Voltage sensing unit and energy storage device

Abstract

Voltage sensing unit (5), comprising: a voltage sensing port (10) with a plate shape and with a connecting section (12a) configured to be electrically connectable to a sensing target (4); a housing (40) with a plate shape and with a receiving recess section (42) configured to receive the voltage sensing port (10); and a cover (30) configured to be attached to the housing (40) by moving from a first side to a second side along a first direction, and covering the receiving recess section (42), wherein the cover (30) is configured to lock onto the housing (40) in a temporary locking position in which the cover (30) covers only part of the receiving recess section (42) so that the connecting section (12a) is exposed, and in a final locking position in which the cover (30) covers the entire receiving recess section, wherein the cover (30) comprises: a main body section (32) configured to cover the receiving recess section when the cover (30) is in the final locking position, and a locking section (36) provided on a third side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and longitudinal to the stress sensing unit (5); and a locking piece (35) provided on a fourth side opposite the third side along the second direction and extending from the main body section (32) to the second side along the first direction, wherein the housing (40) comprises: a locked section (55, 56) provided on the third side and configured to lock with the locking section (36); a locking hole (53) provided on the fourth side and configured to receive the locking piece (35); and an extension section (400) formed by a portion of an edge of the locking hole (53), the portion extending towards the first side along the first direction, and wherein a distal end of the locking piece (35) is accommodated in the locking hole (53) on the second side when the cover (30) is in the temporary locking position.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present subject matter relates to a voltage sensing unit configured such that a voltage sensing terminal, which is to be conductively connected to a sensing target, is housed in a plate-shaped enclosure, and to an energy storage device containing the voltage sensing unit. background

[0002] The prior art proposes a stacked energy storage device in which a plurality of energy storage modules are connected in series via conductive plates by alternating and repeatedly stacking the thin, plate-shaped energy storage modules, each suitable for charging and discharging, and the conductive plates. The energy storage module used in this type of energy storage device generally has a structure in which a plurality of battery cells are embedded and functions as a battery that can be charged and discharged. In one of the conventional energy storage devices, a sensing terminal, such as a sensor, is used to monitor an output state of each energy storage module (i.e., a potential of an output surface of each energy storage module with respect to a zero reference potential, hereinafter also referred to simply as the "voltage of the energy storage module").a busbar connected to a conductive plate that is in contact with the output surface of each energy storage module, and a voltage of each energy storage module is measured via the sensing port (see, for example, JP2020-161340A).

[0003] If the busbar or similar component is indeed connected to the conductive plate in the energy storage device with the structure described above, it is difficult to provide space for other components for the connection (e.g., screws for fastening) because the energy storage module or conductive plate has a thin, plate-like shape. Therefore, in the energy storage device described above, according to the prior art, an insertion hole through which the sensing connector is inserted is provided in a side-edge section of the conductive plate. The sensing connector is inserted into the insertion hole of each conductive plate from one side of a stacking body in which the energy storage module and the conductive plate are stacked, thereby connecting the conductive plate and the sensing connector.However, with this conventional connection method, it is difficult to improve the feasibility of the connection process when the sensing connector is inserted, as the positional alignment between the insertion hole of the conductive plate and the sensing connector is complicated. Summary

[0004] Illustrative aspects of the present disclosed subject matter include a voltage sensing unit, which is ideally suited for a conductive connection with a sensing target, and an energy storage device.

[0005] According to an illustrative aspect of the present disclosed subject matter, a voltage sensing unit comprises a voltage sensing port having a plate shape and a connecting section configured to be electrically connected to a sensing target, a housing having a plate shape and a receiving recess section configured to receive the voltage sensing port, and a cover configured to be attached to the housing by moving from a first side to a second side along a first direction and covering the receiving recess section.The cover is configured to lock onto the housing in a temporary locking position, where the cover only covers part of the receiving recess section, leaving the connecting section exposed, and in a final locking position, where the cover covers the entire receiving recess section.The cover comprises a main body section configured to cover the receiving recess section when the cover is in the final locking position, and a locking section provided on a third side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and a longitudinal direction of the stress sensing unit, and a locking piece provided on a fourth side opposite the third side along the second direction and extending from the main body section to the second side along the first direction.The housing comprises a locking section provided on the third side and configured to lock with the locking section; a locking hole provided on the fourth side and configured to receive the locking piece; and an extension section formed by a portion of an edge of the locking hole, the portion extending along the first direction toward the first side. A distal end of the locking piece on the second side is housed in the locking hole when the cover is in the temporary locking position.

[0006] Further aspects and advantages of the present disclosed subject matter will become apparent from the following description, the drawings and the claims. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a partially perspective exploded view of a stacked energy storage device with a voltage sensing unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosed subject matter; Fig. 2A is a cross-sectional view along a line AA of Fig. 1, and Fig. 2B is an enlarged view of part B of Fig. 2A; Fig. Figure 3 is a partially perspective exploded view of a [structure / project] in [location]. Fig. 1 of the depicted leading module; Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective exploded view of the voltage detection unit as shown in Fig. 1 embodiment of the present disclosed item shown; Fig. 5A is a top view showing a housing containing a voltage sensing terminal and electrical wiring, and a cover. Fig. 5B is an enlarged view of part E in Fig. 5A; Fig. 6 is a view from below, showing the housing containing the voltage sensing port and electrical wiring, and the cover; Fig. 7A is a top view showing a condition in which the cover is locked to the housing in a temporary locking position, and Fig. 7B is a cross-sectional view along a line CC of Fig. 7A, and Fig. 7C is an enlarged view of part F in Fig. 7A; and Fig. 8A is a top view showing a state in which the cover is locked to the housing in a final locking position, and Fig. 8B is a cross-sectional view along a line DD of Fig. 8A. Description of the embodiments

[0007] A voltage sensing unit 5 according to an embodiment of the present disclosed object is described below with reference to the drawings. For the sake of simplicity, the terms "forward / backward direction", "left / right direction", "upward / downward direction", "front", "back", "left", "right", "top", and "bottom" are defined below as in Fig. Figure 1 and the like are shown. The "forward / backward direction," the "left / right direction," and the "upward / downward direction" are perpendicular to each other. The "left / right direction" can be defined as a first direction in which a cover is attached to a housing. The "forward / backward direction" can be defined as a second direction. The right side can be defined as a first side and the left side as a second side. The front side can be defined as a third side and the rear side as a fourth side.

