Power distribution device
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023067169
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-04-17
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-04
AI Technical Summary
Existing power distribution devices that switch between series and parallel connections for batteries require an increased number of parts and size due to the need for additional relays to manage the connection and disconnection of battery lines.
A power distribution device utilizing three relays to switch between series and parallel connections for two batteries, with a third relay connecting the negative line of one battery to the positive line of the other, and incorporating current sensors and fuses to manage the circuit efficiently, allowing for a compact design.
The device achieves a miniaturized form factor while enabling series and parallel switching between batteries, with accurate current monitoring and protection against overcurrent, reducing the overall size and part count.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to power distribution devices. [Background technology]
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery pack for a vehicle including a first battery and a second battery that are made up of a plurality of assembled batteries. In the case of a battery pack including two batteries, if the connection state of the two batteries can be switched between a parallel connection and a series connection, the uses of the battery pack can be diversified and the convenience can be improved. Therefore, the provision of a power distribution device for switching the connection state of the two batteries is being considered. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2011 / 104792 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] However, when configuring a power distribution device for switching between series and parallel connection of two batteries, in addition to using relays connected to the positive lines of each battery, an additional relay is required to connect to the negative line of one battery, and a further additional relay is required to switch between energizing and deenergizing between the negative line of one battery and the positive line of the other battery. Therefore, an increase in the number of parts and the accompanying increase in size of the power distribution device were unavoidable.
[0005] Therefore, a power distribution device is disclosed that can switch between series and parallel connection of two batteries and can reduce the size of the entire device. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] The power distribution device disclosed herein is a power distribution device including a first circuit having a first positive side input section and a first negative side input section connected to a first battery, a second circuit having a second positive side input section and a second negative side input section connected to a second battery, a first relay connected to a first negative side line of the first circuit, a second relay connected to a second positive side line of the second circuit, a third circuit connecting the first negative side line upstream of the first relay and the second positive side line upstream of the second relay, a third relay connected to the third circuit, a positive side connection section connecting the first positive side line and the second positive side line in parallel downstream of the second relay, a negative side connection section connecting the first negative side line and the second negative side line in parallel downstream of the first relay, and a positive side output section and a negative side output section connected to the downstream side of the positive side connection section and the negative side connection section, respectively. Effect of the Invention
[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a power distribution device that is capable of switching between series and parallel connection of two batteries and that can reduce the size of the entire device. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a power distribution device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the power distribution device shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the power distribution device shown in FIG. 1 with a lower case removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing members constituting the first circuit, the second circuit, and the third circuit in the power distribution device shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the front side. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of members constituting the first circuit, the second circuit, and the third circuit shown in FIG. 4, seen from the rear side. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of some members of the power distribution device shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a coupling body in which a first base member and a second base member are coupled to each other in the power distribution device shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the connection between the first base member and the second base member shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a main part taken along line IX-IX in FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a perspective view showing a first base member constituting the power distribution device shown in FIG. 1, viewed from the left side. [Figure 11] 11 is a perspective view of the first base member shown in FIG. 10 from the right side. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the first base member shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram for explaining the electrical configuration of the power distribution device shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram for explaining a state in which the first battery and the second battery are connected in parallel by the power distribution device shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram for explaining a state in which a first battery and a second battery are connected in series by the power distribution device shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0009] <Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure> First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The power distribution device of the present disclosure comprises: (1) A power supply comprising a first circuit having a first positive input section and a first negative input section connected to a first battery, a second circuit having a second positive input section and a second negative input section connected to a second battery, a first relay connected to a first negative line of the first circuit, a second relay connected to a second positive line of the second circuit, a third circuit connecting the first negative line upstream of the first relay and the second positive line upstream of the second relay, a third relay connected to the third circuit, a positive connection section connecting the first positive line and the second positive line in parallel downstream of the second relay, a negative connection section connecting the first negative line and the second negative line in parallel downstream of the first relay, and a positive output section and a negative output section connected downstream of the positive connection section and the negative connection section, respectively.
[0010] According to the power distribution device of the present disclosure, the first battery and the second battery can be connected in parallel by turning on the first relay connected to the first negative side line of the first circuit and the second relay connected to the second positive side line of the second circuit and turning off the third relay. Also, by turning off the first relay and the second relay and turning on the third relay, the first battery and the second battery can be connected in series, and a voltage output higher than that in the case of parallel connection can be taken out from the positive side output section and the negative side output section. Furthermore, the third relay is provided in the third circuit that connects the first negative side line upstream of the first relay and the second positive side line upstream of the second relay. Therefore, by using only three relays, it is possible to switch between series and parallel of two batteries, and it is possible to achieve miniaturization with a small number of parts. Moreover, it is possible to provide the third circuit including the third relay between the first relay and the second relay with space efficiency, and it is possible to achieve miniaturization of the entire device.
[0011] (2) In the above (1), it is preferable that the device includes a first current sensor connected to the first positive line of the first circuit and a second current sensor connected to the second negative line of the second circuit, and the positive connection part is connected to the first positive line downstream of the first current sensor, and the negative connection part is connected to the second negative line downstream of the second current sensor. The first current sensor is connected to the first positive line to which the first relay is not connected, and the second current sensor is connected to the second negative line to which the second relay is not connected. This allows the first and second current sensors to be installed by making good use of the space on the line to which the relay is not connected, and the space-efficient arrangement of the first / second relay and the first / second current sensor can further reduce the size of the entire device.
[0012] In addition, the first current sensor and the second current sensor are connected to the first positive side line and the second negative side line upstream of the positive side connection part and the negative side connection part. This allows the first current sensor and the second current sensor to stably measure the current state both in series connection and in parallel connection. In particular, by providing the first current sensor and the second current sensor upstream of the positive side connection part and the negative side connection part, the first current sensor and the second current sensor can be installed space-efficiently without being restricted by the positive side output part and the negative side output part provided downstream of them.
[0013] (3) In the above (1) or (2), it is preferable that the third circuit includes a fuse connected in series to the third relay, and the arrangement area of the third relay and the arrangement area of the fuse overlap in the mounting direction of the third relay. Since the third circuit includes a fuse connected in series to the third relay, when an unexpected overcurrent flows when the third relay is connected, the third circuit can be disconnected to prevent damage to the battery and downstream devices. Moreover, since the arrangement area of the third relay and the arrangement area of the fuse overlap in the mounting direction of the third relay (e.g., the vertical direction), it is possible to prevent the device from becoming large in size in the width direction (e.g., the horizontal direction) that intersects with the mounting direction.
