JPS609699Y2 - 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 maintenance and 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 fluid, but it is difficult to check the electrolyte level of storage batteries, and it is difficult to check when batteries are used in dark places such as warehouses. However, there were many cases where the fluid ran out and the lifespan was shortened as a result.

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。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 ups and downs of the float, and those that detect the liquid level by observing the rise and fall of the float, and those that detect contact between the liquid level detection electrode and the electrolyte.
A method has been proposed in which the separation is indicated by a lamp and the liquid level is detected.

しかしながら前者の方法の場合には、フォークリフト蓄
電池のように、蓋付の収納箱に蓄電池に収納した場合外
部からフロートが見えない。However, in the case of the former method, when the storage battery is stored in a storage box with a lid, such as a forklift storage battery, the float is not visible from the outside.

かつ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。As the float ages, dust and dirt adhere to its surface, making it difficult to check the float even in the dark or outdoors.Furthermore, the float becomes distorted at high temperatures, causing the float to get caught on side walls, making it difficult to float or sink. The disadvantage is that it can occur in some cases.

また後者の方法の場合には、蓄電池の端子と電解液に挿
入した検出電極との電位を応用し、ランプを点灯させる
ものであり、ランプを点灯させるためには大きな電流を
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
めに増巾装置等を用意する必要があった。In the latter method, the lamp is lit by applying the potential between the storage battery terminal and the detection electrode inserted into the electrolyte, and a large current must be passed in order to light the lamp. Also, if a large current is passed through the liquid level detection electrode, there is a risk of sparking and explosion when the liquid level detection electrode contacts and separates from the electrolyte, so the current flowing through the liquid level detection electrode is reduced. Then, it was necessary to increase the current and light the lamp using a separate power supply, and for this purpose, it was necessary to prepare a width increasing device or the like.

本考案は上述した如き欠点を除去した液面検出装置、即
ち、多数セル中のパイロットセルの液栓に長さの異なる
複数本の液面検出電極を設け、且つ該複数本の液面検出
電極をそれぞれ負の電圧部に接続してなるものにおいて
に前記複数本の液面検出電極の各電極間に発光ダイオー
ドをそのアノードを下部に位置する液面検出電極側にし
て接続した構成にすることにより、前記発光ダイオード
が液面低下時のみ点灯するようにしてなる液面検出装置
を提供するものである。The present invention is a liquid level detection device that eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks, that is, a plurality of liquid level detection electrodes of different lengths are provided on the liquid stopper of a pilot cell in a plurality of cells, and the plurality of liquid level detection electrodes are are each connected to a negative voltage section, and a light emitting diode is connected between each electrode of the plurality of liquid level detection electrodes with its anode facing the liquid level detection electrode located at the bottom. Accordingly, there is provided a liquid level detection device in which the light emitting diode lights up only when the liquid level is low.

以下、本考案を図面に示す実施例により具体的に説明す
る。Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically explained with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

第１図において、１は蓄電池で、直列に接続された単電
池群よりなっている。In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a storage battery, which is made up of a group of single cells connected in series.

２，３は液面検出電極（以下、単に電極という）で、Ｐ
ｂ、 Ｃｕ、 Ｃ等からなり、２は、蓄電池への補水を
行なうべき目安となる最低液面位に、３は最低液面位よ
り低い液面位に、電極の先端検出部が位置している。2 and 3 are liquid level detection electrodes (hereinafter simply referred to as electrodes), and P
b, Cu, C, etc., 2 indicates the lowest liquid level that is a guideline for refilling the storage battery, and 3 indicates that the tip detection part of the electrode is located at a lower liquid level than the lowest liquid level. There is.

また電極２，３はそれぞれ後述する表示部を介して負の
電圧部、例えば蓄電池１の負極端子に接続されている。Further, the electrodes 2 and 3 are each connected to a negative voltage section, for example, a negative terminal of the storage battery 1, via a display section to be described later.

また電極２，３は蓄電池の液セン４に装着、固定され位
置関係がずれないようにされている。Further, the electrodes 2 and 3 are attached and fixed to the liquid sensor 4 of the storage battery so that their positional relationship does not shift.

なお、こ）では電極２を上部に位置する電極、電極３を
下部に位置する電極という。In this case, the electrode 2 is referred to as the upper electrode, and the electrode 3 is referred to as the lower electrode.

