BUSBAR CONNECTION STRUCTURE
The busbar coupling structure allows for adjustable coupling angles and reduced space usage by enabling rotation of busbars in a horizontal plane, improving versatility and stability in electric vehicle battery packs.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE112023005171
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-12-12
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-10
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-04
AI Technical Summary
Existing busbar coupling structures in battery packs for electric or hybrid vehicles are limited in versatility and require significant space due to varying joining angles and the need for additional cylindrical sections, which complicates wiring and space utilization.
A busbar coupling structure where one busbar has a recessed section and another has a projecting section, allowing them to rotate relative to each other in a horizontal plane, enabling adjustable coupling angles and reducing thickness requirements by connecting in the same plane using arc-shaped surfaces.
This configuration enhances versatility by allowing flexible connection directions and reduces space requirements, ensuring stable conduction through larger joining areas.
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Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL AREA
[0001] The present invention relates to a busbar coupling structure. STATE OF THE ART
[0002] In a battery pack mounted on an electric or hybrid vehicle powered by an electric motor, a busbar is used to connect electrodes of a plurality of cells (see, for example, patent literature 1).
[0003] As an example of wiring a busbar, which is a flat rectangular metal conductor, in an inclined direction, in a Fig. In the busbar coupling structure 101 shown in Figure 7, a busbar 112 with an inclined end face is arranged between linearly extending busbars 110 and 113 according to a wiring direction, and the busbars are connected to each other. Furthermore, as another example, in a Fig. 8 busbar coupling structure 101A shown, an upper surface of a busbar 122 arranged according to a wiring direction is connected to lower surfaces of linearly extending busbars 121 and 123. LIST OF LITERATURE PATENT LITERATURE
[0004] Patent literature 1: JP 2017- 4 744 A SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAL PROBLEM
[0005] At the in Fig. However, the versatility of the busbar coupling structure 101 shown in Figure 7 is limited, since the joining angle is different for each wiring direction and the inclination angle of the end face of the busbar 112 must also be different. Furthermore, in the case of the Fig. In the busbar coupling structure 101A shown in Figure 8, since the busbars are connected to each other at the upper and lower surfaces, a space in one thickness (plate thickness) direction is required. Furthermore, in the busbar coupling structure described in patent literature 1, since the busbars are connected to each other via a hinge section and the hinge section has a cylindrical section formed by bending an end section of each busbar into a cylindrical shape, a space of the cylindrical section is required in addition to the plate thickness of the busbars.
[0006] The present invention has been carried out in view of the circumstances described above, and one object of it is to provide a busbar coupling structure that can improve versatility and save space. SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM
[0007] To achieve the above-described objective, the busbar coupling structure according to the present invention is characterized as follows.
[0008] A busbar coupling structure, with: a first busbar with a first body section extending in a first direction and a recessed section which, at an end section of the first body section in the first direction, is recessed in the first direction; and a second busbar with a second body section extending in a second direction and a projecting section extending from an end section of the second body section in the second direction, wherein the recessed section and the projecting section have shapes that allow the second busbar to rotate relative to the first busbar about the projecting section as an axis in a plane encompassing the first direction and the second direction, and the recessed section and the preceding section are joined together. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a busbar coupling structure that can improve versatility and save space.
[0010] The present invention has been briefly described above. Further details of the present invention can be clarified by reading about a mode (hereinafter referred to as an "embodiment") for carrying out the invention, which is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a busbar coupling structure according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the in Fig. 1 busbar coupling structure shown. Fig. Figure 3 is an enlarged top view of a part of the in Fig. 1 busbar coupling structure shown. Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a busbar coupling structure according to a second embodiment. Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the in Fig. 4 busbar coupling structure shown. Fig. Figure 6 is an enlarged top view of a part of the in Fig. 4 busbar coupling structure shown. Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing an example of a busbar coupling structure in the related technology. Fig. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing another example of a busbar coupling structure in the related technology. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION FORMS
[0011] Specific embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. (First embodiment)
[0012] Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a busbar coupling structure 1 according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the in Fig. 1 busbar coupling structure shown 1. Fig. Figure 3 is an enlarged top view of a part of the in Fig. 1. Busbar coupling structure shown. 1. For the convenience of description, the following are shown as in Fig. Figure 1 shows a "front-back" direction, a "left-right" direction, and an "up-down" direction. The "front-back" direction, the "left-right" direction, and the "up-down" direction are orthogonal to each other. The front-back direction is an example of a first direction.
