WO2006126860A1

WO2006126860A1 - Battery for automobile

Info

Publication number: WO2006126860A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/002024
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sung-Kyu Kim; Dae-Ung Kim; Gyu-Hyeong Lee; Seong-Jun Kim
Original assignee: Global Battery Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-05-26
Filing date: 2006-05-26
Publication date: 2006-11-30
Also published as: WO2006126860A8

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automobile battery. A heat-shielding plate having a ventilation structure is installed in both lateral sides or outer four faces of the container in order to prevent the temperature rise of the battery, which is caused due to heat generated from the engine room. In the battery of the invention, the heat- shielding plate installed in the both lateral sides or the outer four faces of the container forms a heat-insulation structure capable of carrying out ventilation. Thus, when installed in a vehicle, the battery can be thermally insulated from external heat such as engine heat to thereby extend the service life of battery. With conventional products having no insulation structure, the case is exposed directly to the external heat (in particular) so that the electrolyte is locally depleted to thereby shorten the service life of products. The present invention solves these problems.

Description

Description BATTERY FOR AUTOMOBILE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an automobile battery. More specifically, the invention relates to an automobile battery, in which a heat-shielding plate is formed in both lateral faces or outer four faces of the battery container so that heat generated from the engine room of vehicles is blocked from being transferred to the batter and thus the internal temperature of the batter can be prevented from increasing.

[2]

Background Art

[3] In general, an automobile battery serves as a power supply for supplying electric power to a variety of electronics installed in the automobiles. In addition, some of the batteries are mounted in the engine room of vehicles.

[4] FIG. 14 shows a conventional battery installed in the engine room of vehicles.

[5] As depicted in FIG. 14, the conventional battery 10a is composed of a container Ia containing electrolyte and multiple electrode plates, and an upper cover 5a for detachably covering the top portion of the container Ia. In addition, installed in the upper cover 5a are an anode terminal, a cathode terminal 7a electrically connected with the multiple electrode plates accommodated inside of the container Ia, and a handle 8 a respectively.

[6]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[7] The above-explained conventional automobile battery mostly does not have a heat- insulation structure. Thus, the battery is directly exposed to the heat generated in the vehicle engine room so that internal temperature of the battery increases.

[8] As described above, if the internal temperature of a battery increases, it becomes difficult to charge the battery and self-discharging occurs. Thus, the battery performance is disadvantageously degraded and the service life thereof becomes shortened.

[9] In order to solve these problems, a separate insulation case has been fabricated to wrap around the entire battery and thus sealably heat-insulate it.

[10] However, for check-ups of such batteries, the insulation case must be detached from and attached to the battery. These works are complicated and time-consuming. Therefore, when the battery is re-installed in the vehicle engine room after the checkups, it is likely that it is re-installed without assembling the insulation case. [11] Consequently, the heat generated from the engine is exposed directly to the battery and thus the internal temperature of the battery increases, thereby degrading the battery performance and shortening the service life thereof.

[12] At a high temperature such as in the summer time, the temperature in a vehicle engine room significantly increases up to 110 C at maximum. Typically, as the battery temperature increases by 10 C, the service life of the battery shortens by around 50%. The conventional batteries fail to solve this problem in a reliable way.

[13] In addition, during the check-up of the battery, disassembling and assembling of the insulation case and the battery are complicated and time-consuming.

[14]

Technical Solution

[15] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the invention to provide an automobile battery, in which a heat-shielding plate is formed in both lateral faces or outer four faces of the battery container such that the battery can be isolated from external temperature such as the heat generated from the engine.

[16] Another object of the invention is to provide an automobile battery, in which the battery and its insulation case can be easily detached and attached during check-ups of the battery.

[17] A further object of the invention is to provide an automobile battery, in which the internal temperature of the battery can be maintained constant regardless of external temperatures such as the engine heat, thereby improving the battery performance and extending the service life thereof.

[18] Typical features of the present invention will be described in brief as follows.

[19] In order to accomplish the above objects of the invention, according to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an automobile battery comprising: a container having an open top, the container having a plurality of spaces defined by a plurality of partitions so as to accommodate an electrolyte and a plurality of electrode plates therein; a heat- shielding plate injection-molded integrally with both lateral sides or outer four faces of the container; and a cover detachably combined with a top portion of the container, the cover including an indicator for displaying a desired color according to a state of the battery, a pair of terminals including an anode terminal and a cathode terminal that are electrically connected with the plurality of electrode plates accommodated inside of the container, and a handle installed on the top surface of the cover and having a desired shape to be able to be held by a user's hand.

