Protector and bus bar module

Abstract

The invention provides a protector, which can improve the operability of connecting a connector connected with a flexible printed circuit board with a counterpart connector. A protector (1) is provided with: a housing section (2) having a housing chamber (22) for housing an excess length section (31) of a flexible printed circuit board (3) connected to a connector (10), and a guide section extending in a sliding direction; and a sliding body (4) which has a holding portion for holding a portion between the connector and the excess length portion in the flexible printed circuit board, and which moves in the sliding direction (X) while being guided by the guide portion, the housing portion and the sliding body being configured such that the excess length portion protrudes from the housing chamber by moving the sliding body toward a first side (X1) in the sliding direction, and the excess length portion protrudes from the housing chamber by moving the sliding body toward a second side (X2) in the sliding direction. The excess length portion extending from the accommodation chamber is accommodated in the accommodation chamber by moving the sliding body toward a second side (X2) in the sliding direction.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a technique of connecting a connector after being connected to a flexible substrate to a mating connector. In Patent Document 1, a circuit body with a connector is disclosed, which includes a circuit body composed of a flexible substrate provided with a wiring pattern and a connector mounted on the circuit body.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-021595 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] It is desired to improve the workability of the operation of connecting a connector after being connected to a flexible printed circuit board to a mating connector. For example, in a structure in which a flexible printed circuit board is protected by a protector, even if both the protector and the mating connector are fixed, it is preferable to position the connector relative to the mating connector at an appropriate position.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a protector and a bus bar module that can improve the workability of the operation of connecting a connector after being connected to a flexible printed circuit board to a mating connector.

[0009] Technical Means for Solving the Problem

[0010] The protector of the present invention is characterized by including: a housing portion having a housing chamber for housing a surplus portion of a flexible printed circuit board connected to a connector and a guiding portion extending in a sliding direction; and a sliding body having a holding portion for holding a portion between the connector and the surplus portion in the flexible printed circuit board and moving along the sliding direction while being guided by the guiding portion. The housing portion and the sliding body are configured such that by moving the sliding body to a first side in the sliding direction, the surplus portion extends out of the housing chamber, and by moving the sliding body to a second side in the sliding direction, the surplus portion extending out of the housing chamber is housed in the housing chamber.

[0011] Advantages of the Invention

[0012] In the protector of the present invention, the housing portion and the sliding body move the sliding body to the first side in the sliding direction, so that the redundant length portion of the flexible printed circuit board extends out of the accommodation chamber, and move the sliding body to the second side in the sliding direction, so as to accommodate the redundant length portion extending out of the accommodation chamber in the accommodation chamber. According to the protector of the present invention, the effect of improving the workability of the operation of connecting the connector after being connected to the flexible printed circuit board to the other connector can be achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a top view of the bus bar module of the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the protector of the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 is a top view of the protector of the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 4 is a top view of the protector of the embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the housing portion and the flexible printed circuit board of the embodiment.

[0018] Figure 6 is a sectional perspective view of the housing portion and the flexible printed circuit board of the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the protector of the embodiment.

[0020] Figure 8 is a sectional perspective view of the protector of the embodiment.

[0021] Figure 9 is a sectional view of the protector of the embodiment.

[0022] Figure 10 is a sectional view of the protector of the embodiment.

[0023] Figure 11 is a top view of the protector of the modified example of the embodiment.

[0024] Figure 12 is a top view of the protector of the modified example of the embodiment.

[0025] REFERENCE SIGNS

[0026] 1: Protector

[0027] 2: Housing portion

[0028] 3: Flexible printed circuit board, 3a: Adjacent portion, 3b: Portion therebetween

[0029] 3c: Bending portion, 3d: End portion

[0030] 4: Sliding body

[0031] 5: Reinforcing plate

[0032] 10: Connector

[0033] 21: Passage part, 21a: Bottom wall, 21b: Side wall, 21c: Thin wall part

[0034] 22: Accommodation chamber, 23: Main body, 23a: Bottom wall, 23b: Side wall

