Electric connection box

Abstract

To provide an electrical connection box that is highly versatile and compact.SOLUTION: An electrical connection box 11 includes electrical circuit components. The electrical connection box includes a first circuit unit 21 and a second circuit unit 31. The first circuit unit 21 has a plate-shaped first base member 22 and basic electrical circuit components 23 that are arranged on the first base member 22 and form part of the electrical circuit components. The second circuit unit 31 has a plate-shaped second base member 32 and additional electrical circuit components 33 that are arranged on the second base member 32 and form part of the electrical circuit components. The second circuit unit 31 is stacked on the first circuit unit 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrical junction box. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an electrical junction box has been provided in, for example, a battery pack of a vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The battery pack includes a battery pack case, an electrical junction box, and a plurality of battery cells.

[0003] The electrical junction box is housed in a battery pack case together with the multiple battery cells. The electrical junction box includes, for example, a case and electrical circuit components arranged on a base member that forms the bottom surface of the case. The electrical circuit components are connected to the multiple battery cells. The electrical circuit components include, for example, multiple relays, fuses, bus bars, etc. The electrical circuit components realize optimal input and output by monitoring the current value, temperature, etc. of the battery cells. The number of electrical circuit components may increase or decrease depending on the grade, options, etc. of the vehicle in which the electrical junction box is installed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-16467 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in recent years, the number of battery cells in a battery pack has been increasing, and the space required to place an electrical junction box, which is housed in a battery pack case together with the battery cells, is becoming smaller when viewed from above. In addition, there is a demand for electrical junction boxes to be highly versatile.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electrical junction box that is compact while being highly versatile. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The electrical junction box of the present disclosure is an electrical junction box equipped with electrical circuit components, and includes a first circuit unit having a plate-shaped first base member and basic electrical circuit components arranged on the first base member and constituting part of the electrical circuit components, and a second circuit unit having a plate-shaped second base member and additional electrical circuit components arranged on the second base member and constituting part of the electrical circuit components, and the second circuit unit is stacked on the first circuit unit. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The electrical junction box of the present disclosure can be made compact while increasing versatility. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical junction box according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical junction box according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a first circuit unit and a heat dissipating metal plate in one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view of a heat dissipating metal plate in one embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The electrical connection box of the present disclosure comprises: [1] An electrical junction box having electric circuit components, comprising: a first circuit unit having a plate-shaped first base member and basic electric circuit components arranged on the first base member and constituting part of the electric circuit components; and a second circuit unit having a plate-shaped second base member and additional electric circuit components arranged on the second base member and constituting part of the electric circuit components, wherein the second circuit unit is stacked on the first circuit unit.

[0011] According to this configuration, since the second circuit unit is stacked on the first circuit unit, it is possible to achieve a smaller size when viewed from above compared to, for example, an electrical junction box in which all electrical circuit components are arranged on one plane. This makes it possible to reduce the space required for arranging the electrical junction box. Furthermore, when additional electrical circuit components required for higher grades or as options are not required, it is possible to use the electrical junction box as an electrical junction box having only basic electrical circuit components by simply not providing the second circuit unit. In other words, it is possible to use the first circuit unit as a common component regardless of whether or not additional electrical circuit components required for higher grades or as options are required. This increases versatility.

[0012] [2] In the above [1], a heat dissipating metal plate may be attached under the first base member. With this configuration, stacking the second circuit unit on the first circuit unit can easily trap heat in the basic electrical circuit components, but the provision of a heat dissipating metal plate attached under the first base member improves heat dissipation.

[0013] [3] In the above [2], the heat dissipating metal plate may have a female thread, and at least one of the first base member, the second base member, and the electrical circuit component may be fixed to the heat dissipating metal plate by a bolt screwed into the female thread.

[0014] According to this configuration, at least one of the first base member, the second base member, and the electric circuit component is fixed to the heat dissipation metal plate by a bolt that is screwed into the female thread of the heat dissipation metal plate, eliminating the need for nuts. Therefore, the number of parts and the number of assembly steps can be reduced compared to when separate nuts are provided.

