Bus bar unit and connection module

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to improve the work efficiency of attachment and detachment of a bus bar unit and a device. A bus bar unit includes a bus bar including a bolt fastening portion and a connector terminal portion, and a molded resin portion covering the bus bar. The molded resin portion includes: a connector housing portion covering the connector terminal portion; an intermediate cover portion covering an intermediate portion of the bus bar extending from the connector housing portion; a first connecting portion that connects the connector housing portion and a portion of the intermediate cover portion separated from the connector housing portion; and a second connecting portion that connects a portion of the intermediate cover portion closer to the connector housing portion than a crossing portion with the first connecting portion and an intermediate portion of the first connecting portion. The second connecting part is provided with a rotation suppressing part which is hooked on the receiving part of the battery pack so as to suppress the inclination of the bus bar unit toward the connector housing part side in a state where the bolt fastening part is not fastened.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a busbar unit and a connection module. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal connection structure for electrically connecting a plurality of devices via a conducting member. The plurality of devices may be, for example, two battery cells or a battery cell and a junction box. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2020 / 241412 Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] During maintenance, inspection or replacement of equipment, sometimes the assembly and disassembly of the live components and equipment will occur. The installation of the live components and equipment in such assembly and disassembly includes the operation of connecting the live components and equipment, and the disassembly of the live components and equipment includes the operation of disconnecting the live components and equipment. In the terminal connection structure of Patent Document 1, if the two ends of the live components are fastened by bolts, it is necessary to operate the bolts at both ends separately during the assembly and disassembly of the live components and equipment. Therefore, it is required to improve the efficiency of the assembly and disassembly of the live components and equipment.

[0005] Therefore, it is an object to improve the work efficiency of attaching and detaching the bus bar unit and the equipment. Solutions to Solve Problems

[0006] The bus bar unit of the present invention is electrically connected to the terminal of the battery pack, the bus bar unit comprises a bus bar and a molded resin portion, the bus bar comprises a bolt fastening portion and a connector terminal portion, the bolt fastening portion is arranged at one end of the bus bar, and is bolt-fastened to the terminal of the battery pack to be electrically connected, the connector terminal portion is arranged at the other end of the bus bar, and is electrically connected to the connector terminal of the counterpart connector, the molded resin portion covers the bus bar, the bolt fastening portion and the connector terminal portion of the bus bar are separately arranged in a first direction and a second direction, respectively, the first direction is a normal direction relative to the side surface of the battery pack, and the second direction is along the side surface of the battery pack, the molded resin portion comprises: a connector housing portion, covering the connector terminal portion; The cover portion covers the middle portion of the bus bar extending from the connector housing portion; the first connecting portion connects a portion of the middle covering portion away from the connector housing portion and the connector housing portion; and the second connecting portion connects a portion of the middle covering portion that is closer to the connector housing portion than the intersection with the first connecting portion and the middle portion of the first connecting portion, and the fixing portion that is independently fixed to the battery pack with the bolt fastening portion is arranged in the molded resin portion on the side of the bolt fastening portion that is closer to the center of gravity of the bus bar unit in the second direction, and the second connecting portion is provided with a rotation inhibition portion, which is hooked on the receiving portion of the battery pack to inhibit the bus bar unit from tilting toward the connector housing portion when the bolt fastening portion is not fastened. Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the work efficiency of attaching and detaching the bus bar unit and the device is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the bus bar unit according to the first embodiment and a connection module including the bus bar unit. Figure 2 This is a side view showing the bus bar unit according to the first embodiment and a connection module including the bus bar unit. Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing a bus bar unit. Figure 4 is a plan view showing a bus bar unit. Figure 5 It is a front view showing the bus bar unit. Figure 6 is a side view showing a bus bar unit. Figure 7 It is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII. Figure 8Schematic diagram showing a state where the bus bar unit is tilted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Invention] First, embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of examples.

[0010] The bus bar unit of the present invention is as follows.

[0011] (1) A bus bar unit electrically connected to a terminal of a battery pack, the bus bar unit comprising a bus bar and a molded resin portion, the bus bar including a bolt fastening portion and a connector terminal portion, the bolt fastening portion being provided at one end of the bus bar and electrically connected to the terminal of the battery pack by bolt fastening, the connector terminal portion being provided at the other end of the bus bar and electrically connected to a connector terminal of a mating connector, the molded resin portion covering the bus bar, the bolt fastening portion and the connector terminal portion of the bus bar being separately provided in a first direction and a second direction, the first direction being a normal direction relative to a side surface of the battery pack, the second direction being along the side surface of the battery pack, the molded resin portion comprising: a connector housing portion covering the connector terminal portion; and a middle The cover portion covers the middle portion of the bus bar extending from the connector housing portion; the first connecting portion connects a portion of the middle covering portion away from the connector housing portion and the connector housing portion; and the second connecting portion connects a portion of the middle covering portion that is closer to the connector housing portion than the intersection with the first connecting portion and the middle portion of the first connecting portion, and the fixing portion that is independently fixed to the battery pack with the bolt fastening portion is arranged in the molded resin portion and is closer to the bolt fastening portion side than the center of gravity position of the bus bar unit in the second direction, and the second connecting portion is provided with a rotation inhibition portion, and the rotation inhibition portion is hooked on the receiving portion of the battery pack to inhibit the bus bar unit from tilting toward the connector housing portion when the bolt fastening portion is not fastened.

[0012] According to the bus bar unit of (1), in the bus bar unit, the other end of the bus bar is connected to the other connector by a connector, so that the efficiency of assembly and disassembly of the bus bar unit and the device is improved compared with the case where the other end of the bus bar is a bolt fastening portion. In addition, by configuring the other end of the bus bar to be connected to a connector, the other end of the bus bar can be in an unsupported state when the bolt fastening portion at one end of the bus bar is not fastened. Even in this case, since the rotation inhibition portion of the second connecting portion is hooked on the receiving portion of the battery pack, the bus bar unit is inhibited from tilting toward the connector housing portion when the bolt fastening portion at one end is not fastened, the efficiency of the bolt operation at one end is improved.

