JPS5834704Y2 - Storage battery liquid level detection device - Google Patents

Description

【考案の詳細な説明】 本考案は蓄電池の電解液液面位の低下等を検出する液面
検出装置に関するものである。[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention relates to a liquid level detection device for detecting a drop in the electrolyte level of a storage battery.

蓄電池の寿命は保守の良否によって大幅に左右される。The lifespan of storage batteries is greatly affected by the quality of maintenance.

特にこれ等の保守５点検において、適切な補水は特に重
要で、液切れをさせると蓄電池の極板は外気と接触し、
サルフエーションを生じ、容量回復が望めないという致
命的な事故につながる。Appropriate water replenishment is particularly important during these 5 maintenance inspections.If the fluid runs out, the battery's electrode plates will come into contact with the outside air,
Sulfation will occur, leading to a fatal accident with no hope of capacity recovery.

この様な理由で、メーカは使用者に液切れに関して十分
な注意を促してきたが、とにかく蓄電池の電解液液面位
の確認は困難で、また倉庫などの暗所で使用する場合に
は確認が不可能で、ついつい液切れをさせ、その結果、
寿命を早期にいたらすというケースが多かった。For these reasons, manufacturers have urged users to be careful about running out of electrolyte, but it is difficult to check the electrolyte level in storage batteries, and it is difficult to check when using batteries in dark places such as warehouses. It was impossible to do so, and I ended up running out of fluid, and as a result,
In many cases, the lifespan was shortened.

また従来、上記の如き事故を未然に防止するために種々
の液面検出装置、例えば、フロートの浮沈を見て液面を
検出する方法のもの、また液面検出電極と電解液の接触
、離脱をランプで表示し液面を検出する方法のものが提
案されている。In addition, conventionally, in order to prevent the above-mentioned accidents, various liquid level detection devices have been used, such as those that detect the liquid level by observing the rise and fall of the float, and methods that detect the contact and separation of the liquid level detection electrode and the electrolyte. A method of detecting the liquid level by displaying it with a lamp has been proposed.

しかしながら前者の方法の場合には、古くなり表面にホ
コリ、ドロ等が付着すると暗所はもとより屋外でもフロ
ートの確認が困難な場合が発生し、また高温時にフロー
トに歪などが生じ、フロートが側壁などに引掛かり、浮
沈が困難な場合も発生するという欠点が゛あった。However, in the case of the former method, as it ages and dust and dirt adhere to the surface, it may be difficult to confirm the float even in the dark or even outdoors.In addition, the float may become distorted at high temperatures, causing the float to become attached to the side wall. The drawback was that there were cases where it was difficult to float and sink due to getting caught in the water.

また後者の方法の場合には、ランプを点灯させるために
大きな電流を流してやらなければならず、また液面検出
電極に大きな電流を流すと液面検出電極と電解液との接
触、離脱時にスパークが発生して爆発する危険性がある
ため、液面検出電極を流れる電流を小さくし、そしてそ
の電流を増巾させ、別電源でランプを点灯させる必要が
あり、そのために液面検出電極を内蔵する液栓内に一体
にランプ等を設・けることができず、別にランプ、増巾
装置等を内蔵するモニタを用意する必要があった。In the case of the latter method, a large current must be passed to light the lamp, and if a large current is passed through the liquid level detection electrode, sparks may occur when the liquid level detection electrode comes into contact with the electrolyte and separates. Since there is a risk of explosion due to generation of liquid, it is necessary to reduce the current flowing through the liquid level detection electrode and then increase the current to light the lamp with a separate power supply.For this purpose, the liquid level detection electrode is built-in. It was not possible to integrate a lamp, etc. into the liquid stopper, and it was necessary to prepare a separate monitor with a built-in lamp, widening device, etc.

さらに従来提案されている後者の方法のもののほとんど
は、電解液の最低液面位よりの低下を検出するものであ
り、そのため検出装置を用いて適切な補水作業を行なう
ことができず、その結果補水が不足したり、しすぎてオ
ーバーフローさせるようなことがある。Furthermore, most of the latter methods that have been proposed so far detect a drop in the electrolyte level below the lowest level, and therefore, it is not possible to perform appropriate water replenishment using a detection device. There may be a lack of refilling water, or there may be an overflow caused by adding too much water.