[0015] [4] In the above item [3], the heat dissipating metal plate may have a column portion protruding upward, and the female screw may be formed on the column portion. According to this configuration, the heat dissipating metal plate has a column portion protruding upward, and the female thread is formed on the column portion, so that at least one of the first base member, the second base member, and the electric circuit component can be fastened well while shortening the bolt. In other words, if the heat dissipating metal plate does not have a column portion, it becomes necessary to lengthen the bolt in order to fasten at least one of the first base member, the second base member, and the electric circuit component, and there is a risk that good fastening cannot be achieved, but this can be avoided.

[0016] [5] In any one of the above items [2] to [4], the heat dissipating metal plate may be formed so as to cover the entire area of ​​the lower surface of the first base member in one piece. According to this configuration, the heat dissipation metal plate is formed so as to cover the entire area of ​​the lower surface of the first base member with one sheet, so that high heat dissipation performance can be obtained. Also, compared to the case where multiple heat dissipation metal plates are provided, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0017] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the electrical connection box of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, some of the configuration may be exaggerated or simplified. In addition, the dimensional ratio of each part may differ in each drawing. In this specification, "parallel," "orthogonal," and "perfect circle" do not only mean strictly parallel, orthogonal, or perfect circle, but also include approximately parallel, orthogonal, or perfect circle within the range of the action and effect of this embodiment. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0018] (Configuration of electrical connection box 11) 1 and 2, the electric junction box 11 includes a first circuit unit 21, a second circuit unit 31, and a heat dissipating metal plate 41. The second circuit unit 31 is stacked on the first circuit unit 21. The heat dissipating metal plate 41 is attached below the first circuit unit 21.

[0019] The electrical junction box 11 of this embodiment is provided in, for example, a battery pack mounted on a vehicle such as an electric automobile, etc. That is, the electrical junction box 11 is housed in a battery pack case together with a plurality of battery cells.

[0020] The figure also shows a first axis X, a second axis Y perpendicular to the first axis X, and a third axis Z perpendicular to the first axis X and the second axis Y. The figure also shows a longitudinal direction X1, which is a direction along the first axis X, and a transverse direction Y1, which is a direction along the second axis Y. The figure also shows an upward direction Z1 along the third axis Z, and a downward direction Z2 opposite to the upward direction Z1.

[0021] (Configuration of the first circuit unit 21) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first circuit unit 21 has a plate-shaped first base member 22 and basic electric circuit components 23 that are disposed on the first base member 22 and that form part of the electric circuit components.

[0022] The first base member 22 is made of a resin material. When viewed from above, the first base member 22 is formed in a rectangular shape. The first base member 22 has projections and recesses that allow the basic electric circuit components 23 to be positioned and arranged thereon. The first base member 22 forms the bottom surface of the case in the electric junction box 11. The first base member 22 also has a side wall portion 22a that protrudes upward from an edge portion. The side wall portion 22a, together with a side wall of an upper case (not shown), forms the side surface of the case in the electric junction box 11.

[0023] The basic electric circuit components 23 are electric circuit components that are always required regardless of the grade or options of the vehicle in which the vehicle is installed. The basic electric circuit components 23 include, for example, a relay 24, a fuse 25, a bus bar 26, and the like.

[0024] (Configuration of second circuit unit 31) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second circuit unit 31 has a plate-shaped second base member 32 and an additional electric circuit component 33 that is disposed on the second base member 32 and that constitutes a part of the electric circuit components.

[0025] The second base member 32 is made of a resin material. The second base member 32 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from above. When viewed from above, the second base member 32 is formed in a rectangular shape that fits within the range of the rectangular shape of the first base member 22 and is slightly shorter than the first base member 22. The second base member 32 has projections and recesses that allow the additional electric circuit component 33 to be positioned and arranged thereon.

[0026] The additional electric circuit components 33 are electric circuit components added to the basic electric circuit components 23 depending on the grade and options of the vehicle in which the vehicle is installed. The additional electric circuit components 33 include, for example, a control unit 34 including a microcomputer and bus bars 35. Note that the number and arrangement of the basic electric circuit components 23 and the additional electric circuit components 33 in each drawing are not necessarily strictly those shown, but are shown as an example.

