JPH0737566A - Clamp device for battery - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate taking out a battery and work for its maintenance inspection in a released condition while the battery can be easily and surely fixed and released without using various small parts for mounting/removal. CONSTITUTION:A shallow box type battery case 9 is mounted partly on a body 5 of an industrial vehicle such as, for instance, a forklift, and by mounting a battery 1, it is positioned in a plane. On the other hand, an engaging part 1, mounted directly or elastically through a spring on the internal surface of an engine hood 10, is associated with the engine hood 10. Now when closed the engine hood 10, the engaging part 14 is brought into contact with an upper surface of the battery 1 to lock it, and when opened the engine hood 10, the battery 1 is released from the engaging part 14. In a released condition, since no fixing part is provided at all in the upper surface of the battery 1, its removal and maintenance inspection work can be facilitated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a battery clamp device mainly mounted on an industrial vehicle such as a forklift.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Forklifts, towing tractors,
For industrial vehicles such as sweepers, engine start,
A lead-acid battery is representative of a power source for various purposes such as ignition, control, lighting of lights and signs, and in some cases, power supply to a driving motor, etc. It has a rechargeable and rechargeable battery (usually called a "battery"). Batteries in industrial vehicles such as forklifts are often installed in the engine hood, which is generally located under the driver's seat.

FIG. 11 exemplifies a fixing device conventionally used for attaching a battery to a vehicle body of an industrial vehicle or the like. Reference numeral 1 is a rectangular parallelepiped type battery, and 2 is a battery 1 for replenishing battery liquid. Liquid injection plugs 3 or 3a and 3b, which are respectively screwed into several liquid injection ports provided on the upper surface, indicate two terminals, an anode and a cathode, which are also provided on the upper surface. Reference numeral 4 denotes a support base for the battery 1, which has a box-like shape with an open top surface and one side surface, and is mounted on the vehicle body 5 inside the engine hood of an industrial vehicle such as a forklift truck (not shown) or under the vehicle body.
It is fixed to a part of it with bolts. The support base 4 functions as a frame for positioning the battery 1 so that it does not shift in three directions in a plane at the position where the battery 1 is placed. Reference numeral 6 denotes a support rod having a male screw portion 6a formed at one end and a hook portion 6b formed at the other end.
Two pieces are prepared so as to be engaged with both ends of the angle-shaped cover plate 7 that abuts on one shoulder portion in the upper longitudinal direction.

The hook portion 6 of the two support rods 6
b is inserted into and engaged with a pair of holes 4a formed in the support base 4, while the male screw portion 6a is engaged with the cover plate 7
The battery 1 can be fixed to the vehicle body 5 by being pushed into one side of the support base 4 by inserting the nuts 8 into the holes at both ends and tightening the nuts 8 using washers (not shown). When the battery 1 is removed from the support base 4 for replacement or the like, the nut 8 is loosened with respect to the support rod 6 to remove the cover plate 7 from the engagement position with the battery 1 to support the battery 1. Slide it horizontally to the open side of the platform 4, then support it with your hand and lift it.

As another conventional example, instead of the angle-shaped cover plate 7, a plate piece that can hold down the part without the liquid injection plug 2 and the terminals 3a, 3b by a part of the upper surface of the battery 1 is used. Then, instead of the support base 4 which is open to one side in the lateral direction, a shallow box-shaped one that surrounds the entire lower portion of the battery 1 is used, or a part of the vehicle body 5 such as an ear piece is used. In some cases, the hook portion 6b of the support rod 6 may be attached and the hook portion 6b of the support rod 6 may be hung on the hole or the like formed therein. In any case, the support rod 6 may be a cover plate 7 or a substitute thereof, and a nut 8 and a washer. The same thing can be used to tighten the battery 1 on the support 4.