[0008] A voltage sensing unit 5 is typically used in a stacked energy storage device 1, as described in Fig. Figure 1 shows the energy storage device 1. The device is formed by alternately stacking rectangular, thin, plate-shaped energy storage modules 2, which can be charged and discharged, and rectangular, thin, plate-shaped, conductive modules 3, which can electrically connect adjacent energy storage modules 2, in an upward / downward direction. In the energy storage device 1, several energy storage modules 2 are electrically connected in series via the conductive modules 3. The energy storage module 2 has a structure in which a plurality of battery cells (not shown) are embedded, and the energy storage module 2 as a whole functions as a battery that can be charged and discharged.

[0009] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the conductive module 3 comprises a conductive plate 4 with a rectangular thin plate shape (the conductive plate 4 also functions as a heat sink, as will be described later), a voltage sensing unit 5 with a rectangular thin plate shape connected to a right side of the conductive plate 4, and an opposite unit 6 with a rectangular thin plate shape connected to a left side of the conductive plate 4, and is configured such that it has an overall rectangular thin plate shape. As shown in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3 shown (see especially Fig. 2A), the conductive plate 4 and the voltage sensing unit 5 are connected by fitting a flanged section 4a, located on a right end face of the conductive plate 4 and extending in the forward / backward direction, into a concave section 5a, located on a left end face of the voltage sensing unit 5 and extending in the forward / backward direction. The conductive plate 4 and the opposite unit 6 are connected by fitting a flanged section 4b, located on a left end face of the conductive plate 4 and extending in the forward / backward direction, into a concave section 6a, located on a right end face of the opposite unit 6 and extending in the forward / backward direction.

[0010] In each of the conductive modules 3, which are arranged between the adjacent energy storage modules 2 in the upward / downward direction, the conductive plate 4 is in direct contact with the upper and lower energy storage modules 2, as shown in Fig. 2A shown. Therefore, the conductive plate 4 has the function of electrically connecting a lower surface of the upper energy storage module 2 and an upper surface of the lower energy storage module 2, and the function of acting as a heat sink to dissipate the heat generated by the upper and lower energy storage modules 2 to the outside.

[0011] In each of the conductive modules 3, which are arranged between the adjacent energy storage modules 2 in the upward / downward direction, the voltage sensing unit 5 includes a voltage sensing terminal 10 (see Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B and the like), which will be described later, is in contact with the conductive plate 4. The voltage sensing unit 5 has the function of outputting a signal indicating a voltage between the upper and lower energy storage modules 2 (in particular, a potential of the upper surface (output surface) of the lower energy storage module 2 with respect to a zero reference potential) via an electrical conductor 20 (see Fig. 1 and the like) is displayed, which is connected to the voltage sensing terminal 10. Although the voltage sensing unit 5 is in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. If voltage sensing unit 3 is arranged on the right side of the conductive plate 4, a voltage sensing unit with the same function as voltage sensing unit 5 can be arranged on the left side of the conductive plate 4. In this case, the voltage sensing unit with the same function as voltage sensing unit 5 is a voltage sensing unit (i.e., a symmetrical product of voltage sensing unit 5) obtained by reversing the entire structure of voltage sensing unit 5 in the left / right direction.

[0012] In each of the conductive modules 3, which are located between the adjacent energy storage modules 2 in the upward / downward direction, a voltage sensing unit, a reactive unit or a temperature sensing unit is used as the opposite unit 6 in accordance with the specification of the energy storage device 1.

[0013] If the opposite unit 6 is a voltage sensing unit, the voltage sensing unit (i.e., the symmetrical product of the previously described voltage sensing unit 5), obtained by reversing the entire structure of the voltage sensing unit 5 in the left / right direction, is used as the opposite unit 6. In this case, the voltage sensing unit 5 is located on the right side of the conductive plate 4, and the symmetrical product of the voltage sensing unit 5 is located on the left side of the conductive plate 4. The opposite unit 6 (the symmetrical product of the voltage sensing unit 5) has the same function as the voltage sensing unit 5.

[0014] If the opposite unit 6 is a dummy unit, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, a simple plastic plate with a concave section 6a extending in the forward / backward direction is used as the opposite unit 6. In this case, the opposite unit 6 only serves to fill a gap between the upper and lower energy storage modules 2.

[0015] If the opposite unit 6 is a temperature sensing unit, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the opposite unit 6 has a structure in which a temperature sensor 7 (thermistor) is embedded in the resin plate used as a dummy unit. In this case, the opposite unit 6 has the function of outputting a signal indicating the temperatures of the upper and lower energy storage modules 2 via an electrical wire 7a (see Figure 1). Fig. 1) indicates which is connected to temperature sensor 7.

[0016] The following describes a specific configuration of the voltage detection unit 5 according to the embodiment of the present disclosed item with reference to the Fig. 4 to 8B described. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the voltage sensing unit 5 comprises a housing 40, the voltage sensing terminal 10 housed in the housing 40, the electrical cable 20 connected to the voltage sensing terminal 10 and housed in the housing 40, and a cover 30 attached to the housing 40.

[0017] The voltage sensing terminal 10 is located in a terminal recess 42 (see Fig. 4) housed, which will be described later and is formed in the housing 40, the electrical conductor 20 is in an electrical conductor receiving recess 46 (see Fig. 4) accommodated, which is described later and is formed in the housing 40, and the cover 30 is attached to the cover fastening recesses 41 (see Fig. 4) attached, which will be described later and are formed in the housing 40. Each element forming the voltage sensing unit 5 will be described in turn below.

