Bus bar module

Abstract

The invention provides a bus bar module capable of realizing cost reduction while using a flexible printed circuit board. A bus bar module (1) is provided with: a first module (10) having a first substrate (3), which is a flexible printed substrate, and a device connection unit (5) that connects a circuit (30) of the first substrate (3) and an external device (100); and a second module (20) having a second substrate (4) configured to be connectable to the first substrate (3), and at least one bus bar (2) connected to a circuit (40) of the second substrate (4). The first module (10) may also have at least one bus bar (2) connected to the circuit (30) of the first substrate (3).

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a battery sensing unit including a flexible printed circuit board. In Patent Document 1, a battery sensing unit is disclosed, which includes a circuit board, a voltage detection unit capable of detecting a voltage value of a battery, and a current detection unit capable of detecting a current value of the battery. The circuit board of Patent Document 1 includes a flexible printed circuit board provided with a conductive pattern.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-108301 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In a bus bar module using a flexible printed circuit board, it is desired to reduce costs. For example, in the case where the flexible printed circuit board is elongated, it is likely to cause an increase in manufacturing costs and the cost of surface mounting of components. In addition, an elongated flexible printed circuit board is likely to cause an increase in handling costs and storage costs.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a bus bar module capable of reducing costs while using a flexible printed circuit board.

[0009] Technical Means for Solving the Problem

[0010] The bus bar module of the present invention is characterized by including: a first module having: a first substrate as a flexible printed circuit board; and a device connection portion that connects the circuit of the first substrate to an external device; and a second module having: a second substrate configured to be connectable to the first substrate; and at least one bus bar connected to the circuit of the second substrate.

[0011] Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0012] The bus bar module according to the present invention includes: a first module having a first substrate as a flexible printed circuit board and a device connection portion for connecting the circuit of the first substrate to an external device; and a second module having a second substrate configured to be connectable to the first substrate and at least one bus bar connected to the circuit of the second substrate. According to the bus bar module of the present invention, the flexible printed circuit board is divided into a first substrate and a second substrate, and the first substrate and the second substrate are configured to be connectable. Therefore, the effect of cost reduction when using the flexible printed circuit board can be achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 FIG. is a top view showing a bus bar module according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 FIG. is a top view showing another bus bar module according to an embodiment.

[0015] DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0016] 1: Bus bar module

[0017] 2: Bus bar, 3: First substrate

[0018] 4, 4A, 4B: Second substrate

[0019] 5: Device connection portion, 6: Chip fuse

[0020] 7: Housing

[0021] 10: First module

[0022] 11: Connection portion

[0023] 20: Second module

[0024] 20A: Extension module, 20B: End module

[0025] 21: First connection portion, 22: Second connection portion

[0026] 30: Circuit, 31: Detection line

[0027] 40: Circuit, 41: Detection line

[0028] 71: First housing, 72: Second housing

[0029] 100: External device

[0030] X: Arrangement direction DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] Hereinafter, the bus bar module according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In addition, the components in the following embodiments include components that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art or substantially the same components.

[0032] [Embodiment]

[0033] Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the embodiment will be described. This embodiment relates to a bus bar module. Figure 1 is a top view showing the bus bar module according to the embodiment, Figure 2 is a top view showing another bus bar module according to the embodiment.

[0034] As Figure 1 shown, the bus bar module 1 of this embodiment has a first module 10 and a second module 20. The bus bar module 1 is formed by connecting the first module 10 and at least one second module 20. The bus bar module 1 is assembled, for example, in a battery module having a plurality of battery cells.

[0035] The first module 10 has a first substrate 3, a device connection portion 5, and at least one bus bar 2. The first module 10 is an interface module of the bus bar module 1 with an external device 100. In addition, the first module 10 is a basic module as the basic structure of the bus bar module 1.

[0036] The first substrate 3 is a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). The FPC has a base film, a conductive layer, and a cover layer. The conductive layer is clamped and protected by the base film and the cover layer. The conductive layer is, for example, a conductive metal foil and has a circuit pattern including a plurality of detection lines 31. The first substrate 3 has flexibility and can be bent and arranged.