[0014] (4) In the above (2), it is preferable that the device includes a first base member on which the first circuit is mounted and a second base member on which the second circuit is mounted, the first base member and the second base member each including a relay mounting portion, a current sensor mounting portion, and an additional mounting portion, and that by combining the first base member and the second base member, a third circuit mounting portion is formed in which each of the additional mounting portions is connected, and the third circuit is mounted on the third circuit mounting portion.
[0015] Since the third circuit mounting section for mounting the third circuit is configured by combining the first base member mounting the first circuit and the second base member mounting the second circuit, it is possible to secure a mounting area for the third circuit that switches between series / parallel of the first battery connected to the first circuit and the second battery connected to the second circuit with a small number of parts without requiring a new base member. Also, since the third circuit mounting section can be configured using the space (additional mounting section) of the first / second base members mounting the first / second circuits, it can be used in the same way even when the third circuit is not required, and a highly versatile power distribution device can be provided.
[0016] (5) In the above (4), it is preferable that the third circuit mounting portion includes a fuse mounted on the fuse and a third relay mounting portion configured to include the fuse mounting portion and its periphery in the mounting direction of the fuse and to mount the third relay, and the third relay mounted on the third relay mounting portion is overlapped with the fuse in the mounting direction of the third relay. The fuse mounting portion and the third relay mounting portion in the third circuit mounting portion can be overlapped in the mounting direction of the third relay, i.e., in the plate thickness direction of each base member, and the third circuit mounting portion on which the third circuit that switches between series / parallel of the first battery and the second battery is mounted can be secured while miniaturizing the power distribution device.
[0017] (6) In the above (4) or (5), it is preferable that the first base member and the second base member have the same shape, the additional mounting portion is arranged at one end side of the longitudinal direction of each of the base members, the additional mounting portion is arranged biased to one side in the width direction with a width dimension smaller than the other end side of the longitudinal direction of each of the base members, the inner edge portion of the additional mounting portion in the width direction is provided with a fitting portion having a polygonal cross-sectional shape at the one end side in the longitudinal direction, and a fitting hole having the same cross-sectional shape as the fitting portion is provided at the other end side in the longitudinal direction, into which the fitting portion fits, and the fitting portion and the fitting hole of the second base member, which is arranged in an arrangement direction rotated 180 degrees around a central axis in the thickness direction with respect to the arrangement direction of the first base member, are fitted into the fitting hole and the fitting portion of the first base member to form the third circuit mounting portion in which the first base member and the second base member are assembled and each of the additional mounting portions are connected.
[0018] Since the first base member and the second base member have the same shape and can use the same base member, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs and simplify parts management. Moreover, when assembling the first base member and the second base member, it is only necessary to rotate them 180 degrees and engage the fitting portions and fitting holes with polygonal cross sections provided on each base member, making the assembly work simple, and the relative rotational displacement of the first base member and the second base member after assembly can be reliably prevented by the engagement of the fitting portions and fitting holes with polygonal cross sections.
[0019] (7) In the above (6), it is preferable that the outer peripheral surface of each of the base members is provided with a locking protrusion and a locking recess, and when the first base member and the second base member are assembled, the locking protrusion fits into the locking recess, thereby restricting separation of the first base member and the second base member. By providing the locking protrusion and the locking recess on the outer peripheral surface of each of the base members having the same shape, the first base member and the second base member are assembled together, thereby preventing separation in the assembly direction. This makes it possible to stably maintain the assembled state of the first base member and the second base member without increasing the number of parts.
[0020] <Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure> Specific examples of the power distribution device of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.
[0021] <Embodiment 1> Hereinafter, the power distribution device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15. The power distribution device 10 is mounted on, for example, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, and includes circuits extending from a power source to various publicly known auxiliary devices (not shown), such as an electric power ring system, an electric parking brake, lighting, a wiper drive unit, a navigation device, and an air conditioner. In particular, as shown in FIG. 13 and other figures, the power distribution device 10 according to the first embodiment is connected to a first battery 12 and a second battery 14, which serve as power sources, and the power distribution device 10 is configured to switch the connection state between the first battery 12 and the second battery 14 between a direct state and a parallel state. Note that the power distribution device 10 can be arranged in any direction, but in the following, the upper side will be described as the upper side in FIG. 9, the lower side as the lower side in FIG. 9, the front side as the lower side in FIG. 2, the rear side as the upper side in FIG. 2, the left side as the left side in FIG. 2, and the right side as the right side in FIG. 2. In addition, for multiple identical members, only some of the members may be labeled with reference numerals, and the reference numerals may be omitted for the other members.
[0022] <Power distribution device 10> First, the electrical configuration of the power distribution device 10 will be described with reference to Figures 4, 5, 13, etc. The power distribution device 10 comprises a first circuit 20 having a first positive side input section 16 and a first negative side input section 18 connected to the first battery 12, and a second circuit 26 having a second positive side input section 22 and a second negative side input section 24 connected to the second battery 14. A first relay 30 is connected to a first negative side line 28 in the first circuit 20, and a second relay 34 is connected to a second positive side line 32 in the second circuit 26.
[0023] The first negative side line 28 upstream of the first relay 30 and the second positive side line 32 upstream of the second relay 34 are connected by a third circuit 36. A third relay 38 is connected to the third circuit 36. The first positive side line 40 and the second positive side line 32 are connected in parallel by a positive side connection part 42 downstream of the second relay 34, and the first negative side line 28 and the second negative side line 44 are connected in parallel by a negative side connection part 46 downstream of the first relay 30. The power distribution device 10 includes a positive side output part 48 and a negative side output part 50 connected downstream of the positive side connection part 42 and the negative side connection part 46, respectively.
[0024] Here, in the first positive and negative lines 40, 28 and the second positive and negative lines 32, 44, the upstream side refers to the side where the first positive and negative input units 16, 18 and the second positive and negative input units 22, 24 to which the first battery 12 and the second battery 14 are connected are provided. Also, the downstream side refers to the side where the positive output unit 48 and the negative output unit 50 to which a load (auxiliary equipment) not shown is connected are provided.