[0013] (2) In the bus bar unit of (1), the molded resin portion may be made of fiber reinforced plastic. Thus, even if the molded resin portion is made of fiber reinforced plastic, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion increase the flow path of the fiber reinforced plastic during molding of the molded resin portion, and the direction of the fibers contained in the fiber reinforced plastic can be dispersed.

[0014] (3) In the bus bar unit of (1) or (2), the molded resin portion includes a notch extending between the end portion of the bus bar on the one end side of the intermediate cover portion and the fixing portion. This can disperse stress applied to the bus bar unit from the battery pack when the battery pack expands.

[0015] (4) In any of the busbar units of (1) to (3), the first connection portion may be thicker than the second connection portion. Thus, the molded resin portion can be firmly reinforced by the first connection portion, and the weight increase of the molded resin portion can be suppressed in proportion to the second connection portion being thinner than the first connection portion.

[0016] (5) In any of the bus bar units described in (1) to (4), the first connection portion and the second connection portion may each be one piece. This can suppress an increase in the weight of the mold resin portion.

[0017] (6) In any of the bus bar units of (1) to (5), the bus bar may be formed from the bolt fastening portion to the connector terminal portion by a single plate. Thus, the bus bar including the bolt fastening portion and the connector terminal portion can be provided without welding or the like.

[0018] (7) In addition, the connection module of the present invention comprises: a battery pack including a terminal; a counterpart connector including a connector terminal and a connector housing; and a bus bar unit including a bus bar connecting the terminal and the connector terminal and a molded resin portion covering the bus bar, the bus bar including a bolt fastening portion and a connector terminal portion, the bolt fastening portion being provided at one end of the bus bar and being bolt-fastened to the terminal, the connector terminal portion being provided at the other end of the bus bar and being connected to the connector terminal, the molded resin portion including a connector housing portion and an intermediate covering portion, the connector housing portion covering the connector terminal portion and being engaged with the connector housing, the intermediate covering portion covering an intermediate portion of the bus bar extending from the connector housing portion, the center of gravity of the bus bar unit being closer to the connector housing portion side than the bolt fastening portion, and the receiving portion of the battery pack being in contact with the molded resin portion, thereby preventing the bus bar unit from tilting toward the connector housing portion side after the bolt passes through the bolt fastening portion and in a state where the bolt is not fastened.

[0019] According to the connection module of (7), in the bus bar unit, the other end of the bus bar is connected to the other connector by a connector, so that the efficiency of assembly and disassembly of the bus bar unit and the device is improved compared with the case where the other end of the bus bar is a bolt fastening portion. In addition, by configuring the other end of the bus bar to be connected to a connector, the other end of the bus bar can be in an unsupported state when the bolt fastening portion of one end of the bus bar is not fastened. Even in this case, the receiving portion of the battery pack is in contact with the molded resin portion, so that the bus bar unit is suppressed from tilting toward the connector housing portion after the bolt passes through the bolt fastening portion and the bolt is not fastened, thereby improving the efficiency of the bolt operation.

[0020] [Details of Embodiments of the Invention] Specific examples of the bus bar unit of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0021] [Implementation Method 1] Hereinafter, the bus bar unit according to the first embodiment will be described. Figure 1 1 is a perspective view showing the bus bar unit 30 according to the first embodiment and the connection module 100 including the bus bar unit 30 . Figure 2 1 is a side view showing the bus bar unit 30 according to the first embodiment and the connection module 100 including the bus bar unit 30 .

[0022] The bus bar unit 30 is electrically connected to the terminal 13A of the battery pack 10. The bus bar unit 30 is also electrically connected to the connector terminal 23 of the counterpart connector 20. The bus bar unit 30 is interposed between the battery pack 10 and the counterpart connector 20, and electrically connects the terminal 13A of the battery pack 10 and the connector terminal 23 of the counterpart connector 20. In the present invention, the structure formed by connecting the battery pack 10, the counterpart connector 20, and the bus bar unit 30 is referred to as the connection module 100. In addition, in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the bus bar unit 30 and the counterpart connector 20 are shown in a disassembled state without being connected. First, the battery pack 10 and the counterpart connector 20 as the connection counterpart of the bus bar unit 30 will be described.

[0023] The battery pack 10 includes a plurality of single cells 11, a connecting conductor 14, and a case 15. Each single cell 11 has a battery body 12 and a plurality of terminals 13. The battery body 12 is a portion for storing electric charge. The plurality of terminals 13 are provided on the battery body 12 in order to connect the battery body 12 to an electrical device, and have a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The plurality of single cells 11 are connected in series, for example, via the connecting conductor 14. The connecting conductor 14 connects the positive terminal and the negative terminal of adjacent single cells 11. The terminal 13 and the connecting conductor 14 may have any structure. Here, the terminal 13 is a stud bolt 13. The connecting conductor 14 is a metal plate having a hole through which the stud bolt 13 passes. The case 15 holds the plurality of single cells 11. The plurality of single cells 11 are held in the case 15 and are integrated therewith.

[0024] The terminal 13A of the battery pack 10 connected to the bus bar unit 30 is located on the upper surface 15a of the battery pack 10. Here, the terminal 13A is the terminal 13A of the single cell 11 located at the end among the plurality of single cells 11 connected in series. As described above, the terminal 13 of the single cell 11 is a stud bolt, and therefore, the terminal 13A of the battery pack 10 connected to the bus bar unit 30 is a stud bolt. However, the terminal of the battery pack connected to the bus bar unit 30 may be a terminal that is independently provided from the terminal 13 of the single cell 11 and is electrically connected to the terminal 13 of the single cell 11. In addition, the terminal of the battery pack connected to the bus bar unit 30 may be a metal plate or the like having a hole through which a bolt passes.