[0018] First, the voltage sensing terminal 10 is described. The metal voltage sensing terminal 10 is manufactured by machining a metal plate, for example, by pressing. The voltage sensing terminal 10 is inserted from above into the terminal receptacle 42 of the housing 40. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the voltage sensing terminal 10 comprises a first section 11 having a rectangular flat plate shape extending in the forward / backward direction, and a second section 12 having a rectangular flat plate shape extending to the left from a front end section of the first section 11, and has a flat plate shape which, when viewed in the up / down direction, is essentially L-shaped.

[0019] An end section of the electrical conductor 20 is attached to a lower surface of a distal end section 11a (i.e., an end section on a rear end face) of the first section 11 in order to be electrically connected to it (see also Fig. 6) The other end section of the electrical conductor 20 is connected to a voltage measuring device (not shown) outside the energy storage device 1. A portion of the flange section 4a of the conductive plate 4 is attached to a lower surface of a distal end section 12a (i.e., an end section on a left end face) of the second section 12 by a method such as ultrasonic bonding or welding (see Fig. 2B). In the present embodiment, the distal end section 12a corresponds to a connecting section and the conductive plate 4 to a detection target.

[0020] A projecting section 13 is formed on a leading edge of the second section 12, projecting forward. When the voltage sensing terminal 10 is housed in the casing 40, the projecting section 13 engages in a locking groove 45 formed in the casing 40 (see Fig. 4) locked.

[0021] Next, the cover 30 is described. The cover 30 is a molded plastic product and is attached to the cover mounting recesses 41 of the housing 40 from the right side. The cover 30 comprises an opposing section 31 and an extension section 32 extending rearward from the opposing section 31. The opposing section 31 primarily serves to cover and protect the voltage sensing terminal 10, and the extension section 32 primarily serves to cover and protect the electrical conductor 20.

[0022] The opposite section 31 comprises a pair of flat plate sections 33, which have the same shape and face each other at a distance in the upward / downward direction, and a connecting section 34, which connects the right end faces n of the pair of flat plate sections 33, which extend in the forward / backward direction, over the entire area of ​​the right end faces n in the forward / backward direction. The opposite section 31 has a substantially U-shaped opening to the left when viewed in the forward / backward direction.The flat plate sections 33 each comprise a substantially square, flat, plate-shaped base section 33a, which is connected to the connecting section 34, and a rectangular, flat, plate-shaped extension section 33b, which extends to the left from a front end section of the base section 33a and, viewed in the upward / downward direction, has an overall substantially L-shape. The extension section 32 extends continuously to the rear from a rear end edge of the upper flat plate section 33 (more precisely, the upper base section 33a) of the pair of flat plate sections 33 that form the opposite section 31, and is flush with it, having a substantially rectangular flat plate shape.

[0023] In the extension section 32, a pair of electrical conductor retaining pieces 35, extending in the left / right direction, are formed in one piece such that they are arranged at a distance in the forward / backward direction. As shown from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 6, each electrical conductor retainer 35 projects downwards from a lower surface of the extension section 32, extends in the left / right direction, and extends further to the left from a left end edge of the extension section 32. When the cover 30 is attached to the housing 40, the electrical conductor retainers 35 serve to hold the electrical conductor 20 housed in the housing 40. In the present embodiment, of the pair of electrical conductor retainers 35, the one located on a rear side corresponds to a locking section.

[0024] The left end of the extension section 32 on the rear side (where the rear side is a position corresponding to the rear electrical conductor holder 35 of the pair of electrical conductor holders 35) is recessed to the right and the recess is a concave section 300 (see in particular Fig. 7A and Fig. 8A). A right end of the concave section 300 is defined by a concave end section 301, which is part of the left end of the extension section 32 to which the concave section 300 is attached. An upper end of the concave section 300 is defined by a concave side surface 302, which is part of the end of the extension section 32. A right end of the concave side surface 302 is connected to an upper end of the concave end section 301. The concave side surface 302 is inclined such that the width of the concave section 300 increases in the forward / backward direction from the concave end section 301 to the left in the left / right direction.In the concave section 300, the concave end section 301 has a shape corresponding to an extended end section 401, which will be described later, of an extension section 400 of the housing 40, and the concave side surface 302 has a shape corresponding to an extended side surface 402, which will be described later, of the extension section 400.

[0025] A locking section 36, projecting upwards towards the upper flat plate section 33, is formed at a predetermined position of the lower flat plate section 33 (more precisely, the lower base section 33a) of the pair of flat plate sections 33 that form the opposite section 31 (see Fig. 7B and Fig. 8B). The locking section 36 is used to lock the cover 30 in a temporary locking position (see Fig. 7A to 7C) and a final locking position (see Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B) in conjunction with a temporarily locked section 55 and a permanently locked section 56, which will be described later and are provided in the housing 40.

[0026] Next, the housing 40 is described. The housing 40 is a resin-molded product and has an essentially rectangular, thin-plate shape that extends in the forward / backward direction, as shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and the like are shown. The concave section 5a, which is concave to the right and extends in the forward / backward direction, is formed in a left end face of the housing 40. The flanged section 4a of the conductive plate 4 is fitted into the concave section 5a (see Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B and the like).

[0027] The cover fastening recesses 41, each of which has a shape corresponding to the overall shape of the cover 30 and is concave, are formed in sections on an upper and lower surface of the housing 40 where the cover 30 is to be fastened (see Fig. 4) The concave depth (depth in the upward / downward direction) of the cover mounting recess 41 is equal to the thickness of the cover 30 (the opposite section 31 + the extension section 32). Therefore, the surfaces of the housing 40 and the surfaces of the cover 30 are flush with each other when the cover 30 is attached to the housing 40 (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B).

[0028] The terminal receiving recess 42, which has a shape corresponding to the overall shape of the voltage sensing terminal 10 and which extends from a lower surface 41a into the cover mounting recess 41, is formed in a section of the lower surface 41a of the cover mounting recess 41 on an upper surface of the housing 40 in which the voltage sensing terminal 10 is to be accommodated (see Fig. 4) A concave depth (depth in the upward / downward direction) of the terminal receiving recess 42 is equal to the plate thickness of the voltage sensing terminal 10. Therefore, when the voltage sensing terminal 10 is attached to the housing 40, an upper surface of the voltage sensing terminal 10 and the lower surface 41a of the cover mounting recess 41 are flush with each other (see Fig. 7B and Fig. 8B).