[0025] In the circuit diagram shown in Fig. 13, the first, second and third relays 30, 34 and 38 are all OFF, showing a state in which power is not being supplied from the first battery 12 or the second battery 14 to the power distribution device 10. In addition, in the circuit diagram shown in Fig. 14, the first and second relays 30 and 34 are ON and the third relay 38 is OFF, and the third circuit 36 is shown by a two-dot chain line to clearly show that the third circuit 36 is not in a conducting state. Furthermore, in the circuit diagram shown in Fig. 15, the first and second relays 30 and 34 are OFF and the third relay 38 is ON, and the first circuit 20 and parts of the second circuit 26 are shown by a two-dot chain line to clearly show that the first circuit 20 and parts of the second circuit 26 are not in a conducting state.
[0026] Although the above-mentioned components constituting the electric circuits in the power distribution device 10 are not limited, in the first embodiment, the first battery 12 and the second battery 14 are each a known 48V battery. Also, the first relay 30 connected in the first circuit 20, the second relay 34 connected in the second circuit 26, and the third relay 38 connected in the third circuit 36 are each a known mechanical relay.
[0027] The first positive line 40 and the first negative line 28 are power lines connected to the positive side (positive side) and negative side (negative side) of the first battery 12, respectively. The first circuit 20 includes the first positive and negative lines 40, 28, a first relay 30, and a first current sensor 52, which will be described later. The second positive line 32 and the second negative line 44 are power lines connected to the positive side (positive side) and negative side (negative side) of the second battery 14, respectively. The second circuit 26 includes the second positive and negative lines 32, 44, a second relay 34, and a second current sensor 54, which will be described later.
[0028] In particular, in the first embodiment, a first current sensor 52 is connected to the first positive side line 40 in the first circuit 20, and a second current sensor 54 is connected to the second negative side line 44 in the second circuit 26. The above-mentioned positive side connection part 42 is connected to the first positive side line 40 downstream of the first current sensor 52, and the above-mentioned negative side connection part 46 is connected to the second negative side line 44 downstream of the second current sensor 54.
[0029] Further, a fuse 56 is connected in series to the third relay 38 in the third circuit 36. Specifically, the fuse 56 is provided in the third circuit 36 that connects the first negative side line 28 upstream of the first relay 30 and the second positive side line 32 upstream of the second relay 34. In the first embodiment, the fuse 56 is provided on the first negative side line 28 side of the third relay 38.
[0030] Here, in the above electric circuit in the power distribution device 10, the first, second and third relays 30, 34, 38, the first and second current sensors 52, 54, the first positive and negative lines 40, 28 connecting the fuse 56, and the second positive and negative lines 32, 44 may be made of conductive materials. These may be made of electric wires, for example, but in the first embodiment, they are made of a plurality of bus bars (bus bars 58a to 58n below).
[0031] That is, as shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 5, the power distribution device 10 has a bus bar 58a equipped with a first positive side input portion 16. A stud bolt is fixed by press fitting to one end (rear end) of the bus bar 58a in the longitudinal direction and protrudes upward, and the first positive side input portion 16 is constituted by the stud bolt protruding upward. The bus bar 58a constitutes the first positive side line 40, and a first current sensor 52 is connected to the bus bar 58a. A bus bar 58b is connected downstream of the first current sensor 52, and the first positive side line 40 is also constituted by the bus bar 58b in addition to the bus bar 58a.
[0032] The power distribution device 10 also has a bus bar 58c that includes a first negative side input section 18. A stud bolt is press-fitted and fixed to one longitudinal end (rear end) of the bus bar 58c, protruding upward, and the first negative side input section 18 is formed by the stud bolt protruding upward. The bus bar 58c forms a first negative side line 28, and a first relay 30 is connected to the bus bar 58c. A bus bar 58d is connected downstream of the first relay 30, and the first negative side line 28 is also formed by the bus bar 58d in addition to the bus bar 58c.
[0033] A bus bar 58e is connected to and branches off from the first negative line 28 upstream of the first relay 30 (bus bar 58c), and this bus bar 58e is connected to a fuse 56 via a bus bar 58f. The fuse 56 is connected in series to a third relay 38 via a bus bar 58g, and the third relay 38 is further connected to a bus bar 58h. This bus bar 58h is connected to the second positive line 32 upstream of the second relay 34 (bus bar 58i, described later). Therefore, the third circuit 36 is configured to include the third relay 38, the fuse 56, and the bus bars 58e, 58f, 58g, and 58h.
[0034] Furthermore, the power distribution device 10 has a busbar 58i equipped with a second positive side input portion 22. A stud bolt is fixed by press fitting to one end (rear end) of the busbar 58i in the longitudinal direction and protrudes upward, and the second positive side input portion 22 is constituted by the stud bolt protruding upward. The busbar 58i constitutes the second positive side line 32, and a second relay 34 is connected to the busbar 58i. A busbar 58j is connected downstream of the second relay 34, and the second positive side line 32 is also constituted by the busbar 58j in addition to the busbar 58i.
[0035] The power distribution device 10 has a busbar 58k equipped with a second negative side input portion 24. A stud bolt is fixed by press fitting to one end (rear end) of the busbar 58k in the longitudinal direction and protrudes upward, and the second negative side input portion 24 is configured by the stud bolt protruding upward. The busbar 58k configures the second negative side line 44, and a second current sensor 54 is connected to the busbar 58k. A busbar 58l is connected downstream of the second current sensor 54, and the second negative side line 44 is also configured by the busbar 58l in addition to the busbar 58k.
[0036] Here, downstream of the second relay 34, the first positive side line 40 (bus bar 58b) and the second positive side line (bus bar 58j) are connected in parallel by the bus bar 58m constituting the positive side connection part 42. The bus bar 58m is a relatively long bus bar extending in the left-right direction within the power distribution device 10, and the bus bar 58b and the bus bar 58j are connected to both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the bus bar 58m (both end portions in the left-right direction). These bus bars 58b, 58j may be fixed and connected to the bus bar 58m by, for example, bolts or the like, but in the first embodiment, the bus bars 58b, 58j, 58m are integrally formed.
[0037] A forward extension portion 60 extending forward is integrally provided at the lower end of the busbar 58m, and in the first embodiment, four forward extension portions 60 are provided at approximately equal intervals in the left-right direction. A positive-side external connection busbar 64 constituting a positive-side output portion 48 is connected to the extension end (front end) of each forward extension portion 60 via a fuse 62, and a positive-side external connection busbar 64 is connected to a positive-side input portion (positive side) of a load (auxiliary equipment) (not shown). Although only one positive-side output portion 48 is shown in Figs. 13 to 15, Figs. 13 to 15 show the electrical configuration of the power distribution device 10 in an easy-to-understand manner, and in reality, the downstream of the positive-side connection portion 42 is branched into four, and four positive-side output portions 48 are provided.