[0035] 24: Cover, 24a: Hinge part, 25: Guide part

[0036] 26: Support part, 26a: Hinge part, 26b: Engaging part, 26c: Arm

[0037] 27: Accommodation space

[0038] 31: Excess length part, 32a: First folding part, 32b: Second folding part

[0039] 41: Main body, 41a: Groove part

[0040] 42: Cover, 43: Widening part, 43a: Protrusion

[0041] 44: Leg part, 44a: Claw

[0042] 45: Protection part, 46: Protruding part, 46a: Lead-out port

[0043] 100: Bus bar module, 110: Bus bar, 120: Housing

[0044] 200: Battery pack, 210: Battery module, 220: Battery cell

[0045] 230: Monitoring unit, 240: Opposite connector

[0046] St: Movable range

[0047] BA: Arrangement direction

[0048] X: Sliding direction, X1: First side, X2: Second side

[0049] Y: Width direction, Z: Depth direction Detailed implementation mode

[0050] Hereinafter, the protector and the bus bar module according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In addition, the structural elements in the following embodiments include elements that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art or substantially the same elements.

[0051] [Embodiment]

[0052] Refer to Figures 1 to 10 , and the embodiments will be described. This embodiment relates to a protector and a bus bar module. Figure 1 is a top view of the bus bar module of the embodiment, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the protector of the embodiment, Figure 3 and Figure 4 is a top view of the protector of the embodiment, Figure 5 is a perspective view of the housing part and the flexible printed circuit board of the embodiment, Figure 6 is a sectional perspective view of the housing part and the flexible printed circuit board of the embodiment, Figure 7 is a perspective view of the protector of the embodiment, Figure 8 is a sectional perspective view of the protector of the embodiment, Figure 9 and Figure 10 are sectional views of the protector of the embodiment.

[0053] Figure 6 Shows Figure 5 the VI-VI section of. Figure 8 Shows Figure 2 the VIII-VIII section of. Figure 9 Shows Figure 3 the IX-IX section of. Figure 10 Shows Figure 4 the X-X section of.

[0054] The protector 1 of this embodiment is a protection component for a flexible printed circuit board. The protector 1 forms a part of the bus bar module 100, for example. The bus bar module 100 is assembled to the battery module 210 of the battery pack 200. The battery module 210 has a plurality of battery cells 220. The plurality of battery cells 220 are arranged along the arrangement direction BA.

[0055] The bus bar module 100 has: a plurality of bus bars 110, a housing 120, a flexible printed circuit board 3, a connector 10, and a protector 1. The bus bar 110 can be connected to the electrodes of the battery cells 220. The bus bar 110 connects the electrodes of two adjacent battery cells 220, for example.

[0056] The housing 120 houses the plurality of bus bars 110 and the flexible printed circuit board 3. The housing 120 is formed of an insulating synthetic resin, for example. The housing 120 has a holding portion for holding the bus bars 110. The plurality of bus bars 110 are arranged and held in the arrangement direction BA by the housing 120. The housing 120 is fixed to the battery module 210 in a state of holding the plurality of bus bars 110 and the flexible printed circuit board 3.

[0057] The flexible printed circuit board 3 has a base film, a conductive layer, and a cover layer. The conductive layer is sandwiched 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. The detection lines are connected to the corresponding bus bars 110 and the thermistor. The detection lines are connected to the monitoring unit 230 of the battery pack 200 via the connector 10.

[0058] The protector 1 is disposed, for example, at an end in the arrangement direction BA of the housing 120. The flexible printed circuit board 3 is routed from the housing 120 to the connector 10 via the protector 1.

[0059] As Figure 2 shown, the protector 1 has a housing portion 2 and a slider 4. The housing portion 2 is formed of, for example, an insulating synthetic resin. The housing portion 2 is connected to an end in the arrangement direction BA of the housing 120. The housing portion 2 may be configured as a part of the housing 120, may be engaged with the end of the housing 120, or may be fixed to the battery module 210 or the like adjacent to the end of the housing 120.

[0060] As described with reference to Figure 3 and Figure 4 the protector 1 of the present embodiment can move the connector 10 in the sliding direction X by sliding the slider 4 relative to the housing portion 2. The protector 1 is configured to be able to move the connector 10 to a position where it can be engaged with the monitoring unit 230.

[0061] In the present specification, in the sliding direction X, the side of the connector 10 facing the mating connector 240 is referred to as "first side X1". The mating connector 240 is a connector included in the monitoring unit 230 of the battery pack 200. The monitoring unit 230 is mounted at an end in the arrangement direction BA of the battery module 210. The monitoring unit 230 is disposed in a space between the housing of the battery pack 200 and the end face of the battery module 210.