[0029] A groove 43, which is concave to the right in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the upward / downward direction, is formed at a position on a left end face of the housing 40 in the forward / backward direction where the distal end section 12a of the voltage sensing terminal 10 is to be located. The concave section 5a, which extends in the forward / backward direction along the left end face of the housing 40, is divided by the groove 43. When the voltage sensing terminal 10 is housed in the housing 40, the upper and lower surfaces of the distal end section 12a of the voltage sensing terminal 10 are exposed by the groove 43 (see Fig. 7B).

[0030] A through-hole 44, extending in the forward / backward direction and penetrating in the upward / downward direction, is formed in a section of the terminal receiving recess 42 in which the distal end section 11a of the voltage sensing terminal 10 is to be arranged. When the voltage sensing terminal 10 is housed in the casing 40, one end section (contact point) of the electrical conductor 20 connected to the voltage sensing terminal 10 enters the through-hole 44 (see Fig. 6) In other words, the through-hole 44 serves as a relief section to prevent interference between a lower surface 42a of the connection receiving recess 42 and one end section of the electrical conductor 20.

[0031] The locking groove 45, which is concave towards the front and is connected to the concave section 5a to align with the projecting section 13, is formed on an inner wall surface of the connection receiving recess 42 at a position where the projecting section 13 (see Fig. 4) of the voltage detection terminal 10 is to be arranged (see Fig. 4).

[0032] The electrical conductor receiving recess 46, which is concave and has a shape corresponding to the routing of the electrical conductor 20 when the electrical conductor 20 is received, is formed in a section of an upper surface of the housing 40 into which the electrical conductor 20 is to be received (see Fig. 4) The electrical conduit receptacle 46 is a series of groove sections comprising a pair of straight sections 47 extending in a straight line in the forward / reverse direction and spaced at a distance in the forward / reverse direction, and a curved section 48 connecting the pair of straight sections 47 and extending, while curved, so that it projects to the right. A front end of the front straight section 47 of the pair of straight sections 47 communicates with the terminal receptacle 42, and a rear end of the rear straight section 47 of the pair of straight sections 47 forms an electrical conduit pull-out opening 49 through which the electrical conduit 20 extends from a rear end face of the housing 40.Since the electrical conductor receiving recess 46 contains the curved section 48, even if an unintentional external force is exerted on the electrical conductor 20 pulled out of the housing 40, the external force can be counteracted by friction between the curved section 48 and the electrical conductor 20, compared to a case in which the electrical conductor receiving recess 46 is formed only from the straight sections 47. Therefore, it is unlikely that a large external force will be exerted on the contact point between the voltage sensing terminal 10 and the electrical conductor 20.

[0033] Concave sections 51 with a narrow width, each having a width (distance in the left / right direction) narrower than that of the straight section 47, are provided at sections near the boundaries between the pair of straight sections 47 and the curved section 48. The width of the concave section 51 with a narrow width is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the electrical conductor 20. Therefore, the concave sections 51 with a narrow width serve to hold the electrical conductor 20 while it is being pushed in the left / right direction. Because the electrical conductor 20 is held by the pair of concave sections 51 with a narrow width, the external force can be balanced by the friction between the concave sections 51 with a narrow width and the electrical conductor 20, even if an unintended external force is exerted on the electrical conductor 20 as it is being pulled out of the housing 40.Therefore, it is unlikely that a large external force will be exerted on the contact point between the voltage sensing terminal 10 and the electrical conductor 20.

[0034] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, a pair of concave sections 52 for the electrical conductor holders, extending in the left / right direction and corresponding to the pair of electrical conductor holders 35, are formed in the lower surface 41a of the cover mounting recess 41 on the upper surface of the housing 40 at positions where the pair of electrical conductor holders 35 of the cover 30 is arranged, such that the pair of concave sections 52 for the electrical conductor holders are spaced apart in the forward / backward direction. The pair of concave sections 52 for the electrical conductor holders is arranged such that a vertex 48a (see Figure 4) Fig. 4) of the curved section 48 of the electrical conductor receiving recess 46 is arranged between the pair of concave sections 52 for the electrical conductor retaining pieces in the forward / reverse direction.

[0035] Each concave section 52 for the electrical conductor retainers extends in the left / right direction from a right end edge of the housing 40 on the upper surface of the housing 40 to a left inner end wall 41b (see Fig. 4) the cover mounting recess 41 over the electrical cable receiving recess 46. Receiving holes 53, which are concave to the left, are each located in sections of the left inner end wall 41b of the cover mounting recess 41 (see Fig. 4) formed, to which the pair of concave sections 52 for the electrical conductor retainers is connected. When the cover 30 is attached to the housing 40, the extended end sections (i.e., the left end sections) of the pair of electrical conductor retainers 35 of the cover 30 are inserted into and supported in the pair of receiving holes 53. In the present embodiment, the rear receiving hole 53 of the pair of receiving holes 53 corresponds to a locking hole.

[0036] The extension section 400 extends from part of an edge of the rear receiving hole 53 (in particular from a right end of an upper wall defining the receiving hole 53) of the pair of receiving holes 53 (see in particular Fig. 7A and Fig. 8A). The extension section 400 comprises the extended end section 401, which is a right end of the extension section 400, and the extended side surface 402, which is an upper end surface of the extension section 400. The extended side surface 402 is inclined such that the width of the extension section 400 increases in the forward / backward direction from the extended end section 401 towards the left side in the left / right direction.

[0037] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, on the lower surface 41a of the cover mounting recess 41 on a lower surface side of the housing 40, a contact section 54, the temporary locking section 55 and the final locking section 56, which are concave sections that are concave upwards, are formed in this order such that they are arranged at intervals from right to left at a position in the forward / backward direction that corresponds to the position at which the locking section 36 (see Figure 6) is located. Fig. 7B and the like) is arranged under cover 30. As in the Fig. As shown in Figures 6 to 8B, the contact section 54 is a concave section extending from a right end face of the housing 40. The elements forming the voltage sensing unit 5 have been described previously.