[0038] Further, downstream of the first relay 30, the first negative side line 28 (bus bar 58d) and the second negative side line 44 (bus bar 58l) are connected in parallel by the bus bar 58n constituting the negative side connection part 46. The bus bar 58n is a relatively long bus bar extending in the left-right direction in the power distribution device 10, and the bus bar 58d and the bus bar 58l are connected to both end portions in the length direction (both end portions in the left-right direction) of the bus bar 58n. Although each of these bus bars 58d, 58l may be fixed and connected to the bus bar 58n by, for example, bolt fixing, etc., in the first embodiment, each of the bus bars 58d, 58l, 58n is integrally formed. This bus bar 58n is separated from the above-mentioned bus bar 58m in the front-rear direction and extends approximately parallel to each other. In the first embodiment, the bus bar 58m is located forward of the bus bar 58n.
[0039] A negative-side external connection bus bar 66 that extends forward and constitutes the negative-side output unit 50 is connected to the upper end of the bus bar 58n. The negative-side external connection bus bar 66 may be fixed and connected to the bus bar 58n by, for example, bolt fixing, but in the first embodiment, the negative-side external connection bus bar 66 and the bus bar 58n are integrally formed. In the first embodiment, the four negative-side external connection bus bars 66 are spaced apart at approximately equal intervals in the left-right direction, and a negative-side (negative) input unit of a load (auxiliary equipment) (not shown) is connected to each of the negative-side external connection bus bars 66. Note that only one negative-side output unit 50 is shown in Figs. 13 to 15, but Figs. 13 to 15 are intended to clearly show the electrical configuration of the power distribution device 10, and in reality, the downstream of the negative-side connection unit 46 is branched into four, and four negative-side output units 50 are provided.
[0040] <First Base Member 68 and Second Base Member 70> As shown in Figs. 6 to 9, the power distribution device 10 includes a first base member 68 on which the first circuit 20 is mounted, and a second base member 70 on which the second circuit 26 is mounted. Note that in Figs. 6 to 9, the bus bars 58a to 58n, the positive and negative external connection bus bars 64, 66, and the bolts for connection and fixing are omitted. Also, in Figs. 6 to 9, the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 are shown in a state of a connection body 72 in which they are connected to each other in the left-right direction. In the first embodiment, the first base member 68 is located on the left, and the second base member 70 is located on the right. In particular, in the first embodiment, the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 have the same shape. Therefore, hereinafter, the shape of the first base member 68 will be described, and the second base member 70 will be given the same reference numeral as the first base member 68 in the drawings, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0041] 10 to 12, the first base member 68 includes a relay mounting portion 74 on which the first relay 30 in the first circuit 20 is mounted, a current sensor mounting portion 76 on which the first current sensor 52 in the first circuit 20 is mounted, and an additional mounting portion 78. That is, in the second base member 70, the second relay 34 in the second circuit 26 is mounted on the relay mounting portion 74, and the second current sensor 54 in the second circuit 26 is mounted on the current sensor mounting portion 76. The second base member 70 also includes the additional mounting portion 78.
[0042] Specifically, the first base member 68 is generally rectangular plate-shaped and is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. As shown in Fig. 6 and other figures, the first base member 68 is fixed to a lower case 112 (described later) with the left-right direction as its longitudinal direction. That is, the left-right dimension of the first base member 68 is larger than the front-rear dimension, and in the first base member 68 (and the second base member 70), the longitudinal direction is the left-right direction and the width direction is the front-rear direction.
[0043] A relay mounting portion 74 having a generally rectangular shape in plan view is provided in a longitudinal (left-right) intermediate portion of the first base member 68, and a current sensor mounting portion 76 having a generally rectangular shape in plan view is provided at the other longitudinal end (left side). An additional mounting portion 78 having a generally rectangular shape in plan view is provided at one longitudinal end (right side) of the first base member 68. The relay mounting portion 74 and the current sensor mounting portion 76 are formed as upwardly opening recesses configured by surrounding walls protruding upward from bottoms 74a, 76a on which the first relay 30 and the first current sensor 52 are respectively placed.
[0044] Incidentally, a plurality of nuts 80 are provided around the relay mounting portion 74 and the current sensor mounting portion 76 on the first base member 68 for bolting the first relay 30, the first current sensor 52, the bus bars constituting the first circuit 20, and the like, to the first base member 68. Also, a plurality of legs 82 are provided on the outer periphery of the first base member 68 and spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, and the first base member 68 is bolted to a lower case 112 (described later) by bolts inserted through the legs 82.
[0045] <Additional Mounting Section 78> The additional mounting portion 78 has a width dimension (front-rear dimension) smaller than that of the relay mounting portion 74 adjacent to the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the first base member 68, particularly the other end side (left side) in the longitudinal direction of the additional mounting portion 78, and is provided biased toward one side in the width direction (rear side) of the relay mounting portion 74. In other words, in the rear part of the relay mounting portion 74, the additional mounting portion 78 having a width dimension (front-rear dimension) smaller than that of the relay mounting portion 74 extends toward one end side in the longitudinal direction (right end side). The additional mounting portion 78 has a recess formed by a surrounding wall portion protruding upward from a bottom portion 83, similar to the relay mounting portion 74 and the current sensor mounting portion 76. As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the surrounding wall portions constituting this recess are provided mainly on three sides (rear and both left and right sides) except the front, and the recess provided in the additional mounting portion 78 has a front opening 84.
[0046] In the first embodiment, a step portion 86 is provided in a left-right central portion and a front portion of the bottom portion 83 in a recess provided in the additional mounting portion 78. As a result, the left-right central portion and the front portion of the bottom portion 83 are located lower in the up-down direction than other portions of the bottom portion 83 (for example, see the additional mounting portion 78 in the second base member 70 shown in FIG. 9). That is, the bottom portion 83 is configured to include a first bottom portion 83a located at a lower position and a second bottom portion 83b located above the first bottom portion 83a around the first bottom portion 83a via the step portion 86.
[0047] As described below, by combining the first base member 68 and the second base member 70, the additional mounting portions 78 are interconnected to form a third circuit mounting portion 106 on which the third circuit 36 is mounted. That is, the third relay 38 and the fuse 56 which constitute the third circuit 36 are mounted on the third circuit mounting portion 106, and the third circuit mounting portion 106 is configured to include a third relay mounting portion 110 on which the third relay 38 is mounted, and a fuse mounting portion 108 on which the fuse 56 is mounted.