[0062] In the sliding direction X, the side opposite to the first side X1 is referred to as "second side X2". The connector 10 can be disengaged from the mating connector 240 by moving toward the second side X2.

[0063] Figure 3 The shown connector 10 is located at the end of the second side X2 in the sliding direction X. That is, Figure 3 the connector 10 is located at the position farthest from the mating connector 240 of the monitoring unit 230 within the movable range in the sliding direction X. At this time, the slider 4 is housed inside the housing portion 2. The slider 4 and the connector 10 can slide from Figure 3 the shown position toward the monitoring unit 230 along the first side X1.

[0064] Figure 4The state where the engaged connector 10 is engaged with the mating connector 240 is shown. The sliding body 4 protrudes toward the first side X1 with respect to the housing portion 2. The sliding body 4 holds the flexible printed circuit board 3 and is fixed to the flexible printed circuit board 3. The connector 10 is connected to the end portion 3d of the flexible printed circuit board 3. Therefore, the sliding body 4 can move integrally with the connector 10 in the sliding direction X.

[0065] The protector 1 of the present embodiment can engage the connector 10 with the mating connector 240 in a state where both the protector 1 and the monitoring unit 230 are fixed to the battery module 210. In addition, the protector 1 of the present embodiment can disconnect the connector 10 from the mating connector 240 in a state where both the protector 1 and the monitoring unit 230 are fixed to the battery module 210. Therefore, the protector 1 of the present embodiment can improve the workability of the operation of attaching and detaching the connector 10 with respect to the monitoring unit 230.

[0066] As Figure 2 and Figure 5 shown, the housing portion 2 has a passage portion 21, a housing chamber 22, and a guide portion 25. The passage portion 21, the housing chamber 22, and the guide portion 25 are integrally formed, for example. The passage portion 21 is disposed between the housing chamber 22 and the housing 120, and is a portion that guides the flexible printed circuit board 3 to the housing chamber 22. The passage portion 21 is disposed adjacent to the end portion of the housing 120. The passage portion 21 has a bottom wall 21a and a pair of side walls 21b. The passage portion 21 extends along the arrangement direction BA.

[0067] As Figure 9 etc. shown, the housing chamber 22 houses the surplus length portion 31 of the flexible printed circuit board 3. The surplus length portion of the flexible printed circuit board 3 is housed in the housing chamber 22 in a state of being folded back to form a substantially S shape. As Figure 5 shown, the housing chamber 22 has a main body 23 and a lid 24. The main body 23 has a bottom wall 23a and a pair of side walls 23b. The bottom wall 23a and the pair of side walls 23b form Figure 6 shown housing space 27. The housing space 27 houses the surplus length portion 31 of the flexible printed circuit board 3. The lid 24 is connected to the side surface of the main body 23 via a hinge portion 24a.

[0068] In the description of the protector 1, the housing chamber 22 has a width direction Y and a depth direction Z of the housing space 27. The depth direction Z is a direction orthogonal to the bottom wall 23a, and is, for example, the same direction as the arrangement direction BA. The width direction Y is a direction in which the pair of side walls 23b face each other, and is the width direction of the flexible printed circuit board 3. The width direction Y is orthogonal to the depth direction Z.

[0069] As Figure 5As shown, the guiding portion 25 is provided on the side wall 23b and extends along the sliding direction X. The sliding direction X is orthogonal to the depth direction Z. That is, the sliding direction X is orthogonal to the arrangement direction BA of the battery cells 220.

[0070] In the main body 23, a supporting portion 26 for forming the first folding portion 32a on the flexible printed circuit board 3 is provided. As Figure 6 shown, the supporting portion 26 has a columnar or beam-shaped arm 26c. The flexible printed circuit board 3 is wound around the arm 26c of the supporting portion 26. The supporting portion 26 has a hinge portion 26a and a engaging portion 26b. The hinge portion 26a is disposed at one end of the arm 26c, and the engaging portion 26b is disposed at the other end of the arm 26c.

[0071] The arm 26c of the supporting portion 26 is connected to the side surface of the main body 23 via the hinge portion 26a and can rotate relative to the main body 23. The supporting portion 26 is engaged with the main body 23 by the engaging portion 26b. In a state where the engaging portion 26b is engaged with the main body 23, the arm 26c faces the bottom wall 23a of the main body 23. As Figure 6 shown, a gap into which the flexible printed circuit board 3 can be inserted is provided between the arm 26c and the main body 23. That is, the supporting portion 26 constitutes a bridge spanning the flexible printed circuit board 3 placed on the bottom wall 23a.

