Bus bar structure

Abstract

A bus bar structure (1) disposed on a surface to be disposed (an upper surface of a member (53)) is provided with a first conductive plate portion (bus bar (11)) having a first thickness and a second conductive plate portion (bus bar (21, 23)) having a second thickness. The first thickness is thinner than the second thickness, the first conductive plate portion and the second conductive plate portion continuously extend in the front-rear direction, and the first conductive plate portion is configured such that at least a part of a member (55) protruding from the surface to be disposed can be accommodated in a space between the first conductive plate portion and the surface to be disposed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bus bar structure. Background Art

[0002] In a battery pack mounted on an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle that travels using an electric motor, a bus bar is used to connect electrodes of a plurality of batteries. Further, even in an electrical junction box that distributes electric power from a power source to various in-vehicle devices in a vehicle, a bus bar is provided inside to supply power to a predetermined load circuit (for example, see Patent Document 1). When there is another component in the wiring path of a flat bus bar and the bus bar is wired across the other component, as shown in Patent Document 1 Figure 3 The bus bar is partially bent to avoid other components.

[0003] Citation List

[0004] Patent Document

[0005] Patent Document 1: JP2000-151149A Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical Problem

[0007] However, when a flat bus bar is bent to cross over another component, additional space is required in the plate thickness direction, that is, in the height direction away from the surface of the object to be arranged.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a bus bar structure capable of saving space in the height direction.

[0009] Solution to the Problem

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the bus bar structure according to the present invention is characterized as follows.

[0011] A bus bar structure arranged on the surface of an object to be arranged, the bus bar structure including:

[0012] A first conductive plate portion having a first thickness; and

[0013] A second conductive plate portion having a second thickness, wherein

[0014] The first thickness is less than the second thickness,

[0015] The first conductive plate portion and the second conductive plate portion continuously extend in a first direction, and

[0016] The first conductive plate portion is configured such that at least a part of a protruding portion protruding from the surface of the object to be arranged is accommodated in a space between the first conductive plate portion and the surface of the object to be arranged.

[0017] Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, a bus bar structure capable of saving space in the height direction can be provided.

[0019] The present invention has been briefly described above. By referring to the drawings and reading the following description of the mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiment"), the details of the present invention can be further clarified. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a bus bar structure according to the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 2 is Figure 1 an exploded perspective view of the bus bar structure shown.

[0022] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a partially enlarged side view of the bus bar structure shown in a wired state.

[0023] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a bus bar structure according to a modification of the first embodiment.

[0024] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a bus bar structure according to the second embodiment.

[0025] Figure 6 is Figure 5 an exploded perspective view of the bus bar structure shown.

[0026] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a bus bar structure according to a modification of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0028] (First Embodiment)

[0029] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a bus bar structure 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is Figure 1 an exploded perspective view of the bus bar structure 1 shown. Figure 3 is Figure 1 a partially enlarged side view of the bus bar structure 1 shown in a wired state. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of description, as Figure 1 shown, "front - rear direction", "left - right direction" and "up - down direction" are defined. The "front - rear direction", "left - right direction" and "up - down direction" are orthogonal to each other.

[0030] As Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the busbar structure 1 is assembled between components and / or devices of a vehicle and is used for electrical connection within, for example, a battery pack that serves as a power source for driving a vehicle motor.

[0031] The busbar structure 1 is disposed on the upper surface of a component 53 as an example of a surface to be configured (see Figure 3 ). The busbar structure 1 includes a busbar 11 having a first thickness and busbars 21 and 23 having a second thickness. The first thickness is less than the second thickness. The busbar 11 is an example of a first conductive plate portion, and the busbars 21 and 23 are examples of second conductive plate portions. The busbar 11 and the busbars 21 and 23 extend in the front-rear direction. The front-rear direction is an example of a first direction. The busbar 11 is configured such that at least a part of a component 55 (see Figure 3 ) can be accommodated in a space between the busbar 11 and the surface to be configured. The component 55 is an example of a protruding portion protruding from the surface to be configured. The busbar structure 1 is a busbar for supplying vehicle driving power, that is, a high-voltage busbar.