[0027] The second circuit unit 31 is fixed to the first circuit unit 21 while being stacked on the first circuit unit 21. In the second circuit unit 31, the additional electric circuit components 33 are connected to the basic electric circuit components 23.

[0028] (Configuration of heat dissipating metal plate 41) The heat dissipating metal plate 41 is made of a metal material having high heat dissipation properties, such as aluminum, etc. The heat dissipating metal plate 41 is formed, for example, by subjecting an aluminum plate to press working or the like.

[0029] 3, the heat dissipating metal plate 41 is formed so as to cover the entire area of ​​the lower surface of the first base member 22. In other words, the heat dissipating metal plate 41 is formed to cover the entire area of ​​the first base member 22 when viewed from above. The heat dissipating metal plate 41 is formed in a rectangular shape that is slightly larger than the first base member 22 in both directions along the first axis X and in both directions along the second axis Y.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the heat dissipating metal plate 41 has a female screw 42. More specifically, the heat dissipating metal plate 41 has a column portion 43 that protrudes upward. In this embodiment, the column portion 43 is provided at a position corresponding to the relay 24 of the basic electric circuit component 23. More specifically, a pair of column portions 43 is provided for each relay 24. The female screw 42 is formed on the column portion 43. The female screw 42 is formed so as to penetrate the heat dissipating metal plate 41 from the top of the column portion 43.

[0031] At least one of the first base member 22, the second base member 32, the basic electric circuit components 23, and the additional electric circuit components 33 is fixed to the heat dissipating metal plate 41 by a bolt 44 screwed into the female thread 42. In this embodiment, the relay 24 and the first base member 22 are fixed to the heat dissipating metal plate 41 by a bolt 44 screwed into the female thread 42. In detail, the relay 24 has a case fixing leg 24a, and is fastened and fixed to the heat dissipating metal plate 41 by a bolt 44 that penetrates the case fixing leg 24a and screws into the female thread 42. The first base member 22 is fixed to the heat dissipating metal plate 41 by being sandwiched between the case fixing leg 24a and the heat dissipating metal plate 41.

[0032] Next, the operation of the electrical junction box 11 configured as above will be described. The electric junction box 11 is electrically connected to the battery cells housed in the battery pack case together with the electric circuit components including the basic electric circuit components 23 and the additional electric circuit components 33. The electric circuit components monitor the current values, temperatures, etc. of the battery cells to achieve optimal input and output.

[0033] Furthermore, if the additional electric circuit components 33 required for higher grade models or as options are not required, the electric junction box 11 will be housed in the battery pack case in a form in which the second circuit unit 31 is not provided.

[0034] Next, the effects of the above embodiment will be described below. (1) Since the second circuit unit 31 is stacked on the first circuit unit 21, it is possible to reduce the size when viewed from above, compared to an electric junction box in which all electric circuit components are arranged on one plane. This makes it possible to reduce the space required for arranging the electric junction box 11. Furthermore, when the additional electric circuit components 33 required for a higher grade or as an option are not required, it is possible to use the electric junction box 11 as one having only the basic electric circuit components 23, simply by not providing the second circuit unit 31. In other words, it is possible to use the first circuit unit 21 as a common component, regardless of whether the additional electric circuit components 33 required for a higher grade or as an option are required. This increases versatility.

[0035] (2) Since the second circuit unit 31 is stacked on the first circuit unit 21, heat generated in the basic electric circuit components 23 tends to become trapped inside. However, since the heat dissipation metal plate 41 is provided under the first base member 22, the heat dissipation properties are improved.

[0036] (3) The relay 24 and the first base member 22 are fixed to the heat dissipating metal plate 41 by the bolts 44 that are screwed into the female threads 42 of the heat dissipating metal plate 41, eliminating the need for nuts. This makes it possible to reduce the number of parts and the number of assembly steps compared to the case where separate nuts are provided.

[0037] (4) The heat dissipating metal plate 41 has the pillars 43 that protrude upward, and the female threads 42 are formed on the pillars 43, so that the bolts 44 can be shortened while still allowing the relay 24 and the first base member 22 to be satisfactorily fastened together. In other words, if the heat dissipating metal plate 41 does not have the pillars 43, it would be necessary to lengthen the bolts 44 in order to fasten the relay 24 and the first base member 22 together, and there would be a risk that good fastening would not be possible, but this can be avoided.