[0038] Next, a method is described in which the voltage sensing terminal 10 and the cover 30 are attached to the housing 40. First, the voltage sensing terminal 10, to which the electrical conductor 20 is pre-connected by a technique such as ultrasonic bonding or welding, is placed in the terminal receiving recess 42 of the housing 40. Therefore, the voltage sensing terminal 10 is fitted into the terminal receiving recess 42 of the housing 40 from above, so that the projecting section 13 engages in the locking groove 45 and one end section (contact point) of the electrical conductor 20 engages in the through-hole 44. When the insertion of the voltage sensing terminal 10 into the housing 40 is complete, the upper and lower surfaces of the distal end section 12a of the voltage sensing terminal 10 are exposed above the groove 43 (see Figure 1). Fig. 7B).

[0039] Next, the electrical conductor 20, extending from the voltage sensing terminal 10 housed in the casing 40, is inserted into the electrical conductor receiving recess 46 of the casing 40. Therefore, the electrical conductor 20 is fitted from above along the electrical conductor receiving recess 46, which is formed by the pair of straight sections 47 and the curved section 48. At this point, a pair of sections of the electrical conductor 20, positioned above the pair of narrow concave sections 51, is pressed downwards, thereby receiving the pair of sections of the electrical conductor 20 within the pair of narrow concave sections 51. In a state where the insertion of the electrical conductor 20 into the casing 40 is complete, the electrical conductor 20 extends from the electrical conductor pullout opening 49 rearward to the outside of the casing 40.

[0040] Next, the cover 30 is attached to the housing 40. Therefore, the cover 30 is attached to the cover mounting recesses 41 of the housing 40 from the right side such that the opposite section 31 of the cover 30 vertically clamps the cover mounting recesses 41 on the upper and lower surfaces of the housing 40, the extension section 32 of the cover 30 covers the cover mounting recesses 41 on the upper surface of the housing 40, and the pair of electrical conduit retainers 35 of the cover 30 covers the pair of concave sections 52 for the electrical conduit retainers of the housing 40.

[0041] When the cover 30 is attached to the housing 40, the locking section 36 of the cover 30 first comes into contact with a left side of an inclined section of the contact section 54 of the housing 40, slides over the contact section 54 while sliding on the left side of the inclined section of the contact section 54, and then enters the interior of the temporarily locked section 55 such that the locking section 36 engages with the temporarily locked section 55 and is pressed against a left side of the inclined section of the temporarily locked section 55 (see Fig. 7B). This locks the cover 30 in the temporary locking position on the housing 40, thus completing the attachment of the cover 30 to the housing 40 (see Fig. 7A to 7C) and the voltage sensing unit 5 (see Fig. 3) is obtained. As described later, the voltage sensing unit 5, which is obtained after the attachment of the cover 30 to the housing 40 is complete (in the state in which the cover 30 is locked in the temporary locking position), is used for the assembly of the conductive module 3 (see Fig. 1) used.

[0042] In the Fig. In the state shown in Figure 7A, where the cover 30 is locked in the temporary locking position, the opposite section 31 (more precisely, the pair of upper and lower extension sections 33b) of the cover 30 does not cover the distal end section 12a of the voltage sensing terminal 10. Therefore, the upper and lower surfaces of the distal end section 12a of the voltage sensing terminal 10 are still exposed above the groove 43 (see Figure 7A). Fig. 7B).

[0043] Furthermore, the pair of electrical conductor retainers 35 of the cover 30 is arranged on a portion of the openings of the straight section 47 and the curved section 48 of the electrical conductor receiving recess 46. As a result, the electrical conductor 20 is prevented from being pushed out of the electrical conductor receiving recess 46. In addition, the extended end sections of the pair of electrical conductor retainers 35 are inserted into the pair of receiving holes 53. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent positional deviation of the pair of electrical conductor retainers 35 and unintentional deformation, such as separation of the pair of electrical conductor retainers 35 from the electrical conductor receiving recess 46. Furthermore, the extension section 32 of the cover 30 is arranged above an opening at the apex 48a of the curved section 48 of the electrical conductor receiving recess 46.Accordingly, it can be more safely prevented that the electrical conductor 20 emerges from the electrical conductor receiving recess 46 and is guided in such a way that it skips (i.e., shortens) the curved section 48. In this way, a specific problem resulting from the electrical conductor 20 emerging from the curved section 48 of the electrical conductor receiving recess 46 can be prevented.

[0044] Furthermore, the extension section 400 covers a section of the electrical conductor holder 35 that is located on a base end side of the extended end section of the electrical conductor holder 35 (the section of the electrical conductor holder 35 that is further to the right than the extended end section of the electrical conductor holder 35) when the electrical conductor holder 35 is inserted into the receiving hole 53 (see Fig. 7C). That is, in the present embodiment, there is an engagement edge (see a length L2 in Fig. 7C) between the electrical conductor holder 35 and the receiving hole 53 larger than an engagement edge in a case where the extension section 400 is not provided (see a length L1 in Fig. 7C). In this way, since the engagement edge between the electrical conductor holder 35 and the receiving hole 53 is large, displacement of the cover 30 in the upward / downward direction, so that the cover 30 is detached from the housing 40, is prevented, and rotational displacement, so that the cover 30 is detached from the housing 40 by rotating with the locking section 36 as the center of rotation, is also prevented, compared to the case in which the extension section 400 is not provided in the receiving hole 53.

[0045] When the cover 30, in the state where the cover 30 is locked in the temporary locking position, is pushed further to the left with respect to the housing 40, the extended end sections of the pair of electrical conduit retainers 35 of the cover 30 enter further into and are held in the pair of receiving holes 53, and the locking section 36 of the cover 30 climbs over the temporarily locked section 55 and then enters the interior of the final locking section 56 to engage with the final locking section 56 (see Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B). This locks the cover 30 in the final locking position with the housing 40.

[0046] In the state where the cover 30 is locked in the final locking position, the locking section 36 of the cover 30 cannot easily climb over the final locking section 56, since the right and left side faces of the final locking section 56 are formed from essentially vertical surfaces. As a result, it is possible to prevent unintentional positional deviation or the like of the cover 30 in the left / right direction.

