Fuse unit and conductive module

Abstract

Provided is a fuse unit and a conductive module that improve the workability of assembly work. A fuse unit (20) includes a chip fuse (30), a first terminal fitting (40) that has a first electrical connection portion (41) electrically connected to a first electrode (31) of the chip fuse (30) and is electrically connected to a connection conductor (10) (first electrical connection object), and a second terminal fitting (50) that has a second electrical connection portion (51) electrically connected to a second electrode (32) of the chip fuse (30) and is electrically connected to a battery monitoring unit (100) (second electrical connection object). A pair of recesses (90) that are recessed in a direction away from each other from end faces of the first electrical connection portion (41) and the second electrical connection portion (51) in a direction of arrangement (X) of the first terminal fitting (40) and the second terminal fitting (50) are provided in the first electrical connection portion (41) and the second electrical connection portion (51) for fitting of the chip fuse (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to fuse units and conductive modules. Background Technology

[0002] In a battery module composed of multiple battery cells, a conductive module uses multiple connecting conductors to electrically connect the multiple battery cells. Furthermore, this conductive module uses wiring materials such as wires to electrically connect each connecting conductor to a battery monitoring unit that monitors the battery status of the battery cells. For example, such a conductive module is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. In such a conductive module, a combination of a connecting conductor and a conductor portion of wiring material is provided for each connecting conductor, and sometimes a circuit protection component such as a fuse exists between the connecting conductor and the conductor portion of the wiring material in each combination. For example, Patent Document 2 below discloses a fuse unit (a fuse unit composed of a chip fuse, a pair of terminal fittings, and a resin component) suitable for this conductive module.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-119651

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 7561318 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] However, in the aforementioned conventional fuse units, there is room for further improvement in the workability of assembling components such as the chip fuse and a pair of terminal fittings.

[0009] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a fuse unit and conductive module that can improve the workability of assembly operations.

[0010] Technical means for solving problems

[0011] To achieve the above objectives, the fuse unit according to the present invention comprises: a blade fuse that melts its fusible portion when an overcurrent flows between a first electrically connected object and a second electrically connected object; a first terminal fitting having a first electrical connection portion electrically connected to a first electrode of the blade fuse and electrically connected to the first electrically connected object; and a second terminal fitting having a second electrical connection portion electrically connected to a second electrode of the blade fuse and electrically connected to the second electrically connected object, wherein a pair of recesses are provided in the first electrical connection portion and the second electrical connection portion, the pair of recesses being recessed from the respective end faces of the first electrical connection portion and the second electrical connection portion along the arrangement direction of the first terminal fitting and the second terminal fitting toward a direction of separation from each other, for the blade fuse to engage.

[0012] Invention Effects

[0013] The fuse unit and conductive module of the present invention can improve the workability of assembly operations. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is an exemplary perspective view of a conductive module that utilizes the fuse unit described in the embodiments.

[0015] Figure 2 This is an exemplary perspective view of the battery module and connecting conductors involved in the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3 This is an exemplary perspective view of the fuse unit involved in the embodiment.

[0017] Figure 4 This is an exemplary exploded perspective view of the fuse unit involved in the embodiment.

[0018] Figure 5 This is an exemplary exploded perspective view of the fuse unit involved in the embodiment, from the perspective of... Figure 4 Images viewed from different angles.

[0019] Figure 6 This is an exemplary perspective view of the vicinity of the recess in the fuse unit involved in the first modified example.

[0020] Figure 7 This is an exemplary perspective view of a chip fuse of the fuse unit involved in the first variation.

[0021] Figure 8 This is an exemplary side view of the fuse unit involved in the second variation.

[0022] Figure 9This is an exemplary side view of the fuse unit involved in the third variation.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0024] 1. Conductive module

[0025] 10 Connecting conductor (first electrical connection object)

[0026] 20, 20A~20C Fuse Units

[0027] 30-blade fuse

[0028] 31 First Electrode

[0029] 32 Second electrode

[0030] 40 First terminal accessories

[0031] 41 First Electrical Connection

[0032] 50 Second terminal accessories

[0033] 51 Second Electrical Connection Part

[0034] 70 Resin Components

[0035] 90 recess

[0036] 90a bottom

[0037] 100 Battery Monitoring Unit (Second Electrical Connection Object)

[0038] BM battery module

[0039] BC battery cell

[0040] BCb electrode terminals

[0041] X Alignment Direction

[0042] Y-axis width direction

[0043] Z-axis height direction Detailed Implementation

[0044] Hereinafter, embodiments and modifications of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described below. Additionally, the constituent elements in the embodiments and modifications described below include elements that can be easily substituted by those skilled in the art, or elements that are substantially the same.

[0045] Furthermore, the same constituent elements are included in the embodiments and variations disclosed below. Therefore, these same constituent elements will be given common reference numerals below, and repeated descriptions will be omitted. In addition, in this specification, ordinal numbers are used only to distinguish elements, parts, locations, positions, directions, etc., and do not indicate order or priority.