[0032] The busbar 11 is formed by stamping a conductive metal plate having a first thickness. When viewed from the up-down direction, the busbar 11 has a rectangular shape with the right-front and right-rear corners cut into squares. The busbar 11 includes end faces 11a and 11c extending in the left-right direction and side faces 11b and 11d extending in the front-rear direction. The left-right direction is an example of a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the end faces 11a and 11c are examples of first end faces. The side faces 11b and 11d are examples of first side faces. The busbar 11 has a larger dimension in the left-right direction than the busbars 21 and 23 in the left-right direction.

[0033] The busbars 21 and 23 are conductive metal plates having a second thickness and extending in the front-rear direction, and are formed in a long and flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. The second thickness is less than the thickness (first thickness) of the busbar 11. The busbar 21 has an end face 21a extending in the left-right direction on the front side. The busbar 23 has an end face 23a extending in the left-right direction on the rear side. The end faces 21a and 23a are examples of second end faces.

[0034] Since the busbar 11 is thinner than the busbars 21 and 23, the busbar structure 1 can be disposed at a position where the space in the up-down direction, that is, the plate thickness direction, is limited. In the prior art, when there is another component on the wiring path in a vehicle and the busbar is arranged to bypass in the height direction (plate thickness direction) to avoid the other component, additional space is required in the direction away from the surface to be configured, that is, the height direction. However, since the busbar 11 is thinner than the busbars 21 and 23, a part of other components can be accommodated in the space with reduced thickness. Therefore, the busbar structure 1 can save space in the height direction.

[0035] The bus bars 11 and 21 are joined to each other by, for example, laser welding, such that the end faces 11a and 21a are in contact with each other. The end face 11c and the end face 23a of the bus bar 11 and the bus bar 23 are joined to each other by, for example, laser welding. By joining the bus bars 11, 21, and 23 having different thicknesses, the bus bar structure 1 can be easily manufactured.

[0036] The bus bars 11 and 21 are joined to each other at the side face 11b of the bus bar 11 and the left side face of the bus bar 21. The bus bars 11 and 23 are joined to each other at the side face 11d of the bus bar 11 and the side face 23b of the bus bar 23. The bus bars 11, 21, and 23 are joined to each other in two directions, namely the front-back direction and the left-right direction, so that stable conduction can be achieved.

[0037] The end face 11a and the side face 11b of the bus bar 11 serve as joining surfaces with the bus bar 21. The sum of the area of the end face 11a and the area of the side face 11b in the bus bar 11, that is, the area of the joining surface with the bus bar 21, is larger than the area of the end face 21a of the bus bar 21. The end face 11c and the side face 11d of the bus bar 11 serve as joining surfaces with the bus bar 23. The sum of the area of the end face 11c and the area of the side face 11d in the bus bar 11, that is, the area of the joining surface with the bus bar 23, is larger than the area of the end face 23a of the bus bar 23. Thus, since the area of the joining surface between the bus bars 11 and 21, 23 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the bus bars 21, 23, that is, the area of the end faces 21a, 23a, current can stably pass between the bus bars 21 and 23.

