JPS5834707Y2 - 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、点検において、適切な補水は重要で
、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 maintenance and inspections; if the battery runs out of fluid, the electrode plates of the storage battery will come into contact with the outside air, causing sulfation, which can lead to a fatal accident in which capacity recovery cannot be expected.

このような理由で、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か゛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. In many cases, it was impossible to do so, causing the fluid to run out, and as a result, 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ニア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 near liquid level by displaying it with a lamp has been proposed.

）、かじ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戸；７はもとより屋外で
もフロートの確認が困難な場亨が発生し、上た高温時に
フロートに歪などが生；Ｌ、フリートゲ側壁等に引掛か
り、浮沈が困難な場合も発生するという欠点があった。), in the case of the former method, as it ages and dust and dirt adhere to the surface, it becomes difficult to check the float, not only in the dark door but also outdoors, and the float becomes distorted at high temperatures. There was a drawback that the floating material could get caught on the side wall of the free thorn, etc., making it difficult to float and sink.

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は゛ならず、また液面検
出電極と電解液との接触、離脱時にスパークが発生して
爆発する危険がある／１−め、液面検出電極を流れる電
流を小さくシ、そしてその電流を増巾させ、別電源でラ
ンプを点灯さ−、とる必要があり、そのために液面検出
電極を内蔵ｒる液口セン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 addition, in the case of the latter method, a large current must be passed to light the lamp, and there is a risk of explosion due to the generation of sparks when the liquid level detection electrode contacts or separates from the electrolyte. First, it is necessary to reduce the current flowing through the liquid level detection electrode, and then increase the current to light the lamp using a separate power supply. It was not possible to provide a lamp etc. inside the monitor, and it was necessary to separately prepare a monitor with a built-in lamp, amplification device, etc.

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１本の検出電極と該検出電極に一方の極が接
続されたそれぞれ特性の異なる２個以上の発光ダイオー
ドを直列又は並列に結線して設け、かつ前記検出電極の
蓄電池最高液面と最低液面間の抵抗値を充分大きくシ、
液面変動に伴ない、複数ダイオードの点灯、１個のダイ
オ−ドの点灯、全部のダイオードの消灯と複数段階に液
面表示できる液面検出装置を提供するものである。That is, the present invention has one detection electrode and two or more light emitting diodes each having different characteristics connected in series or with one pole connected to the detection electrode in the main body of a liquid level detection device that can be attached to the liquid inlet of a storage battery. are connected in parallel, and the resistance value between the highest liquid level and the lowest liquid level of the storage battery of the detection electrode is sufficiently large;
The present invention provides a liquid level detection device that can display the liquid level in multiple stages, such as turning on a plurality of diodes, turning on one diode, and turning off all diodes as the liquid level changes.

発光ダイオードは約１，５Ｖ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った。Light-emitting diodes operate at voltages well above approximately 1.5V (approximately 1
．． 55V or more), 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 like when lighting a lamp. As in the present invention described above, it has become possible to incorporate the liquid level detection device together with the detection electrode into the main body of the liquid level detection device that 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。The present invention will be specifically described below using an embodiment shown in the drawings.

第１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、合成樹脂等より成る。In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a liquid level detecting device main body which is attached to 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じような構造のもので
よい。The liquid level detection device main body may have a structure similar to that of a liquid port plug.

３は硫酸にとけない材質より成る電極であり、蓄電池の
最高液面線がＡ、最低液面がＣでその間がＢとすると、
Ａ、０間の電極の抵抗値を他の部分の抵抗値より充分に
大きくしである。3 is an electrode made of a material that does not dissolve in sulfuric acid, and if the highest liquid level of the storage battery is A, the lowest liquid level is C, and the line in between is B,
The resistance value of the electrode between A and 0 is made sufficiently larger than the resistance value of other parts.

具体的には途中より抵抗の高い材質を用いたり、電極の
径を変えたりするなどして適且実施すればよい。Specifically, it is possible to use a material with a higher resistance in the middle or change the diameter of the electrode, etc., as appropriate.

４．４′は発光ダイオードで、それぞれ発光する電流範
囲の異なる特性を有するもので、シリーズに結線されて
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、発光ダイオー
ド４′の一方の極は蓄電池端子に接続する。Reference numeral 4.4' indicates a light emitting diode, each having a different characteristic of emitting current range, and is connected in series and provided in the liquid level detection device main body 1, and one pole of the light emitting diode 4 is used for detection. One pole of the light emitting diode 4' is connected to the battery terminal.