[0025] The upper surface 15a of the battery pack 10 is also provided with a fixing bolt 16. The fixing bolt 16 protrudes in the same direction as the stud bolt 13A. The fixing bolt 16 is a bolt for fixing the bus bar unit 30. The fixing bolt 16 does not electrically connect the single battery 11 and the bus bar 40 in the bus bar unit 30. Here, on the upper surface 15a of the battery pack 10, the portion where the fixing bolt 16 is provided is lower than the portion where the stud bolt 13A is provided. Here, on the upper surface 15a of the battery pack 10, a step is generated between the portion where the fixing bolt 16 is provided and the portion where the stud bolt 13A is provided.

[0026] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , a receiving portion 17 is provided on the side surface 15b of the battery pack 10. Most of the bus bar unit 30, except for the portion fastened to the stud bolt 13A and the portion fastened to the fixing bolt 16, is arranged at a position facing the side surface 15b. The receiving portion 17 contacts the bus bar unit 30 to suppress the rotation of the bus bar unit 30. The receiving portion 17 protrudes outward more than the surrounding portion of the receiving portion 17 on the side surface 15b.

[0027] Here, Figure 1The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are shown to be orthogonal to each other. The X direction is the normal direction of the side surface 15b where the receiving portion 17 is provided, and is an example of the first direction. The Y direction is the direction along the side surface 15b, and is an example of the second direction. Here, the Y direction is a direction along the side surface 15b that is orthogonal to the protruding direction of the stud bolt 13A. The Z direction is the protruding direction of the stud bolt 13A and the fixing bolt 16. Figure 2 The following figures also show Figure 1 Corresponding to the X direction, Y direction and Z direction.

[0028] The counterpart connector 20 includes a connector housing 21 and connector terminals 23 (see Figure 7 ). For example, the connector housing 21 is made of insulating resin, and the connector terminal 23 is made of conductive metal. The connector housing 21 holds the connector terminal 23. A locking receiving portion 22 is provided on the side of the connector housing 21. When the counterpart connector 20 is connected to the bus bar unit 30, the locking receiving portion 22 is locked by a locking portion 52 provided on the bus bar unit 30. Here, the locking receiving portion 22 has a locking piece 22a locked to the locking portion 52 and an operating portion 22b, and the operating portion 22b is used to deform the locking piece 22a in a manner of disengaging from the locking portion 52 when the lock is released. One end of the connector terminal 23 is connected to the bus bar unit 30. One end of the electric wire 24 is connected to the other end of the connector terminal 23. The connector terminal 23 and the electric wire 24 are connected by pressure welding, crimping, or welding.

[0029] The electric wire 24 is, for example, a covered electric wire having a conductor core wire and an insulating coating layer. The conductor core wire is, for example, a stranded wire formed by twisting a plurality of metal wires. The insulating coating layer covers the conductor core wire. The other end of the electric wire 24 is connected to an electrical device independent of the battery pack 10. For example, a connection terminal or a connector is provided at the other end of the electric wire 24, and the connection terminal or the connector is connected to the independent electrical device. Such an electrical device is not particularly limited, and for example, it may be a battery pack having the same structure as the battery pack 10 and being provided independently of the battery pack 10. In addition, for example, the electrical device may also be a bus bar unit having the same structure as the bus bar unit 30 and being provided in the independent battery pack. In addition, for example, the electrical device may also be a junction box, etc.

[0030] The electric wire 24 is easier to bend than the bus bar 40 in the bus bar unit 30, for example. The electric wire 24 is interposed between the battery pack 10 and the independent electrical device, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the positional relationship between the battery pack 10 and the independent electrical device in the vehicle. Furthermore, when the positional relationship between the battery pack 10 and the independent electrical device is changed in design, it can be handled by bending the electric wire 24 without changing the design of other components.

[0031] <Bus bar unit> Further references Figures 3 to 7 The bus bar unit 30 will be described in more detail. Figure 3 1 is a perspective view showing the bus bar unit 30 . Figure 1 and Figure 3 These are stereograms viewed from different viewpoints. Figure 4 1 is a plan view showing the bus bar unit 30 . Figure 5 1 is a front view showing the bus bar unit 30 . Figure 6 is a side view showing the bus bar unit 30 . Figure 6 Shown with Figure 2 The side on the opposite side. Figure 7 It is along Figure 4 In addition, Figures 4 to 6 In FIG. 1 , the battery pack 10 is shown by an imaginary line. Figure 7 In FIG. 1 , the counterpart connector 20 is shown by a solid line.

[0032] The bus bar unit 30 includes a bus bar 40 and a molded resin portion 50. The molded resin portion 50 is formed by insert molding using the bus bar 40 as an insert component. In the present embodiment, the molded resin portion 50 includes a collar 70 as an insert component in addition to the bus bar 40. The collar 70 is a member for reinforcing the fixing portion 60 in the molded resin portion 50. The collar 70 may be press-fitted into the molded resin portion 50 later. In addition, the collar 70 may be omitted.

[0033] The bus bar 40 includes a bolt fastening portion 41 and a connector terminal portion 42. The bolt fastening portion 41 is provided at one end of the bus bar 40. The bolt fastening portion 41 is electrically connected to the terminal 13A of the battery pack 10 by bolt fastening. The connector terminal portion 42 is provided at the other end of the bus bar 40. The connector terminal portion 42 is electrically connected to the connector terminal 23 of the counterpart connector 20. The bolt fastening portion 41 and the connector terminal portion 42 are separately provided in the X direction and the Y direction.

[0034] In the busbar 40, the bolt fastening portion 41 to the connector terminal portion 42 is formed by a single plate. Such a plate is made of metal, and a flat cross section whose thickness dimension is smaller than the width dimension is formed into a long strip shape that is continuous in the extension direction. The busbar 40 has bending portions 43A, 43B, 43C, and 43D where the plate is bent in the thickness direction. The bending portions 43A, 43B, 43C, and 43D are arranged in sequence from the connector terminal portion 42 toward the bolt fastening portion 41. At the bending portions 43A, 43B, and 43C, the plate is bent 90 degrees in the thickness direction. At the bending portion 43D, the plate is bent in a manner offset in the thickness direction.