[0046] [Example]

[0047] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the conductive module 1 that uses the fuse unit 20 described in the embodiment. Figure 1 The conductive module 1 shown in this embodiment is, for example, assembled into a module consisting of multiple battery cells BC (see reference). Figure 2 A battery module BM, arranged in a grid, is electrically connected to multiple individual battery cells BC within the battery module BM. Furthermore, a conductive module 1 connects the battery module BM to a battery monitoring unit 100, enabling the battery monitoring unit 100 to monitor the battery state of each individual battery cell BC. The conductive module 1 and the battery module BM together constitute a battery pack. This battery pack is used, for example, in vehicles equipped with a rotating mechanism as a drive source (BEV: Battery Electric Vehicle, HEV: Hybrid Electric Vehicle, etc.) to supply power to the rotating mechanism. Furthermore, in... Figure 1 For convenience, the illustration of the main body of the battery monitoring unit 100 is omitted, and only the wiring material 60 of the battery monitoring unit 100 is shown.

[0048] Furthermore, in the following description, the first direction among the intersecting first, second, and third directions will be referred to as the "arrangement direction X", the second direction as the "width direction Y", and the third direction as the "height direction Z". Here, the arrangement direction X, width direction Y, and height direction Z are approximately orthogonal to each other. The arrangement direction X typically corresponds to the short side direction of the conductive module 1, the long side direction of the fuse unit 20, and the first terminal fitting 40 of the fuse unit 20 (described later). Figure 3 The orientation of the second terminal fitting 50, etc. The width direction Y typically corresponds to the long side direction of the conductive module 1, the width direction of the fuse unit 20, etc. The height direction Z typically corresponds to the height direction (vertical direction) of the conductive module 1 and the fuse unit 20, etc. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, all directions used in the following description are described as those with the fuse unit 20 assembled in the conductive module 1.

[0049] Figure 2This is a perspective view of the battery module BM and the connecting conductor 10. A single battery cell BC, for example, includes a cell body BCa and positive and negative electrode terminals BCb. In the battery module BM, multiple battery cells BC are arranged in a row along the arrangement direction (width direction Y). The battery module BM includes an electrode terminal group BCc formed by arranging one electrode terminal BCb of the multiple battery cells BC along the arrangement direction, and another electrode terminal group BCc formed by arranging the other electrode terminals BCb of the multiple battery cells BC along the arrangement direction.

[0050] A single battery cell BC is formed, for example, into a cuboid shape with a cell body BCa having six outer wall faces. Furthermore, in a plurality of battery cells BC, adjacent cell bodies BCa in the arrangement direction are arranged such that one outer wall face is opposite to the other. For example, in a single battery cell BC, positive and negative electrode terminals BCb are respectively disposed on one or two of the six outer wall faces of the cell body BCa. In this example, each battery cell BC has positive and negative electrode terminals BCb disposed on one of the six outer wall faces of the cell body BCa. Therefore, in the battery module BM, two electrode terminal groups BCc are disposed on a single plane.

[0051] The electrode terminal BCb is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape, and is directly electrically connected to the connecting conductor 10 (described later) by means of laser welding or the like. However, the electrode terminal BCb can also be formed in the shape of a post with an external thread. In this case, the connecting conductor 10 is threadedly fixed to the electrode terminal BCb by screwing an internal threaded component into the external thread of the electrode terminal BCb.

[0052] The conductive module 1, for example, includes a connecting conductor 10 that is directly electrically connected to the electrode terminals BCb of the battery cell BC constituting the battery module BM. The connecting conductor 10 is formed of a conductive material such as metal. The connecting conductor 10 is a plate-shaped conductive component made of metal, referred to as a busbar, and is formed by stamping, for example, using a metal plate as the base material. The connecting conductor 10 shown here is formed into a rectangular plate shape.

[0053] In the conductive module 1, the connecting conductor 10 is configured, for example, to include: a connecting conductor that is directly electrically connected to the adjacent electrode terminals BCb of a pair of battery cells BC in the battery module BM; a connecting conductor that is directly electrically connected to the electrode terminal BCb of the battery module BM that serves as the overall negative electrode; and a connecting conductor that is directly electrically connected to the electrode terminal BCb of the battery module BM that serves as the overall positive electrode.

[0054] Additionally, the conductive module 1 includes a connecting conductor 10 and a fuse unit 20. The fuse unit 20 is connected between the connecting conductor 10 and the battery monitoring unit 100. The fuse unit 20, for example, indirectly electrically connects the connecting conductor 10 and the battery monitoring unit 100, and cuts off the power supply when an overcurrent flows between the connecting conductor 10 and the battery monitoring unit 100. For each connecting conductor 10 (see reference...), Figure 1 All are equipped with fuse units 20.

[0055] Figure 3 This is a 3D view of fuse unit 20. Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of fuse unit 20. Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view of fuse unit 20, from the perspective of... Figure 4 Images viewed from different angles. For example... Figures 3-5 As shown, the fuse unit 20 includes, for example, a blade fuse 30, a first terminal fitting 40, a second terminal fitting 50, and a resin component 70. The blade fuse 30 is a circuit protection component that melts the fusible part when an overcurrent flows between the aforementioned connecting conductor 10 and the battery monitoring unit 100. The blade fuse 30 is configured, for example, to include a first electrode 31, a second electrode 32, and a fusible part disposed between the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32. The first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 are separately disposed at one end and the other end of the blade fuse 30 in the arrangement direction X and are arranged in a straight line.