[0048] As described later, the fuse mounting portion 108 is configured by connecting a recess including the first bottom portion 83a in the first base member 68 and a recess including the first bottom portion 83a in the second base member 70 in the front-rear direction. In other words, the recess including the first bottom portion 83a in the first base member 68 is configured as a fuse mounting portion half portion 88 that constitutes the fuse mounting portion 108 in cooperation with the recess including the first bottom portion 83a in the second base member 70. Similarly, the third relay mounting portion 110 is configured by connecting a recess including the second bottom portion 83b in the first base member 68 and a recess including the second bottom portion 83b in the second base member 70 in the front-rear direction. In other words, the recess including the second bottom portion 83b in the first base member 68 is configured as a third relay mounting portion half portion 90 that constitutes the third relay mounting portion 110 in cooperation with the recess including the second bottom portion 83b in the second base member 70.
[0049] Moreover, at an inner edge in the width direction (front-rear direction) of the additional mounting portion 78, in other words, at the other end (front end) in the width direction, a fitting portion 92 having a polygonal cross section is provided at one end side (right end side) in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, at the other end (front end) in the width direction (front-rear direction) of the additional mounting portion 78, a fitting hole 94 with the same cross section as the fitting portion 92 and into which the fitting portion 92 fits is provided at the other end side (left end side) in the longitudinal direction. In the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 12 etc., the fitting portion 92 and the fitting hole 94 are each rectangular in plan view.
[0050] 9 and 11, the outer peripheral surface of the first base member 68, which becomes the overlapping surface when the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 are combined, and particularly the right end surface thereof, are provided with a locking protrusion 96 and a locking recess 98 that fit together. Specifically, the right end surface of the first base member 68 is composed of the right end surface of the additional mounting portion 78 and the right end surface of a portion of the relay mounting portion 74 where the additional mounting portion 78 is not provided (the front portion of the relay mounting portion 74). The right end surface of the additional mounting portion 78 is provided with a locking protrusion 96 that protrudes to the right, and the right end surface of the front portion of the relay mounting portion 74 is provided with a locking recess 98 that opens to the right.
[0051] In the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9, the locking protrusion 96 has a trapezoidal cross section, and in the first embodiment, in particular, an isosceles trapezoidal cross section. As a result, both the upper and lower surfaces of the locking protrusion 96 are inclined surfaces 96a, 96a that gradually approach each other in the protruding direction (rightward). In addition, a pair of trapezoidal protrusions 100, 100 that are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction are provided on the right end surface in the front part of the relay mounting part 74, and a locking recess 98 that is recessed relative to each trapezoidal protrusion 100 is formed between the trapezoidal protrusions 100, 100 in the vertical direction. The vertical cross section of each trapezoidal protrusion 100 has an isosceles trapezoidal cross section similar to that of the locking protrusion 96. Therefore, both the upper and lower surfaces of the inner surface of the locking recess 98 are inclined surfaces 98a, 98a that gradually slope away from each other toward the right, and the upper and lower outer surfaces of each trapezoidal protrusion 100 on both the upper and lower sides that constitute the locking recess 98 are inclined surfaces 100a, 100a that gradually slope toward each other toward the right.
[0052] By forming the locking protrusion 96 and the locking recess 98 (each trapezoidal protrusion 100) in the above-mentioned shape, as described below, the locking protrusion 96 can be inserted into the locking recess 98 from either the upper or lower direction due to the guiding action of each inclined surface 96a, 100a. Then, when the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 are assembled, the locking protrusion 96 fits into the locking recess 98, and each inclined surface 96a of the locking protrusion 96 abuts against each inclined surface 98a of the locking recess 98. This limits the displacement of the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 in the separation direction (i.e., the vertical direction which is the assembly direction of the first base member 68 and the second base member 70) to a certain extent.
[0053] 11 and 12, a pair of hook-shaped protrusions 102, 102 having an L-shaped cross section and extending in the vertical direction are provided on both sides of the locking protrusion 96 in the front-rear direction on the right end surface of the additional mounting portion 78. Each of these hook-shaped protrusions 102 protrudes rightward from the right end surface of the additional mounting portion 78. Furthermore, on the right end surface in the front portion of the relay mounting portion 74, a pair of hook-shaped recesses 104, 104 having the same L-shaped cross section as the hook-shaped protrusion 102 and extending in the vertical direction are provided on both sides of the locking recess 98 and each of the trapezoidal protrusions 100 in the front-rear direction. Each of these hook-shaped recesses 104 opens to the right on the right end surface in the front portion of the relay mounting portion 74, and each hook-shaped protrusion 102 can be inserted into each hook-shaped recess 104 from above or below.
[0054] <Concatenation body 72> As described above, the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 are combined with each other to form the connecting body 72 shown in Figs. 6 to 9. In the first embodiment, the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 have the same shape, and the second base member 70 is formed by rotating the first base member 68 180° around the central axis in the plate thickness direction (vertical direction). In Fig. 12, the second base member 70 formed by rotating the first base member 68 180° around the central axis in the vertical direction is shown by a two-dot chain line. The first base member 68 and the second base member 70 cannot be combined with each other even if they are brought close to each other in the left-right direction or the front-back direction because the fitting portions 92, the locking protrusions 96, and the hook-shaped protrusions 102 interfere with each other, but they can be combined by being brought close to each other in the vertical direction.
[0055] That is, by bringing the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 close to each other from the top and bottom, the mating portion 92 and each hook-shaped convex portion 102 of the mating member are inserted into the mating hole 94 and each hook-shaped concave portion 104 of the mating member and fitted. Also, each locking convex portion 96 is inserted into the locking concave portion 98 by climbing over the trapezoidal protrusion 100 of the mating member from above or below and fitted. As a result, the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 are combined, but this state is a provisionally fixed state, and the above-mentioned fitting is released by separating the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 in the top and bottom directions. The first base member 68 and the second base member 70 are permanently fixed by placing the fuse 56 on the fuse mounting portion 108 described later and fixing the fuse 56 to the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 with bolts. In short, the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 are permanently fixed together by being bolted together via the fuse 56. Since the hook-shaped protrusions 102 and the hook-shaped recesses 104 are hook-shaped and correspond to each other, the hook-shaped protrusions 102 and the hook-shaped recesses 104 fit together to prevent the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 from coming apart in the left-right direction.
