Bus bar module housing and bus bar module

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a bus bar module case and a bus bar module capable of appropriately processing water droplets accumulated in a bus bar cavity. A bus bar module case (100) is provided with a bus bar cavity (20) that houses therein a bus bar (2) that connects electrodes (211n) of battery cells (211) among a plurality of battery cells (211) arranged side by side, the bus bar cavity (20) having a side wall (21) provided upright around an end edge (2b) of the bus bar (2), and the side wall (21) being provided with a drain hole (25) that connects the inside and the outside of the bus bar cavity (20). Further, the bus bar module (1) includes a bus bar (2), a wiring material (3), and a bus bar module case (100). The edge portion (26) of the drain hole (25) includes tapered guide portions (26a, 26b) inclined such that the cross-sectional area of the drain hole (25) decreases from the inside toward the outside of the bus bar cavity (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a busbar module housing and a busbar module. Background Technology

[0002] As a technology related to conventional busbar module housings and busbar modules, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a busbar module that is mounted on the side of a battery assembly to form a power supply device. The busbar module has a housing comprising: a plurality of busbar receiving portions; voltage detection terminals disposed adjacent to each busbar receiving portion; a wiring portion for laying voltage detection lines connected to the voltage detection terminals; and a cover covering a predetermined area of ​​the wiring portion.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-93218 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, when condensation forms on the busbar module housing and busbar module, appropriate measures are required to drain the water droplets from the busbar cavity, such as the busbar housing. Furthermore, there is room for further improvement in how the busbar module housing and busbar module handle water droplets accumulating in the busbar cavity.

[0008] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a manifold module housing and a manifold module capable of appropriately handling water droplets accumulated in the manifold cavity.

[0009] Methods for solving problems

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the busbar module housing of the present invention has a busbar cavity that houses a busbar connected to the electrodes of a plurality of battery cells arranged side-by-side. The busbar cavity has a sidewall erected around the end edge of the busbar, and a drain hole is provided on the sidewall to communicate between the inner and outer sides of the busbar cavity. The edge of the drain hole includes a tapered guide portion that is inclined such that the cross-sectional area of ​​the drain hole decreases from the inner side of the busbar cavity toward the outer side.

[0011] To achieve the above objectives, the busbar module of the present invention includes: a busbar connected to the electrodes of a plurality of battery cells arranged side-by-side; wiring material electrically connected to the busbar; and a busbar module housing having a busbar cavity that accommodates the busbar, the busbar cavity having a sidewall erected around an end edge of the busbar, a drain hole provided in the sidewall that communicates the inner and outer sides of the busbar cavity, and the edge of the drain hole including a tapered guide portion that is inclined such that the cross-sectional area of ​​the drain hole decreases from the inner side of the busbar cavity toward the outer side.

[0012] Invention Effects

[0013] The manifold module housing and manifold module of the present invention have the effect of properly handling water droplets accumulated in the manifold cavity. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the busbar module of an embodiment with its cover open.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the busbar module of an embodiment with its cover closed.

[0016] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the busbar module housing of the embodiment, viewed from the battery cell side.

[0017] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Sectional view IV-IV.

[0018] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0019] 1: Busbar Module

[0020] 2: Busbar

[0021] 2b: End edge

[0022] 3: Wiring materials

[0023] 20: Busbar cavity

[0024] 21: Sidewall

[0025] 25: Drain hole

[0026] 25a: Long side

[0027] 25b: Short side

[0028] 26: Edge section

[0029] 26a, 26b: Conical guide section

[0030] 27: Ribs

[0031] 31: wall

[0032] 100: Busbar module housing

[0033] 211: Battery cell

[0034] 211b: Setting surface

[0035] 211n: Electrode Detailed Implementation

[0036] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the constituent elements in the following embodiments include elements that can and are easily substituted by those skilled in the art, or substantially the same elements.