[0072] As Figure 6 shown, the first folding portion 32a is formed by the supporting portion 26, thereby generating an extra length portion 31 in the flexible printed circuit board 3. The first folding portion 32a has a folding shape protruding toward the first side X1. The accommodation space 27 of the accommodation chamber 22 has a depth capable of accommodating the extra length portion 31.

[0073] The sliding body 4 is formed of, for example, an insulating synthetic resin. The sliding body 4 slides relative to the housing portion 2 while being guided by the housing portion 2. The sliding body 4 is configured to hold the end portion 3d of the flexible printed circuit board 3 and slide together with the end portion 3d. The sliding body 4 can move toward the first side X1 and the second side X2 within a movable range along the sliding direction X.

[0074] As Figure 7 shown, the sliding body 4 has a main body 41 and a cover 42. The main body 41 and the cover 42 are integrally formed, for example. The main body 41 has a groove portion 41a capable of accommodating the flexible printed circuit board 3. The groove portion 41a extends along the sliding direction X. The cover 42 has a hinge portion 42a and a engaging portion 42b. The hinge portion 42a is disposed at one end in the width direction of the cover 42, and the engaging portion 42b is disposed at the other end in the width direction of the cover 42. The hinge portion 42a is connected to the side surface of the main body 41. The cover 42 covers the groove portion 41a of the main body 41 to protect the flexible printed circuit board 3.

[0075] The main body 41 and the lid 42 function as holding parts for holding the flexible printed circuit board 3. The lid 42 is configured to sandwich and hold the flexible printed circuit board 3 between the main body 41 and the lid 42, for example.

[0076] An enlarged portion 43 having a shape corresponding to the end portion 3d of the flexible printed circuit board 3 is formed at the end portion of the first side X1 of the main body 41. Two protrusions 43a are provided on the enlarged portion 43. The protrusions 43a are inserted into the through holes of the flexible printed circuit board 3 to hold the end portion 3d of the flexible printed circuit board 3.

[0077] As Figure 8 shown, the slider 4 has two legs 44. The legs 44 are disposed at both end portions in the width direction Y of the main body 41. The legs 44 protrude from the main body 41 toward the depth direction Z. Claws 44a protruding in the width direction Y are provided at the ends of the legs 44. The legs 44 are inserted through the guide portions 25 of the housing portion 2. The side wall 23b of the housing portion 2 suppresses the detachment of the legs 44 by locking the claws 44a.

[0078] The legs 44 are disposed at the end portion of the second side X2 of the main body 41. That is, the end portion of the second side X2 of the slider 4 is connected to the housing portion 2. On the other hand, the end portion of the first side X1 of the slider 4 is not connected to the housing portion 2 and can move relative to the housing portion 2. Therefore, the end portion of the first side X1 of the slider 4 can be separated from the housing portion 2. In other words, the slider 4 can swing relative to the housing portion 2. By enabling the slider 4 to swing in the depth direction Z, the posture of the connector 10 can be flexibly changed when the connector 10 is inserted into and removed from the mating connector 240.

[0079] As Figure 9 shown, the slider 4 holds the flexible printed circuit board 3 in such a manner that a second folded portion 32b is formed in the flexible printed circuit board 3. The slider 4 is configured to protect the portion between the connector 10 and the surplus length portion 31 in the flexible printed circuit board 3. The slider 4 of the present embodiment holds the end portion 3d of the flexible printed circuit board 3 and also holds the portion 3a adjacent to the end portion 3d. The adjacent portion 3a is a portion located on the side opposite to the connector 10 side with respect to the end portion 3d. In other words, the adjacent portion 3a is a portion located on the second side X2 with respect to the end portion 3d. The slider 4 sandwiches the adjacent portion 3a with the main body 41 and the lid 42.

[0080] The second folding portion 32b is formed so as to cover the main body 41 from both sides in the depth direction Z. The second folding portion 32b has a folding shape protruding toward the second side X2. In the flexible printed circuit board 3, the portion closer to the end portion 3d than the second folding portion 32b is the adjacent portion 3a. In the flexible printed circuit board 3, the portion on the side opposite to the end portion 3d with respect to the second folding portion 32b is connected to the first folding portion 32a. The portion 3b between the first folding portion 32a and the second folding portion 32b faces the bottom wall 23a of the housing portion 2 and is housed in the housing space 27. The housing space 27 is formed between the bottom wall 23a of the housing portion 2 and the main body 41 of the sliding body 4.