[0047] In the state in which the cover 30 is locked in the final locking position, as shown in the Fig. 8A and Fig. As shown in Figure 8B, the cover 30 covers an entire area of ​​the cover fixing recess 41, so that the entire electrical conduit receptacle 46 is covered by the extension section 32 of the cover 30. As a result, the electrical conduit 20 is prevented from exiting the electrical conduit receptacle 46. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 8A, the opposite section 31 (more precisely, the pair of upper and lower extension sections 33b) of the cover 30 covers the upper and lower surfaces of the distal end section 12a of the voltage sensing terminal 10. Consequently, the entire voltage sensing terminal 10 is covered by the opposite section 31 of the cover 30, and thus the voltage sensing terminal 10 can be reliably protected.

[0048] As previously described, the voltage sensing unit 5, which is obtained after the attachment of the cover 30 to the housing 40 is completed (in the state in which the cover 30 is locked in the temporary locking position), is used for the assembly of the conductive module 3 (see Fig. 1) Specifically, first, as in Fig. Figure 3 shows the flange section 4a of the conductive plate 4 and the concave section 5a of the voltage sensing unit 5 attached to each other, so that the voltage sensing unit 5 is connected to the right side of the conductive plate 4.

[0049] In this state, as can be seen from the Fig. 3 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 7B, a part of the flange section 4a of the conductive plate 4 is arranged such that it overlaps a lower surface of the distal end section 12a of the voltage sensing terminal 10 (see also Fig. 2B), and since the groove 43 of the housing 40 is present, the upper surface of the distal end section 12a of the voltage sensing terminal 10 is exposed upwards, and part of a lower surface of the flange section 4a of the conductive plate 4 is exposed downwards.

[0050] Furthermore, the right end edge of the housing 40 and a left end edge of the cover 30 abut each other without a gap between them. More precisely, the extended end section 401 and the concave end section 301 abut each other without a gap, and the extended side surface 402 and the concave side surface 302 abut each other without a gap (see Fig. 8A).

[0051] Next, the distal end section 12a of the voltage sensing terminal 10 and the portion of the lower surface of the flange section 4a of the conductive plate 4 are joined together using the upper surface of the distal end section 12a of the voltage sensing terminal 10 and the portion of the flange section 4a of the conductive plate 4 by a technique such as ultrasonic bonding or welding. Afterward, the cover 30 is moved from the temporary locking position to the final locking position, thus completing the assembly of the voltage sensing unit 5 and the conductive plate 4.

[0052] Next, the flange section 4b of the conductive plate 4 and the concave section 6a of the opposite unit 6 are attached to each other, so that the opposite unit 6 is connected to the left side of the conductive plate 4, to which the voltage sensing unit 5 has been attached (see Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B and the like). This completes the assembly of the conductive module 3.

[0053] The conductive module 3 obtained in this way is used for assembling the in Fig. The energy storage device 1 shown in Figure 1 is used. Specifically, the energy storage device 1 is manufactured by alternately stacking the energy storage modules 2 and the conductive modules 3 in the upward / downward direction and securing these stacked modules with a predetermined metal fitting or the like.

[0054] As previously described, according to the voltage sensing unit 5 of the present embodiment, the voltage sensing terminal 10 with the distal end section 12a, which is to be electrically connected to the conductive plate 4, which is a sensing target, is housed in the terminal receiving recess 42 of the housing 40, and the cover 30 can be locked to the housing 40 in the state (temporary locking position) in which the distal end section 12a of the voltage sensing terminal 10 is exposed. Therefore, when the voltage sensing unit 5 is electrically connected to the conductive plate 4, e.g., after the voltage sensing unit 5 is attached to the conductive plate 4, the exposed distal end section 12a of the voltage sensing terminal 10 and the flange section 4a of the conductive plate 4 can be joined by applying a technique such as ultrasonic bonding or welding.Consequently, compared to a typical screw fastening or the like, it is possible to dispense with the use of other components for the connection, and compared to the previously described prior art connection method, it is possible to facilitate the positional alignment of the voltage sensing terminal 10 and the conductive plate 4 and to reduce the contact resistance at a contact point. After the conductive plate 4 and the voltage sensing terminal 10 are connected, the cover 30 is moved from the temporary locking position to the final locking position, so that the distal end section 12a of the voltage sensing terminal 10 can be covered by the cover 30 to protect it. Accordingly, the voltage sensing unit 5 according to the present embodiment is ideally suited for electrical connection with the conductive plate 4.

[0055] Furthermore, in the voltage sensing unit 5 according to the present embodiment, the locking section 36 of the cover 30 can be locked to the temporarily locked section 55 or the permanently locked section 56 of the housing 40 at the front in the forward / reverse direction, and the rear electrical conductor holder 35 at the rear of the cover 30 can be inserted into the rear receiving hole 53 at the rear of the housing 40. When the cover 30 is locked to the housing 40 in the temporary locking position, the extended end sections of the electrical conductor holders 35 are inserted into the receiving holes 53. Here, the housing 40 includes the extension section 400 at the rear of the housing 40, the extension section 400 being formed by the upper wall of the receiving hole 53, which extends to the right in the left / right direction.This means that when the cover 30 is locked to the housing 40 in the temporary locking position, the extension section 400 covers part of the top of the electrical conductor holder 35, which is inserted into the receiving hole 53. Therefore, in the voltage sensing unit 5, the contact area between the electrical conductor holder 35 and the receiving hole 53, or the area (so-called engagement edge) where the electrical conductor holder 35 is covered by the receiving hole 53, is increased compared to a case where the housing does not have the extension section. As a result, in the voltage sensing unit 5 according to the present embodiment, displacement, such as the cover 30 becoming detached from the housing 40 in the temporary locking position, is better prevented, and the task of electrically connecting the voltage sensing unit 5 to the previously described conductive plate 4 is further facilitated.