[20] In addition, the heat- shielding plate is installed in the form of a ventilation structure, which is opened upwardly and downwardly and spaced apart from the both lateral sides or the outer four faces of the container such that air flows upwards and downwards.

[21] Furthermore, the heat- shielding plate is formed of polypropylene, which is the same material as the container.

[22] The heat- shielding plate is formed in a rectangular or a semi- spherical shape and spaced apart from the both lateral sides or the outer four faces of the container.

[23] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an automobile battery comprising: a container having an open top, the container having a plurality of spaces defined by a plurality of partitions so as to accommodate an electrolyte and a plurality of electrode plates therein, the container having a first connector mechanism injection-molded integrally with outer four faces of the container; a heat- shielding plate having a second connector mechanism installed thereon in such fashion as to be disposed at positions corresponding to the first connector mechanism installed in both lateral sides or the outer four faces of the container, the second connector mechanism being detachably connected with the first connector mechanism; and a cover being detachably combined with a top portion of the container, the cover including an indicator for displaying a desired color according to a state of the battery, a pair of terminals including an anode terminal and a cathode terminal that are electrically connected with the plurality of electrode plates accommodated inside of the container, and a handle installed on the top surface of the cover and having a desired shape to be able to be held by a user's hand.

[24] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an automobile battery comprising: a container having an open top, the container having a plurality of spaces defined by a plurality of partitions so as to accommodate an electrolyte and a plurality of electrode plates therein; a heat- shielding plate installed in both lateral sides or outer four faces of the container; a reflective plate fixed to the heat- shielding plate so as to reflect heat transmitted from the outside; and a cover detachably combined with a top portion of the container, the cover including an indicator for displaying a desired color according to a state of the battery, a pair of terminals including an anode terminal and a cathode terminal that are electrically connected with the plurality of electrode plates accommodated inside of the container, and a handle installed on the top surface of the cover and having a desired shape to be able to be held by a user's hand.

[25]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[26] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an automobile battery having a heat-shielding plate formed integrally with a container according to an embodiment of the invention; [27] FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1 ;

[28] FIG. 3 is an elevational view of FIG. 1;

[29] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-section of FIG. 1;

[30] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an automobile battery having a detachable heat-shielding plate according to another embodiment of the invention;

[31] FIG. 6 is a plan view of FIG. 5 ;

[32] FIG. 7 is an elevational view of FIG. 5;

[33] FIG. 8 is a side view of FIG. 5;

[34] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an automobile battery having a heat-shielding plate and a reflective plate installed in a container according to yet another embodiment of the invention;

[35] FIG. 10 is a plan view of FIG. 9;

[36] FIG. 11 is an elevational view of FIG. 9;

[37] FIG. 12 is a side view of FIG. 9;

[38] FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view of FIG. 9; and

[39] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a conventional automobile battery.

[40]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[41] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the drawings illustrating the embodiments of the invention, elements having like functions will be denoted by like reference numerals and details thereon will not be repeated.

[42] FIG. 1 illustrates an automobile battery having a heat- shielding plate installed in the container according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the automobile battery of the invention, and FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the automobile battery of the invention.

[43] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the automobile battery of the invention includes a container 1 for accommodating electrolyte and multiple electrode plates (anode plate, cathode plate, partition plate, and the like), and an upper cover 5 detachably assembled with the top portion of the container 1.

[44] In addition, the container 1 having an open top is fabricated through an injection molding process, where plastic materials such as polypropylene is injected into a desired metallic die and pressed with a high pressure. The above injection-molded container 1 has a plurality of partitions installed inside thereof to form multiple spaces, where electrolyte, multiple anode plates and cathode plates, partition plates and the like are received.

[45] At this time, the above rectangular die is designed such that a heat- shielding plate 3 is formed in and spaced apart from both lateral sides or outer four faces (the figures show the outer four faces) so as to have a ventilation structure having an open top and an open bottom. The heat-shielding plate 4 is injection-molded integrally with the container 1. It is preferable that the heat- shielding plate 3 has a rectangular shape or a semi-spherical shape with respect to the both lateral sides or the outer four faces. On the other hand, the outer peripheral area of the heat-shielding plate 3 is preferably rounded off, for the sake of user s safety.

[46] Furthermore, installed on the top of the upper cover 5, which is detachably assembled into the upper portion of the container 1 for receiving the electrolyte, are a handle 8 having a desired shape to be able to be held by a hand, and a pair of terminals 7 including an anode terminal and a cathode terminal electrically connected with the plurality of anode plates and cathode plates and partition plates, which are accommodated inside of the container 1.