[0056] The chip fuse 30 can be configured as a surface-mountable chip component with a fusible portion, or as a patterned fuse with a wiring pattern having a fusible portion on a printed circuit board (e.g., a flexible printed circuit board). The chip fuse 30 shown here is configured as a cuboid-shaped chip component. A first electrode 31 is disposed at one end of the chip fuse 30 in the arrangement direction X, and a second electrode 32 is disposed at the other end of the chip fuse 30 in the arrangement direction X.

[0057] The first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50 are directly electrically connected to the chip fuse 30. The first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50 are formed of conductive materials such as metal. Here, the first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50 are, for example, plate-shaped, formed by stamping from a metal plate.

[0058] The first terminal fitting 40, for example, has a first electrical connection portion 41 that is directly electrically connected to the first electrode 31 of the chip fuse 30. With the first electrode 31 fitted into the recess 90 (described later), the first electrode 31 is directly electrically connected to the first electrical connection portion 41 by laser welding, brazing, or the like. The first electrical connection portion 41 is, for example, formed as a narrow, flat plate-shaped portion with a transverse width along the width direction Y that is narrower than the conductor connection portion 42, and the first electrode 31 is connected to this narrow portion.

[0059] The conductor connection portion 42 is electrically connected to the connecting conductor 10, for example, directly or indirectly. The conductor connection portion 42 is located at the end opposite to the first electrical connection portion 41 in the arrangement direction X. The conductor connection portion 42 is formed in a flat plate shape and is directly electrically connected to the connecting conductor 10 by laser welding or ultrasonic bonding, etc., with the planes of the conductors 10 overlapping relative to each other. The conductor connection portion 42 shown here is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape. The connecting conductor 10 is an example of a first electrical connection object connected to the first terminal fitting 40. The first terminal fitting 40 is, for example, formed as a flat plate with the first electrical connection portion 41 and the conductor connection portion 42 adjacent to each other along the arrangement direction X.

[0060] The second terminal accessory 50, for example, has a second electrical connection portion 51 that is directly electrically connected to the second electrode 32 of the chip fuse 30. With the second electrode 32 fitted into the recess 90 (described later), the second electrode 32 is directly electrically connected to the second electrical connection portion 51 by laser welding, brazing, or the like. The second electrical connection portion 51 is, for example, formed in a convex flat plate shape, and the second electrode 32 is connected to the narrow portion of this convex shape.

[0061] Furthermore, the second terminal accessory 50 has a connection portion 52 that is directly electrically connected to the wiring material 60 of the battery monitoring unit 100. The connection portion 52 is located at an end opposite to the second electrical connection portion 51 in the arrangement direction X. The battery monitoring unit 100 has a wiring material 60 between the second terminal accessory 50 and the unit body, and the second terminal accessory 50 is indirectly electrically connected to the unit body of the battery monitoring unit 100 via the wiring material 60.

[0062] The wiring material 60, for example, has a conductor portion 61, one end of which is directly electrically connected to the second terminal fitting 50, and the other end is directly or indirectly electrically connected to the battery monitoring unit 100. The conductor portion 61 of the wiring material 60 is covered by an electrically insulating sheath 62. The wiring material 60 shown here refers to a linear conductor having a conductor portion 61 formed in a linear shape. Specifically, the wiring material 60 is an electrical wire in which the core wire of the conductor portion 61 is covered by an electrically insulating sheath 62, and the joint portion 52 is joined to one end of the conductor portion 61 at the end of the wiring material 60.

[0063] The joining portion 52, for example, engages with the conductor portion 61 exposed from the insulation sheath 62 at one end of the wiring material 60. In this case, the joining portion 52 is configured, for example, as a crimping portion that clamps and fixes one end of the conductor portion 61. Furthermore, the joining portion 52 is not limited to this example, and for example, the joining portion 52 can be joined to the conductor portion 61 of the wiring component 60 by laser welding, ultrasonic bonding, crimping, welding, etc. Additionally, for example, regarding the wiring material 60, wiring material with its end covered by the insulation sheath 62 to one end of the conductor portion 61 can also be used. In this case, as the joining portion 52, it can also be configured as a pair of crimping blades that cut into the insulation sheath 62 at the end of the wiring material 60 to clamp one end of the conductor portion 61 (the core wire at the end of the wire).

[0064] In this embodiment, the battery monitoring unit 100 is an example of a second electrical connection object connected to the second terminal accessory 50. The second terminal accessory 50 and the first terminal accessory 40 are arranged in a straight line with a gap between them along the arrangement direction X. In addition, the second terminal accessory 50, for example, has a second electrical connection portion 51 and a connecting portion 52 adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction X. The connecting portion 52 leads the wiring material 60 toward the other end side of the arrangement direction X.

[0065] Furthermore, the wiring material 60 may be a flat wiring material such as a flexible printed circuit board in which the conductor portion 61 is formed into a wiring pattern. In this case, the wiring material 60 has a conductor portion 61 corresponding to each of the second terminal fittings 50 in the plurality of fuse units 20, and one end of the conductor portion 61 is provided at the end of a branch portion that branches from the main body of the wiring material 60 to each second terminal fitting 50. This end of the conductor portion 61 is directly electrically connected to the joint portion 52, for example, by laser welding or brazing.