[0037] The device connection portion 5 connects the circuit 30 of the first substrate 3 to the external device 100. The device connection portion 5 is, for example, a connector having terminals connected to the circuit 30. The external device 100 is, for example, a monitoring device for monitoring the state of the battery module. The external device 100 is electrically connected to the battery module via the bus bar module 1 to monitor the state of the battery module.

[0038] The bus bar 2 is a plate-like member formed of a conductive metal. The bus bar 2 is fixed, for example, to the electrode of the battery cell to electrically connect two battery cells. The first module 10 of this embodiment has two bus bars 2. The two bus bars 2 are arranged at intervals along the arrangement direction X. The arrangement direction X is, for example, the direction in which the battery cells are arranged in the battery module.

[0039] The circuit 30 of the first substrate 3 is a circuit pattern formed of a metal foil, including a plurality of detection lines 31. A part of the plurality of detection lines 31 is connected to the bus bar 2 of the first module 10. More specifically, a part of the detection line 31 is connected to the bus bar 2 via the chip fuse 6 mounted on the first substrate 3. Another part of the plurality of detection lines 31 connects the detection line 41 of the second module 20 to the device connector 5.

[0040] The first module 10 has a connection portion 11 disposed on the first substrate 3. The connection portion 11 is disposed at an end portion of the first substrate 3 on the side opposite to the device connection portion 5 side. The connection portion 11 is, for example, a connector having terminals connected to the circuit 30. The connection portion 11 may also be a joint portion configured to be capable of soldering and welding.

[0041] The second module 20 has a second substrate 4 and a bus bar 2. The second module 20 is a module for connection and extension in the bus bar module 1. The second substrate 4 is a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) similar to the first substrate 3.

[0042] The second substrate 4 has a circuit 40. The circuit 40 is a circuit pattern formed of a metal foil, including at least one detection line 41. The bus bar module 1 of the present embodiment has two second modules 20. In the following description, one of the two second modules 20 is referred to as an extension module 20A, and the other is referred to as an end module 20B.

[0043] The extension module 20A is interposed between the two modules to connect the two modules to each other. The extension module 20A can be interposed between the first module 10 and the second module 20 and between the two second modules 20.

[0044] The second substrate 4A of the extension module 20A has a plurality of detection lines 41. A part of the plurality of detection lines 41 is connected to the bus bar 2 of the extension module 20A. More specifically, the detection line 41 is connected to the bus bar 2 via the chip fuse 6 mounted on the second substrate 4A. Figure 1 The extension module 20A has two bus bars 2 arranged in the arrangement direction X and corresponding two detection lines 41. Another part of the plurality of detection lines 41 is connected to the detection line 31 of the first module 10 and the detection line 41 of the other second module 20.

[0045] The extension module 20A has a first connection portion 21 and a second connection portion 22. The first connection portion 21 is disposed at one end of the second substrate 4A, and the second connection portion 22 is disposed at the other end of the second substrate 4A. The first connection portion 21 and the second connection portion 22 are, for example, connectors having terminals connected to the circuit 40. The first connection portion 21 and the second connection portion 22 may also be joint portions configured to be capable of soldering and welding.

[0046] The first connecting portion 21 is configured to be connectable to the connecting portion 11 of the first module 10. When both the connecting portion 11 and the first connecting portion 21 are connectors, the first module 10 is connected and electrically connected to the extension module 20A by fitting the first connecting portion 21 with the connecting portion 11. The circuit 30 of the first module 10 is connected to the circuit 40 of the extension module 20A via the connecting portion 11 and the first connecting portion 21. In addition, when both the connecting portion 11 and the first connecting portion 21 are joint portions, the connecting portion 11 and the first connecting portion 21 are joined by soldering or welding.

[0047] In the extension module 20A, the second connecting portion 22 may also be configured to be connectable to the first connecting portion 21. In this case, the bus bar module 1 can have a plurality of extension modules 20A. For example, a plurality of extension modules 20A can be interposed between the first module 10 and the end module 20B.