[0013] The busbar coupling structure 1 is to be mounted between components and / or devices of an automobile and used for electrical connections within a battery pack, which, for example, serves as a power supply to drive a vehicle's engine. The busbar coupling structure 1 is a busbar for supplying vehicle drive power, i.e., a high-voltage busbar.
[0014] The busbar coupling structure 1 comprises a busbar 11, a busbar 13, a busbar 15, a busbar 17, and a busbar 19. As described below, adjacent busbars are connected to each other, for example, by laser welding. Busbar 15 is an example of a first busbar, and busbar 17 is an example of a second busbar.
[0015] Each of the busbars 11, 13, 15, and 17 is formed by stamping a conductive metal plate of a predetermined thickness and has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape. Busbars 11, 15, and 19 extend in the front-back direction. Busbar 13 extends in the top-bottom direction. Busbar 17 extends in an oblique direction, inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the front-back direction. The oblique direction is an example of a second direction. Busbar 11 has a through-hole 111 at a rear end section for mounting to a component, and a front end section of this is connected to an upper end face of busbar 13. A lower end face of busbar 13 is connected to an upper face of a rear end section of busbar 15.
[0016] Busbar 15 comprises a body section 151 extending in the front-back direction and a recessed section 152, which is recessed at an end section in the front-back direction, that is, a front end section of body section 151 in the front-back direction. Body section 151 is an example of a first body section. Busbar 17 comprises a body section 171 extending in the oblique direction and a projecting section 172 projecting from an end section in the oblique direction, that is, a rear end section of body section 171 in the oblique direction.The recessed section 152 and the projecting section 172 have shapes that allow the busbar 17 to rotate relative to the busbar 15 about the projecting section 172 as an axis in a horizontal plane, that is, a plane encompassing the front-back direction and the oblique direction. The recessed section 152 and the projecting section 172 are connected to each other.
[0017] The recessed section 152 has a concave arcuate end face 15a. The projecting section 172 has a convex arcuate end face 17a, which corresponds to the concave arcuate shape of the end face 15a. The end face 15a is an example of a first end face, and the end face 17a is an example of a second end face. The recessed section 152 and the projecting section 172 each have concave and convex arcuate end faces 15a and 17a, respectively, with substantially the same diameter dimension, and are therefore rotatable in a state where they abut each other. The concave and convex arcuate end faces 15a and 17a are configured such that one diameter of the convex arcuate end face 17a is slightly smaller than that of the concave arcuate end face 15a.Therefore, the busbar 15 and the busbar 17 can be coupled in such a way that the body sections 151 and 171 are arranged at a predetermined angle in a state in which the end surfaces 15a and 17a abut each other.
[0018] In the busbar coupling structure 1, the recessed section 152 and the projecting section 172 have shapes that allow the busbar 17 to rotate relative to the busbar 15 about the projecting section 172 as an axis in a horizontal plane, that is, a plane encompassing the front-back direction and the inclined direction, and the recessed section 152 and the projecting section 172 are connected to each other. According to this configuration, a coupling angle between the busbar 15 and the busbar 17 can be adjusted, thus improving the versatility of the busbar coupling structure 1.Furthermore, since busbar 15 and busbar 17 are connected in the same plane, it is possible to reduce the space required in the thickness direction (i.e., the top-bottom direction) compared to a case where busbar 15 and busbar 17 are connected in an overlapping manner. Moreover, busbar 15 and busbar 17 are connected to each other by the curved surfaces, resulting in a large joining area and ensuring stable conduction.