[0066] Here, in the fuse unit 20, the first electrical connection portion 41 of the first terminal fitting 40 and the second electrical connection portion 51 of the second terminal fitting 50 are arranged on the same plane at a predetermined interval along the arrangement direction X. This predetermined interval refers to the interval between the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 in the chip fuse 30 (in other words, the electrode spacing). Therefore, the first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50 are arranged such that the interval between the first electrical connection portion 41 and the second electrical connection portion 51 matches the electrode spacing between the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32. Furthermore, the chip fuse 30 is provided across the first electrical connection portion 41 and the second electrical connection portion 51.

[0067] The resin component 70 protects the blade fuse 30, for example, by covering its surroundings. The resin component 70 is made of an electrically insulating resin material, for example, and houses the first electrical connection portion 41, the second electrical connection portion 51, and the blade fuse 30. Specifically, the resin component 70 is provided with a housing chamber 70a that houses the first electrical connection portion 41, the second electrical connection portion 51, and the blade fuse 30.

[0068] The resin component 70, for example, has multiple receiving components that are assembled and fixed together to form a receiving chamber 70a on the inside. Specifically, the resin component 70 has a first receiving component 70A and a second receiving component 70B as multiple receiving components, which sandwich the first electrical connection portion 41, the second electrical connection portion 51, and the chip fuse 30 between each other and are housed in the receiving chamber 70a. The first receiving component 70A and the second receiving component 70B are formed, for example, from an electrically insulating material such as synthetic resin. The first receiving component 70A and the second receiving component 70B are formed as separate components from the first electrical connection portion 41, the second electrical connection portion 51, and the chip fuse 30, and surround and house the first electrical connection portion 41, the second electrical connection portion 51, and the chip fuse 30 in the receiving chamber 70a.

[0069] The first receiving member 70A is configured, for example, to include a mounting surface 71, on which a first electrical connection portion 41 and a second electrical connection portion 51 are mounted. A chip fuse 30 is connected to the first electrical connection portion 41 and the second electrical connection portion 51 mounted on the mounting surface 71. Here, the first receiving member 70A is, for example, formed as a base member that mounts the first electrical connection portion 41 and the second electrical connection portion 51 on the mounting surface 71. The first receiving member 70A shown here is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape.

[0070] The second receiving member 70B is, for example, formed as a cover member that covers the first electrical connection 41, the second electrical connection 51, and the chip fuse 30 in the assembled position relative to the first receiving member 70A, which serves as a base member. The second receiving member 70B has a cover portion 72, which is disposed opposite to the mounting surface 71 of the first receiving member 70A in the assembled position and places the first electrical connection 41, the second electrical connection 51, and the chip fuse 30 in the middle. The cover portion 72 shown here is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape and is disposed parallel to the mounting surface 71 of the first receiving member 70A in the assembled position.

[0071] Furthermore, the second receiving member 70B has a pair of first sidewall portions 73, which are vertically arranged from the cover portion 72 along the height direction Z and spaced apart from each other along the arrangement direction X. The first sidewall portions 73 shown here are formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, and in the assembled position, the edge of one end abuts against the mounting surface 71 of the first receiving member 70A. However, a first cut 73a is formed at the edge of the end of one first sidewall portion 73, which allows the conductor connection portion 42 of the first electrical connection portion 41 to extend outside the receiving chamber 70a. And a second cut 73b is formed at the edge of the end of the other first sidewall portion 73, which allows the engagement portion 52 of the second electrical connection portion 51 to extend outside the receiving chamber 70a.

[0072] Furthermore, the second receiving member 70B has a pair of second sidewall portions 74, which are vertically disposed from the cover portion 72 along the height direction Z and are spaced apart from each other along the width direction Y. The second sidewall portions 74 shown here are formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, and in the assembled position, their ends abut against the mounting surface 71 of the first receiving member 70A. The second receiving member 70B has an internal space surrounded by the cover portion 72, the pair of first sidewall portions 73, and the pair of second sidewall portions 74. In the resin member 70, when the first receiving member 70A and the second receiving member 70B are in the assembled position, the opening of the internal space of the second receiving member 70B is blocked by the first receiving member 70A, forming a receiving chamber 70a.

[0073] Furthermore, the resin component 70, for example, at the assembled position, fixes the edges of the ends of the pair of first sidewall portions 73 and the edges of the ends of the pair of second sidewall portions 74 to the mounting surface 71 of the first receiving component 70A by means of heat fusion or the like. Additionally, the first receiving component 70A and the second receiving component 70B are preferably formed and fixed in a shape that eliminates gaps between them at the assembled position, thereby making the receiving chamber 70a a sealed space at the assembled position. Thus, the fuse unit 20 can suppress the intrusion of liquids, dust, etc., into the receiving chamber 70a, thereby suppressing quality degradation and reduced durability associated with such intrusion.