本考案は上述した如き欠点を除去した液面検出装置を提
供するものである。The present invention provides a liquid level detection device that eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks.

即ち、本考案は蓄電池の液口等に装着できる液面検出装
置本体内に検出電極と該検出電極に一方の極が接続され
た発光ダイオードを設け、且つ前記検出電極の蓄電池電
解液の最高液面と最低液面に対応する所以外の部分を合
成樹脂或はその他の絶縁材で被覆し、さらに検出電極の
最高液面に対応する所の露出面積を最低液面に対応する
所の露出面積より大きくするか、或は検出電極の最高液
面に対応する部分より下の部分の抵抗値を他の部分より
大きくしてなる構造にし、電解液に挿入する一本の検出
電極で発光ダイオードの点灯を明灯、暗灯、消灯に区別
して液面状態を最高液面以上、最高液面と最低液面との
間、最低液面以下の３段階に区別できるようにした液面
検出装置を提供するものである。That is, in the present invention, a detection electrode and a light emitting diode with one pole connected to the detection electrode are provided in the main body of a liquid level detection device that can be attached to a liquid inlet of a storage battery, and the highest liquid level of the storage battery electrolyte of the detection electrode is provided. The area other than the area corresponding to the surface and the lowest liquid level is covered with synthetic resin or other insulating material, and the exposed area of the detection electrode corresponding to the highest liquid level is the exposed area of the area corresponding to the lowest liquid level. Or, the resistance value of the part below the part corresponding to the highest liquid level of the detection electrode is made larger than other parts, and one detection electrode inserted into the electrolyte can be used to detect the light emitting diode. Provides a liquid level detection device that can differentiate lighting into bright, dark, and off to distinguish liquid level status into three levels: above the highest liquid level, between the highest liquid level and the lowest liquid level, and below the lowest liquid level. It is something to do.

発光ダイオードは約１．５■を十分に越えた電圧（約１
．５５Ｖ以上）、０．５〜５ｍＡ程度の小さな電流で発
光するため、検出電極に流れる小さな電流で発光させる
ことができ、ランプを点灯させるときのように増巾装置
等を用いる必要がないので、上記した本考案のように蓄
電池の液口等に装着できる液面検出装置本体内に検出電
極と共に内蔵できるようになる。Light-emitting diodes have a voltage well above approximately 1.5 cm (approximately 1
．． 55V or higher), it emits light with a small current of about 0.5 to 5 mA, so it can be emitted with a small current flowing through the detection electrode, and there is no need to use an amplification device etc. when lighting a lamp. As in the above-mentioned present invention, it is possible to incorporate the liquid level detection device together with the detection electrode into the main body of the liquid level detection device which can be attached to the liquid inlet of a storage battery or the like.

以下、本考案を図面に示す一実施例を用いて具体的に説
明する。Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically explained using an embodiment shown in the drawings.

図において、１は蓄電池の電槽蓋２に設けられた液口あ
るいは液面検出装置装着用孔に装着された液面検出装置
本体で、合成樹脂等より戊る。In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a liquid level detecting device main body which is mounted in a liquid opening or a liquid level detecting device mounting hole provided in a battery case lid 2 of a storage battery, and is made of synthetic resin or the like.

該液面検出装置本体は液口栓と同しような構造のもので
よい。The main body of the liquid level detection device may have a structure similar to that of a liquid port plug.

３は検出電極で、Ｐｂ、Ｃｕ、Ｐｒ、Ｃ等の硫酸に溶け
ない導電性物質よりなる。A detection electrode 3 is made of a conductive substance such as Pb, Cu, Pr, or C that is insoluble in sulfuric acid.

該検出電極の上端は液面検出装置本体１内に設けられ、
そして下端は電解液の最低液面近辺まで達するようにな
っている。The upper end of the detection electrode is provided in the liquid level detection device main body 1,
The lower end reaches near the lowest level of the electrolyte.