[0048] The end module 20B is a module connected to the end of the arrangement direction X of the bus bar module 1. The end module 20B is configured to be connectable to the first module 10 and to the extension module 20A.

[0049] The second substrate 4B of the end module 20B has a circuit 40. The circuit 40 of the second substrate 4B has at least one detection line 41. Figure 1 The end module 20B has two bus bars 2 arranged in the arrangement direction X and corresponding two detection lines 41. The detection line 41 of the end module 20B is connected to the bus bar 2 via the chip fuse 6 mounted on the second substrate 4B.

[0050] The end module 20B has a first connecting portion 21. The first connecting portion 21 is disposed at one end of the second substrate 4B. The first connecting portion 21 of the end module 20B is configured in the same manner as, for example, the first connecting portion 21 of the extension module 20A. The first connecting portion 21 of the end module 20B is, for example, a connector having terminals connected to the circuit 40. The first connecting portion 21 may also be a joint portion configured to be capable of soldering or welding. The first connecting portion 21 of the end module 20B is configured to be connectable to the second connecting portion 22 of the extension module 20A. The first connecting portion 21 of the end module 20B may also be configured to be connectable to the connecting portion 11 of the first module 10.

[0051] The bus bar module 1 of the present embodiment has a housing 7 that houses the first substrate 3 and the second substrate 4. The housing 7 is divided into a first housing 71 and a second housing 72. The first housing 71 and the second housing 72 are formed of an insulating synthetic resin, for example. The first housing 71 houses the first substrate 3. The second housing 72 houses at least one second substrate 4. In the exemplary housing 7, one second housing 72 houses one second substrate 4. That is, the housing 7 includes second housings 72 corresponding to the number of second modules 20.

[0052] When the first module 10 has the bus bar 2, the first housing 71 is formed to house the first substrate 3 and the bus bar 2. The second housing 72 is formed to house the second substrate 4 and the bus bar 2.

[0053] The first housing 71 and the second housing 72 may also be configured to be connectable to each other. For example, the first housing 71 and the second housing 72 may have engaging portions that engage along the arrangement direction X. For example, the second housing 72 may also have an engaging portion that engages with other second housings 72 along the arrangement direction X.

[0054] Figure 1 The bus bar module 1 is formed by linearly connecting the first module 10, one extension module 20A, and one end module 20B. The circuit 40 of the second substrate 4 is connected to the circuit 30 of the first substrate 3 and is connected to the device connection portion 5 via the circuit 30. When the bus bar module 1 has a plurality of second modules 20, the second substrate 4 of one second module 20 is connected to the first substrate 3 via the second substrate 4 of another second module 20. For example, the second substrate 4B of the end module 20B is connected to the first substrate 3 of the first module 10 via the second substrate 4A of the extension module 20A.

[0055] The first module 10, the extension module 20A, and the end module 20B may also be connected before being assembled to the battery module. In this case, the first substrate 3, the second substrate 4A, and the second substrate 4B are connected. The first housing 71 and the two second housings 72 may also be connected to form one housing 7.

[0056] The first module 10, the extension module 20A, and the end module 20B may also be individually assembled to the battery module. In other words, the modules 10, 20A, 20B may be assembled to the battery module before the first substrate 3, the second substrate 4A, and the second substrate 4B are connected to each other. In this case, the substrates 3, 4A, 4B may also be connected after the bus bar 2 of the modules 10, 20A, 20B is assembled to the battery cell.

[0057] In addition, the first module 10 may not have the bus bar 2. For example, as Figure 2As shown, the first module 10 has a first substrate 3, a device connection portion 5, and a connection portion 11, and may not include the bus bar 2. In this case, all the detection lines 31 of the circuit 30 can be configured to connect the detection lines 41 of the second module 20 to the device connector 5. When the first module 10 does not include the bus bar 2, the housing 7 may not include the first housing 71 either.