[0037] [Example]

[0038] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the battery module 210 of this embodiment includes multiple battery cells 211 and a busbar module 1. The battery module 210 of this embodiment is a constituent element of the battery pack 200. The battery pack 200 may have multiple battery modules 210. The battery pack 200 is used as a power source in vehicles such as electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles.

[0039] Furthermore, in the following description, the direction in which the multiple battery cells 211 are arranged is designated as the first direction X, and the two directions orthogonal to the first direction X are designated as the second direction Y and the third direction Z. The third direction Z is the direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 211b of the multiple battery cells 211. Additionally, in the following description, one side of the first direction X will be designated as side X1, and the other side as side X2. Similarly, side Y1 and side Y2 will be designated for the second direction Y, and side Z1 and side Z2 will be designated for the third direction Z. Furthermore, in the following description, the third direction Z may sometimes be referred to as the vertical direction, side Z1 as the upper side, and side Z2 as the lower side.

[0040] The battery cells 211 constitute a so-called single cell, and multiple cells are arranged along the first direction X to form a battery pack. The surfaces (not shown) of the multiple battery cells 211 constituting the battery pack on one side Y1 and the other side Y2 in the second direction Y are electrode arrangement surfaces 211a (the electrode arrangement surface 211a on the other side Y2 is not shown) for arranging the electrodes 211n of each battery cell 211. The electrode arrangement surfaces 211a are parallel to the surface containing the first direction X and the third direction Z. In each battery cell 211, a positive electrode is arranged on one of the two electrode arrangement surfaces 211a, and a negative electrode is arranged on the other electrode arrangement surface 211a. Busbar modules 1 are respectively provided on the two electrode arrangement surfaces 211a. Furthermore, the busbar modules 1 are formed in a strip shape along the first direction X, but... Figures 1-2 Only a portion of busbar module 1 is shown in the image. Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the busbar module housing 100 of the busbar module 1, viewed from the other side Y2 of the second direction Y.

[0041] Busbar module 1 includes a busbar module housing 100, a busbar 2, wiring material 3, and voltage detection terminals 4. The busbar module housing 100 is integrally formed of insulating resin material. The busbar module housing 100 has a housing body 50 and a cover 40. The cover 40 is configured to be openable and closable relative to the housing body 50. The housing body 50 has a locking portion 12 of a locking portion 10, a busbar cavity 20 that houses the busbar 2, and wiring lines 30 on which the wiring material 3 is disposed. The wiring lines 30 include trunk wiring lines 35 of the trunk line 3a on which the wiring material 3 is disposed, and branch wiring lines 36 of the branch portions 3b on which the wiring material 3 is disposed. The busbar module housing 100 will be described in detail later.

[0042] Busbar 2 connects adjacent electrodes 211n of a plurality of battery cells 211 arranged along the first direction X. Busbar 2 is a conductor formed of a conductive metal plate. Busbar 2 is formed into a generally elongated rectangle with the first direction X as its length direction. Busbar 2 has an electrode connection hole 2a as a through circular hole. Busbar 2 is fixed to the electrode 211n via the electrode connection hole 2a. Busbar 2 connects two adjacent battery cells 211 in series, for example. In this case, busbar 2 connects the positive terminal of one battery cell 211 to the negative terminal of another battery cell 211. Busbar 2 is sometimes also configured to connect two adjacent battery cells 211 in parallel. In addition, at the end of busbar module 1, busbar 2 connected to an electrode 211n is sometimes also provided. In addition, busbar 2 is shown as a generally flat plate in this embodiment, but it may also have a protrusion that resembles beam portion 22 so as not to interfere with beam portion 22 described later.

[0043] The wiring material 3 is, for example, a flat wiring material such as a flexible printed circuit board. When the wiring material 3 is a flexible printed circuit board, it has a base film, a capping layer, and a conductive layer. The base film and capping layer are flexible, insulating resin layers. The conductive layer is protected by being sandwiched between the base film and the capping layer. The conductive layer is, for example, a conductive metal foil, having multiple circuit patterns connected to the busbar 2. The wiring material 3 has a trunk line 3a arranged along a first direction X and a branch 3b extending from the trunk line 3a to a third direction Z side Z1.