表示部は２本の電極２，３間に発光ダイオード５と、２
本の電極２，３とパイロットセルより○側の端子との間
に発光ダイオード６及び電流調整用の抵抗７よりなる。The display section includes a light emitting diode 5 and a light emitting diode 2 between two electrodes 2 and 3.
A light emitting diode 6 and a resistor 7 for adjusting the current are connected between the main electrodes 2 and 3 and the terminal on the ○ side from the pilot cell.

また液面低下を知らず発光ダイオード５はそのアノード
が下部に位置する電極３に接続されるようにして電極２
，３間に接続されている。In addition, the light emitting diode 5 is connected to the electrode 2 with its anode connected to the electrode 3 located below, without knowing that the liquid level will drop.
, 3.

なお、表示部は電極２，３と一体として液セン４内に収
めることも出来る。Note that the display section can also be housed in the liquid sensor 4 integrally with the electrodes 2 and 3.

８は電解液である。8 is an electrolytic solution.

次にか）る本考案実施例の動作を説明すると、電解液８
が最低液面レベル以上のａ位にあるとき、電極２，３は
電解液８に浸漬しており、その電位は同じであるため、
電流は電極２，３より発光ダイオード６を通してｅ端子
へ流れ、発光ダイオード６は点灯し、発光ダイオード５
はその両端間に電位差がないため点灯しない。Next, to explain the operation of the embodiment of the present invention, the electrolyte 8
When is at position a above the lowest liquid level, electrodes 2 and 3 are immersed in electrolyte 8 and their potentials are the same, so
Current flows from the electrodes 2 and 3 through the light emitting diode 6 to the e terminal, the light emitting diode 6 lights up, and the light emitting diode 5
does not light up because there is no potential difference between its ends.

さらに電解液８のレベルが低下し、最低液面位より低下
したｂ位に達すると電極２は電解液８より離れ、電極３
のみが電解液８に浸漬しており、電流は電極２より発光
ダイオード５と抵抗７側の回路に分流し発光ダイオード
６を通ってｅ端子に流れ発光ダイオード５，６の双方を
点灯させる。When the level of the electrolytic solution 8 further decreases and reaches position b, which is lower than the lowest liquid level, the electrode 2 separates from the electrolytic solution 8, and the electrode 3
The current is branched from the electrode 2 to the circuit on the light emitting diode 5 and resistor 7 side, passes through the light emitting diode 6, and flows to the e terminal, causing both the light emitting diodes 5 and 6 to light up.

また電極３下端以下の０位まで電解液８のレベルが低下
すると電極２，３の双方がともに電解液８より離れ、電
極２，３を通して電流は流れず、発光ダイオード５，６
はともに点灯しない。Further, when the level of the electrolytic solution 8 decreases to the 0 position below the lower end of the electrode 3, both the electrodes 2 and 3 are separated from the electrolytic solution 8, and no current flows through the electrodes 2 and 3, and the light emitting diodes 5 and 6
Both do not light up.

以上の動作より明らかなように発光ダイオード５は最低
液面表示（補水時期表示）、発光ダイオード６は点灯時
の本装置の動作表示及び消灯時の液面低下に対する二重
表示となる。As is clear from the above operation, the light emitting diode 5 serves as an indication of the lowest liquid level (indication of water replenishment time), and the light emitting diode 6 serves as a double indication of the operation of the device when turned on and a drop in the liquid level when turned off.

発光ダイオードの色は表示部の説明によりいずれの色で
もかまわないが一般的には５のダイオードは赤色、６の
ダイオードは青色であることが好ましい。Although the color of the light emitting diodes may be any color depending on the description of the display section, it is generally preferable that the diode 5 is red and the diode 6 is blue.

また電極２，３には、それぞれ連続した一本の樹脂被覆
付銅線を用いて表示部までの配線をも兼ねた方法を取る
ことにより、鉛電極使用の際の配線用リード線接続部で
の腐食、断線もなくなり、作土簡易な構造となり、信頼
性、経済性両面で有利である。In addition, by using a single continuous resin-coated copper wire for each of electrodes 2 and 3, which also serves as the wiring to the display, it is possible to use the lead wire connection part for wiring when using lead electrodes. Corrosion and disconnection of wires are eliminated, and the construction is simple, which is advantageous in terms of both reliability and economy.