[0056] Here, by combining the first base member 68 and the second base member 70, the additional mounting portion 78 of the first base member 68 and the additional mounting portion 78 of the second base member 70 are connected so that their front openings 84, 84 are butted against each other. Then, by connecting these additional mounting portions 78, a third circuit mounting portion 106 on which the third circuit 36 is mounted is configured.
[0057] Specifically, in the connecting body 72 in which the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 are connected, the recesses in the additional mounting portions 78 are connected to each other. As described above, the recesses in the additional mounting portion 78 include the fuse mounting portion half portion 88 including the first bottom portion 83a and the third relay mounting portion half portion 90 including the second bottom portion 83b. As shown in FIG. 8, the additional mounting portions 78 are connected in the front-rear direction to form the fuse mounting portion 108 that opens upward by connecting the fuse mounting portion half portions 88 to each other in the front-rear direction. Also, the third relay mounting portion 110 that opens upward by connecting the third relay mounting portion half portions 90 to each other in the front-rear direction is formed. As a result, the third circuit mounting portion 106 is configured to include the fuse mounting portion 108 and the third relay mounting portion 110. The third relay mounting portion 110 is formed above the fuse mounting portion 108.
[0058] 9, the fuse 56 mounted on the fuse mounting portion 108 and the third relay 38 mounted on the third relay mounting portion 110 are indicated by two-dot chain lines. The fuse 56 is mounted on the fuse mounting portion 108 from above and bolted to the fuse mounting portion 108. The third relay 38 is mounted on the third relay mounting portion 110 from above and bolted to the third relay mounting portion 110. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the third relay mounting portion 110 is configured to include the fuse mounting portion 108 and its surroundings when projected in the mounting direction (vertical direction) of the fuse 56. In other words, the arrangement area of the third relay 38 and the arrangement area of the fuse 56 overlap in the mounting direction (vertical direction) of the third relay 38. As a result, the third relay 38 mounted on the third relay mounting portion 110 is overlapped with the fuse 56 in the mounting direction (vertical direction) of the third relay 38. Note that the arrangement area of the third relay 38 (third relay mounting portion 110) and the arrangement area of the fuse 56 (fuse mounting portion 108) do not need to completely overlap when projected in the vertical direction, and may partially overlap.
[0059] <Lower case 112 and holder 122> The connecting body 72 carrying the first circuit 20, the second circuit 26 and the third circuit 36 is fixed to a lower case 112 that opens upward. As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, the lower case 112 is box-shaped and opens upward, and is made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The lower case 112 includes a bottom wall 114 and an annular peripheral wall 116 that protrudes upward from the bottom wall 114. An insertion hole 118 is provided in a front portion of the peripheral wall 116, and an electric wire or a bus bar on the load (auxiliary equipment) side (not shown) is inserted into the lower case 112 through the insertion hole 118 to be connected to the positive and negative external connection bus bars 64, 66. In the first embodiment, four insertion holes 118 are provided at approximately equal intervals in the left-right direction in the front portion of the peripheral wall 116, corresponding to the positive and negative external connection bus bars 64, 66. In addition, a flange-shaped portion 120 is provided at the upper end of the peripheral wall 116, extending annularly on the outer circumferential side, and the stud bolts constituting the first positive and negative side input portions 16, 18 and the second positive and negative side input portions 22, 24 are placed on the flange-shaped portion 120 and protrude upward.
[0060] Further, each of the bus bars 58m, 58n constituting the downstream portion of the first circuit 20 and the second circuit 26 is supported by a holder 122 provided in the lower case 112. The holder 122 is a relatively long member extending in the left-right direction in the lower case 112, and is formed of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin. Specifically, the holder 122 is provided with a front groove portion 124 and a rear groove portion 126 extending in the left-right direction, spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction, and the bus bar 58m is inserted into the front groove portion 124 and supported, and the bus bar 58n is inserted into the rear groove portion 126 and supported. Further, a fuse fixing portion 128 for fixing the fuse 62 connected to the front extension portion 60 is integrally provided in the front portion of the holder 122, and in the first embodiment, four fuse fixing portions 128 corresponding to the respective fuses 62 are provided spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The holder 122 is fixed to the bottom wall 114 of the lower case 112 by bolts.
[0061] <Method of Assembling the Power Distribution Device 10> The following describes a specific example of a method for assembling the power distribution device 10. Note that the method for assembling the power distribution device 10 is not limited to the following description.
[0062] First, the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 are prepared. In the first embodiment, since the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 have the same shape, two first base members 68 are prepared, and one of them is rotated 180° around the central axis in the vertical direction to complete the preparation of the first base member 68 and the second base member 70. Thereafter, the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 are brought closer to each other from the state in which they face each other in the vertical direction, and each of the fitting portions 92 is inserted into each of the fitting holes 94, and each of the hook-shaped convex portions 102 is inserted into each of the hook-shaped concave portions 104. Furthermore, the inclined surfaces 96a of the locking protrusions 96 come into contact with the inclined surfaces 100a of the trapezoidal protrusions 100, and the locking protrusions 96 and / or the trapezoidal protrusions 100 are elastically deformed, so that the locking protrusions 96 climb over the trapezoidal protrusions 100 and fit into the locking recesses 98. This connects the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 in a provisionally fixed state, forming the connecting body 72.
[0063] Thereafter, the connecting body 72 in the provisionally fixed state is bolted to the bottom wall 114 of the lower case 112, and the fuse 56 is bolted to the fuse mounting portion 108, thereby permanently fixing the first base member 68 and the second base member 70. Note that the bolting of the fuse 56 in the fuse mounting portion 108 may be performed before the connecting body 72 is fixed to the bottom wall 114 of the lower case 112, or the permanently fixed connecting body 72 may be bolted to the bottom wall 114 of the lower case 112. In addition, the holder 122 is fixed to the bottom wall 114 of the lower case 112 with bolts. Then, the first to third relays 30, 34, 38, the first and second current sensors 52, 54, the bus bars 58a-58n, the fuses 62, and the positive and negative external connection bus bars 64, 66 constituting the first to third circuits 20, 26, 36 are placed on the connecting body 72 and the holder 122 in an appropriate order, and each is fixed with a bolt. In this way, the power distribution device 10 of the first embodiment is completed. Note that an upper case (not shown) may be placed on the lower case 112 of the power distribution device 10 from above, and the upper opening of the lower case 112 may be covered by this upper case.