[0044] The voltage detection terminal 4 is electrically connected to the busbar 2 and the branch 3b of the wiring material 3. The voltage detection terminal 4 detects the voltage between the electrodes of the busbar 2, and the voltage of the battery cell 211 is monitored by a monitoring device (not shown) connected to the wiring material 3.

[0045] The busbar cavity 20 in the housing body 50 of the busbar module housing 100 is formed into a generally frame shape with openings on one side Y1 and the other side Y2 in the second direction Y, and has a sidewall 21 erected around the end edge 2b that serves as the outer periphery of the busbar 2. The sidewall 21 is formed by a generally plate-shaped component erected approximately perpendicularly to the electrode arrangement surface 211a, and is formed in a generally elongated rectangular shape with the first direction X as its length, in a manner surrounding the busbar 2.

[0046] Sidewall 21 includes a plate-shaped first sidewall 21a and a second sidewall 21b extending in a first direction X with the plate surface facing a third direction Z. The first sidewall 21a is located on one side Z1 in the third direction Z, and the second sidewall 21b is located on the other side Z2. Additionally, sidewall 21 includes a plate-shaped third sidewall 21c and a fourth sidewall 21d extending in a third direction Z with the plate surface facing the first direction X. The third sidewall 21c is located on one side X1 in the first direction X, and the fourth sidewall 21d is located on the other side X2. The third sidewall 21c includes an upper third sidewall 21c1 on one side Z1 and a lower third sidewall 21c2 on the other side Z2. The fourth sidewall 21d is connected to the first sidewall 21a and the second sidewall 21b at approximately right angles. The first sidewall 21a is connected to the upper third sidewall 21c1 at approximately right angles. The second sidewall 21b is connected to the lower third sidewall 21c2 at approximately right angles.

[0047] The upper third sidewall 21c1 is located on the side X1 closer to the first direction X than the lower third sidewall 21c2. Therefore, the upper third sidewall 21c1 and the lower third sidewall 21c2 are separated along the first direction X. The separated portion of the upper third sidewall 21c1 and the lower third sidewall 21c2 is designated as a branch line 36 of the wiring material 3b branch line 30. Viewed from the first direction X, the end of the upper third sidewall 21c1 on the other side Z2 of the third direction Z overlaps with the end of the lower third sidewall 21c2 on one side Z1.

[0048] A voltage detection terminal 4 is disposed on the third side Z1 of the lower third sidewall 21c2 and on the other side X2 of the upper third sidewall 21c1 in the first direction X. A branch 3b of the wiring material 3 is electrically connected to the voltage detection terminal 4. In addition, a locking part 12 is provided on the outer surface of the first sidewall 21a, i.e., the surface on the third side Z1, for locking by the locking protrusion 11 of the cover 40 described later. The locking part 12 is formed as a through hole. In addition, a beam part 22 is provided from the first sidewall 21a to the second sidewall 21b in the approximately central portion of the first direction X inside the busbar cavity 20. The cross section of the beam part 22, which is parallel to the surface including the first direction X and the second direction Y, is formed in a generally U-shape. The beam part 22 is provided with its generally U-shaped opening side facing the other side Y2 of the second direction Y. In addition, a plurality of busbar locking parts 29 are provided on the sidewall 21. Each busbar locking portion 29 is formed into a leaf spring shape by forming slits on both sides. The busbar locking portion 29 can fix the busbar 2 housed in the busbar cavity 20.

