof device. An opening is provided at the coincident portion in the peripheral wall of the chamber, and further, a ventilation / water impermeable filter, and a holding member for sandwiching the ventilation / water impermeable filter to protect the ventilation / water impermeable filter, When the holding member holds the ventilation / water-impermeable filter in a sandwiched state and covers the opening, the holding member is fixed together with the ventilation / water-impermeable filter to a portion of the waterproof device around the opening. Detaching the holding member together with the air-permeable and water-impermeable filter so as to separate from the surrounding portion of the opening of the waterproof device when the atmospheric pressure in the battery storage chamber exceeds a predetermined value. A gas vent valve for a waterproof device, characterized in that: a vent hole is provided in a portion of the holding member that holds the air-impermeable and water-impermeable filter. 2. A part of the peripheral wall of the waterproof device including the opening and its periphery is a sealing lid detachably provided around the part to seal the battery storage chamber. Yes, in the portion around the opening provided in the lid,
The gas vent valve for a waterproof device according to claim 1, further comprising the air-permeable / water-impermeable filter and the holding member that holds the filter. 3. A gas vent valve for a waterproof device according to claim 1, wherein the breathable water-impermeable filter is impregnated with an alkaline indicator such as pH reagent.