[0035] The portion of the bus bar 40 closer to the other end side than the bent portion 43A is formed as a connector terminal portion 42. The connector terminal portion 42 extends from the bent portion 43A along the Z direction. The portion of the bus bar 40 closer to one end side than the bent portion 43D is formed as a bolt fastening portion 41. The bolt fastening portion 41 extends from the bent portion 43D along the X direction. The portion between the bent portion 43A and the bent portion 43D in the bus bar 40 is formed as an intermediate portion 44. Here, the intermediate portion 44 has a first intermediate portion 44A, a second intermediate portion 44B, and a third intermediate portion 44C.

[0036] The portion between the bend portion 43A and the bend portion 43B in the bus bar 40 is formed as the first intermediate portion 44A. After the first intermediate portion 44A extends from the bend portion 43A along the Y direction, the direction of extension is changed to the X direction before the bend portion 43B and reaches the bend portion 43B. The portion between the bend portion 43B and the bend portion 43C in the bus bar 40 is formed as the second intermediate portion 44B. The second intermediate portion 44B extends from the bend portion 43B along the Z direction and reaches the bend portion 43C. The portion between the bend portion 43C and the bend portion 43D in the bus bar 40 is formed as the third intermediate portion 44C. After the third intermediate portion 44C extends from the bend portion 43C along the X direction, the direction of extension is changed to a direction intersecting the XY direction and the Y direction respectively on the XY plane before the bend portion 43D and reaches the bend portion 43D.

[0037] In addition, in the bus bar 40 , the number, position, bending method, etc. of the bent portions are not limited to those described above, and can be appropriately set.

[0038] The molded resin portion 50 includes a connector housing portion 51 , an intermediate cover portion 53 , a protrusion 55 , a first connecting portion 56 , a second connecting portion 57 , a fixing portion 60 , and a notch 61 .

[0039] The connector housing portion 51 covers the connector terminal portion 42. The connector housing portion 51 is disposed away from the side surface 15b in the X direction in a manner opposed to the side surface 15b of the battery pack 10. The bent portion 43A is located inside the connector housing portion 51. A fitting recess 51A is provided in the connector housing portion 51, and the top end of the counterpart connector 20 fits into the fitting recess 51A. The fitting recess 51A is a hole that is continuous in the Z direction. The fitting recess 51A is open on the upper surface of the connector housing portion 51. The top end of the connector terminal portion 42 protrudes from the bottom surface of the fitting recess 51A on the side opposite to the opening into the fitting recess 51A. The bus bar 40 extends from the connector housing portion 51 to the outside halfway from the bent portion 43A toward the bent portion 43B. Here, the bus bar 40 extends from the connector housing portion 51 to the outside near the bent portion 43A. The bus bar 40 extends from an end portion of the connector housing portion 51 on the opposite side to an end portion of the opening portion where the fitting recess 51A is provided in the Z direction.

[0040] The middle covering portion 53 covers the middle portion 44 of the bus bar 40 extending from the connector housing portion 51. The middle covering portion 53 includes a first covering portion 53A, a second covering portion 53B, and a third covering portion 53C. The first covering portion 53A extends from the connector housing portion 51. The second covering portion 53B extends in a direction (here, the Z direction) that intersects with the extending direction (here, the Y direction) of the portion of the first covering portion 53A extending from the connector housing portion 51. The third covering portion 53C extends in a direction (here, the X direction) that intersects with the second covering portion 53B. Here, the first covering portion 53A covers a portion of the first middle portion 44A of the bus bar 40 that is located outside the connector housing portion 51. The second covering portion 53B covers the second middle portion 44B of the bus bar 40. The third covering portion 53C covers a portion of the third middle portion 44C of the bus bar 40 that is close to the bent portion 43C. The connecting portion of the first covering portion 53A and the second covering portion 53B covers the bent portion 43B, and the connecting portion of the second covering portion 53B and the third covering portion 53C covers the bent portion 43C. A portion of the third intermediate portion 44C of the bus bar 40 near the bent portion 43D and the bolt fastening portion 41 are not covered by the mold resin portion 50.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, the protrusion 55 protrudes from the connector housing portion 51 in the X direction toward the side surface 15b of the battery pack 10. The protrusion 55 contacts the side surface 15b of the battery pack 10 when the bus bar unit 30 is mounted on the battery pack 10. The protrusion 55 extends from the end of the opening portion of the connector housing portion 51 in the Z direction where the fitting recess 51A is provided.

[0042] The first connecting portion 56 connects the portion of the intermediate covering portion 53 away from the connector housing portion 51 and the connector housing portion 51. Here, the first connecting portion 56 connects the second covering portion 53B and the connector housing portion 51. Here, the first connecting portion 56 is one. The first connecting portion 56 extends in a straight line parallel to the Y direction. The first connecting portion 56 extends from the end of the opening portion of the connector housing portion 51 in the Z direction where the fitting recess 51A is provided. The first connecting portion 56 and the first covering portion 53A extend from the connector housing portion 51 in parallel along the Y direction. The portion of the first covering portion 53A extending from the connector housing portion 51 along the Y direction is separated from the first connecting portion 56 along the X direction and the Z direction. The first connecting portion 56 is connected to the side surface 15b from which the protrusion 55 of the connector housing portion 51 protrudes. The top end of the first connecting portion 56 is also connected to the protrusion 55.