[0074] Here, a first positioning structure 75A is provided between the mounting surface 71 of the first receiving member 70A and the first electrical connection portion 41, which is responsible for positioning the first electrical connection portion 41 relative to the mounting surface 71. Additionally, a second positioning structure 75B is provided between the mounting surface 71 of the first receiving member 70A and the second electrical connection portion 51, which is responsible for positioning the second electrical connection portion 51 relative to the mounting surface 71. The first positioning structure 75A and the second positioning structure 75B position the first electrical connection portion 41 and the second electrical connection portion 51 by aligning the interval between them with the inter-electrode spacing between the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32.

[0075] The first positioning structure 75A is, for example, composed of a first protrusion 71a and a first opening 41b. The first protrusion 71a is provided on the first receiving member 70A of the resin member 70. The first protrusion 71a protrudes from the mounting surface 71 of the first receiving member 70A along the height direction Z. The first opening 41b is provided on the first electrical connection portion 41 of the first terminal fitting 40 and is configured to fit with the first protrusion 71a. In the first positioning structure 75A shown here, the first protrusion 71a is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the first opening 41b is formed in a circular through hole. However, in the first positioning structure 75A, in order to suppress the rotation of the first terminal fitting 40 about the axis of the first protrusion 71a, for example, the first protrusion 71a may be formed in a prism shape, and the first opening 41b may be formed in a rectangular through hole.

[0076] The second positioning structure 75B is, for example, composed of a second protrusion 71b and a second opening 51b. The second protrusion 71b is provided on the first receiving member 70A of the resin member 70. The second protrusion 71b protrudes from the mounting surface 71 of the first receiving member 70A along the height direction Z. The second opening 51b is provided on the second electrical connection portion 51 of the second terminal fitting 50 and is configured to fit with the second protrusion 71b. In the second positioning structure 75B shown here, the second protrusion 71b is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the second opening 51b is formed in a circular through hole. However, in the second positioning structure 75B, in order to suppress the rotation of the second terminal fitting 50 about the axis of the second protrusion 71b, the second protrusion 71b may be formed in a prism shape, and the second opening 51b may be formed in a rectangular through hole.

[0077] The first receiving member 70A is a plate extending in the arrangement direction X, and its forming range includes a region from a first forming position where a first opening 41b is formed on the first terminal accessory 40 to a second forming position where a second opening 51b is formed on the second terminal accessory 50. In the first receiving member 70A, a first protrusion 71a is provided at one end in the arrangement direction X, and a second protrusion 71b is provided at the other end in the arrangement direction X. The first receiving member 70A retains the first terminal accessory 40 and the second terminal accessory 50 and maintains the spacing between the first terminal accessory 40 and the second terminal accessory 50 by fitting the first protrusion 71a into the first opening 41b and the second protrusion 71b into the second opening 51b.

[0078] Here, in this embodiment, a pair of recesses 90 are provided in the first electrical connection portion 41 and the second electrical connection portion 51 (see reference). Figure 4 , Figure 5 The pair of recesses 90 are recessed from the end faces of the first electrical connection portion 41 and the second electrical connection portion 51 along the arrangement direction X toward a direction of separation, for the chip fuse 30 to be fitted. The pair of recesses 90 penetrate the first electrical connection portion 41 and the second electrical connection portion 51 along the height direction Z, and open along the arrangement direction X toward the side that is close to each other. The pair of recesses 90 are provided, for example, at the center of the width direction Y of the first electrical connection portion 41 and the second electrical connection portion 51, and the depth in the arrangement direction X is configured to be approximately the same as the thickness (length) in the arrangement direction X of the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32.

[0079] In this embodiment, for example, compared to the case where the blade fuse 30 is mounted on the first electrical connection portion 41 and the second electrical connection portion 51, by fitting at least a portion of the blade fuse 30 into a pair of recesses 90, the thickness of the blade fuse 30 in the height direction Z of the first electrical connection portion 41 and the second electrical connection portion 51 is reduced. This allows for a more compact overall configuration of the fuse unit 20, including the blade fuse 30, the first terminal fitting 40, the second terminal fitting 50, and the resin component 70, along the height direction Z. Furthermore, by fitting the blade fuse 30 into the pair of recesses 90, relative movement of the blade fuse 30 relative to the first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50 along the arrangement direction X and along the width direction Y can be restricted, thus improving the workability of the assembly operation.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the thickness of the first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50 in the height direction Z is illustrated as being smaller than the height of the slice fuse 30. However, this is not a limitation; for example, the thickness of the first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50 in the height direction Z can also be configured to be approximately the same as the height of the slice fuse 30. In this embodiment, since the slice fuse 30 is fitted into a pair of recesses 90, even if the thickness of the first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50 in the height direction Z is configured to be approximately the same as the height of the slice fuse 30, it is possible to prevent the overall size of the fuse unit 20 along the height direction Z from increasing.