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は電極、発光ダイオード、蓄電池を接続するリード線
である。5 is a lead wire that connects the electrode, the light emitting diode, and the storage battery.

第２図は第１図とは電極構造が異なるもので、３はｐｂ
、ｃ等の耐硫酸性を有する導電体である。Figure 2 has a different electrode structure from Figure 1, and 3 is pb.
, c, and other conductors having sulfuric acid resistance.

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成る絶縁材料である。Reference numeral 6 denotes an insulating material made of synthetic resin or other material that covers the lower exposed portion of the detection electrode 3 other than the portion corresponding to the highest and lowest liquid levels of the storage battery electrolyte.

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
て大きくしておく。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. Make it bigger for comparison.

なお、小孔７，８は同しにして検出電極３の最高液面に
対応する部分より下の部分、即ち小孔７より下の部分の
抵抗値を他の部分より大きくしてもよい。Note that the resistance value of the small holes 7 and 8 may be made larger than the other portions of the portion of the detection electrode 3 below the portion corresponding to the highest liquid level, that is, the portion below the small hole 7.

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と、発光ダイ
オード４′の負極を蓄電池のｅ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は電解
液と接しないため発光ダイオード４，４′共に点灯しな
い。Next, to explain the operation of the embodiment of the present invention, when the negative electrode of the light emitting diode 4' is connected to the e terminal of the storage battery, and the liquid level is below the lowest liquid level shown in C, the detection electrode 3 detects the electrolyte. Since the light emitting diodes 4 and 4' are not in contact with each other, both the light emitting diodes 4 and 4' do not light up.

液面がＣを示す状態の場合、２個の発光ダイオードのう
ち、点灯電流中なる特性を有するもののみ点灯し、一方
のものは点灯せず、液面が最高液面ＡとＣの間のＢの状
態では、一方は点灯、もう一方は点灯せずか暗灯であり
、液面がＡの状態では双方点灯となる。When the liquid level shows C, only one of the two light emitting diodes with a characteristic of medium lighting current lights up, one does not light up, and the liquid level is between the highest liquid level A and C. In state B, one is lit and the other is not lit or dimly lit, and when the liquid level is in A, both are lit.

このように液面の状態により発光ダイオード４，４′の
点灯と消灯および暗灯の組み合わせにより、きめ細がく
液面変動を読みとることができる。In this way, by combining the light emitting diodes 4, 4' with lighting and turning off and dark lighting depending on the state of the liquid level, it is possible to read minute fluctuations in the liquid level.

また発光ダイオードの発光色を変えることにより、より
明確となる。Furthermore, by changing the color of the light emitted from the light emitting diode, it becomes clearer.

更に本実施例では、発光ダイオードは特性の異なる２種
のものを用いた一例を示したが、３種以上の特性の異な
る発光ダイオードを用いることにより、より正確な液面
を指示することができる。Furthermore, in this example, an example was shown in which two types of light emitting diodes with different characteristics were used, but by using three or more types of light emitting diodes with different characteristics, a more accurate liquid level can be indicated. .

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、ホコリ、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 when dust, dirt, etc. are attached.This is a storage battery for electric vehicles used in the dimly lit warehouse 9 workshop. 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 electricity storage 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, so the liquid level condition can be reliably detected. This system has advantages such as being able to perform appropriate water replenishment based on the water replenishment process, being able to know the progress of water replenishment during water replenishment work, and being able to make the liquid level detection device itself more compact.

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

第１図および第２図は本考案液面検出装置のそれぞれ一
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。FIGS. 1 and 2 are longitudinal cross-sectional views showing one embodiment of the liquid level detection device of the present invention, respectively. 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、それぞれ発光する電流の異なる
発光ダイオードを２個以上直列又は並列に結線し、その
一方の極と接続する液面検出電極とを設け、かつ蓄電池
最高液面時の蓄電池電解液と発生ダイオード間の抵抗を
小さくシ、蓄電池最低液面時の前記抵抗を大きくしてな
る蓄電池液面検出装置。Two or more light emitting diodes emitting light with different currents are connected in series or parallel in the main body of the liquid level detection device, and a liquid level detection electrode is connected to one pole of the light emitting diodes. A storage battery liquid level detection device in which the resistance between the electrolyte and the generating diode is reduced, and the resistance at the lowest liquid level of the storage battery is increased.