[47] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-section of the automobile battery of the invention.

[48] The insulating operation through the heat- shielding plate 3 according to the invention will be explained in details with reference to FIG. 4.

[49] Referring to FIG. 4, first, an automobile battery 10 of the invention is fixedly installed in an engine room (not illustrated) of a vehicle. Then, as the engine is driven, heat is generated from the engine. External temperatures such as the engine heat is commonly transferred directly to the container 1 or the upper cover 5 of the automobile battery 10 to thereby increase the internal temperature of battery.

[50] According to the invention, however, a heat- shielding plate 3 is formed in and spaced apart from both lateral sides or outer four faces (the figures show the outer four faces) of the container so as to have a ventilation structure having an open top and an open bottom. Thus, the external temperature such as engine heat generated from the engine room is blocked from being supplied to the battery 10 so that the internal temperature of the battery 10 can be maintained constant.

[51] More specifically, the engine heat produced in the engine room is primarily blocked by the heat-shielding plate of the invention, and secondarily blocked by an intermediate air layer, which is formed between the heat-shielding plate 3 and the both lateral side or the outer four faces of the container 1 and spaced apart from them. The intermediate air layer flows through the ventilation structure having open top and bottom, thus thirdly shielding the engine heat.

[52] As described above, a battery having a heat- shielding plate of ventilation structure has a good heat-shielding and thermal insulation effect and thus prevents an increase in the internal temperature of a battery, which is caused due to external temperatures such as the engine heat. Consequently, the service life of battery can be extended.

[53] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an automobile battery having a heat- shielding plate capable of being detachably installed in the container thereof according to another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view of FIG. 5 and FIG. 7 is an elevational view of FIG. 5.

[54] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7, the automobile battery of this embodiment includes a container 11, a heat- shielding plate 13 and a cover 15.

[55] First, the container 11 has a structure having an open top and is divided into multiple spaces by means of multiple partitions. In addition, accommodated inside of the container 11 are an electrolyte and a plurality of electrode plates (an anode plate, a cathode plate, a partition plate, and the like).

[56] More specifically, the container 11 having an open top is fabricated through an injection molding process, where plastic materials such as polypropylene is injected into a desired metallic die and pressed with a high pressure. The above injection- molded container 11 has a plurality of partitions installed inside thereof to form multiple spaces, where electrolyte, multiple anode plates and cathode plates, partition plates and the like are received.

[57] At this time, a connector mechanism 1 Ia, 1 Ib, 1 Ic, 1 Id is integrally injection- molded at desired places of both lateral sides or outer four faces (the figures illustrate the outer four faces) of the container 11. The connector mechanisms 1 Ia, 1 Ib, 1 Ic and 1 Id are preferred to be formed integrally with the container 11, but not limited thereto. For example, they may be assembled into the container 11 using a connection means such as bolts or the like.

[58] In addition, the outer peripheral area of the heat- shielding plate 13 is preferably rounded off, for the purpose of user s safety. Furthermore, installed inwards of the heat-shielding plate 13 are other connector mechanisms 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d at positions corresponding to the connector mechanisms 1 Ia, 1 Ib, 1 Ic and 1 Id. The connector mechanisms 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d are installed so as to be detachably assembled into the connector mechanisms 1 Ia, 1 Ib, 1 Ic and 1 Id from the direction facing the both lateral sides or the outer four faces of the container 11.

[59] As described above, the heat-shielding plate 13 having a ventilation structure, which is opened to its top, bottom, left and right directions, is assembled into the container 11 in such a manner that the connector mechanisms 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d are connected with other connector mechanisms 11a, l ib, l ie and 1 Id. As the result, the engine heat generated from a vehicle engine is shielded by means of the heat- shielding plate to thereby prevent the temperature of the battery 11 from being increased.

[60] In addition, the container 11 and the heat- shielding plate 13 can be assembled to or disassembled from each other more easily through elastic attachment or detachment of the connector mechanisms 1 Ia, 1 Ib, 1 Ic and 1 Id and the other connector mechanisms 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d. Further, it is preferable that the connector mechanisms 11a, 1 Ib, 1 Ic and 1 Id and the other connector mechanisms 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d are made of an elastic material, but not limited thereto. The other connector mechanisms 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d may be injection-molded integrally with the heat-shielding plate 13 or combined with the heat- shielding plate 13 by means of a fastener such as a bolt.

[61] Furthermore, the cover 15 is detachably combined with the top portion of the container 11. Installed on the top surface of the cover 15 are an indicator 16 for displaying a desired color according to the state of a battery, a pair of terminals 17 including an anode terminal and a cathode terminal electrically connected with the multiple electrode plates accommodated inside of the container 11, and a handle 18 having a desired shape to be able to be held by a user s hand.