[0043] The second connecting portion 57 connects a portion of the intermediate covering portion 53 that is closer to the connector housing portion 51 than the intersection with the first connecting portion 56 and the intermediate portion of the first connecting portion 56. Here, the second connecting portion 57 connects the first covering portion 53A and the first connecting portion 56. Here, the second connecting portion 57 is a single line. The second connecting portion 57 extends in a straight line parallel to the Z direction. Figure 5 As shown, the second connection portion 57 is located closer to the second covering portion 53B than the center of the connector housing portion 51 and the second covering portion 53B in the Y direction. The fixing portion 60 is located between the second covering portion 53B and the second connection portion 57 in the Y direction.

[0044] Here, the second connection portion 57 includes a connection body 57A and a rib 57B. The connection body 57A connects the first covering portion 53A and the first connection portion 56. The rib 57B protrudes further toward the battery pack 10 than the connection body 57A in the X direction. In the X direction, the protruding dimension of the rib 57B is smaller than the protruding dimension of the protrusion 55. Figure 3 As shown, the rib 57B protrudes toward the battery pack 10 side from the first connecting portion 56 along the X direction. The upper end of the rib 57B in the Z direction reaches the middle portion 44 of the first connecting portion 56.

[0045] The connector housing portion 51, the first covering portion 53A, the second covering portion 53B, and the first connecting portion 56 are connected in a closed loop. The molded resin portion 50 has an opening surrounded by the connector housing portion 51, the first covering portion 53A, the second covering portion 53B, and the first connecting portion 56. The opening is divided into two by the second connecting portion 57. The molded resin portion 50 has an opening surrounded by the connector housing portion 51, the first covering portion 53A, the second connecting portion 57, and the first connecting portion 56, and an opening surrounded by the first covering portion 53A, the second covering portion 53B, the first connecting portion 56, and the second connecting portion 57.

[0046] The thickness dimension (dimension along the X direction) of the first connecting portion 56 is thicker than the thickness dimension (dimension along the Y direction) of the second connecting portion 57. The thickness dimension (dimension along the X direction) of the first connecting portion 56 is the same as the thickness dimension of the intermediate covering portion 53 (for example, the dimension along the Z direction of the first covering portion 53A). The width dimension (dimension along the Z direction) of the first connecting portion 56 is thinner than the width dimension of the intermediate covering portion 53 (for example, the dimension along the Y direction of the second covering portion 53B).

[0047] The fixing portion 60 is fixed to the battery pack 10 independently of the bolt fastening portion 41. The fixing portion 60 is provided on the side of the bolt fastening portion 41 relative to the center of gravity of the bus bar unit 30 in the Y direction in the molded resin portion 50. In other words, the center of gravity of the bus bar unit 30 in the Y direction is located on the side of the connector housing portion 51 relative to the fixing portion 60. The fixing portion 60 protrudes from the first connecting portion 56.

[0048] The molded resin portion 50 is provided with a rotation-inhibiting portion. Here, the rib 57B functions as the rotation-inhibiting portion. The rotation-inhibiting portion 57B is hooked on the receiving portion 17 provided on the side surface 15b of the battery pack 10. The rotation-inhibiting portion 57B inhibits the bus bar unit 30 from tilting toward the connector housing portion 51 when the bolt-fastening portion 41 is not bolted and the fixing portion 60 is not fixed. Here, the rotation-inhibiting portion 57B is provided on the second connecting portion 57. The rib 57B is hooked on the receiving portion 17 and functions as the rotation-inhibiting portion 57B.

[0049] In the present embodiment, the rib 58 parallel to the rib 57B is provided on the second covering portion 53B. The rib 58 protrudes further toward the battery pack 10 side than the second covering portion 53B along the X direction. The upper end of the rib 58 in the Z direction reaches the lower surface of the third covering portion 53C. The size of the rib 58 in the Y direction is smaller than the size of the second covering portion 53B in the Y direction. One rib 58 is provided at the center of the second covering portion 53B in the Y direction. A plurality of ribs 58 may also be provided. In the X direction, the protruding size of the rib 58 is smaller than the protruding size of the protrusion 55 and is the same as the protruding size of the rib 57B. The ribs 57B and 58 do not reach the side 15b of the battery pack 10. In addition, when the battery pack 10 expands due to heat or the like, the side 15b of the battery pack 10 may also contact the ribs 57B and 58. Even in this case, since the ribs 57B and 58 are thin, they are not easily affected by the expansion of the battery pack 10 due to heat or the like.

[0050] The notch 61 extends between the fixing portion 60 and the end portion of the intermediate cover portion 53 on the side of the bolt fastening portion 41. Here, the third cover portion 53C and the fixing portion 60 are completely separated by the notch 61. In addition, the portion of the second cover portion 53B on the side of the third cover portion 53C is also completely separated from the fixing portion 60 by the notch 61. In the Z direction, the notch 61 reaches the upper surface of the first connecting portion 56. In the Z direction, the notch 61 does not reach the height of the upper surface of the connector housing portion 51. The width dimension (dimension along the Z direction) of the connecting portion of the first connecting portion 56 with the second covering portion 53B is larger than the width dimension (dimension along the Z direction) of the connecting portion of the first connecting portion 56 with the connector housing portion 51. The width dimension (dimension along the Y direction) of the notch 61 is larger than the thickness dimension (dimension along the Y direction) of the second connecting portion 57.

[0051] The molded resin portion 50 is made of fiber reinforced plastics (FRP). The fibers contained in the fiber reinforced plastics are not particularly limited, and may be glass fibers, etc. The base resin in the fiber reinforced plastics is not particularly limited, and may be polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), etc.

[0052] The molded resin portion 50 is formed by injecting a material (here, a molten resin containing fibers) into a mold. A trace of a gate used to inject the material into the mold remains in the molded resin portion 50. Figure 5 In the example shown, such a gate mark 62 is provided in the first covering portion 53A. Figure 5 In the example shown, the gate mark 62 is provided on the surface of the first covering portion 53A opposite to the surface on the side connected to the second connecting portion 57. Of course, the position of the gate mark 62 is not limited to this, and can be set as appropriate.