[0006]

In the conventional battery clamping device, an engaging member such as the cover plate 7 is brought into contact with the upper edge portion of the battery 1 or the like, and the supporting member 4 or the vehicle body 5 is fitted with the engaging member. Support rod 6 with one end locked
Since the fixing method of using the washer and the nut 8 to tighten the male screw portion 6a at the other end of the battery
It is necessary to attach and detach the two nuts 8 and attach and detach the cover plate 7 and the support rod 6 each time. The attachment / detachment work must be done in a narrow engine hood, etc., and in industrial vehicles such as forklifts, the engine hood is often under the driver's seat. It is particularly difficult to attach and detach the battery 1. When the battery 1 is removed, it is possible to lose a large number of small fixing parts such as the nut 8, washer, support rod 6, cover plate 7, etc. There is a nature.

The battery 1 using these parts
Since the top surface of the battery 1 is considerably narrowed by the cover plate 7 and the like when the battery is fixed, several liquid injection plugs 2
Therefore, it becomes difficult to perform maintenance work such as wiping off the battery liquid that has exuded around them, removing the substance adhering to the terminals 3, and opening the liquid injection plug 2 to add the battery liquid. Furthermore, the metal cover plate 7 is easily corroded by the battery liquid that has exuded from the liquid injection plug 2, but since the cover plate 7 is fastened by the support rod 6 and the nut 8 and is in close contact with the battery 1,
It is troublesome to completely clean the back side. Therefore, if it is left as it is, not only corrosion will progress and it will be unsightly,
In a severe case, the cover plate 7 may be damaged and the battery 1 may not be fixed.

The present invention addresses these problems that may occur with conventional battery retainers and avoids the use of support rods and cover plates, as well as a number of small fastener attachment and detachment components such as nuts and washers. It is an object of the invention to enable a battery to be easily fixed to a vehicle body of a vehicle and to facilitate not only the work of attaching and detaching the battery but also the work of maintenance and inspection of the battery.

[0009]

As a means for solving the above problems, the present invention provides an engine hood pivotally attached to a vehicle body of an industrial vehicle and covering at least a battery in addition to the engine, and the engine hood. A battery case that is supported by a part of the vehicle body inside and is open upward and that can position the battery in a plane by mounting the battery; and a battery case supported by the engine hood. When the engine hood is interlocked and abuts against a part of the upper surface of the battery and presses it downward when the engine hood is closed, the battery can be vertically fixed with the battery case and the engine Release the battery away from the top surface of the battery when the hood is opened To provide a clamping device for a battery, characterized by comprising an engaging portion capable.

[0010]

In the battery clamp device according to the present invention, the battery installed in the engine hood together with the engine is positioned on the plane by being placed on the battery case, but when the engine hood is closed, Since the engaging portion that is supported by the engine hood and that interlocks with the engine hood contacts the upper surface of the battery and presses it together with the engine hood, the battery is sandwiched between the engaging portion and the battery case, and is also restrained in the vertical direction. Is securely fixed. Also, when the engine hood is opened, the engaging part that interlocks with the engine hood separates from the upper surface of the battery, so that the battery is released from the restraint and can be taken out upward, and at the same time, to fix it on the upper surface of the battery. Since there are no members at all, it becomes easy to perform work such as maintenance and inspection.

[0011]

1 to 3, there is shown a first embodiment of a battery clamp device according to the present invention. In each of the illustrated embodiments, not limited to the first embodiment, the same parts as those in the conventional example of the battery fixing device shown in FIG. 11 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted. That is, 1 is a battery, 2 is a liquid injection plug, 3 is terminals 3a and 3b, and 5 is a part of a vehicle body of an industrial vehicle such as a forklift.