４は発光ダイオードで、液面検出装置本体１内に設けら
れており、該発光ダイオード４の一方の極は検出電極に
接続され、他方の極は蓄電池の端子に接続する。Reference numeral 4 denotes a light emitting diode, which is provided in the liquid level detection device main body 1. One pole of the light emitting diode 4 is connected to a detection electrode, and the other pole is connected to a terminal of a storage battery.

なお、検出電極３の腐蝕防止のために、発光ダイオード
の正極を検出電極に、負極を蓄電池のｅ端子に接続する
ことが好ましい。In order to prevent corrosion of the detection electrode 3, it is preferable to connect the positive electrode of the light emitting diode to the detection electrode and the negative electrode to the e terminal of the storage battery.

５は発光ダイオード４の正・負極を検出電極および蓄電
池端子に接続するためのリード線、６は検出電極３の下
端露出部の蓄電池電解液の最高液面と最低液面に対応す
る所以外の部分を覆う合成樹脂あるいはその他の材質よ
りなる絶縁材料である。5 is a lead wire for connecting the positive and negative electrodes of the light emitting diode 4 to the detection electrode and the storage battery terminal; 6 is a lead wire for connecting the positive and negative electrodes of the light emitting diode 4 to the detection electrode and the storage battery terminal; 6 is a lead wire for connecting the positive and negative electrodes of the light emitting diode 4 to the detection electrode 3; An insulating material made of synthetic resin or other material that covers the part.

図に示す実施例においては絶縁材料６の蓄電池電解液の
最高液面に対応する所に小孔７を、また最低液面に対応
する所に小孔８を設け、検出電極３の電解液の最高液面
と最低液面に対応する所が絶縁材６で被覆されないよう
にしている。In the embodiment shown in the figure, a small hole 7 is provided in the insulating material 6 at a location corresponding to the highest liquid level of the storage battery electrolyte, and a small hole 8 is provided at a location corresponding to the lowest liquid level. The parts corresponding to the highest and lowest liquid levels are not covered with the insulating material 6.

また小孔８を小孔７に比べて十分小さくシ、具体的に小
孔８はピンホールぐらいにしておき、小孔８の部分にお
ける検出電極と電解液の接触抵抗を小孔７の部分に比べ
て十分大きくしておく、なお、小孔７，８は同じにして
検出電極３の最高液面に対応する部分より下の部分、即
ち、小孔７より下の部の抵抗値を他の部分より大きくし
てもよい。In addition, the small hole 8 is made sufficiently small compared to the small hole 7, specifically, the small hole 8 is made to be about the size of a pinhole, and the contact resistance between the detection electrode and the electrolyte at the small hole 8 is adjusted to the small hole 7. The small holes 7 and 8 should be made sufficiently large compared to each other.The small holes 7 and 8 should be made the same, and the resistance value of the part below the part corresponding to the highest liquid level of the detection electrode 3, that is, the part below the small hole 7, should be It may be larger than the portion.

これは検出電極３の下部を抵抗率の高い材質で構成した
り、検出電極の下部の横断面積を上部の横断面積より小
さくしたりして構成すればよい。This can be done by making the lower part of the detection electrode 3 made of a material with high resistivity, or by making the cross-sectional area of the lower part of the detection electrode smaller than the cross-sectional area of the upper part.

次にか・る本考案実施例の動作を説明する。Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

発光ダイオード４の負極を蓄電池の○端子に接続すると
、液面がＣに示す最低液面以下の状態の場合、検出電極
３が電解液と接していないため、発光ダイオード４は消
灯の状態となる。When the negative electrode of the light emitting diode 4 is connected to the ○ terminal of the storage battery, when the liquid level is below the lowest liquid level shown in C, the light emitting diode 4 turns off because the detection electrode 3 is not in contact with the electrolyte. .

液面がＢに示す状態の場合、電流は小孔８を通り流れる
ため、抵抗は大きく、発光ダイオード４は完全に発光せ
ず暗灯となる。When the liquid level is in the state shown in B, the current flows through the small hole 8, so the resistance is large and the light emitting diode 4 does not emit light completely, resulting in a dark light.