[0064] In the power distribution device 10 manufactured as described above, the first and second relays 30, 34 are turned ON and the third relay 38 is turned OFF, resulting in the electrical configuration shown in Fig. 14. That is, in the state shown in Fig. 14, the first positive side line 40 from the first battery 12 and the second positive side line 32 from the second battery 14 are connected in parallel at the positive side connection part 42. Also, the first negative side line 28 from the first battery 12 and the second negative side line 44 from the second battery 14 are connected in parallel at the negative side connection part 46. As a result, a voltage of 48V, which is the same voltage as that of the first battery 12 and the second battery 14, is applied to each load (auxiliary equipment) connected to the positive side output part 48 and the negative side output part 50.
[0065] Moreover, by turning off the first and second relays 30, 34 and turning on the third relay 38, the electrical configuration shown in Fig. 15 is obtained. That is, in the state shown in Fig. 15, the first negative side line 28 and the second positive side line 32 are connected in series via the third circuit 36. As a result, the first battery 12 and the second battery 14 are connected in series, the first positive side line 40 from the first battery 12 is connected to each load (auxiliary equipment) via the positive side output unit 48, and the second negative side line 44 from the second battery 14 is connected to each load (auxiliary equipment) via the negative side output unit 50. As a result, a voltage of 96V, which is the sum of the voltage of the first battery 12 and the voltage of the second battery 14, is applied to each load (auxiliary equipment) connected to the positive side output unit 48 and the negative side output unit 50.
[0066] Therefore, by adopting the electrical configuration as in the first embodiment, it is possible to realize the switching between series and parallel of the first battery 12 and the second battery 14 by selecting ON / OFF of the three relays, the first to third relays 30, 34, and 38. In particular, if a first relay and a second relay are provided on the first positive side line and the second positive side line, respectively, to realize a switching mechanism between series and parallel of the first battery and the second battery as disclosed herein, the number of relays to be added increases, and there is a risk of increasing costs and size. In contrast, in the first embodiment, a first relay 30 is provided on the first negative side line 28, and a second relay 34 is provided on the second positive side line 32. As a result, by connecting the first negative side line 28 upstream of the first relay 30 and the second positive side line 32 upstream of the second relay 34 with the third circuit 36 including the third relay 38, it is possible to switch between series and parallel of the first battery 12 and the second battery 14. Therefore, in embodiment 1, in addition to the basic structure having the first relay 30 and the second relay 34, a mechanism for switching between series and parallel between the first battery 12 and the second battery 14 can be realized by adding one relay (third relay 38), thereby avoiding excessive increases in cost and size.
[0067] Furthermore, the power distribution device 10 is configured such that a first current sensor 52 is connected to the first positive line 40 of the first circuit 20, and a second current sensor 54 is connected to the second negative line 44 of the second circuit 26. As a result, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, whether the first battery 12 and the second battery 14 are connected in series or in parallel, the current values can be grasped in the first positive line 40 and the second negative line 44, enabling more accurate monitoring of the current values.
[0068] The third circuit 36 includes a third relay 38 and a fuse 56 connected in series to the third relay 38, and the arrangement area of the third relay 38 (third relay mounting section 110) and the arrangement area of the fuse 56 (fuse mounting section 108) overlap in the vertical direction. This makes the planar shape of the power distribution device 10 smaller than when the arrangement area of the third relay 38 and the arrangement area of the fuse 56 are provided independently in a plan view, thereby achieving a reduction in the size of the power distribution device 10. In particular, the third circuit 36 is in a conducting state when the first battery 12 and the second battery 14 are connected in series, and therefore a relatively large voltage is applied to it. In this case, when an unexpectedly excessive voltage is applied, the fuse 56 is cut off, thereby preventing damage to devices on the circuit.
[0069] The power distribution device 10 includes a first base member 68 on which the first circuit 20 is mounted and a second base member 70 on which the second circuit 26 is mounted, and the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 each have an additional mounting portion 78. The first base member 68 and the second base member 70 are combined and the additional mounting portions 78, 78 are connected to each other to form a third circuit mounting portion 106 on which the third circuit 36 is mounted. In other words, there is no need to provide a separate base member on which the third circuit 36 is mounted, and an increase in the number of parts can be avoided.
[0070] In particular, the third circuit mounting portion 106 includes the fuse mounting portion 108 and the third relay mounting portion 110, and the fuse 56 mounted on the fuse mounting portion 108 and the third relay 38 mounted on the third relay mounting portion 110 are stacked in the vertical direction. In other words, the fuse 56 and the third relay 38 are stacked in the vertical direction, and the fuse mounting portion 108 and the third relay mounting portion 110 on which they are mounted are configured by combining the first base member 68 and the second base member 70, so that it is possible to simultaneously achieve a reduction in the size of the power distribution device 10 and a reduction in the number of parts.
[0071] In the first embodiment, the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 have the same shape, and each of the base members 68, 70 has a fitting portion 92 and a fitting hole 94 that fit into each other. By making the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 have the same shape, an increase in the number of parts is prevented, and costs and the effort required for part management can be reduced. In addition, the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 can be temporarily fixed by fitting the fitting portions 92 and the fitting holes 94 together. For example, when fixing the fuse 56 or the third relay 38 across the first base member 68 and the second base member 70, the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 can be prevented from being unintentionally separated from each other.
[0072] In particular, the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 are provided with a locking protrusion 96 and a locking recess 98 that engage with each other, so that separation between the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 is restricted when the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 are assembled. This more reliably prevents the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 from being unintentionally separated when the fuse 56 and the third relay 38 are fixed across the first base member 68 and the second base member 70.
[0073] <Modification> Although the first embodiment has been described above as a specific example of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited to this specific description. Modifications, improvements, etc. within the scope of achieving the object of the present disclosure are included in the present disclosure. For example, the following modified examples of the embodiment are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.
[0074] (1) In the above embodiment, the first current sensor 52 is connected to the first positive line 40 of the first circuit 20, and the second current sensor 54 is connected to the second negative line 44 of the second circuit 26, but the locations of the current sensors are not limited. Note that a current sensor does not necessarily have to be provided in the power distribution device according to the present disclosure.
[0075] (2) In the above embodiment, the power distribution device 10 has the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 that are mutually identical in shape, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the first base member and the second base member may have mutually different shapes. In addition, in the above embodiment, the fuse mounting portion 108 and the third relay mounting portion 110 are overlapped in the vertical direction, and the fuse 56 is located below the third relay 38, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. That is, for example, one of the first base member and the second base member may have the fuse mounting portion, and the other of the first base member and the second base member may have the third relay mounting portion. Note that, in the power distribution device according to the present disclosure, the number of base members is not limited to two (the first base member and the second base member), and may be one or three or more. That is, the power distribution device according to the present disclosure may have one base member on which the first to third circuits are mounted, or may have three base members on which the first to third circuits are separately mounted. Moreover, in the power distribution device according to the present disclosure, the fuse connected in series to the third relay is not essential.