[0081] As described above, the sliding body 4 forms the second folding portion 32b on the flexible printed circuit board 3 and folds the flexible printed circuit board 3 into a substantially U-shaped. The flexible printed circuit board 3 is held by the protector 1 so as to form a substantially S-shaped having two folding portions 32a, 32b.

[0082] The main body 41 of the sliding body 4 has a protection portion 45. The protection portion 45 is provided at the end of the main body 41 on the second side X2. The protection portion 45 protects the flexible printed circuit board 3 so that the bending R of the second folding portion 32b does not become too small. The protection portion 45 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The protection portion 45 bulges toward one side in the depth direction Z. The direction in which the protection portion 45 bulges is toward the bottom wall 23a of the housing portion 2. Therefore, the second folding portion 32b bends so as to bulge toward the bottom wall 23a. Thereby, an increase in the size of the sliding body 4 in the depth direction Z is suppressed.

[0083] The support portion 26 of the housing portion 2 is formed so that the bending R of the first folding portion 32a does not become too small. That is, the arm 26c of the support portion 26 bulges along the depth direction Z toward the main body 41 of the sliding body 4.

[0084] In the housing portion 2, a thin wall portion 21c is provided between the bottom wall 21a and the bottom wall 23a. The thin wall portion 21c is disposed at the corner where the two bottom walls 21a, 23a intersect and is bent into an arc shape. The plate thickness of the thin wall portion 21c is thinner than that of the two bottom walls 21a, 23a. Therefore, the thin wall portion 21c allows the bottom wall 23a to swing relative to the bottom wall 21a.

[0085] In the protector 1 of the present embodiment, the housing chamber 22 can swing in the depth direction Z with the thin wall portion 21c as the rotation center. Further, as described above, the sliding body 4 can swing relative to the housing chamber 22. Therefore, the protector 1 of the present embodiment can perform both the position adjustment of the connector 10 in the depth direction Z and the angle adjustment of the connector 10 with respect to the sliding direction X.

[0086] The end portion 3d of the flexible printed circuit board 3 protrudes from the slider 4 and is connected to the connector 10. The slider 4 holds the end portion 3d of the flexible printed circuit board 3 by the protrusion 43a. The exemplary protrusion 43a has a cylindrical shape. A reinforcing plate 5 for reinforcing the flexible printed circuit board 3 is mounted on the end portion 3d. Through holes corresponding to the protrusion 43a are provided in the end portion 3d and the reinforcing plate 5. The protrusion 43a is inserted into the through holes of the end portion 3d and the reinforcing plate 5 to hold the end portion 3d and the reinforcing plate 5.

[0087] Figure 9 The slider 4 is located at the end of the second side X2 within the slidable range. At this time, the protection portion 45 of the slider 4 is located inside the second folded portion 32b and supports the folded portion 32b.

[0088] When the slider 4 and the connector 10 move from this state to the first side X1, the surplus length portion 31 of the flexible printed circuit board 3 extends out of the housing chamber 22. The surplus length portion 31 extends out from the space between the main body 41 of the slider 4 and the bottom wall 23a of the housing portion 2 to the external space. More specifically, if the slider 4 moves to the first side X1, the position where the second folded portion 32b is formed approaches the first folded portion 32a. As a result, the portion 3b between the first folded portion 32a and the second folded portion 32b is led out to the external space.

[0089] Figure 10 The slider 4 is located at the end of the first side X1 within the slidable range. At this time, the protection portion 45 of the slider 4 is separated from the second folded portion 32b. Most of the slider 4 protrudes from the housing chamber 22 to the first side X1. When the slider 4 protrudes to the end of the first side X1 within the movable range, the flexible printed circuit board 3 has two folded portions 32a and 32b. That is, regardless of the position of the slider 4 within the movable range, the flexible printed circuit board 3 maintains a substantially S-shaped bent shape. Thus, the shape disorder of the flexible printed circuit board 3 is not likely to occur.