In the figure, reference numeral 9 denotes a shallow box-shaped battery case having an open top surface, which is fixed on a part of the vehicle body 5 by means such as bolts or welding, and is located below the bottom surface of the battery 1. Also forms a slightly larger frame to gently receive the battery 1 and position the battery 1 on the vehicle body 5 in a plane. Reference numeral 10 denotes an engine hood that covers an engine, an auxiliary machine, and the like (not shown). The engine hood 10 is pivotally attached to the vehicle body 5 by a hinge portion 11 attached to the upper end of the upper surface of the engine hood. A hook 12 provided at the tip is locked by a latch 13 attached to the vehicle body 5. Normally, the engine hood 10 is automatically urged by a spring provided with a damper in a direction in which the engine hood is gradually opened, and a latch 13 prevents the opening action in the closed position. However, since the engine hood 10 has a considerable weight, if it is not biased in the opening direction by the spring as described above, the weight of the engine hood 10 alone can sufficiently clamp the battery 1. . Therefore, in the present invention, the latch 13
It is not an essential requirement to fix the engine hood 10 in the closed position.

A feature of this embodiment is one example of a pressing engagement means on the inner surface of the engine hood 10 so that the bottom portion is inserted into the battery case 9 and abuts on the upper surface of the battery 1 which is temporarily positioned. An engagement portion 14 having a gate-shaped cross section (see FIG. 3) is attached. The engaging portion 14 has a gate-shaped base portion (top portion) 14a at the engine hood 10.
Is fixed by means such as welding or rivets, and then a leg portion 14b standing up at a right angle forms an internal space across the liquid injection plug 2 and the terminal 3 of the battery 1, and further abuts the tip bent at a right angle. The portion 14c is adapted to press a portion of the upper surface of the battery 1 where the liquid injection plug 2 and the terminal 3 are not present. In addition, the base portion 14a and the leg portion 14b,
The legs 14b and the abutting portions 14c need not be at right angles to each other as shown, but an obtuse angle or an acute angle may be formed to give the engaging portion 14 a certain elasticity. Engaging part 14
Is made of metal, synthetic resin, hard rubber, etc.

Since the battery clamp device according to the present invention is mainly used for fixing the battery 1 installed inside the engine hood 10 of an industrial vehicle such as a forklift, it is commonly used in general industrial vehicles. As shown, a seat 15 for the driver is mounted on the engine hood 10 (see FIG. 1).
reference). Note that FIG. 1 shows an open state of the engine hood 10.

In the first embodiment, since the gate-shaped engaging portion 14 as the pressing engaging means is attached to the inside of the engine hood 10 which can rotate about the hinge portion 11 for opening and closing, When the battery 1 is planarly positioned by simply placing it in the battery case 9 in the engine hood 10 and connecting a lead wire (not shown) to the terminal 3, the engine hood 10 is closed as shown in FIG. Since the abutting portion 14c of the engaging portion 14 contacts the upper surface of the battery 1 and restrains the battery 1 in the vertical direction as well, in that state, the hook 12 of the engine hood 10 is latched 13
The battery 1 is easily and surely integrated with the vehicle body 5 when locked by. If a means for urging the engine hood 10 to automatically open is not provided,
Even without using the latch 13, the battery 1 can be sufficiently clamped only by the weight of the engine hood 10.

Next, when the battery 1 is removed for replacement, the battery liquid is replenished to the battery 1, the voltage or the battery liquid amount is checked,
When carrying out maintenance and inspection work such as cleaning the surface, by removing the latch 13 and rotating the engine hood 10 about the hinge portion 11 as shown in FIG. The contact portion 14c of the engaging portion 14 is separated from the upper surface of the battery 1 only by releasing the contact portion. Therefore, there is the convenience that the attachment / detachment work and the maintenance / inspection work of the battery 1 can be performed without the clamp device of the battery 1 being in the way at all, and many small parts for fixing the battery as in the conventional example. Or
They are not required to be attached and detached, and the problem of corrosion of the metal cover plate 7 does not occur, for example. Even if the engaging portion 14 in the first embodiment is made of metal and the battery liquid adheres to the engaging portion 14, wiping the surface of the abutting portion 14c of the engaging portion 14 in the opened state of the engine hood 10 is comparative. It is an easy task. If the engaging portion 14 is made of synthetic resin or hard rubber, there is no fear of corrosion.