[0038] (5) High heat dissipation properties can be obtained because one heat dissipation metal plate 41 is formed to cover the entire area of ​​the lower surface of the first base member 22. In addition, the number of parts can be reduced compared to when multiple heat dissipation metal plates 41 are provided.

[0039] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction. In the above embodiment, the electrical junction box 11 is provided with a heat dissipating metal plate 41 attached below the first base member 22, but this is not limited thereto, and the electrical junction box 11 may be configured not to include a heat dissipating metal plate 41 below the first base member 22. Although not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, the electrical junction box 11 may include a heat dissipating metal plate attached above the first base member 22, or may include a heat dissipating metal plate attached above or below the second base member 32.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the heat dissipating metal plate 41 has the female thread 42, but this is not limiting and the heat dissipating metal plate 41 may have a configuration that does not have the female thread 42. In this case, for example, a nut may be used. That is, a nut into which the bolt 44 is screwed may be disposed under the first base member 22. Also, the heat dissipating metal plate 41 may be changed to another configuration in which at least one of the first base member 22, the second base member 32, the basic electric circuit components 23, and the additional electric circuit components 33 is fixed by the bolt 44 screwed into the female thread 42.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the heat dissipating metal plate 41 has the pillar portion 43 that protrudes upward and has the female thread 42 formed therein, but this is not limited thereto, and the heat dissipating metal plate 41 may have a configuration that does not have the pillar portion 43. In other words, the female thread 42 may be formed in a portion of the heat dissipating metal plate 41 where the pillar portion 43 is not formed.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the heat dissipating metal plate 41 is formed so as to cover the entire area of ​​the lower surface of the first base member 22 as a single sheet, but this is not limited thereto, and for example, the heat dissipating metal plate 41 may be formed to be smaller than the first base member 22. Furthermore, the electrical junction box 11 may be configured to include a plurality of heat dissipating metal plates.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the basic electric circuit components 23 include, for example, the relays 24, the fuses 25, the bus bars 26, etc., but are not limited to these and may include other electric circuit components.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the additional electric circuit components 33 include, for example, the control unit 34 including a microcomputer and the bus bar 35, but are not limited to this and may include other electric circuit components.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the electrical connection box 11 is provided in a battery pack mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be provided in other devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 11 Electrical junction box 21 First circuit unit 22 First base member 22a Side wall part 23 Basic Electrical Circuit Components (Constitute a part of electrical circuit components) 24 Relay 24a Case fixing legs 25. Fuse 26 Busbar 31 Second circuit unit 32 Second base member 33 Additional electrical circuit parts (constituting part of electrical circuit parts) 34 Control Unit 35 Busbar 41 Heat dissipation metal plate 42 Female thread 43 Pillar part 44 Volts X 1st axis X1 Longitudinal direction Y 2nd axis Y1 Width direction Z 3rd axis Z1 upward direction Z2 Downward

Claims

1. An electrical connection box having an electrical circuit component, a first circuit unit including a plate-shaped first base member and a basic electric circuit component disposed on the first base member and constituting a part of the electric circuit component; a second circuit unit including a plate-shaped second base member and an additional electric circuit component disposed on the second base member and constituting a part of the electric circuit component; Equipped with the second circuit unit is stacked on the first circuit unit; Electrical junction box.

2. a heat dissipation metal plate attached under the first base member; 2. The electrical junction box according to claim 1.

3. The heat dissipating metal plate has a female thread, At least one of the first base member, the second base member, and the electric circuit component is fixed to the heat dissipation metal plate by a bolt that is screwed into the female thread.

3. The electrical junction box according to claim 2.

4. The heat dissipating metal plate has a column portion protruding upward, The female thread is formed in the column portion.

4. The electrical junction box according to claim 3.

5. The heat dissipation metal plate is formed so as to cover the entire area of ​​the lower surface of the first base member.

3. The electrical junction box according to claim 2.

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