[0090] In the protector 1 of the present embodiment, the movable range St of the slider 4 is set to be able to insert and remove the connector 10 with respect to the mating connector 240. That is, by moving the slider 4 to the second side X2, the connector 10 can be detached from the mating connector 240. In addition, by moving the slider 4 to the first side X1, the connector 10 can be fully engaged with the mating connector 240.

[0091] In this way, the protector 1 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to insert and remove the connector 10 with respect to the mating connector 240 in a state where both the mating connector 240 and the housing portion are fixed. Therefore, the protector 1 of the present embodiment can improve the workability of the loading and unloading operation of the connector 10 with respect to the mating connector 240.

[0092] As described above, the protector 1 of this embodiment has a housing portion 2 and a sliding body 4. The housing portion 2 has a receiving chamber 22 and a guiding portion 25. The receiving chamber 22 receives the redundant portion 31 of the flexible printed circuit board 3 connected to the connector 10. The guiding portion 25 extends along the sliding direction X. The sliding body 4 has a holding portion. The holding portion holds the portion of the flexible printed circuit board 3 between the connector 10 and the redundant portion 31. The sliding body 4 of this embodiment has a clamping structure based on the main body 41 and the cover 42 and a protrusion 43a as the holding portion. The main body 41 and the cover 42 hold the portion 3a of the flexible printed circuit board 3 adjacent to the end portion 3d. The protrusion 43a holds the end portion 3d of the flexible printed circuit board 3.

[0093] The housing portion 2 and the sliding body 4 are configured to be able to perform an extending action and a receiving action. The extending action is an action of extending the redundant portion 31 from the receiving chamber 22. The housing portion 2 and the sliding body 4 are configured such that by moving the sliding body 4 to the first side X1 in the sliding direction X, the redundant portion 31 is extended from the receiving chamber 22.

[0094] The receiving action is an action of receiving the redundant portion 31 in the receiving chamber 22. The housing portion 2 and the sliding body 4 receive the redundant portion 31 extended from the receiving chamber 22 into the receiving chamber 22 by moving the sliding body 4 to the second side X2 in the sliding direction X. The protector 1 of this embodiment can improve the workability of the operation of attaching and detaching the connector 10 with respect to the mating connector 240 by moving the connector 10 in the sliding direction X.

[0095] The housing portion 2 and the sliding body 4 of this embodiment are configured to form a plurality of folding portions 32a, 32b in the redundant portion 31 and stack the redundant portion 31 in the receiving chamber 22. The exemplary protector 1 forms two folding portions 32a, 32b in the flexible printed circuit board 3 and stacks the redundant portion 31 in the receiving space 27. In the flexible printed circuit board 3, the stacked portions may be separated from each other or in contact. By stacking and receiving the redundant portion 31, the low height of the housing portion 2 is achieved.

[0096] The housing portion 2 of this embodiment has a supporting portion 26. The supporting portion 26 forms the first folding portion 32a in the redundant portion 31 and supports the first folding portion 32a from the inside. The first folding portion 32a has a folding shape protruding toward the first side X1. The supporting portion 26 supports the first folding portion 32a, enabling the shape of the redundant portion 31 to be stable.

[0097] The sliding body 4 of this embodiment holds the flexible printed circuit board 3 through the holding portion so as to form the second folding portion 32b in the redundant portion 31. For example, the clamping structure based on the main body 41 and the cover 42 clamps the adjacent portion 3a so as to form the second folding portion 32b. The holding portion of the sliding body 4 can make the shape of the redundant portion 31 stable.

[0098] The bus bar module 100 of this embodiment includes: a protector 1, a flexible printed circuit board 3, a connector 10 connected to the flexible printed circuit board 3, and a plurality of bus bars 110. The plurality of bus bars 110 are connected to the flexible printed circuit board 3 and can be connected to the electrodes of the battery cells 220. The bus bar module 100 of this embodiment can improve the workability of the operation of attaching and detaching the connector 10 to and from the other connector 240.

[0099] In addition, the object to which the protector 1 of this embodiment is applied is not limited to the bus bar module 100. The other connector 240 is not limited to the connector included in the monitoring unit 230.

[0100] The protector 1 can also be applied to, for example, the flexible printed circuit board 3 laid along the vehicle body. In this case, the flexible printed circuit board 3 can also connect the ECU (electronic control unit) to the device controlled by the ECU. The other connector 240 can be the connector included in the ECU or the connector included in the device to be controlled. The protector 1 of this embodiment can engage the connector 10 with the other connector 240 or disengage the connector 10 from the other connector 240 in a state where both the other connector 240 and the protector 1 are fixed.