[62] FIG. 8 is a side view of the automobile battery according to the above embodiment of the invention.

[63] Referring to FIG. 8, the insulating operation through the heat- shielding plate 13 of the invention will be explained in details.

[64] First, an automobile battery 20 of the invention is fixedly installed in an engine room (not illustrated) of a vehicle. Then, as the engine is driven, heat is generated from the engine. Ambient temperatures such as the engine heat is commonly transferred directly to the container 11 or the upper cover 15 of the automobile battery 20 to thereb y increase the internal temperature of the battery 20.

[65] In the present invention, however, a heat-shielding plate 13 is formed in and spaced apart from both lateral sides or outer four faces (the figures show the outer four faces) of the container 11 so as to have a ventilation structure having an open top and an open bottom. Thus, the ambient temperatures such as engine heat generated from the engine room are blocked from being supplied directly to the battery 20 so that the internal temperature of the battery 20 can be maintained constant.

[66] More specifically, the engine heat produced in the engine room is primarily blocked by the heat-shielding plate 13 of the invention, and secondarily blocked by an intermediate air layer, which is formed between the heat-shielding plate 13 and the both lateral side or the outer four faces of the container 11 and spaced apart from them. The intermediate air layer flows through the ventilation structure having open top and bottom and open left and right sides, thus thirdly shielding the engine heat.

[67] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an automobile battery having a heat- shielding plate and a reflective plate installed in the container according to anther embodiment of the invention. FIG. 10 is a plan view of FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is an el- evational view of FIG. 9.

[68] As illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11, the automobile battery of this embodiment includes a container 21, a heat- shielding plate 23, a reflective 22 and a cover 25. [69] First, the container 21 has a structure having an open top and is divided into multiple spaces by means of multiple partitions. In addition, accommodated inside of the container 21 are an electrolyte and a plurality of electrode plates (an anode plate, a cathode plate, a partition plate, and the like).

[70] More specifically, the container 21 having an open top is fabricated through an injection molding process, where plastic materials such as polypropylene is injected into a desired metallic die and pressed with a high pressure. The above injection- molded container 21 has a plurality of partitions installed inside thereof to form multiple spaces, where electrolyte, multiple anode plates and cathode plates, partition plates and the like are received.

[71] In addition, it is preferable that the heat- shielding plate 23 is formed of the same material as the container 21, such as polypropylene. At this time, the heat- shielding plate 23 may be injection-molded integrally with the container 21 or may be fabricated through other processes and then fixedly installed in both lateral sides or outer four faces (the figures shows the outer four faces) of the container 21.

[72] Furthermore, the reflective plate 22 is fixedly mounted on the heat- shielding plate

23, which is installed in the both lateral sides or the outer four faces of the container 21. Preferably, this reflective plate 22 has a mirror surface so as to enable to reflect heat transmitted from the outside.

[73] In this way, heat transmitted to the battery from the outside is primarily blocked by the reflective plate 22 installed in the both lateral sides or the outer four faces of the container 21, and secondarily blocked by the heat-shielding plate 23, thus preventing the temperature of the battery 30 from being increased.

[74] Furthermore, the cover 25 is detachably combined with the top portion of the container 21. Installed on the top surface of the cover 25 are an indicator 26 for displaying a desired color according to the state of a battery, a pair of terminals 27 including an anode terminal and a cathode terminal electrically connected with the multiple electrode plates accommodated inside of the container 21, and a handle 28 having a desired shape to be able to be held by a user s hand.

[75] FIG. 12 is a side view of the automobile battery of the above-explained embodiment. FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-section of the heat-shielding plate 23 and the reflective plate 22 of this embodiment.

[76] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the insulating operation through the heat- shielding plate 23 and the reflective plate 22 of the invention will be explained in details.

[77] First, an automobile battery 30 of the invention is fixedly installed in an engine room (not illustrated) of a vehicle. Then, as the engine is driven, heat is generated from the engine. Ambient temperatures such as the engine heat is commonly transferred directly to the container 21 or the upper cover 25 of the automobile battery 30 to thereby increase the internal temperature of the battery 30.

[78] In the present invention, however, a heat-shielding plate 23 and a reflective plate 22 are formed in both lateral sides or outer four faces of the container 21. Thus, the ambient temperatures such as engine heat generated from the engine room are blocked from being supplied directly to the battery 30 so that the internal temperature of the battery 30 can be maintained constant.