[0053] The fibers flow in the mold together with the molten resin, and the flow of the molten resin stops, so that the flow of the fibers also stops. The molten resin solidifies, so that the direction of the fibers is fixed. Therefore, usually, the fibers contained in the fiber reinforced plastic are in a state of extending along the flow direction of the molten resin in the molded resin part 50. In this embodiment, in the mold, in addition to the part that becomes the middle covering part 53, the part that becomes the first connecting part 56 and the second connecting part 57 also becomes the flow path of the molten resin. Therefore, by forming a branch in the flow path, it is difficult for the direction of the fibers to be aligned with a certain direction. Thus, it is possible to suppress the molded resin part 50 made of the fiber reinforced plastic from being easily broken in a specific direction. Such a specific direction is, for example, the direction in which the cracks are along the extending direction of the fibers.

[0054] In addition, the molten resin containing fibers is generally more difficult to flow than the molten resin not containing fibers, and therefore is difficult to spread throughout the mold. In the present embodiment, since the second connecting portion 57 is present near the gate mark 62, the flow path of the material immediately after entering the mold from the gate includes a flow path corresponding to the first covering portion 53A and a flow path corresponding to the second connecting portion 57. Therefore, the material is easily spread throughout the mold.

[0055] The mold for forming the molded resin portion 50 includes an upper mold and a lower mold. Here, the upper mold and the lower mold are demolded up and down in the Z direction. The molded resin portion 50 is formed into a shape without a portion (a portion that becomes a so-called undercut) that is opposed to each other with a space in between in the Z direction. For example, in the X direction, the first covering portion 53A and the first connecting portion 56 are arranged separately from each other, thereby preventing the first covering portion 53A and the first connecting portion 56 from becoming an undercut. In addition, for example, in the Y direction, the rib 57B of the second connecting portion 57 and the fixing portion 60 are arranged separately from each other, thereby preventing the rib 57B and the fixing portion 60 from becoming an undercut.

[0056] During the molding of the molded resin portion 50, the insert component (here, the bus bar 40 and the collar 70) is held between the upper mold and the lower mold. Further, here, the first intermediate portion 44A of the bus bar 40 is held by a positioning pin. A positioning pin recess 63 that serves as a trace of the positioning pin remains in the first covering portion 53A of the molded resin portion 50. The positioning pins are respectively arranged above and below the bus bar 40 in the Z direction. The positioning pin recess 63 remains on the surface facing upward in the Z direction and the surface facing downward in the first covering portion 53A of the molded resin portion 50, respectively. A plurality of positioning pin recesses 63 are provided along the extension direction of the first covering portion 53A.

[0057] <About Installation and Removal of Battery Pack and Bus Bar Unit> The attachment and detachment (installation and removal) of the battery pack 10 and the bus bar unit 30 will be described in more detail.

[0058] When installing the battery pack 10 and the bus bar unit 30, first, the operator moves the bus bar unit 30 relative to the battery pack 10 in the Z direction, passes the stud bolts 13A through the bolt fastening portion 41, and passes the fixing bolts 16 through the fixing portion 60 (see FIG. Figure 5 ). After that, the operator takes a tightening jig such as a wrench and the nut 80, and uses the tightening jig to tighten the nut 80 to the stud bolt 13A and the fixing bolt 16, respectively. At this time, the operator can release both hands from the bus bar unit 30 in order to take the nut 80 and the tightening jig.

[0059] Here, the center of gravity of the bus bar unit 30 is located closer to the connector housing portion 51 than the fixing portion 60 along the Y direction. Therefore, if the rotation is not inhibited by the rotation inhibiting portion 57B and the receiving portion 17, if the operator releases both hands from the bus bar unit 30 before the bolts are tightened, Figure 8As shown, the bus bar unit 30 may tilt toward the connector housing portion 51. When the fixing portion 60 is closer to the center of gravity in the Y direction than the bolt fastening portion 41, the bus bar unit 30 tilts in a manner rotating around the contact portion between the fixing portion 60 and the fixing bolt 16. If the inclination of the bus bar unit 30 becomes larger, the bolt fastening portion 41 may be pulled out of the stud bolt 13A. Therefore, the operator may need to correct the inclination of the bus bar unit 30 before tightening the nut 80. In addition, Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing a situation where the bus bar unit 30 is tilted. Figure 8 2 describes an example in which the battery pack 10 is not provided with the receiving portion 17 .

[0060] In contrast, in the bus bar unit 30 of the present embodiment, since the rotation is inhibited by the rotation inhibiting portion 57B and the receiving portion 17, even if the operator releases both hands from the bus bar unit 30 before the bolts are tightened, the bus bar unit 30 can be rotated. Figure 5 As shown, the bus bar unit 30 can also easily maintain a proper posture. Therefore, after the operator takes the nut 80 and the fastening jig, the operator can directly fasten the nut 80 without correcting the posture of the bus bar unit 30.

[0061] When the battery pack 10 and the bus bar unit 30 are disassembled, if the operator releases both hands from the bus bar unit 30 with the nut 80 removed, the battery pack 10 and the bus bar unit 30 are disassembled without using the rotation inhibiting portion 57B and the receiving portion 17 to inhibit rotation. Figure 8 As shown, the bus bar unit 30 may be inclined toward the connector housing portion 51. At this time, the fixing portion 60 and the fixing bolts 16 press against each other in the Y direction. Therefore, if the bus bar unit 30 is moved in the Z direction to remove the bus bar unit 30 from the battery pack 10, the fixing portion 60 and the fixing bolts 16 may rub against each other strongly.

[0062] In contrast, in the bus bar unit 30 of the present embodiment, since the rotation is inhibited by the rotation inhibiting portion 57B and the receiving portion 17, even if the operator releases both hands from the bus bar unit 30 in a state where the nut 80 is removed, the rotation of the bus bar unit 30 is not affected. Figure 5 As shown, the bus bar unit 30 can also be easily kept in a normal posture. Therefore, even if the operator directly moves the bus bar unit 30 in the Z direction after removing the nut 80, the fixing portion 60 and the fixing bolt 16 will not rub strongly. Therefore, the bus bar unit 30 can be easily removed from the battery pack 10.