連続した一本の樹脂被覆銅線を用いる時、銅線がより線
では電解液の上りがあり、単心線を用いる方が好ましい
。When a single continuous resin-coated copper wire is used, if the copper wire is a stranded wire, the electrolyte may rise, so it is preferable to use a single-core wire.

また、２本の液面検出電極は、液栓に装着、固定するが
、フロート液栓、定液面止水機構をもった補水装置に取
りつけることも可能である。Further, although the two liquid level detection electrodes are attached and fixed to the liquid stopper, they can also be attached to a float liquid stopper or a water refilling device having a constant liquid level water stop mechanism.

また本考案実施例によれば、発光ダイオード５及び６の
点滅状態を見ることにより、従来のフロート式のように
故障することなく、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、作業物において使用され
る電気車用蓄電池において、収納箱の蓋を開けることも
なく蓄電池の液面低下状態を判別できる画期的な効果を
発揮する。Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, by observing the blinking state of the light emitting diodes 5 and 6, the blinking can be confirmed sufficiently even if dust, mud, etc. are attached, without causing failure like in the conventional float type. In storage batteries for electric vehicles used in dimly lit warehouses and work areas, this product exhibits an epoch-making effect of being able to determine whether the liquid level of the storage battery is low without opening the lid of the storage box.

また発光ダイオード５，６は数ｍＡの小さい電流で点灯
できるため従来のランプ式のように増幅装置は不要で、
常時点灯させていても蓄電池の容量損失は極少で蓄電池
の容量には何ら影響を与えることはない。In addition, since the light emitting diodes 5 and 6 can be lit with a small current of several milliamps, there is no need for an amplifier like in conventional lamp types.
Even if the lights are turned on all the time, the capacity loss of the storage battery is minimal and does not affect the capacity of the storage battery in any way.

更に電極５，６の蓄電池への取りつけも極めて容易で、
殊に樹脂被覆銅線を用いることにより電極部と表示部ま
での配線を一本の連続線で兼ねることができ、構造的に
簡易な、かつ、信頼性の高いものとなる。Furthermore, it is extremely easy to attach the electrodes 5 and 6 to the storage battery.
In particular, by using a resin-coated copper wire, one continuous line can serve as the wiring from the electrode section to the display section, resulting in a simple structure and high reliability.

第２図は本考案の他実施例で、該実施例は長さの異なる
３本の電極９．１０．１１を設けたもので、電極９の先
端検出部は最高液面位と最低液面位の中間、電極１０の
先端検出部は最低液面位、電極１１の先端検出部は最低
液面以下になるようにそれぞれ長さが調整されている。Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which three electrodes 9, 10, and 11 of different lengths are provided, and the tip detection part of the electrode 9 is the highest liquid level and the lowest liquid level. The lengths are adjusted so that the tip detection portion of the electrode 10 is at the lowest liquid level, and the tip detection portion of the electrode 11 is at or below the lowest liquid level.

また表示部は電極９と電極１１との間に接続される発光
ダイオード１２、電極１０と電極１１との間に接続され
る発光ダイオード１３、電極９，１０．１１とパイロッ
トセルよりｅ側の端子との間に接続される発光ダイオー
ド１４と電流調整用の抵抗１５よりなる。The display section also includes a light emitting diode 12 connected between the electrodes 9 and 11, a light emitting diode 13 connected between the electrodes 10 and 11, and a terminal on the e side from the electrodes 9, 10, 11 and the pilot cell. It consists of a light emitting diode 14 and a current adjustment resistor 15 connected between.

また発光ダイオード１２はそのアノードが下部の電極１
１に接続されるようにして電極９゜１１間に接続され、
また発光ダイオード１３はそのアノードが下部の電極１
１に接続されるようにして電極１０．１１間に接続され
ている。Further, the light emitting diode 12 has an anode connected to the lower electrode 1.
1 and connected between electrodes 9 and 11,
Further, the light emitting diode 13 has an anode connected to the lower electrode 1.
1 and is connected between electrodes 10 and 11.

か）る実施例において、液面が電極９の先端検出部より
上位にあるときには、装置の動作を示す発光ダイオード
１４のみが点灯している。In this embodiment, when the liquid level is above the tip detection portion of the electrode 9, only the light emitting diode 14, which indicates the operation of the device, is lit.

そして液面が低下し、電極９の先端検出部が電解液より
離れると発光ダイオード１２が点灯する。Then, when the liquid level drops and the tip detection part of the electrode 9 separates from the electrolyte, the light emitting diode 12 lights up.