[79] More specifically, the engine heat produced in the engine room is primarily blocked by the reflective plate 23, and then secondarily blocked by the heat- shielding plate 23, which is formed between the reflective plate 22 and the both lateral side or the outer four faces of the container 21.

[80] In this way, the above-constructed heat- shielding plate and the reflective plate prevents the engine heat from being transferred directly to the battery, thus providing a good heat- shielding and thermal insulation effect and simultaneously extending the service life of battery, which may be shortened due to an increase in the internal temperature of the battery caused by ambient temperatures such as the engine heat.

[81]

Industrial Applicability

[82] As described above, in the present invention, a heat- shielding plate is installed in both lateral sides or outer four faces of the container so as to be spaced apart therefrom. The battery can be thermally insulated from ambient temperatures such the heat generated from the engine so that the internal temperature of the battery can be prevented from being increased and consequently degradation in the battery performance and shortening of the service life can be avoided.

[83] In addition, according to the present invention, the heat- shielding plate is injection- molded integrally with the container in its both lateral sides or outer four faces thereof so as to be spaced apart therefrom. The heat- shielding plate has a ventilation structure having an open top and bottom. Thus, the heat generated from an engine room can be shielded in a three-pronged way, and depletion of the electrolyte can be prevented, thereby avoiding degradation in the battery performance and shortening of the service life.

[84] Furthermore, according to the invention, the heat- shielding plate can be easily attached and detached when necessary, thus enabling an easy maintenance and repair.

[85] Although the present invention has been described with reference to several preferred embodiments, the description is illustrative of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. Various modifications and variations may occur to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. [86]

Claims

[1] An automobile battery comprising: a container having an open top, the container having a plurality of spaces defined by a plurality of partitions so as to accommodate an electrolyte and a plurality of electrode plates therein; a heat- shielding plate injection-molded integrally with both lateral sides or outer four faces of the container; and a cover detachably combined with a top portion of the container, the cover including an indicator for displaying a desired color according to a state of the battery, a pair of terminals including an anode terminal and a cathode terminal that are electrically connected with the plurality of electrode plates accommodated inside of the container, and a handle installed on the top surface of the cover and having a desired shape to be able to be held by a user's hand.

[2] An automobile battery comprising: a container having an open top, the container having a plurality of spaces defined by a plurality of partitions so as to accommodate an electrolyte and a plurality of electrode plates therein, the container having a first connector mechanism injection-molded integrally with outer four faces of the container; a heat- shielding plate having a second connector mechanism installed thereon in such fashion as to be disposed at positions corresponding to the first connector mechanism installed in both lateral sides or the outer four faces of the container, the second connector mechanism being detachably connected with the first connector mechanism; and a cover being detachably combined with a top portion of the container, the cover including an indicator for displaying a desired color according to a state of the battery, a pair of terminals including an anode terminal and a cathode terminal that are electrically connected with the plurality of electrode plates accommodated inside of the container, and a handle installed on the top surface of the cover and having a desired shape to be able to be held by a user's hand.

[3] An automobile battery comprising: a container having an open top, the container having a plurality of spaces defined by a plurality of partitions so as to accommodate an electrolyte and a plurality of electrode plates therein; a heat- shielding plate installed in both lateral sides or outer four faces of the container; a reflective plate fixed to the heat-shielding plate so as to reflect heat transmitted from the outside; and a cover detachably combined with a top portion of the container, the cover including an indicator for displaying a desired color according to a state of the battery, a pair of terminals including an anode terminal and a cathode terminal that are electrically connected with the plurality of electrode plates accommodated inside of the container, and a handle installed on the top surface of the cover and having a desired shape to be able to be held by a user's hand.

[4] The automobile battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat- shielding plate is installed in the form of a ventilation structure, which is opened upwardly and downwardly and spaced apart from the both lateral sides or the outer four faces of the container such that air flows upwards and downwards.

[5] The automobile battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat- shielding plate is formed of polypropylene, which is the same material as the container.

[6] The automobile battery according to claim 4, wherein the heat- shielding plate is formed in a rectangular or a semi- spherical shape and spaced apart from the both lateral sides or the outer four faces of the container.

[7] The automobile battery according to claim 2, wherein the first and second connector mechanisms are formed of a same elastic material.

[8] The automobile battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat- shielding plate is rounded off at the peripheral area thereof.

[9] The automobile battery according to claim 3, wherein the reflective plate is fixedly installed at the heat- shielding plate by means of an adhesive.

[10] The automobile battery according to claim 9, wherein the reflective plate is formed of a mirror surface capable of reflecting heat.