[0019] A recessed section similar to recessed section 152 of busbar 15 is provided at a front end section of busbar 17. Busbar 19 is provided at a rear end section with a projecting section similar to projecting section 172 of busbar 17 and has a through-hole 191 at a front end section for mounting to a component. The recessed section and the projecting section have shapes that allow busbar 19 to rotate relative to busbar 17 about the projecting section as an axis in the horizontal plane. Consequently, a coupling angle between busbar 17 and busbar 19 can be adjusted.Busbar 17 and busbar 19 are arranged such that body sections 151 and 171 are at a predetermined angle, and the recessed section 152 and the projecting section 172 are connected to each other. By connecting busbar 17 and busbar 19 in this way, it is possible to reduce the space required in the thickness direction compared to the case where busbar 17 and busbar 19 are connected in an overlapping manner. Busbar 17 is an example of the first busbar, and busbar 19 is an example of the second busbar.
[0020] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the convex arcuate end face 17a of the busbar 17 has an arc width WA that is equal to or less than a width WB, which is the dimension of the body section 171 in a lateral direction, and an arc opening angle θ, which is an angle about a center point O, is approximately 270 degrees. Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the busbar 17 has a notch 173 between the body section 171 and the end surface 17a. By providing the notch 173, the length of the convex arc of the end surface 17a, that is, the length of the end surface 17a in the horizontal plane, can be increased, and the busbar 17 can be rotated relative to the busbar 15 to a position where a tip section 153 comes into contact with the notch 173. That is, the rotation range of the busbar 17 relative to the busbar 15 can be increased. Consequently, the versatility of the busbar coupling structure 1 can be improved. The tip section 153 is formed by the left and right side faces on the front end section of the body section 151 of the busbar 15 and the left and right end sections of the recessed section 152. The notch 173 is formed in a shape and size capable of receiving the tip section 153.Since the end surface 17a has an arc opening angle θ of 225 degrees or more and 315 degrees or less, the rotation range of the busbar 17 relative to the busbar 15 can be increased, and the strength of the connection between the protruding section 172 and the body section 171 via the notch 173 can be ensured.
[0021] The busbar structure 1, configured as described above, is formed by connecting busbar 11, busbar 15, busbar 17, and busbar 19. In the busbar coupling structure 1, busbar 11 and busbar 19 are attached to different components via through-hole 111 and through-hole 191, respectively, to provide electrical continuity between the components. At a butt joint between adjacent busbars 15, 17, and 19, one busbar has a convex arcuate end face 17a, 19a, while the other busbar has a concave arcuate end face 15a, 17b, which has essentially the same diameter as the convex arc.Since the joining surfaces of busbars 15, 17, and 19 have an arc shape, there is no need to provide inclined end faces with different angles according to the wiring direction, and the busbars can be connected in various directions along the arc. As described above, in busbar coupling structure 1, because the busbars are connected to each other by the arc-shaped surfaces, the direction of rotation for connecting can be freely adjusted, allowing the busbar to be attached to components with different paths and improving versatility. Furthermore, in busbar coupling structure 1, because the busbars are connected to each other by the arc-shaped surfaces, the joining area is larger than that of a normal butt joint, and stable conduction is ensured. (Second embodiment)
[0022] Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a busbar coupling structure according to a second embodiment. Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the in Fig. 4 busbar coupling structure shown. Fig. Figure 6 is an enlarged top view of a part of the in Fig. 4 busbar coupling structure shown. For the convenience of description, the following is a description of how in Fig. Figure 5 shows a “front-back direction”, a “left-right direction”, and an “up-down direction”. The “front-back direction”, the “left-right direction”, and the “up-down direction” are orthogonal to each other. In the second embodiment, the same elements and sections are used as those shown in the Fig. Figures 1 to 4 are shown, designated by the same reference symbols, and a redundant description of them is omitted.