[0049] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the trunk wiring 35 of the wiring 30 in the busbar module housing 100 is located on the opposite side Z2 of the third direction Z of the second sidewall 21b of the busbar cavity 20 (here, in the state where the busbar module 1 is installed with multiple battery cells 211 (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as the "installation state"), the lower side of the second sidewall 21b in the vertical direction). The wiring 30 has a wall 31 extending outward from the sidewall 21 of the busbar cavity 20. In this embodiment, the wall 31 extends from the outer side of the second sidewall 21b, i.e., the opposite side Z2 of the third direction Z, to the other side Z2, and is formed into a generally plate-shaped structure with the plate surface facing the second direction Y. At the lower end of the wall 31 on the opposite side Z2 of the third direction Z, a bottom plate 32 is provided, which is provided in a manner that protrudes from the lower end toward the side Y1 of the second direction Y. The bottom plate 32 is provided with its plate surface facing the third direction Z. The trunk wiring 35 of the wiring 30 is formed by the outer surface of the second side wall 21b (the surface on the other side Z2 of the third direction Z), the surface on the side Y1 of the wall 31 in the second direction Y, and the upper surface of the base plate 32 (the surface on the side Z1 of the third direction Z). A trunk line 3a of wiring material 3 is laid on the trunk wiring 35. The trunk wiring 35 is formed to be relatively long in the first direction X.

[0050] like Figure 1As shown, a generally plate-shaped cover 40 is provided on the other side Z2 of the third direction Z in the trunk line 35 of the wiring line 30. The cover 40 is connected to the wiring line 30 via a hinge portion 45. The hinge portion 45 is formed as a thin plate and is flexible. The cover 40 includes a trunk line protection portion 41 covering the trunk line 35 and a branch protection portion 42 covering the branch line 36. The hinge portion 45 is connected to the trunk line protection portion 41 and the base plate 32 of the wiring line 30. A voltage detection terminal protection portion 42a is formed at the end of the branch protection portion 42, protruding to the other side X2 in the first direction X. The voltage detection terminal protection portion 42a covers the voltage detection terminal 4, mainly covering the portion of the voltage detection terminal 4 where the potted chip fuse is disposed. A locking protrusion 11 is provided in the voltage detection terminal protection portion 42a, which protrudes to the side Y1 in the second direction Y when the cover 40 is open.

[0051] like Figure 2 As shown, when the cover 40 is closed, the trunk protection section 41 covers the trunk 3a of the wiring material 3, and the branch protection section 42 covers the branch section 3b of the wiring material 3. Additionally, the voltage detection terminal protection section 42a of the branch protection section 42 covers the main part of the voltage detection terminal 4. The cover 40 is locked in the closed state by inserting the locking protrusion 11 into the locking part 12. The locking part 10 is composed of the locking protrusion 11 and the locking part 12. The locking part 10 is locked in the state where the cover 40 covers the wiring material 3 (wiring 30).

[0052] like Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 As shown, a plurality of drainage holes 25 are provided on the second sidewall 21b of the sidewall 21. Each drainage hole 25 is provided on the sidewall 21 of the battery cell 21, i.e., the second sidewall 21b, on the mounting surface 211b of the plurality of battery cells 211. That is, each drainage hole 25 is provided on the second sidewall 21b located on the lower side in the vertical direction in the mounted state. At this time, the busbar 2 is installed with its plate surface facing the second direction Y. For the plurality of drainage holes 25, in each busbar cavity 20, one drainage hole 25 is provided on one side X1 of the beam portion 22 in the first direction X of the busbar cavity 20, and one drainage hole 25 is provided on the other side X2 of the beam portion 22 in the first direction X, for a total of two drainage holes 25. That is, the drainage holes 25 are arranged corresponding to the electrodes 211n. Each drainage hole 25 is a hole that opens through the second sidewall 21b along the third direction Z, so that the inner and outer sides of the busbar cavity 20 are connected to each other. Each drain hole 25 is formed into a roughly elongated rectangle with the first direction X as its long side. Furthermore, the other side Y2 of the second direction Y of each drain hole 25 is open. Additionally, in the installed state, each drain hole 25 is positioned on the side of the wall 31 closest to the battery unit 211 (the other side Y2 of the second direction Y).