FIG. 4 shows an essential part of the second embodiment of the present invention.
In the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the gate-shaped engaging portion 14 is used as the pressure engaging means fixedly attached to the inner surface of the engine hood 10, but in the second embodiment. The first embodiment is that a plurality of engaging rods 16 which are simply short rods having a circular or square cross section are used as the pressing engaging means instead of the engaging portions 14 in the first embodiment. Is different from As the material of the engagement rod 16, a slightly hard rubber or the like can be used in addition to the metal cylinder, the synthetic resin, or the wood. The upper end of each of the engaging rods 16 that are engaging parts is fixed to the inner surface of the engine hood 10 by a method such as welding, screwing, or adhering, and the lower end that is a free end is the liquid injection plug 2 or the terminal on the upper surface of the battery 1. Touching and lightly pressing the part where there is no 3, and the battery case 9 in which the battery 1 is attached to the vehicle body 5.
Positioning in a plane by
Since it is similar to the case of the embodiment, the clamp device of the second embodiment has substantially the same operational effect as that of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show a third embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the above-described first embodiment is that, in the space formed below by the gate-shaped engaging portion 14 in the first embodiment, both open ends are closed by the side wall portions 14d,
Shallow box-shaped engaging portion 1 opened downward as shown in FIG.
4'and the side wall portion 14d of the engaging portion 14 '
Alternatively, a small through hole 14e is formed in the leg portion 14b for air venting, and the leg portion 14 of the engaging portion 14 'is further provided.
b and the side wall portion 14d do not come into direct contact with the upper surface of the battery 1, and a sealing material 17 such as rubber or synthetic resin or fibrous material formed in an annular shape as shown in FIG. 6 is attached to the lower ends of the leg portion 14b and the side wall portion 14d. It is to be abutted with the sealing material 17 sandwiched therebetween.

According to the third embodiment, in addition to all the advantages of the clamp device of the first embodiment, the battery 1
Even if the battery liquid inside leaks out of the liquid injection plug 2 due to vibration of the vehicle or the like, the leaked battery liquid is confined in the frame of the sealing material 17, and the box-shaped member on the upper surface of the battery 1 is closed. Since it does not go out of the area surrounded by the joint portion 14 ', it is possible to prevent damage to the engine and accessories in the engine hood due to the leaked battery fluid. Gas generated from the battery 1 and discharged from a small hole (not shown) of the liquid injection plug 2 is discharged to the outside through the through hole 14e, so that the gas is trapped inside the engaging portion 14 ', which causes a problem. There is no fear of it occurring.

7 to 9 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
The main difference of this embodiment from the first embodiment is the engaging portion 14
The engaging lid 18 is used as the one corresponding to the above, and the engaging lid 18 covers the entire upper surface of the battery 1 so that the engaging lid 18 covers the entire upper surface of the battery 1.
It is not directly attached to the inner surface of 0 but is elastically attached to the engine hood 10 through a pair of leaf springs 19 bent in a V shape.
In the illustrated case, as shown in FIG. 9, the engagement lid 18 has a window-shaped opening 18a on the upper surface, and as shown in FIG. Although it is possible to project, as another modification not shown, the engagement lid 18 is the engagement portion 1 of the third embodiment shown in FIG.
Similar to 4 ', the sealing material 17 may be used to cover the upper surface of the battery 1. In this case, a step portion that engages with the periphery of the battery 1 is provided inside the engagement lid 18, and a through hole 14e is provided in the side wall portion for ventilation.