[0063] The rotation prevention portion 57B and the receiving portion 17 may also be in contact with each other when the battery pack 10 and the bus bar unit 30 are in a normal installation posture. The rotation prevention portion 57B and the receiving portion 17 may also be in contact with each other when the battery pack 10 and the bus bar unit 30 are in a posture slightly tilted from the normal installation posture. In this case, as for the tilt of the bus bar unit 30, as long as the bolt fastening portion 41 is not pulled out from the stud bolt 13A, the nut 80 can be installed on the top end of the stud bolt 13A, and the inclination can be corrected to the inclination of the normal posture by tightening the nut 80.

[0064] <About installation and removal of bus bar unit and mating connector> The attachment and detachment of the bus bar unit 30 and the mating connector 20 will be described in more detail.

[0065] The bus bar unit 30 and the counterpart connector 20 are mounted after the bus bar unit 30 is mounted on the battery pack 10. The counterpart connector 20 is moved in the Z direction relative to the bus bar unit 30. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The mating connector 20 is moved in the direction of the arrow A1 (in this case, a direction parallel to the Z direction), and the top end of the mating connector 20 is fitted into the fitting recess 51A and installed.

[0066] At this time, the moving direction of the other connector 20 can be as follows: Figure 2 In this case, the force of inserting the counterpart connector 20 into the connector housing portion 51 can act as a force to rotate the connector housing portion 51 around the Y axis. Even in this case, in the bus bar unit 30 of the present embodiment, since the protrusion 55 is in contact with and supported by the side surface 15b of the battery pack 10, even if a force to rotate the connector housing portion 51 around the Y axis is applied to the connector housing portion 51 from the counterpart connector 20, the rotation of the connector housing portion 51 can be suppressed. As a result, the bus bar unit 30 and the counterpart connector 20 can be easily mounted.

[0067] When the bus bar unit 30 and the counterpart connector 20 are disassembled, the direction of the force for pulling out the counterpart connector 20 from the connector housing portion 51 may deviate in the X direction. In this case, the force for pulling out the counterpart connector 20 from the connector housing portion 51 can act as a force for rotating the connector housing portion 51 around the Y axis. Even in this case, in the bus bar unit 30 of the present embodiment, since the protrusion 55 is in contact with and supported by the side surface 15b of the battery pack 10, even if a force for rotating the connector housing portion 51 around the Y axis is applied from the counterpart connector 20 to the connector housing portion 51, the rotation of the connector housing portion 51 can be suppressed. As a result, the bus bar unit 30 and the counterpart connector 20 can be easily disassembled.

[0068] The contact between the protrusion 55 and the side surface 15b of the battery pack 10 also has the function of suppressing the bus bar unit 30 from rotating about the Y axis when the battery pack 10 and the bus bar unit 30 are attached or detached without bolts being tightened. That is, in the bus bar unit 30, the center of gravity in the X direction is located closer to the connector housing portion 51 than the fixing portion 60. Therefore, if there is no contact between the protrusion 55 and the side surface 15b of the battery pack 10, the bus bar unit 30 can rotate about the Y axis in such a way that the connector housing portion 51 descends without bolts being tightened. The contact between the protrusion 55 and the side surface 15b of the battery pack 10 can suppress this rotation.

[0069] <Effects, etc.> According to the bus bar unit 30 configured as described above, in the bus bar unit 30, the other end of the bus bar 40 is connector-connected to the counterpart connector 20, so that the work efficiency of the assembly and disassembly of the bus bar unit 30 and the device is improved compared to the case where the other end of the bus bar 40 is the bolt fastening portion 41 as well as the one end. In addition, by configuring the other end of the bus bar 40 to be connector-connected, the other end of the bus bar 40 can be in a state of being unsupported when the bolt fastening portion 41 at one end of the bus bar 40 is not fastened. Even in this case, since the rotation-inhibiting portion 57B is hooked on the receiving portion 17 of the battery pack 10, the bus bar unit 30 is inhibited from tilting toward the connector housing portion 51 when the bolt fastening portion 41 at one end is not fastened, the work efficiency of the bolt operation at one end is improved.

[0070] In addition, the molded resin part 50 is made of fiber reinforced plastic. In this case, the fibers flow in the mold together with the resin softened when the molded resin part is formed. In the bus bar unit 30, the first connecting part 56 and the second connecting part 57 are provided, so that even if the molded resin part 50 is made of fiber reinforced plastic, the flow path of the fiber reinforced plastic during the molding of the molded resin part 50 is increased, and the direction of the fibers contained in the fiber reinforced plastic can be dispersed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the molded resin part 50 from being easily broken in a specific direction.

[0071] In addition, the molded resin portion 50 includes a notch 61 extending between the end portion of the bus bar 40 on one end side of the intermediate cover portion 53 and the fixing portion 60. This can disperse stress applied from the battery pack 10 to the bus bar unit 30 when the battery pack 10 expands.

[0072] In addition, the first connecting portion 56 is thicker than the second connecting portion 57. Thus, the mold resin portion 50 can be firmly reinforced by the first connecting portion 56, and the weight increase of the mold resin portion 50 can be suppressed as the second connecting portion 57 is thinner than the first connecting portion 56.

[0073] In addition, the first connection portion 56 and the second connection portion 57 are each one piece. Thus, an increase in the weight of the mold resin portion 50 can be suppressed.

[0074] In addition, in the bus bar 40, the portion from the bolt fastening portion 41 to the connector terminal portion 42 is formed by a single plate material. Thus, the bus bar 40 including the bolt fastening portion 41 and the connector terminal portion 42 can be provided without welding or the like.

[0075] [Note] Although it has been described above that the molded resin portion 50 is made of fiber-reinforced plastic, this is not an essential configuration. The molded resin portion 50 may be made of a resin that does not contain fibers.