[0038] In the bus bar structure 1, the bus bars 11, 21, and 23 are joined such that their upper surfaces are flush with each other. An example of the configuration of the bus bar structure 1 is shown Figure 3 as Figure 3 shown. As shown, the bus bar structure 1 is provided between the component 51 and the component 53. At this time, even when the component 55 is provided to protrude upward from the upper surface of the component 53, since the bus bar 11 is thinner than the bus bars 21 and 23, the upper part of the component 55 can be accommodated below the bus bar 11. In other words, in the bus bar structure 1, in the bus bar in which the bus bars 21, 11, and 23 are integrated, a recess 30 formed by reducing the thickness (second thickness, predetermined thickness) of the bus bars 21 and 23 is provided on the lower surface of the bus bar 11, and the upper part of the component 55 is accommodated in the recess 30. Therefore, the bus bar 11, which is thinner than other parts, is routed to a position where the space in the height direction is restricted, so that the bus bar structure 1 can save space in the height direction. In addition, in the bus bar structure 1, the bus bar 11, which is thinner than the bus bars 21 and 23, is used to ensure that the joining surface is equal to or larger than the cross-sectional area of the bus bars 21, 23, so that stable conduction can be achieved. As described above, according to the bus bar structure 1, space saving in the height direction and stable conduction can be achieved.

[0039] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing the bus bar structure 1A according to a modified example of the first embodiment. In the bus bar structure 1 according to the above-described first embodiment, the thin bus bar 11 is joined to the bus bars 21 and 23 at the abutting surfaces (end faces 21a and 23a) and the left side face (side face 23b). In this regard, Figure 4 the shown bus bar structure 1A is different from the bus bar 11 according to the first embodiment in terms of the position of the notch provided in the bus bar 13. The thin bus bar 13 is joined to the bus bars 21 and 23 not only at the abutting surfaces and the left side face but also at the right side face. In this way, the thin bus bar 13 can be joined to the bus bars 21 and 23 in three directions. By joining in three directions, it is possible to increase the area of the joint surface between the bus bar 13 and the bus bars 21 and 23, thereby enabling more stable conduction.

[0040] (Second Embodiment)

[0041] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the bus bar structure 1B according to the second embodiment. Figure 6 It is Figure 5 an exploded perspective view of the shown bus bar structure 1B. Hereinafter, for ease of description, as Figure 5 shown, the “front - rear direction”, “left - right direction” and “up - down direction” are defined. The “front - rear direction”, “left - right direction” and “up - down direction” are orthogonal to each other. In the second embodiment, the same components and parts as Figures 1 to 4 those shown are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0042] As Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, the bus bar structure 1B includes a bus bar 15 having a first thickness, bus bars 21 and 23 having a second thickness, and a bus bar 17 having a third thickness smaller than the second thickness. The first thickness is smaller than the second thickness. The bus bar 15 is an example of the first conductive plate portion, and the bus bar 17 is an example of the third conductive plate portion. The bus bar 15 and the bus bar 17 extend in the front - rear direction. The front - rear direction is an example of the third direction.

[0043] The bus bar 15 is a conductive metal plate having a first thickness and extending in the front - rear direction, and is formed in a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. The bus bar 15 includes end faces 15a and 15c extending in the left - right direction, and side faces 15b and 15d extending in the front - rear direction. The end faces 15a and 15c are examples of the first end faces. The side face 15b is an example of the first side face.

[0044] The bus bar 17 is a conductive metal plate having a third thickness and extending in the front - rear direction, and is formed in a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. The bus bar 17 is formed to be longer than the bus bar 15. In this embodiment, the third thickness and the first thickness are the same thickness. The bus bar 17 has a side face 17a extending in the front - rear direction. The side face 17a is an example of the third side face.

[0045] Since busbars 15 and 17 are thinner than busbars 21 and 23, the busbar structure 1B can be arranged at a position with limited space in the vertical direction, i.e., the height direction. In the prior art, when there is another component on the wiring path in a vehicle and the busbars are arranged to bypass it in the height direction, additional space is required in the height direction. However, since busbars 15 and 17 are thinner than busbars 21 and 23, a part of other components can be accommodated in the space with reduced thickness. Therefore, the busbar structure 1B can save space in the height direction.

[0046] The busbar 15 and the busbar 21 are joined to each other by, for example, laser welding so that the end faces 15a and 21a are in contact with each other. The end face 15c of the busbar 15 and the end face 23a of the busbar 23 are joined to each other by, for example, laser welding. By joining busbars 15, 21, and 23 with different thicknesses, the busbar structure 1B can be easily manufactured.