液面がＣに示す最高液面以上にあるとき、電流は小孔７
を通り流れるため、抵抗は小さく、発光ダイオード４は
完全に発光し明灯となる。When the liquid level is above the highest liquid level shown in C, the current flows through the small hole 7.
Since the light flows through the channel, the resistance is small, and the light emitting diode 4 emits light completely, providing a bright light.

このように液面の状態により発光ダイオード４が明灯、
暗灯、消灯となるため、該発光ダイオード４を見ること
により液面低下を容易に判別することができ、また補水
時にも発光ダイオードを見ることにより補水の進行状態
を知ることができるので適切な補水を行なうことができ
る。In this way, the light emitting diode 4 lights up or down depending on the state of the liquid level.
Since the lights go dark and turn off, it is possible to easily determine whether the liquid level has dropped by looking at the light emitting diode 4.Also, when refilling water, it is possible to know the progress of refilling by looking at the light emitting diode, so it is possible to determine the appropriate level of water refilling. Water can be refilled.

また発光ダイオードの点滅によって液面を確認するため
、フロート式のように故障がなく、ホコノ、ドロ等が付
着しても十分に点滅を確認でき、薄暗い倉庫９作業場で
使用される電気車用蓄電池に用いて画期的な効果を発揮
する。In addition, since the liquid level is confirmed by flashing light-emitting diodes, there is no failure like with the float type, and the flashing can be confirmed even if there is dust, dirt, etc. It can be used to achieve revolutionary effects.

さらに発光ダイオードを常時点灯させても蓄電池通常の
自己放電のｈ以下の容量損失が生じるだけで、蓄電池の
容量に何ら影響を与えることがない。Furthermore, even if the light emitting diode is turned on all the time, only a capacity loss of less than h of normal self-discharge of a storage battery occurs, and the capacity of the storage battery is not affected in any way.

以上述べたように本考案によれば、液面状態を最低液面
以下、最低液面と最高液面の間、最高液面以上と３段階
で検出することができるため、液面の状態を確実に判断
して適切な補水を行なうことができ、また補水作業時に
補水の進行状態を知ることができ、また液面検出装置自
体をコンパクトにできる等の利点を有する。As described above, according to the present invention, the liquid level condition can be detected in three stages: below the lowest liquid level, between the lowest liquid level and the highest liquid level, and above the highest liquid level. It has advantages such as being able to reliably judge and perform appropriate water replenishment, being able to know the progress of water replenishment during water replenishment work, and being able to make the liquid level detection device itself compact.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of the drawing]

図は本考案液面検出装置の一実施例を示す縦断面図であ
る。 １・・・・・・液面検出装置本体、３・・・・・・検出
電極、４・・・・・・発光ダイオード、６・・・・・・
絶縁性材料。The figure is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of the liquid level detection device of the present invention. 1...Liquid level detection device main body, 3...Detection electrode, 4...Light emitting diode, 6...
Insulating material.

Claims (1)

【実用新案登録請求の範囲】[Scope of utility model registration request] 液面検出装置本体内に検出電極と該検出電極に一方の極
が接続された発光ダイオードを設け、且つ前記検出電極
の蓋電池電解液の最高液面と最低液面に対応する所以外
の部分を合成樹脂あるいはその他の絶縁材で被覆し、さ
らに検出電極の最高液面に対応する所の露出面積を最低
液面に対応する所の露出面積より大きくするか、或は検
出電極の最高液面に対応する部分より下の部分の抵抗値
を他の部分の抵抗値より大きくしてなる蓄電池液面検出
装置。A detection electrode and a light emitting diode having one pole connected to the detection electrode are provided in the main body of the liquid level detection device, and a lid of the detection electrode is provided in a portion other than the portion corresponding to the highest and lowest liquid levels of the battery electrolyte. covered with synthetic resin or other insulating material, and the exposed area of the detection electrode corresponding to the highest liquid level is larger than the exposed area of the detection electrode corresponding to the lowest liquid level, or A storage battery liquid level detection device in which the resistance value of a portion below the portion corresponding to the portion is greater than the resistance value of other portions.