[0023] A busbar coupling structure 1A comprises busbars 15A, 17A and 19A, as shown in Fig. 4 shown, instead of busbars 15, 17 and 19 at the in Fig. Busbar coupling structure shown in 1 to 3.
[0024] Busbar 15A comprises a body section 151A extending in the front-back direction and a recessed section 152A, which is recessed at an end section in the front-back direction, that is, a front end section of body section 151A in the front-back direction. Body section 151A is an example of the first body section. Busbar 17A comprises a body section 171A extending in the oblique direction and a projecting section 172A projecting from an end section in the oblique direction, that is, a rear end section of body section 171A in the oblique direction.The recessed section 152A and the projecting section 172A have shapes that allow the busbar 17A to rotate relative to the busbar 15A about the projecting section 172A as an axis in a horizontal plane, that is, a plane encompassing the front-to-back direction and the inclined direction. The recessed section 152A and the projecting section 172A are connected to each other.
[0025] The recessed section 152A has a concave arcuate end face 15Aa. The projecting section 172A has a convex arcuate end face 17Aa, which corresponds to the concave arcuate shape of the end face 15Aa. The end face 15Aa is an example of the first end face, and the end face 17Aa is an example of the second end face. The recessed section 152A and the projecting section 172A each have concave and convex arcuate end faces 15Aa and 17Aa, respectively, with substantially the same diameter dimension as the convex arc, and are therefore rotatable in a state where they abut each other. The concave and convex arcuate end faces 15Aa and 17Aa are configured such that one diameter of the convex arcuate end face 17Aa is slightly smaller than that of the concave arcuate end face 15Aa.Therefore, the busbar 15A and the busbar 17A can be coupled in such a way that the body sections 151A and 171A are arranged at a predetermined angle in a state in which the end surfaces 15Aa and 17Aa abut each other.
[0026] In busbar coupling structure 1A, the recessed section 152A and the projecting section 172A have shapes that allow busbar 17A to rotate relative to busbar 15A about the projecting section 172A as an axis in a horizontal plane, i.e., a plane encompassing the front-to-back and inclined directions, and the recessed section 152A and the projecting section 172A are connected to each other. According to this configuration, a coupling angle between busbar 15A and busbar 17A can be adjusted, thus improving the versatility of busbar coupling structure 1A.Furthermore, since busbar 15A and busbar 17A are connected in the same plane, it is possible to reduce the required space in the thickness direction (top-bottom direction) compared to a case where busbar 15A and busbar 17A are connected in an overlapping manner. Additionally, busbar 15A and busbar 17A are connected by their curved surfaces, resulting in a large joining area and ensuring a stable connection.
[0027] A recessed section similar to recessed section 152A of busbar 15A is provided at a front end section of busbar 17A. Busbar 19A is provided at a rear end section with a projecting section similar to projecting section 172A of busbar 17A and has a through-hole 19A1 at a front end section for mounting to a component. The recessed section and the projecting section have shapes that allow busbar 19A to rotate relative to busbar 17A about the projecting section as an axis in the horizontal plane. Consequently, a coupling angle between busbar 17A and busbar 19A can be adjusted.Busbar 17A and busbar 19A are arranged such that body sections 151A and 171A are at a predetermined angle, and the recessed section 152A and the protruding section 172A are connected. By connecting busbar 17A and busbar 19A in this way, it is possible to reduce the space required in the thickness direction compared to connecting busbar 17A and busbar 19A in an overlapping manner. Busbar 17A is an example of the first busbar, and busbar 19A is an example of the second busbar.
[0028] As in Fig.As shown in Figure 6, the convex arc-shaped end face 17Aa of the busbar 17A has an arc width WA greater than the width WB, which is the dimension of the body section 171A in the width direction, and an arc opening angle θ, which is an angle about a center point O, is approximately 270 degrees. Since the arc width WA of the end face 17Aa is greater than the width WB of the body section 171A, the rotation range of the busbar 17A relative to the busbar 15A is increased. Consequently, the versatility of the busbar coupling structure 1A can be improved. Because the end face 17Aa has an arc opening angle θ of 225 degrees or more and 315 degrees or less, the rotation range of the busbar 17A relative to the busbar 15A can be sufficiently increased, which is advantageous in practical applications.