[0081] In the fuse unit 20 of this embodiment having the above-described structure, for example, the first electrical connection portion 41, the second electrical connection portion 51, and the chip fuse 30 are disposed on the mounting surface 71 of the first receiving member 70A. In the fuse unit 20, for example, with the chip fuse 30 fitted into a pair of recesses 90 and the first electrical connection portion 41, the second electrical connection portion 51, and the chip fuse 30 integrated, the first opening portion 41b of the first positioning structure 75A is inserted into the first protrusion 71a, and the second opening portion 51b of the second positioning structure 75B is inserted into the second protrusion 71b. Furthermore, the fuse unit 20 is not limited to this example; for example, the chip fuse 30 may be inserted into a pair of recesses 90 relative to the first electrical connection portion 41 and the second electrical connection portion 51, which are positioned relative to the mounting surface 71 of the first receiving member 70A by the first positioning structure 75A and the second positioning structure 75B. And, along the bottom 90a of the pair of recesses 90 (refer to...) Figure 6 The first electrode 31 and the first electrical connection portion 41 are joined by brazing or laser welding, and the second electrode 32 and the second electrical connection portion 51 are joined by brazing or laser welding, etc.

[0082] In this embodiment, the first receiving member 70A serves as a base member in the fuse unit 20, and there is no wall covering the area surrounding the first electrical connection portion 41, the second electrical connection portion 51, and the chip fuse 30 provided on the mounting surface 71. Therefore, in the fuse unit 20, a laser irradiator, soldering iron, or similar device can be brought close to the first electrode 31, the first electrical connection portion 41, the second electrode 32, and the second electrical connection portion 51 from multiple directions. This allows for laser irradiation between the first electrode 31 and the first electrical connection portion 41, and between the second electrode 32 and the second electrical connection portion 51, from all directions, or for soldering these parts together using a soldering iron from all directions. Therefore, the fuse unit 20 increases the manufacturing flexibility when directly electrically connecting the first electrical connection portion 41, the second electrical connection portion 51, and the chip fuse 30.

[0083] Next, in the fuse unit 20 of this embodiment, the second housing member 70B covers the first electrical connection portion 41, the second electrical connection portion 51, and the chip fuse 30, and the first housing member 70A and the second housing member 70B are fixed in the assembled position by heat sealing or the like. Thus, the chip fuse 30, the first terminal accessory 40, the second terminal accessory 50, the resin component 70, etc., can be assembled to manufacture the fuse unit 20.

[0084] In addition, Figure 1 In this embodiment, the conductive module 1 includes an electrically insulating module resin section 80 that houses the connecting conductor 10 and the fuse unit 20. The module resin section 80 is provided with a conductor housing chamber 80a for housing the connecting conductor 10 and a unit housing chamber 80b for housing the fuse unit 20. For example, the module resin section 80 has a conductor housing chamber 80a corresponding to each connecting conductor 10 connected to each electrode terminal BCb of the electrode terminal group BCc. On the other hand, the module resin section 80 has a unit housing chamber 80b that centrally houses the fuse unit 20 corresponding to each of the aforementioned connecting conductors 10.

[0085] In the unit housing 80b, the wiring material 60 of each fuse unit 20 is wound around to the unit body side of the battery monitoring unit 100. The other end of each wiring material 60, after being wound around to the unit body side of the battery monitoring unit 100, is connected to a connector 65. Furthermore, each wiring material 60 is indirectly electrically connected to the unit body of the battery monitoring unit 100 via the connector 65.

[0086] The modular resin section 80 includes a first module housing member 80A and a second module housing member (not shown), which are assembled and fixed together to form a plurality of conductor housing chambers 80a and unit housing chambers 80b inside. Both the first module housing member 80A and the second module housing member are formed of an electrically insulating material such as synthetic resin. A space is provided in the first module housing member 80A for forming the plurality of conductor housing chambers 80a and unit housing chambers 80b. Furthermore, the second module housing member is formed as a cover member that covers the openings of each space.

[0087] As described above, in the fuse unit 20 and conductive module 1 of this embodiment, a pair of recesses 90 are provided in the first electrical connection portion 41 and the second electrical connection portion 51. These recesses 90 are recessed from the respective end faces of the first and second electrical connection portions 41 and 51 along the arrangement direction X toward a direction of separation, for the chip fuse 30 to be fitted into. According to this structure, by fitting the chip fuse 30 into the pair of recesses 90, the relative movement of the chip fuse 30 relative to the first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50 along the arrangement direction X, and along the width direction Y, can be restricted. As a result, the workability of the fuse unit 20 and conductive module 1 during assembly is improved. Furthermore, for example, compared to the case where the chip fuse 30 is mounted on the first electrical connection portion 41 and the second electrical connection portion 51, the fuse unit 20 can be constructed more compactly along the height direction Z.

[0088] Furthermore, the fuse unit 20 of this embodiment includes an insulating resin component 70 that covers the blade fuse 30 disposed across the first electrical connection portion 41 and the second electrical connection portion 51. With this structure, the fuse unit 20 can, for example, protect the blade fuse 30 through the resin component 70, thereby suppressing the degradation of the performance of the blade fuse 30.

[0089] [First Variation]

[0090] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the vicinity of a pair of recesses 90 in the fuse unit 20A involved in the first modified example. Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional view of the sheet fuse 30 of fuse unit 20A. Figure 6 , Figure 7 The fuse unit 20A shown has the same structure as the fuse unit 20 of the above embodiment. Therefore, the fuse unit 20A can achieve the same function and effect as the above embodiment based on the same structure.