[0076] (3) In the above embodiment, the fitting portion 92 and the fitting hole 94 are rectangular in plan view, but may be circular in plan view. The fitting portion and the fitting hole do not need to have corresponding shapes, and for example, a rectangular fitting portion may be fitted into a fitting hole that is circular in plan view, or a circular fitting portion may be fitted into a fitting hole that is rectangular in plan view.
[0077] (4) In the power distribution device according to the present disclosure, the fitting portion and fitting hole, the locking protrusion and locking recess, and the hook-shaped protrusion and hook-shaped recess are not essential. In the above embodiment, the first base member 68 and the second base member 70 are combined in the up-down direction, but this is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the first base member and the second base member may be combined by butting against each other in the left-right direction or the front-rear direction. In this case, the fuse and the third relay may be fixed across the first base member and the second base member, and further in this case, the first base member and the second base member may be temporarily fixed prior to fixing the fuse and the third relay. The mechanism for temporarily fixing the first base member and the second base member is not limited, and may be realized by a press-fit or any lock mechanism in addition to the fitting of the protrusions and recesses as in the above embodiment.
[0078] (5) The shapes of the bus bars 58a-58n, the lower case 112, and the holder 122 in the above embodiment are not limited, and any shape may be adopted. In addition, the voltage magnitude of the first battery and the second battery is not limited to 48V, and the voltage magnitude of the first battery and the second battery may be set arbitrarily. [Explanation of symbols]
[0079] 10 Power distribution equipment 12 First battery 14 Second Battery 16 1st positive input section 18 1st negative input section 20 1st circuit 22 Second positive input section 24 Second negative input section 26 2nd circuit 28 First negative line 30 1st Relay 32 Second positive line 34 2nd Relay 36 Third circuit 38 3rd Relay 40 1st positive line 42 Positive connection 44 Second negative line 46 Negative side connection 48 Positive output section 50 Negative output section 52 First current sensor 54 Second current sensor 56 Fuse 58a~58n busbar 60 Front extension 62 Fuse 64 Positive external connection busbar 66 Negative side external connection bus bar 68 First base member 70 Second base member 72 Concatenation 74 Relay mounting section 74a bottom 76 Current sensor mounting part 76a bottom 78 Additional mounting section 80 Nut 82 Legs 83 Bottom 83a 1st bottom 83b 2nd bottom 84 Front opening 86 Step 88 Fuse mounting half 90 Third relay mounting section (half) 92 Fitting part 94 Mating hole 96 Locking protrusion 96a Slope 98 Locking recess 98a Slope 100 Trapezoidal protrusion 100a slope 102 Hook-shaped protrusion 104 Hook-shaped recess 106 Third circuit mounting section 108 Fuse mounting area 110 Third relay mounting section 112 Lower case 114 Bottom wall 116 Peripheral wall 118 Insertion hole 120 Flange-shaped part 122 Holder 124 Front gutter 126 Posterior groove 128 Fuse fixing part
Claims
1. a first circuit having a first positive input and a first negative input connected to a first battery; a second circuit having a second positive input and a second negative input connected to a second battery; a first relay connected to a first negative line of the first circuit; a second relay connected to a second positive line of the second circuit; a third circuit connecting the first negative side line upstream of the first relay and the second positive side line upstream of the second relay; a third relay connected to the third circuit; a positive side connection portion that connects the first positive side line and the second positive side line in parallel downstream of the second relay; a negative side connection portion that connects the first negative side line and the second negative side line in parallel downstream of the first relay; A power distribution device comprising: a positive side output section and a negative side output section connected to the downstream side of the positive side connection section and the negative side connection section, respectively.
2. a first current sensor connected to the first positive line of the first circuit; a second current sensor connected to the second negative line of the second circuit; The positive side connection portion is connected to the first positive side line downstream of the first current sensor, The power distribution device according to claim 1 , wherein the negative side connection portion is connected to the second negative side line downstream of the second current sensor.
3. a fuse connected in series with the third relay of the third circuit; The power distribution device according to claim 1 , wherein an arrangement area of the third relay and an arrangement area of the fuse overlap with each other in a mounting direction of the third relay.
4. a first base member on which the first circuit is mounted; a second base member on which the second circuit is mounted; The first base member and the second base member each include a relay mounting portion, a current sensor mounting portion, and an additional mounting portion; a third circuit mounting portion is formed by combining the first base member and the second base member and connecting the additional mounting portions; The power distribution device according to claim 2 , wherein the third circuit is mounted on the third circuit mounting section.
5. a fuse connected in series with the third relay of the third circuit; 5. The power distribution device according to claim 4, wherein the third circuit mounting portion includes a fuse mounting portion on which the fuse is mounted, and a third relay mounting portion on which the third relay is mounted, the third relay being configured to include the fuse mounting portion and its periphery in a mounting direction of the fuse, and the third relay mounted on the third relay mounting portion is superimposed on the fuse in the mounting direction of the third relay.
6. The first base member and the second base member have the same shape, The additional mounting portion is disposed on one end side in the longitudinal direction of each of the base members, and the additional mounting portion is provided biased toward one side in the width direction with a width dimension smaller than the other end side in the longitudinal direction of each of the base members, and an inner edge portion of the additional mounting portion in the width direction is provided with a fitting portion having a polygonal cross-sectional shape on the one end side in the longitudinal direction, and a fitting hole having the same cross-sectional shape as the fitting portion and into which the fitting portion fits is provided on the other end side in the longitudinal direction, The power distribution device described in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the third circuit mounting portion is formed by assembling the first base member and the second base member and connecting each of the additional mounting portions by engaging the fitting portion and the fitting hole of the second base member, which is arranged in an arrangement direction rotated 180° around the central axis in the thickness direction relative to the arrangement direction of the first base member, with the fitting hole and the fitting portion of the first base member.
7. The outer peripheral surface of each of the base members is provided with a locking protrusion and a locking recess. The power distribution device according to claim 6 , wherein when the first base member and the second base member are assembled, the locking protrusion engages with the locking recess, thereby restricting separation of the first base member and the second base member.