[0029] The busbar structure 1A, configured as described above, is formed by connecting busbar 11, busbar 15A, busbar 17A, and busbar 19A. In the busbar coupling structure 1A, busbar 11 and busbar 19A are attached to different components via through-hole 111 and through-hole 19A1, respectively, to ensure electrical continuity. At a butt joint between adjacent busbars 15A, 17A, and 19A, one busbar has end faces 17Aa and 19Aa, each with a convex arc shape having a diameter larger than the width of the busbar body section, while the other busbar has concave arc-shaped end faces 15Aa and 17Ab, which have essentially the same diameter as the convex arc.Since the mating surfaces of busbars 15A, 17A, and 19A have an arc shape, there is no need to provide inclined end faces with different angles according to the wiring direction, and the busbars can be connected in various directions along the arc. As described above, with busbar coupling structure 1A, because the busbars are connected by the arc-shaped surfaces, the direction of rotation for connection can be freely adjusted, allowing the busbar to be attached to components with different paths and improving versatility. Furthermore, with busbar coupling structure 1A, because the busbars are connected by the arc-shaped surfaces, the mating area is larger than that of a normal butt joint, and stable conduction is ensured.
[0030] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be suitably modified, improved, or the like. Furthermore, the material, shape, size, numerical value, form, number, arrangement position, and the like of components in the embodiments described above are freely chosen and are not restricted, as long as the present invention can be achieved. In each of the embodiments described above, one end face 17a, 17Aa of the busbar 17, 17A has a convex arc shape, and the other end face 17b, 17Ab of the busbar 17, 17A has a concave arc shape. Alternatively, both end faces can have a convex arc shape, or both end faces can have a concave arc shape.
[0031] Furthermore, in each of the embodiments described above, the recessed section 152, 152A of the busbar 15, 15A and the projecting section 172, 172A of the busbar 17, 17A are connected by the concave arcuate end surface 15a, 15Aa and the convex arcuate end surface 17a, 17Aa. However, the shapes of the recessed section and the projecting section are not limited to arcuate shapes. The recessed section and the projecting section can have any shape that allows one busbar to rotate relative to the other busbar in a horizontal plane, and can, for example, be a polygonal or gear shape.
[0032] Here, features of the busbar coupling structure according to the embodiments of the present invention described above are briefly summarized and listed in the following [1] to [5]. [1] A busbar coupling structure (1, 1A), with: a first busbar (busbar 15) with a first body section (body section 151) extending in a first direction (front-back direction) and a recessed section (152) which is recessed in the first direction at an end section of the first body section in the first direction; and a second busbar (busbar 17) with a second body section (body section 171) extending in a second direction, and a projecting section (172) extending from an end section of the second body section in the second direction, in which the recessed section and the projecting section have such shapes that allow the second busbar to rotate relative to the first busbar about the projecting section as an axis in a plane encompassing the first direction and the second direction, and the recessed section and the preceding section are joined together.
[0033] According to the busbar coupling structure with the configuration of the above [1], the recessed section and the protruding section have shapes that allow the second busbar to rotate relative to the first busbar about the protruding section as an axis in the plane encompassing the first and second directions, and the recessed section and the protruding section are joined together. According to this configuration, a coupling angle between the first and second busbars can be adjusted, thus improving the versatility of the busbar coupling structure. Furthermore, since the first and second busbars are connected in the same plane, it is possible to reduce the space required in the thickness direction compared to a case where the first and second busbars are connected in an overlapping manner.
[0034] [2] In the busbar coupling structure according to [1], the recessed section (152) has a first end surface (end surface 15a, 15Aa) with a concave arc shape, and The preceding section (172) has a second end surface (end surface 17a, 17Aa) with a convex arc shape corresponding to the concave arc shape.