[0058] As described above, the bus bar module 1 of the present embodiment has a first module 10 and a second module 20. The first module 10 has a first substrate 3 as a flexible printed circuit board and a device connection portion 5 that connects the circuit 30 of the first substrate 3 to an external device 100. The second module 20 has a second substrate 4 configured to be connectable to the first substrate 3 and at least one bus bar 2 connected to the circuit 40 of the second substrate 4. The second substrate 4 can be directly connected to the first substrate 3 or can be connected to the first substrate 3 via another second substrate 4. In the bus bar module 1 of the present embodiment, the flexible printed circuit board is divided into the first substrate 3 and the second substrate 4. Therefore, the cost of the bus bar module 1 can be reduced while using the flexible printed circuit board.

[0059] The first module 10 of the present embodiment has at least one bus bar 2 connected to the circuit 30 of the first substrate 3. By providing the bus bar 2 in both the first module 10 and the second module 20, it is possible to cope with the elongation of the battery module.

[0060] The circuit 40 of the second substrate 4 of the present embodiment is connected to the device connection portion 5 via the circuit 30 of the first substrate 3. With such a structure, the same circuit design as in the case where all the bus bars 2 are connected to one flexible printed circuit board can be applied.

[0061] The bus bar module 1 may also have a plurality of second modules 20. In this case, the plurality of second modules 20 are configured to be able to connect the second substrate 4 of one second module 20 to the second substrate 4 of another second module 20. With such a structure, a bus bar module 1 having a plurality of second modules 20 is realized.

[0062] When the bus bar module 1 has a plurality of second modules 20, the second substrate 4 of one second module 20 is connected to the first substrate 3 via the second substrate 4 of another second module 20. With such a structure, a flexible circuit design corresponding to the battery module to be applied can be performed.

[0063] The bus bar module 1 may also have a housing 7 that houses the first substrate 3 and the second substrate 4. The housing 7 may also be divided into a first housing 71 that houses the first substrate 3 and a second housing 72 that houses the second substrate 4. In this case, the first housing 71 becomes an element of the first module 10, and the second housing 72 becomes an element of the second module 20. By dividing the housing 7, the transportability and operability of each module 10, 20 can be improved. For example, the packaging efficiency when transporting each module 10, 20 is improved.

[0064] In addition, the number of bus bars 2 included in the second module 20 is not limited to two. The second module 20 preferably has at least one bus bar 2. The number of bus bars 2 included in the second module 20 may be even or odd. The first module 10 may have a bus bar 2. In the case where the first module 10 has a bus bar 2, the number of bus bars 2 in the first module 10 may be even or odd.

[0065] In the case where the bus bar module 1 includes a plurality of second modules 20, each second module 20 may also have the same number of bus bars 2. For example, in the case where the bus bar module 1 has a plurality of extension modules 20A, each extension module 20A may also have the same number of bus bars 2. The number of bus bars 2 included in the first module 10 may also be the same as the number of bus bars 2 included in the second module 20.

[0066] The bus bar module 1 may not have a terminal module 20B. For example, the bus bar module 1 may be composed of the first module 10 and the extension module 20A. In this case, a cover or the like for protecting the second connection portion 22 may be provided on the extension module 20A disposed at the end.

[0067] The contents disclosed in the above embodiments can be appropriately combined and implemented.

Claims

1. A busbar module, characterized in that: have: A first module, the first module having: a first substrate as a flexible printed substrate; and a device connection portion, the device connection portion connecting a circuit of the first substrate to an external device; as well as A second module, the second module comprising: a second substrate, the second substrate being configured to be connectable to the first substrate; and at least one bus bar connected to the circuit of the second substrate.

2. The busbar module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first module has at least one bus bar connected to the circuit of the first substrate.

3. The busbar module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The circuit of the second substrate is connected to the device connection portion via the circuit of the first substrate.

4. The busbar module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bus bar module includes a plurality of the second modules. The plurality of second modules are configured so that the second substrate of one second module can be connected to the second substrate of another second module.

5. The busbar module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bus bar module includes a plurality of the second modules. The second substrate of one of the second modules is connected to the first substrate via the second substrate of another of the second modules.

6. The bus bar module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bus bar module includes a housing that accommodates the first substrate and the second substrate. The housing is divided into a first housing for accommodating the first substrate and a second housing for accommodating the second substrate.

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