[0053] Conical guide portions 26a and 26b are provided on the inner edge 26 of the manifold cavity 20 of each drain hole 25. The conical guide portions 26a and 26b are inclined in such a way that the cross-sectional area of ​​the drain hole 25 (the cross-sectional area of ​​the drain hole 25 parallel to the plane including the first direction X and the second direction Y) is reduced from the inner side of the manifold cavity 20 to the outer side. Here, the wall 31 of the wiring 30 is provided on the long side 25a of each drain hole 25, which is approximately rectangular in shape (see in particular). Figure 4 In other words, the wall 31 is provided along the long side of the drain hole 25. Furthermore, ribs 27 are provided on the two short sides 25b of the generally elongated rectangular edge 26 of the drain hole 25, extending from the tapered guide portion 26b of the edge 26 of the short side 25b towards the outer side of the manifold cavity 20. The ribs 27 are located on the side of the wall 31 closer to the battery cell 211 (the other side Y2 of the second direction Y). The ribs 27 are formed as generally plate-shaped plates with their surface facing the first direction X. The end of the rib 27 on the second direction Y side Y1 is connected to the surface of the wall 31 on the other side Y2 (the surface on the battery cell 211 side). The inclined surface of the tapered guide portion 26a is connected to the surface of the wall 31 on the battery cell 211 side. The inclined surface of the tapered guide portion 26b is connected to the surface 27a of the rib 27 on the drain hole 25 side.

[0054] The drain hole 25 is configured to allow water droplets generated within the manifold cavity 20 due to condensation or the like to drain from the inside to the outside of the manifold cavity 20. A portion of the water droplets adhering to the surface Y1 on the second direction Y side of the manifold 2, such as... Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown by the dashed line in flow path S1, the water droplets are discharged from the inside to the outside of the manifold cavity 20 due to their own weight. Specifically, water droplets that condense and adhere to the manifold 2 fall onto the inner side surface (upper surface of the second side wall 21b) of the second side wall 21b, and fall along the surface 27a of the drain hole 25 side of the rib 27 to the outside of the manifold cavity 20. Water droplets on the surface of the manifold 2 located directly above the drain hole 25 fall directly to the outside of the manifold cavity 20 through the drain hole 25, as shown by the dashed line in flow path S2. In addition, a portion of the water droplets discharged from the drain hole 25 are discharged to the outside of the manifold cavity 20 through the tapered guide portion 26a of the rib 27 and the long side 25a, and fall along the surface of the wall 31 on the side of the battery cell 211.

[0055] As described above, the busbar module housing 100 includes a busbar cavity 20, which internally houses a busbar 2. The busbar 2 is connected to the electrodes 211n of a plurality of battery cells 211 arranged side-by-side. The busbar cavity 20 has a sidewall 21 that stands upright around the end edge 2b of the busbar 2, and a drain hole 25 is provided in the sidewall 21 to communicate between the inner and outer sides of the busbar cavity 20. Furthermore, the busbar module 1 includes the busbar 2, wiring material 3, and the busbar module housing 100. Therefore, even if condensation forms on the busbar 2 and water droplets are generated on its surface, these droplets will not accumulate on the upper surface of the second sidewall 21b and can be drained through the drain hole 25. Thus, it is possible to properly handle water droplets accumulated in the busbar cavity 20. Furthermore, the edge 26 of the drain hole 25 includes tapered guide portions 26a and 26b, which are inclined such that the cross-sectional area of ​​the drain hole 25 decreases from the inside to the outside of the manifold cavity 20. Therefore, water droplets inside the manifold cavity 20 are smoothly guided to the drain hole 25 by the inclined tapered guide portions 26a and 26b.

[0056] Furthermore, the manifold cavity 20 has ribs 27 extending from the edge 26 of the drain hole 25 to the outside of the manifold cavity 20. As a result, water droplets discharged from the drain hole 25 will not accumulate on the lower surface of the second side wall 21b, and can be appropriately discharged to the outside of the manifold cavity 20 via the ribs 27.