[0035] According to the busbar coupling structure with the configuration of the above [2], since the first busbar and the second busbar are connected to each other by the arc-shaped surfaces, the joining area is large and a stable line is enabled.
[0036] [3] In the busbar coupling structure according to [2], the second end face (end face 17a) has an arc width (WA) equal to or less than a dimension (width WB) of the second body section (body section 171) in a lateral direction intersecting the second direction, and an arc opening angle (θ) of 225 degrees or more and 315 degrees or less, and The second busbar (busbar 17) has a notch between the second body section and the second end surface.
[0037] According to the busbar coupling structure with the configuration of the above [3], since the second busbar has the notch between the second body section and the second end face, the length of the convex arc of the second end face can be increased, and the second busbar can rotate relative to the first busbar to a position where a tip section of the first busbar comes into contact with the notch. That is, the rotation range of the second busbar relative to the first busbar can be increased. Consequently, the versatility can be improved. Furthermore, the arc opening angle is 225 degrees or more and 315 degrees or less, so that the rotation range of the second busbar relative to the first busbar can be increased, and the strength of the connection between the protruding section and the second body section via the notch can be ensured.
[0038] [4] In the busbar coupling structure according to [2], is an arc width (WA) of the second end face greater than a dimension (width WB) of the second body section in a width direction that intersects the second direction.
[0039] According to the busbar coupling structure with the configuration of the above [4], since the arc width of the second end face with the convex arc shape is larger than the width of the second body section, the rotation range of the second busbar can be increased relative to the first busbar. Consequently, the versatility can be improved.
[0040] [5] In the busbar coupling structure according to one of [1] to [4], The first busbar and the second busbar are busbars for supplying vehicle drive power.
[0041] According to the busbar coupling structure with the configuration of the above [5], the Busbar coupling structure, for example, can be used for electrical connection in a high-voltage battery pack mounted on a vehicle.
[0042] The present application is based on a Japanese patent application (Japanese patent application no. 2022-197910), filed on December 12, 2022, and its contents are incorporated herein by reference. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0043] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a busbar coupling structure that can improve versatility and save space. The present invention with this effect is useful with respect to a busbar coupling structure. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1, 1A Busbar coupling structure 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 15A, 17A, 19A Busbar 15a, 17a, 17b, 15Aa, 17Aa, 17Ab, 19a, 19Aa end face 151, 151A, 171, 171A Body section 152, 152A recessed section 153 Top section 172, 172A preceding section O center WA sheet width WB width of body segment θ Arc opening angle QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION
[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature
[0000] JP 2017- 4 744 A
[0004] JP 2022-197910
[0042]
Claims
[1] Busbar coupling structure, with: a first busbar with a first body section extending in a first direction and a recessed section which, at an end section of the first body section in the first direction, is recessed in the first direction; and a second busbar with a second body section extending in a second direction and a projecting section extending in the second direction from an end section of the second body section, wherein the recessed section and the projecting section have such shapes that the second busbar rotates relative to the first busbar about the projecting section as an axis in a plane encompassing the first direction and the second direction, and where the recessed section and the preceding section are joined together. [2] Busbar coupling structure according to claim 1, wherein the recessed section has a first end surface with a concave arc shape, and wherein the preceding section has a second end surface with a convex arc shape corresponding to the concave arc shape. [3] Busbar coupling structure according to claim 2, wherein the second end face has an arc width equal to or less than a dimension of the second body section in a lateral direction intersecting the second direction, and an arc opening angle of 225 degrees or more and 315 degrees or less, and wherein the second busbar has a notch between the second body section and the second end face. [4] Busbar coupling structure according to claim 2, wherein an arc width of the second end face is greater than a dimension of the second body section in a width direction that intersects the second direction. [5] Busbar coupling structure according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first busbar and the second busbar are busbars for supplying vehicle drive power.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
JAPANISCHEPATENTANMELDUNGNR.2022-197910
Connection structure and connector of bus bar
JP2017004744A