[0047] The busbars 15, 21, 23, and 17 are configured such that the central portions of the side faces 15b of the busbar 15 and the side face 17a of the busbar 17 are joined to each other, the front end portion of the left side face of the busbar 21 and the rear end portion of the busbar 17 are joined to each other, and the rear end portion of the side face 23b of the busbar 23 and the front end portion of the busbar 17 are joined to each other. In addition to being joined in the front-rear direction, the busbars 15, 21, and 23 are also joined to the busbar 17, so that more stable conduction can be achieved by joining in two directions, i.e., the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

[0048] The busbars 15 and 17 are joined to each other through the side faces 15b and 17a, so they can function as a single busbar and achieve Figure 1 and Figure 2 the same function as the busbar 11 shown.

[0049] The end face 15a of the busbar 15 and the rear end portion of the side face 17a of the busbar 17 serve as the joint surfaces with the busbar 21. The sum of the area of the end face 15a of the busbar 15 and the area of the rear end portion of the side face 17a of the busbar 17, i.e., the area of the portion joined to the busbar 21, that is, the area of the joint surface with the busbar 21, is larger than the area of the end face 21a of the busbar 21. The end face 15c of the busbar 15 and the front end portion of the side face 17a of the busbar 17 serve as the joint surfaces with the busbar 23. The sum of the area of the end face 11c of the busbar 15 and the area of the front end portion of the side face 17a of the busbar 17, i.e., the area of the portion joined to the busbar 23, that is, the area of the joint surface with the busbar 23, is larger than the area of the end face 23a of the busbar 23. In this way, since the area of the joint surfaces between the busbars 15 and 17 and the busbars 21 and 23 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the busbars 21 and 23, i.e., the area of the end faces 21a and 23a, current can stably pass between the busbars 21 and 23.

[0050] In the bus bar structure 1B, the bus bars 15 and 17 and the bus bars 21 and 23 are joined in such a manner that their upper surfaces are flush with each other. According to the bus bar structure 1B, similar to the bus bar structure 1, space saving in the height direction and stable electrical conduction can be achieved.

[0051] Figure 7 FIG. is a perspective view showing a bus bar structure 1C according to a modification of the second embodiment. In the bus bar structure 1B according to the above-described second embodiment, the thin bus bars 15 and 17 are joined to the bus bars 21 and 23 at the abutting surfaces (end faces 21a and 23a) and the left side surface (side surface 23b). In this regard, Figure 7 the shown bus bar structure 1C is different from the bus bar structure 1B in that, instead of the bus bar 17 joined to the left side surface of the bus bar 15, the bus bars 18 and 19 are joined to the left and right side surfaces of the bus bar 15. The bus bars 18 and 19 have the same thickness as the bus bars 15 and 17. The dimensions of the bus bars 18 and 19 in the left-right direction are half of the dimensions of the bus bar 17 in the left-right direction. The bus bars 18 and 19 are examples of the third conductive plate portions. In this way, the bus bars 18 and 19 are respectively connected to the two side surfaces of the bus bar 15, and the thin bus bars 15, 18, and 19 work integrally with Figure 4 the shown bus bar 13. The bus bar structure 1C is configured such that the thin bus bars 15, 18, and 19 are joined to each of the bus bars 21 and 23 in three directions, thereby enabling an increase in the area of the joint surface between the thin bus bars 15, 18, and 19 and the bus bars 21, 23, and enabling more stable electrical conduction.

[0052] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. In addition, the materials, shapes, dimensions, numerical values, forms, quantities, arrangement positions, etc. of the components in the above-described embodiments can be freely selected and are not limited as long as the present invention can be implemented. In the above-described embodiments, the bus bar structure is manufactured by joining bus bars having different thicknesses. Alternatively, the bus bar structure can be manufactured by forming a part of a conductive plate having a uniform thickness into a thin shape by cutting or stamping.

