Conduction module

Abstract

To prevent a reduction in the durability of a wiring component.SOLUTION: A wiring component 20 has a wiring main body 21, and a branch body 22 that is branched from the wiring main body for each of a plurality of bus bars 10. The bus bar has a circuit connection body 12 that is connected with a first circuit conductor 23 of the branch body. The circuit connection body has a through hole 12b, a circuit connection part 12a that is provided on a hole peripheral part 12c of the through hole and connected to the first circuit conductor on a mounting surface 22a of the branch body, and recesses 12e that avoid a contact with the circuit conductor on the mounting surface of the branch body at places different from the circuit connection part on the hole peripheral part. An electronic component 30 is connected with second circuit conductors 24 in the through hole with the mounting surface of the branch body as a bottom face, and covered by an insulative sealing member 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conductive module. [Background technology]

[0002] The conductive module is a wiring module that electrically connects a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are arranged and a battery monitoring unit that monitors the battery state of the battery cells. The conductive module includes a bus bar that is connected to one or a pair of battery cells of the battery module, a wiring component that includes a plurality of circuit conductors that are electrically connected to the battery monitoring unit, and an electronic component such as a thermistor that detects the temperature of the battery cell. The bus bar includes a bus bar body that is physically and electrically connected to the electrode terminal of the battery cell, a circuit connector that is physically and electrically connected to a first circuit conductor of the wiring component, and a heat collector that is disposed in a through hole and surrounds the electronic component. The circuit connector and the heat collector are provided in a protruding state relative to the bus bar body. The electronic component is physically and electrically connected to a second circuit conductor of the wiring component. This type of conductive module is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1 below. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2021 / 005999 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in wiring components, circuit conductors are routed up to locations where circuit connectors and electronic components are arranged, and therefore, in this conventional conductive module, the bus bars may come into contact with the circuit conductors even in locations where they are not physically and electrically connected to the circuit conductors, which may reduce the durability of the circuit conductors.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENTS In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a conductive module capable of suppressing a decrease in the durability of wiring components. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a battery module having an array of multiple battery cells, the battery module including a bus bar connected to one or a pair of the battery cells, a wiring component formed flat and flexible, the wiring component containing multiple circuit conductors electrically connected to a battery monitoring unit that monitors the battery state of the battery cells, and an electronic component electrically connected to the battery monitoring unit via the wiring component, the wiring component having a wiring main body and branch bodies branched from the wiring main body for each of the multiple bus bars, the bus bar having a bus bar main body that is physically and electrically connected to the electrode terminals of the battery cells, and a plurality of circuit conductors that are electrically connected to the wiring main body. and a circuit connection body physically and electrically connected to a first circuit conductor in the mounting surface of the branching body, the circuit connection body having a through hole, a circuit connection portion provided on the periphery of the through hole for physically and electrically connecting the first circuit conductor in the mounting surface of the branching body, and a recessed portion at a location different from the circuit connection portion in the periphery of the hole for avoiding contact with the circuit conductor in the mounting surface of the branching body, the electronic component being physically and electrically connected to a second circuit conductor in the through hole having the mounting surface of the branching body as a bottom surface, and being covered with an insulating sealing member.

[0007] The present invention also provides a battery module including a bus bar connected to one or a pair of battery cells in an arrangement of a plurality of battery cells, a wiring component formed flat and flexible, containing a plurality of circuit conductors electrically connected to a battery monitoring unit that monitors the battery state of the battery cells, and an electronic component electrically connected to the battery monitoring unit via the wiring component, the wiring component having a wiring main body and branch bodies branched from the wiring main body for each of the plurality of bus bars, the bus bar comprising a bus bar main body physically and electrically connected to an electrode terminal of the battery cell, and a flat circuit connection body physically and electrically connected to a first circuit conductor of the plurality of circuit conductors. the circuit connection body has a cutout portion penetrating between the respective flat surfaces, and a circuit connection portion provided in a frame portion around the cutout portion and physically and electrically connected to the first circuit conductor on the mounting surface of the branch body, the electronic component is arranged away from a bottom of the cutout in the frame portion toward an opening side of the cutout in the frame portion, and is physically and electrically connected to a second circuit conductor among the plurality of circuit conductors on the mounting surface of the branch body and is covered with an insulating sealing member, and the frame portion has the opening provided on an intrusion path from the wiring main side of the plurality of circuit conductors excluding the first circuit conductor to the mounting surface of the branch body.