[0076] In addition, although it has been described above that the molded resin portion 50 includes the cutout 61, this is not an essential structure. The molded resin portion 50 may not include the cutout 61, and the fixing portion 60 and the third covering portion 53C may be directly connected.

[0077] In addition, although the first connection portion 56 is described as being thicker than the second connection portion 57, this is not necessarily a configuration. The first connection portion 56 may be the same thickness as the second connection portion 57 or may be thinner than the second connection portion 57.

[0078] In addition, although it has been described so far that the first connection part 56 and the second connection part 57 are each provided in one piece, this is not necessarily a configuration, and at least one of the first connection part 56 and the second connection part 57 may be provided in two or more pieces.

[0079] In addition, it has been described so far that in the bus bar 40, the portion from the bolt fastening portion 41 to the connector terminal portion 42 is formed by a single plate, but this is not necessarily a structure. For example, a plate including the bolt fastening portion 41 and a plate including the connector terminal portion 42 may be separately provided, and these plates may be joined by welding or the like.

[0080] In addition, it has been described so far that the rotation suppression portion 57B is the above-mentioned rib 57B, but this is not a necessary structure. The rotation suppression portion can also be set at a position independent of the rib 57B. For example, the protrusion 55 or the rib 58 can also function as the rotation suppression portion. That is, in the connection module, as long as any part of the molded resin portion 50 contacts the receiving portion 17 of the battery pack 10, the bus bar unit 30 can be suppressed from tilting toward the connector housing portion 51 side after the stud bolt 13A passes through the bolt fastening portion 41 and the stud bolt 13A is not fastened. According to such a connection module, the same effect as the connection module 100 including the above-mentioned bus bar unit 30 and the battery pack 10 can be obtained.

[0081] In addition, the respective configurations described in the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications can be appropriately combined as long as they do not contradict each other. Description of Reference Numerals

[0082] 10 battery pack 11 single battery 12 Battery body 13, 13A terminal (stud bolt) 14 Connecting conductors 15 Cabinet 15a Upper surface 15b Side 16 Fixing bolts 17 Reception Department 20 other connector 21 Connector housing 22 Lock receiving portion 22a Locking piece 22b Operation unit 23 connector terminals 24 wires 30 busbar units 40 Busbar 41 Bolt fastening part 42 connector terminal 43A, 43B, 43C, 43D bending parts 44 Middle 44A 1st Intermediate Section 44B 2nd middle part 44C 3rd middle part 50Molding resin part 51 Connector housing 51A fitting recess 52 locking part 53 Middle Cover 53A Covering part 1 53B Second covering part 53C Covering part 3 55 protrusion 56 1st connection 57 Second connection 57A connection body 57B rib (rotation suppression part) 58 ribs 60 fixed part 61 Gap 62 Gate traces 63 Recess for positioning pin 70 sets of rings 80 Nut 100 connection modules

Claims

1. A bus bar unit electrically connected to a terminal of a battery pack, the bus bar unit comprising a bus bar and a molded resin portion, The bus bar includes a bolt fastening portion and a connector terminal portion, wherein the bolt fastening portion is provided at one end of the bus bar and is bolt-fastened to the terminal of the battery pack to be electrically connected, and the connector terminal portion is provided at the other end of the bus bar and is electrically connected to a connector terminal of a counterpart connector. The molded resin portion covers the bus bar, The bolt fastening portion and the connector terminal portion of the bus bar are separately provided in a first direction and a second direction, the first direction being a normal direction relative to a side surface of the battery pack, and the second direction being along the side surface of the battery pack, The molded resin portion includes: A connector housing portion, covering the connector terminal portion; an intermediate covering portion covering an intermediate portion of the bus bar extending from the connector housing portion; a first connecting portion connecting a portion of the intermediate cover portion away from the connector housing portion and the connector housing portion; and a second connecting portion connecting a portion of the intermediate covering portion that is closer to the connector housing portion than the intersection with the first connecting portion and the intermediate portion of the first connecting portion, A fixing portion fixed to the battery pack independently of the bolt fastening portion is provided in the molded resin portion on the bolt fastening portion side relative to the center of gravity of the bus bar unit in the second direction, The second connection portion is provided with a rotation prevention portion that is hooked on the receiving portion of the battery pack so as to prevent the bus bar unit from tilting toward the connector housing portion when the bolt fastening portion is not fastened.

2. The bus bar unit according to claim 1, wherein: The molded resin portion is made of fiber reinforced plastic.

3. The busbar unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The molded resin portion includes a notch extending between an end portion of the bus bar on the one end side in the intermediate cover portion and the fixing portion.

4. The bus bar unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The first connecting portion is thicker than the second connecting portion.

5. The busbar unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are each one piece.

6. The bus bar unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: In the bus bar, the portion from the bolt fastening portion to the connector terminal portion is formed of one plate material.

7. A connection module, comprising: Battery pack, including terminals; A counterpart connector, comprising a connector terminal and a connector housing; and a bus bar unit including a bus bar for connecting the terminal and the connector terminal and a mold resin portion covering the bus bar, The bus bar includes a bolt fastening portion and a connector terminal portion, wherein the bolt fastening portion is provided at one end of the bus bar and is bolt-fastened to the terminal, and the connector terminal portion is provided at the other end of the bus bar and is connected to the connector terminal. The molded resin portion includes a connector housing portion and an intermediate covering portion, wherein the connector housing portion covers the connector terminal portion and is engaged with the connector housing, and the intermediate covering portion covers an intermediate portion of the bus bar extending from the connector housing portion. The center of gravity of the bus bar unit is closer to the connector housing portion than the bolt fastening portion. The receiving portion of the battery pack is in contact with the molded resin portion, so that the bus bar unit is prevented from tilting toward the connector housing portion when the bolt is passed through the bolt fastening portion and the bolt is not fastened.

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