[0053] Here, the features of the bus bar structures according to the embodiments of the present invention described above are briefly summarized and listed in the following [1] to [7].

[0054] [1] A bus bar structure (1, 1A, 1B, and 1C) disposed on the surface of an object to be configured (the upper surface of the component 53), the bus bar structure (1, 1A, 1B, and 1C) including:

[0055] a first conductive plate portion (bus bars 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, and 19) having a first thickness; and

[0056] The second conductive plate portion (bus bars 21 and 23), having a second thickness, wherein

[0057] the first thickness is less than the second thickness,

[0058] the first conductive plate portion and the second conductive plate portion extend continuously in a first direction (front - rear direction), and

[0059] the first conductive plate portion is configured such that at least a part of a protrusion (member 55) protruding from the surface of the object to be configured is accommodated in a space between the first conductive plate portion and the surface of the object to be configured.

[0060] According to the bus bar structure having the configuration of [1] above, the thickness of the first conductive plate portion is less than the thickness of the second conductive plate portion, and at least a part of the protrusion can be accommodated in the space between the surface of the object to be configured and the first conductive plate portion. Therefore, the bus bar structure can be provided at a position where the space in the height direction, that is, the thickness direction, is restricted. In the prior art, when there is another component on the wiring path in a vehicle and the bus bar is arranged to bypass in the height direction to avoid the other component, additional space is required in the height direction. However, according to the above configuration, since the thickness of the first conductive plate portion is reduced, it is possible to accommodate a protrusion such as a part of another component in the space with reduced thickness. This enables space savings in the height direction.

[0061] [2] In the bus bar structure (1, 1A, 1B, 1C) according to [1],

[0062] the first conductive plate portion (bus bars 11, 13, 15, 17, 18 and 19) has a first end face (end faces 11a, 11c, 15a, 15c) extending in a second direction (left - right direction) intersecting the first direction,

[0063] the second conductive plate portion has a second end face (end faces 21a, 23a) extending in the second direction, and

[0064] the first conductive plate portion and the second conductive plate portion are joined to each other at the first end face and the second end face.

[0065] According to the bus bar structure having the configuration of [2] above, by joining plates having different thicknesses, the bus bar structure can be easily manufactured.

[0066] [3] In the bus bar structure (1, 1A, 1B, 1C) according to [2],

[0067] the area of the joint surface between the first conductive plate portion and the second conductive plate portion is larger than the area of the second end face.

[0068] According to the bus bar structure having the above-mentioned [3] configuration, the area of the joint surface between the first conductive plate portion and the second conductive plate portion is larger than the area of the second end surface of the second conductive plate portion. Therefore, the allowable current of the second conductive plate portion can be maintained in the first conductive plate portion.

[0069] [4] In the bus bar structure (1, 1A, 1B, 1C) according to [2],

[0070] The first conductive plate portion (bus bars 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, and 19) has a first side surface (side surfaces 11b and 11d) extending in a third direction (front-rear direction) intersecting the first end surface.

[0071] The second conductive plate portion has a second side surface (side surface 23b) extending in the third direction, and

[0072] The first conductive plate portion and the second conductive plate portion are joined to each other at the first side surface and the second side surface.

[0073] According to the bus bar structure having the above-mentioned [4] configuration, since the first conductive plate portion and the second conductive plate portion are joined in two directions, the area of the joint surface between the first conductive plate portion and the second conductive plate portion can be increased, thereby enabling stable conduction.

[0074] [5] According to the bus bar structure (1B, 1C) described in [2], it further includes:

[0075] A third conductive plate portion (bus bars 17, 18, and 19) having a third thickness smaller than the second thickness, where

[0076] The first conductive plate portion (bus bar 15) has a first side surface (side surface 15b) extending in a third direction (front-rear direction) intersecting the first end surface.