In the fourth embodiment, the engine hood 1
When 0 is closed, the engagement lid 18 elastically presses and clamps the periphery of the upper surface of the battery 1 by the leaf spring 19, so that the battery 1, the engagement lid 18 and the vehicle body 5 are integrated. Even if the natural frequencies of the one vibration system and the vibration system in which the engine hood 10 and the seat 15 (see FIG. 1) attached thereto are integrated, the difference is that the elasticity of the leaf spring 19 is different. Since it is absorbed by deformation, there is an advantage that the battery 1 can be more stably and reasonably clamped by the engine hood 10. That is, when the vehicle body 5 vibrates, the battery 1
Also, no excessive force acts on the engine hood 10. Further, the fourth embodiment has an advantage that the elastic deformation of the leaf spring 19 absorbs the play caused by the manufacturing error of the clamp device. As described above, the clamp device of the fourth embodiment has a special effect due to the provision of the leaf spring 19, but basically the battery is simply opened and closed by opening and closing the engine hood 10 as in the first embodiment. Since the battery 1 can be clamped and released, the battery 1 can be easily attached and detached, and maintenance and inspection of the battery 1 can be easily performed.

Next, FIG. 10 shows an essential part of a fifth embodiment which is a modification of the fourth embodiment. In this example, instead of using a single engaging portion such as the engaging lid 18 used in the fourth embodiment, a pair of engaging portions 20 abutting on the upper portions of the short sides on both sides of the battery 1 are respectively provided. The feature is that they are individually attached to the inner surface of the engine hood 10 by the leaf springs 19. In this case, the upper surface of the battery 1 cannot be covered by the engaging portions 20, but in other points, the pair of engaging portions 20 have substantially the same operation as the engaging lid 18 having the opening 18a of the fourth embodiment. You can Therefore, the function and effect are substantially the same as those in the fourth embodiment.

In the fourth and fifth embodiments of the present invention in which the leaf spring 19 is used, the leaf spring 1 is seen from the effect thereof.
In essence, 9 may be any elastic means capable of elastically pressing the engaging portions 18, 20 against the upper surface of the battery 1 by the closing movement of the engine hood 10 to clamp the battery 1, so that the implementation thereof is not necessary. The leaf spring 19 in the example can be replaced with a spring having another shape, for example, a coil spring, or a leaf spring having an inverted V shape.

[0024]

In the battery clamp device embodying the present invention, the battery can be released and restrained simply by opening and closing the engine hood, and it is troublesome to attach and detach the battery as in the conventional case, and many small parts are required. No fixing device is needed for the battery to be constructed. Also, when the engine hood is open and the battery is released,
Since there are no parts for fixing the battery on the battery, there is also an advantage that the work of attaching / detaching the battery, the work of maintenance / inspection of the battery, etc. become easy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a part of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a restrained state of a battery in the first embodiment.

3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main part of the third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another main part of the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a part of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a restrained state of a battery in a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the main parts of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the main parts of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Battery 5 ... Vehicle body 9 ... Battery case 10 ... Engine hood 14, 14 '... Engagement part 15 ... Seat 16 ... Engagement rod (engagement part) 17 ... Seal material 18 ... Engagement lid (engagement part) 19 ... Leaf spring 20 ... A pair of engaging parts

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An engine hood pivotally attached to a vehicle body of an industrial vehicle and covering at least a battery in addition to an engine; and an engine hood supported by a part of the vehicle body and opened upward. A battery case capable of positioning the battery in a plane by mounting the battery, and a part of an upper surface of the battery supported by the engine hood and interlocking with the battery case when the engine hood is closed. By contacting and pressing it downward, the battery can be fixed in the vertical direction between the battery case and the battery case, and when the engine hood is opened, the battery is released from the upper surface of the battery. Is provided with an engaging portion that can Lamp device. 2. The battery clamp device according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion is directly attached to the engine hood. 3. The battery clamp device according to claim 1, wherein the engagement portion is attached to the engine hood via an elastic body. 4. The engagement part has a box-like shape that opens downward, and forms a space for confining leaked battery liquid on the upper surface of the battery when the battery contacts the battery. The battery clamp device according to claim 1, which is capable of being used.