[0091] However, in this variant example, as Figure 6 , Figure 7 As shown, the inclusion of a resilient member 95 in the chip fuse 30 differs from the embodiments described above. The resilient member 95 is, for example, a conductive helical spring configured to extend and retract (deform) along the arrangement direction X. Furthermore, in Figure 6For convenience, the illustration of the elastic member 95 is omitted. In this modified example, the elastic member 95 is provided on the end face of the second electrode 32 in the arrangement direction X of the chip fuse 30, and protrudes from the end face along the arrangement direction X. The elastic member 95 is joined to the end face of the second electrode 32, for example, by laser welding or brazing, forming part of the second electrode 32. At least a portion of the end portion of the elastic member 95 engages with the bottom 90a of the recess 90. Alternatively, a protrusion may be provided in the second electrical connection portion 51 (the bottom 90a of the recess 90), which protrudes along the height direction Z and is opposite to the end portion of the elastic member 95 along the arrangement direction X. In this modified example, because the chip fuse 30 is provided with the elastic member 95, the chip fuse 30 can be subsequently fitted into a pair of recesses 90 more easily, smoothly, or with higher precision, for example, relative to the first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50 in the assembled state to the resin component 70 or other assembled components.

[0092] Furthermore, in this modified example, the resin component 70 covering the sheet fuse 30 is not provided (see reference). Figure 3 This also differs from the embodiments described above. For example, the chip fuse 30 is mounted on the conductive module 1 within the fuse unit 20 (see...). Figure 1 In this state, it is protected by the second module receiving member (cover) of the aforementioned module resin section 80. Furthermore, in this modified example, an elastic member 95 is provided on the second electrode 32 of the sheet fuse 30, but this is not a limitation; for example, a pair of elastic members 95 may be provided on both the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 of the sheet fuse 30. Additionally, in this modified example, the elastic member 95 is constructed from a conductive helical spring, but this is not a limitation; for example, it may be constructed from conductive rubber or the like.

[0093] As described above, in the fuse unit 20A of this modified example, at least one of the pair of recesses 90 is provided with an elastic member 95, which is located between the bottom 90a of the elastic member 95 and the blade fuse 30, and has conductivity that allows it to expand and contract along the arrangement direction X. According to this structure, the fuse unit 20A can, for example, ensure a proper electrical connection state of the blade fuse 30 with respect to the first electrical connection portion 41 and the second electrical connection portion 51 by means of the elastic member 95, and can absorb the tolerance along the arrangement direction X between the first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50 (between the pair of recesses 90).

[0094] [Second variation]

[0095] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the fuse unit 20B involved in the second variation. Figure 8The fuse unit 20B shown has the same configuration as the fuse unit 20 of the above embodiment. Therefore, the fuse unit 20B can achieve the same function and effect as the above embodiment based on the same configuration.

[0096] However, in this variant example, as Figure 8 As shown, the resin component 70 differs from the previous embodiment in that it has an electrically insulating covering resin portion 76 inside, which encloses the chip fuse 30, the first electrical connection portion 41, and the second electrical connection portion 51. The covering resin portion 76, for example, suppresses energization between the first electrical connection portion 41 and the second electrical connection portion 51 by enclosing the chip fuse 30, the first electrical connection portion 41, and the second electrical connection portion 51. The covering resin portion 76, for example, can suppress short circuits in the receiving chamber 70a caused by condensation, even if condensation occurs in the receiving chamber 70a of the resin component 70. Furthermore, the covering resin portion 76 functions, for example, as a fixing component that secures the first electrical connection portion 41, the second electrical connection portion 51, and the chip fuse 30 relative to the first receiving member 70A and the second receiving member 70B within the receiving chamber 70a.

[0097] The resin covering 76 is, for example, a cured material that fills the receiving chamber 70a and encloses the chip fuse 30, the first electrical connection 41, and the second electrical connection 51. In this case, for example, a supply hole (not shown) for supplying liquid resin material to the inside (receiving chamber 70a) of the first receiving member 70A and the second receiving member 70B in the assembled position is provided in either the first receiving member 70A or the second receiving member 70B. Here, if there is no gap between the first receiving member 70A and the second receiving member 70B in the assembled position, that is, if the airtightness of the receiving chamber 70a is high, then either the first receiving member 70A or the second receiving member 70B is provided with an exhaust hole (not shown) for releasing gas in the receiving chamber 70A to the outside during the supply of liquid resin material.

[0098] Then, liquid resin material is supplied and filled into the inner side (reception chamber 70a) of the first receiving member 70A and the second receiving member 70B at the assembled position through the supply hole, and the resin material is cured to form a resin-covered portion 76. At this time, a portion of the resin material is supplied to a pair of slits 93, which are filled with resin material. Furthermore, in cases where there is a gap between the first receiving member 70A and the second receiving member 70B at the assembled position (the airtightness of the reception chamber 70a is low), or where it is necessary to provide the supply hole or vent hole, for example, at the other end side (lower side) in the height direction Z, or where there is concern that the liquid resin material may flow out of the reception chamber 70a, it is preferable to use a liquid resin material with a viscosity that allows it to remain in the reception chamber 70a until curing to form the resin-covered portion 76.