[0101] The sliding body 4 can also have a holding portion for holding the connector 10. In this case, when a force in the sliding direction X is applied to the sliding body 4 and the connector 10, this force is less likely to act on the flexible printed circuit board 3.

[0102] The number of the folded-back portions formed in the slack portion 31 is not limited to the exemplified two. The protector 1 can also form three or more folded-back portions in the slack portion 31. The shape of the slack portion 31 housed in the housing chamber 22 is not limited to the S-shaped. For example, the slack portion 31 can be housed in the housing chamber 22 in any shape. In a case where the shape of the slack portion 31 in the housing chamber 22 is not controlled, the housing portion 2 may not have the support portion 26, and the sliding body 4 may not have the protection portion 45.

[0103] [Modification Example of the Embodiment]

[0104] Refer to Figure 11 and Figure 12 , and the protector 1 of the modification example of the embodiment will be described. Figure 11 and Figure 12 are the top views of the protector related to the modification example of the embodiment. In the protector 1 of the modification example of the embodiment, the difference from the protector 1 of the above embodiment is that, for example, the flexible printed circuit board 3 extends in the width direction Y.

[0105] As Figure 12As shown, in the protector 1 according to the modified example of the embodiment, the flexible printed circuit board 3 and the connector 10 project from the sliding body 4 toward the width direction Y. Thereby, even if the position of the mating connector 240 is different in the sliding direction X, the connector 10 can be positioned at an appropriate position relative to the mating connector 240.

[0106] As Figure 11 shown, the main body 41 of the sliding body 4 has a protruding portion 46. The protruding portion 46 protrudes toward the first side X1 with respect to the cover 42. The protruding portion 46 has a groove portion 41a capable of accommodating the flexible printed circuit board 3. A lead-out port 46a is provided in the protruding portion 46. The lead-out port 46a opens toward the width direction Y.

[0107] As Figure 12 shown, a bent portion 3c is formed in the flexible printed circuit board 3. The bent portion 3c is bent so as to change the extending direction of the flexible printed circuit board 3 by 90°. The portion of the flexible printed circuit board 3 on the end side with respect to the bent portion 3c protrudes from the lead-out port 46a along the width direction Y. A surplus length corresponding to the stroke for inserting and removing with respect to the mating connector 240 is provided in the flexible printed circuit board 3. That is, in the flexible printed circuit board 3, the portion protruding from the lead-out port 46a has a surplus length that enables the connector 10 to be engaged with the mating connector 240.

[0108] The sliding body 4 can position the connector 10 at any position within the movable range by moving along the sliding direction X. Therefore, the protector 1 according to the modified example of the embodiment can improve the workability of the attaching / detaching operation of the connector 10 with respect to the mating connector 240.

[0109] The contents disclosed in the above-described embodiments and modified examples can be appropriately combined and implemented.

Claims

1. A protector, characterized in that, Comprising: A housing having: a receiving chamber for receiving the excess length portion of a flexible printed circuit board connected to a connector; and a guiding portion extending in a sliding direction. And A slider having a holding portion for holding the portion of the flexible printed circuit board between the connector and the excess length portion, and the slider moves along the sliding direction while being guided by the guiding portion. The housing and the slider are configured such that the excess length portion protrudes from the receiving chamber by moving the slider to the first side in the sliding direction, and the excess length portion protruding from the receiving chamber is received in the receiving chamber by moving the slider to the second side in the sliding direction.

2. The protector according to claim 1, wherein: The housing and the slider are configured to form a plurality of folding portions in the excess length portion and stack the excess length portion in the receiving chamber.

3. The protector according to claim 2, wherein: The housing has a supporting portion that forms a first folding portion in the excess length portion and supports the first folding portion from the inside. The first folding portion has a folding shape protruding toward the first side.

4. The protector according to claim 2, wherein: The slider holds the flexible printed circuit board through the holding portion so as to form a second folding portion in the excess length portion. The second folding portion has a folding shape protruding toward the second side.

5. A bus bar module, characterized in that, Comprising: The protector according to claim 1; The flexible printed circuit board; The connector connected to the flexible printed circuit board; and A plurality of bus bars connected to the flexible printed circuit board and capable of being connected to the electrodes of battery cells.

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