[0056] Since the concave end section 301 of the cover 30 has the shape corresponding to the extended end section 401 of the housing 40, and the concave side surface 302 has the shape corresponding to the extended side surface 402 in the final locking position, the cover 30 can be attached to the housing 40 in a suitable state. Furthermore, in the voltage sensing unit 5 according to the present embodiment, the extended side surface 402 of the extension section 400 is inclined such that the width of the extension section 400 increases in the forward / backward direction from the extended end section 401, which is on the right side, towards the left side in the left / right direction. For example, if the extended side surface of the extension section is not inclined (i.e.,(The extended side surface extends substantially vertically with respect to the extended end section along the mounting direction.) If a dimensional deviation occurs in the cover and / or the housing, there is a likelihood that the cover cannot be attached to the housing in the appropriate state due to this deviation. An example of a case in which the cover cannot be attached to the housing in the appropriate state is the formation of a large gap between the housing and the cover. However, since the extended side surface 402 is inclined in the voltage sensing unit 5 according to the present embodiment, the deviation described above can be compensated for by the inclination of the extended side surface 402, compared to the case in which the extended side surface is not inclined.In another embodiment, however, the extended side surface 402 of the extension section 400 need not be inclined, as long as the cover 30 can be attached to the housing 40 in a suitable state.

[0057] Since, in the energy storage device 1 of the present embodiment, the plurality of conductive modules 3, each comprising the conductive plate 4 and the previously described voltage sensing unit 5, and the plurality of energy storage modules 2, each capable of charging and discharging, are stacked alternately in the upward / downward direction, the plurality of energy storage modules 2 are electrically connected in series via the conductive modules 3. Therefore, if a large gap is formed between the housing and the cover locked in the final locking position in the voltage sensing unit, the contact area between the voltage sensing unit and the energy storage module is reduced by the area of ​​the gap.If the contact area described above is too small, the loads generated in the voltage sensing unit of the stacked energy storage module and the stacked conductive module are not adequately distributed, which can lead to breakage or deformation of various components in the energy storage device. However, since the energy storage device 1, according to the present embodiment, includes the voltage sensing unit 5 with the various effects described above, the contact area between the voltage sensing unit 5 and the energy storage module 2 is secured, and thus it is possible to prevent breakage or deformation of the various components as described above.

[0058] While the present disclosed subject matter has been described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments, the scope of the present disclosed subject matter is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without deviating from the scope of the present disclosed subject matter as defined by the attached claims.

[0059] According to one aspect of the embodiments described above, a voltage sensing unit (5) comprises a voltage sensing terminal (10) having a plate shape and a connecting section (for example, a distal end section 12a) configured to be electrically connected to a sensing target (for example, a conductive plate 4), a housing (40) having a plate shape and a receiving recess section (for example, a terminal receiving recess 42) configured to receive the voltage sensing terminal (10), and a cover (30) configured to be attached to the housing (40) by moving from a first side to a second side along a first direction, and to cover the receiving recess section (the terminal receiving recess 42).The cover (30) is configured to lock with the housing (40) in a temporary locking position in which the cover (30) covers only part of the receiving recess section (the connection receiving recess 42) so that the connecting section (the distal end section 12a) is exposed, and in a final locking position in which the cover (30) covers the entire receiving recess section.The cover (30) comprises a main body section (32) configured to cover the receiving recess section when the cover (30) is in the final locking position, and comprising a locking section (36) provided on a third side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, which is a longitudinal direction of the voltage sensing unit (5), and a locking section (e.g., an electrical conductor retainer 35) provided on a fourth side opposite the third side along the second direction, extending from the main body section (32) towards the second side along the first direction. The housing (40) comprises a locked section (e.g.,a temporarily locked section 55, a permanently locked section 56, provided on the third side and configured to lock with the locking section (36); a locking hole (e.g., a receiving hole 53) provided on the fourth side and configured to receive the locking piece (the electrical conduit holder 35); and an extension section (400) formed by a portion of an edge of the locking hole (receiving hole 53), the portion extending along the first direction towards the first side. A distal end of the locking piece (the electrical conduit holder 35) on the second side is accommodated in the locking hole (receiving hole 53) when the cover (30) is in the temporarily locked position.

[0060] According to the voltage sensing unit with the configuration described above, the voltage sensing terminal, with the connecting section electrically linked to the sensing target, is housed in the receiving recess of the enclosure, and the cover can be locked to the enclosure in the state (temporary locking position) where the connecting section of the voltage sensing terminal is exposed. Therefore, once the voltage sensing unit is electrically connected to the sensing target (e.g., the conductive plate used for the stacked energy storage device), the exposed connecting section of the voltage sensing terminal can be secured to the sensing target by a technique such as ultrasonic bonding or welding after the voltage sensing unit is attached to the sensing target.Consequently, compared to a typical screw fastening or similar, it is possible to dispense with the use of other components for the connection. Furthermore, compared to the previously described prior art connection method, it is possible to facilitate the positional alignment of the voltage sensing terminal and the conductive plate and to reduce the contact resistance at a contact point. After the sensing target and the voltage sensing terminal are connected, the cover is moved from the temporary locking position to the final locking position, thus covering the connection section of the voltage sensing terminal to protect it. As previously described, the voltage sensing unit with this configuration is ideally suited for performing the electrical connection with the sensing target.

[0061] Furthermore, with the current configuration of the voltage sensing unit, the locking section of the cover can be locked to the locked section of the housing on one side (third side) of the voltage sensing unit in the extension direction (longitudinal direction of the voltage sensing unit), and the locking piece of the cover can be inserted into the locking hole of the housing on the other side (fourth side). When the cover is locked to the housing in the temporary locking position, the distal ends of the locking pieces of the cover are inserted into the locking holes of the housing in the mounting direction.Here, with the present configuration, the housing has an extension section on the other side in the direction of extension. This extension section is formed by part of an edge of the locking hole and extends towards a base end (first side) in the mounting direction. That is, when the cover is locked to the housing in the temporary locking position, the extension section covers part of the locking element inserted into the locking hole. Therefore, in the voltage sensing unit, the contact area between the locking element and the locking hole of the cover, or the area (called the engagement edge) where the locking element is covered by the locking hole, is increased compared to a case where the housing does not have the extension section. Consequently, in the voltage sensing unit with the present configuration, a displacement, such as...The removal of the cover from the housing in the temporary locking position is better prevented, and the work of electrically connecting the voltage sensing unit to the previously described sensing target is further facilitated.