[0099] Figure 9 This is a side view of the fuse unit 20C involved in the third variation. Figure 9 The fuse unit 20C shown has the same structure as the fuse unit 20 of the above embodiment. Therefore, the fuse unit 20C can achieve the same function and effect as the above embodiment based on the same structure.

[0100] However, in this variant example, as Figure 9 As shown, the resin component 70 differs from the above embodiment in that it is only composed of a covering resin portion 76. That is, in this modified example, the resin component 70 does not have a housing-shaped first receiving component 70A and a second receiving component 70B, and the covering resin portion 76 covers the area around the chip fuse 30, the first electrical connection portion 41, and the second electrical connection portion 51.

[0101] The covering resin portion 76 is, for example, a cured liquid resin material (so-called potting material) supplied by dripping or other means, encapsulating the chip fuse 30, the first electrical connection portion 41, and the second electrical connection portion 51. In this case, firstly, the liquid potting material is supplied to the chip fuse 30, the first electrical connection portion 41, and the second electrical connection portion 51. Then, depending on the properties of the potting material, the potting material is irradiated with ultraviolet light or heated to form the covering resin portion 76, which is formed by curing the potting material. Since the covering resin portion 76 undergoes such a manufacturing process, in order to prevent the liquid potting material from flowing out of the first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50 before curing, it is preferable to use a liquid potting material with a viscosity that allows it to remain on the first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50 until curing.

[0102] In the case of UV-curable potting materials, it is necessary to bring the UV irradiator close to the liquid potting material. In this modified example, the first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50 become base components, and there are no walls or other parts that cover the periphery of the supplied liquid potting material. Therefore, in the fuse unit 20C, the UV irradiator can be brought close to the liquid potting material from multiple directions on the first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50, and UV light can be irradiated onto the liquid potting material from all directions. Therefore, the fuse unit 20C can increase the manufacturing freedom when forming the resin-covered portion 76.

[0103] It should be noted that in the above embodiments and variations, the examples illustrate the case where the resin component 70 and the first electrical connection portion 41 and the second electrical connection portion 51 are provided with the first positioning structure 75A and the second positioning structure 75B, but this is not a limitation. For example, the first positioning structure 75A and the second positioning structure 75B may not be provided. Furthermore, for example, the resin covering portion 76 covering the chip fuse 30 can be formed by resin molding. Specifically, an assembly in which the first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50 are assembled on the first receiving component 70A and the chip fuse 30 is connected between the first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50 can be used as an insert and molded to form the resin covering portion 76. Alternatively, an assembly in which the chip fuse 30 is connected between the first terminal fitting 40 and the second terminal fitting 50 can be used as an insert and molded to form the portion covering the resin covering portion 76 and the first receiving component 70A.

[0104] The above examples illustrate embodiments and modifications of the present invention. However, these embodiments and modifications are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiments and modifications can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, combinations, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the specifications of various structures, shapes, etc. (structure, type, direction, form, size, length, width, thickness, height, quantity, configuration, position, material, etc.) can be appropriately modified for implementation.

Claims

1. A fuse unit, characterized in that, have: A chip fuse that melts its fusible part when an overcurrent flows between a first electrically connected object and a second electrically connected object. The first terminal accessory has a first electrical connection portion that is electrically connected to the first electrode of the chip fuse, and the first terminal accessory is electrically connected to the first electrical connection object. as well as The second terminal accessory has a second electrical connection portion that is electrically connected to the second electrode of the chip fuse, and the second terminal accessory is electrically connected to the second electrical connection object. A pair of recesses are provided in the first electrical connection portion and the second electrical connection portion. The pair of recesses are recessed from the end face of the first electrical connection portion and the second electrical connection portion along the arrangement direction of the first terminal fitting and the second terminal fitting towards a direction of separation from each other, so as to allow the chip fuse to be fitted.

2. The fuse unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the pair of recesses is provided with a conductive elastic member, the elastic member being located between the bottom of the at least one of the pair of recesses and the sheet fuse, the elastic member being capable of stretching and contracting along the arrangement direction.

3. The fuse unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The fuse unit further includes an insulating resin component that covers the plate fuse disposed across the first electrical connection portion and the second electrical connection portion.

4. A conductive module, characterized in that, have: A connecting conductor, wherein the connecting conductor is electrically connected to the electrode terminals of the battery cells constituting the battery module; and A fuse unit that electrically connects the connecting conductor to a battery monitoring unit that monitors the battery status of the individual battery cells. The fuse unit includes: A chip fuse that melts its fusible portion when an overcurrent flows between the connecting conductor and the battery monitoring unit; A first terminal fitting has a first electrical connection portion that is electrically connected to a first electrode of the chip fuse, and the first terminal fitting is electrically connected to the connecting conductor. as well as The second terminal accessory has a second electrical connection portion that is electrically connected to the second electrode of the chip fuse, and the second terminal accessory is electrically connected to the battery monitoring unit. A pair of recesses are provided in the first electrical connection portion and the second electrical connection portion. The pair of recesses are recessed from the end face of the first electrical connection portion and the second electrical connection portion along the arrangement direction of the first terminal fitting and the second terminal fitting towards a direction of separation from each other, so as to allow the chip fuse to be fitted.

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