[0057] Furthermore, a wall 31 extending from the second sidewall 21b of the sidewall 21 toward the outer side of the manifold cavity 20 is provided with a rib 27 on the battery cell 211 side of the wall 31 and connected to the wall 31. As a result, water droplets discharged from the drain hole 25 can fall downwards along the surface of the wall 31 on the battery cell 211 side, thus preventing the water droplets from contacting the battery cell 211.

[0058] Furthermore, the drainage hole 25 is formed in a long rectangular shape, with a wall 31 provided on the long rectangular side 25a of the drainage hole 25, and a rib 27 provided on the short rectangular side 25b of the drainage hole 25. Therefore, when forming the drainage hole 25, wall 31, and rib 27 by injection molding, it is not necessary to provide holes in the wall 31, allowing for efficient injection molding. In addition, the drainage hole 25 is located closer to the battery cell 211 than the wall 31, thus reliably guiding water droplets accumulated on the upper surface of the second side wall 21b towards the surface of the wall 31 facing the battery cell 211.

[0059] Furthermore, the second sidewall 21b of the sidewall 21 with the drain hole 25 is located on the side closer to the mounting surface 211b of the plurality of battery cells 211 than the busbar 2. That is, the drain hole 25 is provided on the second sidewall 21b of the sidewall 21 forming the busbar cavity 20, which is located on the lower side in the vertical direction in the installed state. As a result, water droplets can be discharged from the drain hole 25 by their own weight.

[0060] Furthermore, the busbar module housing and busbar module of the embodiments of the present invention described above are not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

[0061] In the above description, rib 27 is provided in a manner connected to wall 31, but rib 27 can also be provided separately from wall 31. Furthermore, the drainage hole 25 is not limited to a generally rectangular shape and can adopt an appropriate form. Additionally, tapered guide portions 26a and 26b are provided over the entire area of ​​the edge 26 of the drainage hole 25, but can also be provided only for a portion of the edge 26. Furthermore, in addition to flexible printed circuit boards, flexible flat cables and wires can also be used as the wiring material 3.

[0062] The busbar module housing and busbar module of this embodiment can also be constructed by appropriately combining the constituent elements of the embodiments and modifications described above.

Claims

1. A busbar module housing, characterized in that, It has a busbar cavity that houses a busbar connected to the electrodes of a plurality of battery cells arranged side-by-side, and the busbar cavity has sidewalls that rise around the end edge of the busbar. A drain hole is provided on the side wall to connect the inner and outer sides of the manifold cavity. The edge of the drain hole includes a tapered guide portion, which is inclined in such a way that the cross-sectional area of ​​the drain hole decreases from the inside to the outside of the manifold cavity.

2. The busbar module housing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The manifold cavity has ribs that extend from the edge of the drain hole toward the outside of the manifold cavity.

3. The busbar module housing according to claim 2, characterized in that, The busbar module housing includes a wall extending from the sidewall to the outer side of the busbar cavity, wherein, The rib is disposed on the side of the battery cell in the wall and is connected to the wall.

4. The busbar module housing according to claim 3, characterized in that, The drainage hole is formed in the shape of a long rectangle. The wall is located on the long side of the long rectangle of the drain hole. The rib is disposed on the short side of the long rectangular shape of the drain hole.

5. The busbar module housing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The sidewall is located on the side of the mounting surface of the multiple battery cells, which is closer to the busbar.

6. A busbar module, characterized in that, include: A busbar connected to the electrodes of a plurality of battery cells arranged side by side; Wiring material, the wiring material being electrically connected to the busbar; as well as A busbar module housing has a busbar cavity that houses the busbar. The busbar cavity has a sidewall that rises around the end edge of the busbar. A drain hole is provided on the sidewall that connects the inner and outer sides of the busbar cavity. The edge of the drain hole includes a tapered guide portion that is inclined such that the cross-sectional area of ​​the drain hole decreases from the inner side of the busbar cavity toward the outer side.

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