[0062] The extension section (400) can comprise an end section (401), which is one end of the extension section (400) on the first side, and an extended side surface (402), which defines another end of the extension section (400) in the second direction. The extended side surface (402) can be inclined such that the width of the extension section (400) in the second direction is greater on the second side than on the first side. The cover (30) can have a first section and a second section (e.g., a concave end section 301 and a concave side surface 302) configured to abut the end section (401) and the extended side surface (402), respectively, when the cover (30) is in the final locking position.Both the first and the second section (the concave end section 301 and the concave side surface 302) can have a shape that corresponds to the end section (401) and the extended side surface (402), respectively.

[0063] Since, in this configuration, the sections of the cover that abut the extended end section and the extended side face of the housing in the final locking position have a shape corresponding to the extended end section and the extended side face, the cover can be attached to the housing in a suitable state. Furthermore, in the voltage sensing unit with this configuration, the extended side face of the extension section is inclined such that the width of the extension section increases in the forward / backward direction (second direction) from the extended end section in the direction of the cover's attachment. For example, if the extended side face of the extension section is not inclined (i.e.,(The extended side surface extends from the extended end section along the mounting direction), there is a possibility that the cover may not be correctly attached to the housing due to this dimensional deviation if there is a dimensional deviation in the cover and / or the housing. As an example of a case where the cover cannot be correctly attached to the housing, a large gap may form between the housing and the cover. However, since the extended side surface is inclined in the voltage sensing unit with the present configuration, the deviation described above can be compensated for by the inclination of the extended side surface, compared to the case where the extended side surface is not inclined. As previously described, the voltage sensing unit with the present configuration is ideally suited for making the electrical connection to the sensing target.

[0064] An energy storage device (1) can include the voltage sensing unit (5).

[0065] With this configuration, since the energy storage device contains the voltage sensing unit that can achieve the effects described above, the implementation of the electrical connection with the sensing target is excellent.

[0066] The energy storage device (1) can comprise a plurality of conductive modules (3), each containing the voltage sensing unit (5) and the sensing target (4) configured to be electrically connected to the voltage sensing unit, as well as a plurality of plate-shaped energy storage modules (2) configured for charging and discharging. The plurality of conductive modules (3) and the plurality of energy storage modules (2) can be stacked alternately in a plate-thickness direction of the plurality of conductive modules (3) and the plurality of energy storage modules (2).

[0067] In this configuration, the multitude of conductive modules, each containing the detection target and the previously described voltage detection unit, and the multitude of energy storage modules, each capable of charging and discharging, are stacked alternately in the plate thickness direction. Therefore, the multitude of energy storage modules are electrically connected in series across the conductive modules. For example, if a large gap forms between the housing and the cover when the cover is in its final locking position within the voltage detection unit, the contact area between the voltage detection unit and the energy storage module is reduced by the area of ​​the gap.If the contact area described above is small, the loads of the stacked energy storage module and the stacked conductive module generated in the voltage sensing unit are not adequately distributed, which can lead to breakage or deformation of various components in the energy storage device. However, since the energy storage device in the present configuration includes the voltage sensing unit with the effects described above, the contact area between the voltage sensing unit and the energy storage module is kept sufficiently large, thus preventing breakage or deformation of the various components as previously described.

Claims

[1] Voltage sensing unit (5), comprising: a voltage sensing port (10) with a plate shape and with a connecting section (12a) configured to be electrically connectable to a sensing target (4); a housing (40) with a plate shape and with a receiving recess section (42) configured to receive the voltage sensing port (10); and a cover (30) configured to be attached to the housing (40) by moving from a first side to a second side along a first direction, and covering the receiving recess section (42), wherein the cover (30) is configured to lock onto the housing (40) in a temporary locking position in which the cover (30) covers only part of the receiving recess section (42) so that the connecting section (12a) is exposed, and in a final locking position in which the cover (30) covers the entire receiving recess section, wherein the cover (30) comprises: a main body section (32) configured to cover the receiving recess section when the cover (30) is in the final locking position, and a locking section (36) provided on a third side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and longitudinal to the stress sensing unit (5); and a locking piece (35) provided on a fourth side opposite the third side along the second direction and extending from the main body section (32) to the second side along the first direction, wherein the housing (40) comprises: a locked section (55, 56) provided on the third side and configured to lock with the locking section (36); a locking hole (53) provided on the fourth side and configured to receive the locking piece (35); and an extension section (400) formed by a portion of an edge of the locking hole (53), the portion extending towards the first side along the first direction, and wherein a distal end of the locking piece (35) is accommodated in the locking hole (53) on the second side when the cover (30) is in the temporary locking position. [2] Voltage sensing unit according to claim 1, wherein the extension section (400) has an end section (401) which is an end of the extension section (400) on the first side, and an extended side surface (402) which defines another end of the extension section (400) in the second direction, wherein the extended side surface (402) is inclined such that the width of the extension section (400) in the second direction is greater on the second side than on the first side, wherein the cover (30) comprises a first section and a second section (301 and 302) which are configured such that, when the cover (30) is in the final locking position, they respectively abut the end section (401) and the extended side surface (402), and wherein both the first and second sections (301 and 302) have a shape that corresponds to the end section (401) and the extended side surface (402), respectively. [3] Energy storage device (1) comprising: the voltage sensing unit (5) according to claim 1 or 2. [4] Energy storage device (1) according to claim 3, comprising: a plurality of conductive modules (3), each containing the voltage sensing unit (5) and the sensing target (4), configured to be electrically connectable to the voltage sensing unit; and a variety of plate-shaped energy storage modules (2) designed for charging and discharging, wherein the plurality of conductive modules (3) and the plurality of energy storage modules (2) are stacked alternately in a plate thickness direction of the plurality of conductive modules (3) and the plurality of energy storage modules (2).

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