さらに液面が低下して電極１０の先端検出部が電解液よ
り離れると、−発光ダイオード１３も点灯する。When the liquid level further decreases and the tip detection portion of the electrode 10 moves away from the electrolyte, the light emitting diode 13 also lights up.

また電極１１の先端検出部が電解液より離れるとすべて
の発光ダイオード１２，１３．１４は消灯する。Further, when the tip detection portion of the electrode 11 is separated from the electrolyte, all the light emitting diodes 12, 13, and 14 are turned off.

このように複数の電極を設けることにより段階的に液面
を表示することができる。By providing a plurality of electrodes in this manner, the liquid level can be displayed in stages.

第３図は同じく本考案の他実施例を示すもので、図中、
第２図と同符号のものは同一作用部品である。FIG. 3 similarly shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which:
Components with the same reference numerals as in FIG. 2 are the same operating parts.

該実施例は第２図に示した実施例における発光ダイオー
ド１２の接続箇所を変えたものであり、このようにして
も第２図に示した実施例と同様の動作を得ることができ
る。In this embodiment, the connection location of the light emitting diode 12 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is changed, and the same operation as the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 can be obtained even in this manner.

なお、第２図及び第３図に示した実施例においても、第
１図に示した実施例と同様の利点を有するものである。The embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 also have the same advantages as the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

以上述べた如く本考案によれば、発光ダイオードの点滅
状態を見ることにより、容易に電解液の液面位を判別す
ることができ、また従来のフロート式のように故障する
ことがなく、またホコリ、ドロ等が付着しても、さらに
は暗所における使用においても十分に発光ダイオードの
点滅を確認でき液面位を判別することができるといった
利点を奏することができる。As described above, according to the present invention, the liquid level of the electrolyte can be easily determined by observing the blinking state of the light emitting diode, and there is no malfunction unlike the conventional float type. Even if dust, dirt, etc. adhere to the device, the blinking of the light emitting diode can be confirmed sufficiently even when used in a dark place, and the liquid level can be determined.

また従来のランプ式のように増幅装置は不要で、且つ常
時点灯させても蓄電池の容量損失は極少で、蓄電池の容
量には何等影響を与えることがないといった利点、さら
には電極の蓄電池への取付けも極めて容易で、殊に樹脂
被覆付銅線を用いれば電極部と表示部までの配線を連続
線で兼ねることができ構造的に容易な信頼性の高いもの
になるといった利点を奏することができる。In addition, there is no need for an amplification device like in the conventional lamp type, and there is minimal capacity loss in the storage battery even if the lamp is turned on all the time, and the capacity of the storage battery is not affected in any way. It is extremely easy to install, and especially if resin-coated copper wire is used, the wiring from the electrode section to the display section can be used as a continuous line, which has the advantage of being structurally simple and highly reliable. can.

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

第１図は本考案液面検出装置の一実施例を示す概略構成
図、第２図および第３図はそれぞれ本考案液面検出装置
の他実施例を示す概略構成図である。 ２．３・・・・・・電極、５，６・・・・・・発光ダイ
オード、７・・・・・・抵抗。FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the liquid level detecting device of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic diagrams showing other embodiments of the liquid level detecting device of the present invention, respectively. 2.3... Electrode, 5, 6... Light emitting diode, 7... Resistor.

Claims (2)

【実用新案登録請求の範囲】[Scope of utility model registration request] （１） 長さの異なる複数本の液面検出電極を有し、
且つ該複数本の液面検出電極をそれぞれ負の電圧部に接
続してなる液面検出装置において、前記複数本の液面検
出電極の各電極間に発光ダイオードをそのアノードを下
部に位置する液面検出電極側にして接続してなる液面検
出装置。(1) It has multiple liquid level detection electrodes of different lengths,
In the liquid level detection device in which the plurality of liquid level detection electrodes are each connected to a negative voltage part, a light emitting diode is connected between each electrode of the plurality of liquid level detection electrodes, and the anode thereof is connected to the liquid level detection device located below. A liquid level detection device connected to the surface detection electrode side. （２）液面検出電極として連続した一本の銅線を用いた
ことを特徴とする実用新案登録請求の範囲第１項に記載
の液面検出装置。(2) The liquid level detection device according to claim 1, which is a utility model registration, characterized in that a single continuous copper wire is used as the liquid level detection electrode.