[0077] The second conductive plate portion (bus bars 21 and 23) has a second side surface (side surface 23b) extending in the third direction.

[0078] The third conductive plate portion (bus bars 17, 18, and 19) has a third side surface (side surface 17a) extending in the third direction, and

[0079] The first conductive plate portion, the second conductive plate portion, and the third conductive plate portion are joined to each other at the first side surface, the second side surface, and the third side surface.

[0080] According to the bus bar structure having the above-mentioned [5] configuration, since the first conductive plate portion and the second conductive plate portion are also joined to the third conductive plate portion, stable conduction can be achieved.

[0081] [6] In the busbar structure (1, 1A, 1B, 1C) according to any one of [1] to [5],

[0082] The first conductive plate portion and the second conductive plate portion are busbars for supplying vehicle drive power.

[0083] According to the busbar structure having the above [6], for example, it can be used for electrical connection within a battery pack that serves as a power source for driving a vehicle motor.

[0084] [7] A busbar structure (1, 1A, 1B, 1C), comprising:

[0085] Busbars (busbars 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, and 19, busbars 21 and 23) having a predetermined thickness, wherein

[0086] A recess (30) is provided in a part of the busbar by reducing the thickness.

[0087] According to the busbar structure having the above [7], when there is a protrusion on the surface of the object to be configured, at least a part of the protrusion can be accommodated in the recess of the busbar. This enables space saving in the height direction.

[0088] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022 - 195794 filed on December 7, 2022, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0089] Industrial Applicability

[0090] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a busbar structure capable of saving space in the height direction. The present invention having such an effect is useful in terms of busbar structures.

[0091] List of Reference Signs

[0092] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C: Busbar structure

[0093] 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23: Busbar

[0094] 11a, 11c, 15a, 15c, 21a, 23a: End face

[0095] 11b, 11d, 15b, 15d, 17a, 23b: Side face

[0096] 30: Recess

[0097] 51, 53, 55: Component

Claims

1. A busbar structure configured on the surface of a configuration object, the busbar structure comprising: The first conductive plate portion, having a first thickness; and the second conductive plate portion, having a second thickness, wherein the first thickness is less than the second thickness, wherein the first conductive plate portion and the second conductive plate portion extend continuously in a first direction, and wherein the first conductive plate portion is configured such that at least a part of a protrusion protruding from the surface of the configured object is received in a space between the first conductive plate portion and the surface of the configured object.

2. The busbar structure according to claim 1, wherein, The first conductive plate portion has a first end face extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the second conductive plate portion has a second end face extending in the second direction, and wherein the first conductive plate portion and the second conductive plate portion are joined to each other at the first end face and the second end face.

3. The busbar structure according to claim 2, wherein, The area of the joint surface between the first conductive plate portion and the second conductive plate portion is larger than the area of the second end face.

4. The busbar structure according to claim 2, wherein, The first conductive plate portion has a first side face extending in a third direction intersecting the first end face, wherein the second conductive plate portion has a second side face extending in the third direction, and wherein the first conductive plate portion and the second conductive plate portion are joined to each other at the first side face and the second side face.

5. The busbar structure according to claim 2, further comprising: The third conductive plate portion, having a third thickness less than the second thickness, wherein the first conductive plate portion has a first side face extending in a third direction intersecting the first end face, wherein the second conductive plate portion has a second side face extending in the third direction, wherein the third conductive plate portion has a third side face extending in the third direction, and wherein the first conductive plate portion, the second conductive plate portion, and the third conductive plate portion are joined to each other at the first side face, the second side face, and the third side face.

6. The busbar structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The first conductive plate portion and the second conductive plate portion are busbars for supplying vehicle drive power.

7. A busbar structure, comprising: A busbar having a predetermined thickness, wherein a recess is provided in a part of the busbar by reducing the thickness.

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