[0008] The present invention also provides a battery module including a bus bar connected to one or a pair of battery cells in an arrangement of a plurality of battery cells, a wiring component formed flat and flexible, containing a plurality of circuit conductors electrically connected to a battery monitoring unit that monitors a battery state of the battery cells, and an electronic component electrically connected to the battery monitoring unit via the wiring component, the wiring component having a wiring main body and branch bodies branched from the wiring main body for each of the plurality of bus bars, the bus bar having a bus bar main body physically and electrically connected to an electrode terminal of the battery cell, and a flat circuit connection body physically and electrically connected to a first circuit conductor of the plurality of circuit conductors, the circuit connection body the electronic component is arranged outside the cutout, separated from the bottom of the cutout in the frame portion toward the opening side of the cutout in the frame portion, and is physically and electrically connected to a second circuit conductor among the plurality of circuit conductors on the mounting surface of the branching body and covered with an insulating sealing member; and the frame portion is arranged so that all of the circuit conductors extending from the wiring main body side to the mounting surface of the branching body, except for the first circuit conductor, enter the mounting surface of the branching body outside the cutout. Effect of the Invention

[0009] In the conductive module according to the present invention, the circuit connector has a recess that avoids contact with the circuit conductor on the mounting surface of the branch body at a location different from the circuit connection portion at the hole periphery, and therefore the durability of the circuit conductor can be suppressed. Therefore, this conductive module can suppress the deterioration of the durability of the wiring component. In addition, in the conductive module according to the present invention, a notch and a frame are provided in the circuit connector, and an opening of the notch in the frame is provided on an intrusion path from the wiring main body side to the mounting surface of the branch body for all circuit conductors except the first circuit conductor, and an electronic component is arranged in the notch. Therefore, in this conductive module, the circuit connector can avoid contact with the circuit conductor on the mounting surface of the branch body at a location different from the circuit connection portion in the frame, and therefore the durability of the circuit conductor can be suppressed. Therefore, this conductive module can suppress the deterioration of the durability of the wiring component. In addition, in the conductive module according to the present invention, a frame is arranged on the mounting surface of the branch body so that all circuit conductors extending from the wiring main body side to the mounting surface of the branch body, except the first circuit conductor, can intrude into the mounting surface of the branch body outside the notch. Therefore, in this conductive module, the circuit connector can avoid contact with the circuit conductor on the mounting surface of the branch body at a location separate from the circuit connector on the frame, and therefore deterioration in the durability of the circuit conductor can be suppressed, and therefore deterioration in the durability of the wiring component can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of a conductive module according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the battery module. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a bus bar according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bus bar according to the embodiment as viewed from the installation surface side. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a part of the wiring component according to the embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the thermistor and electronic components according to the embodiment together with wiring components. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a part of the conductive module of the first modification. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a bus bar according to the first modification. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a sealing member according to the first modification. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a sealing member according to the first modification. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a sealing member according to the first modification. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a part of the conductive module of the second modification. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a bus bar according to the second modification. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating an example of a sealing member according to the second modification. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a sealing member according to the second modification. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a sealing member according to the second modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a conductive module according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0012] [Embodiment] One embodiment of a conductive module according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0013] Reference numeral 1 in Fig. 1 indicates a conductive module of this embodiment. This conductive module 1 is assembled to a battery module BM (Fig. 2) in which a plurality of battery cells BC are arranged (for example, arranged in a row), and this battery module BM is electrically connected to, for example, a battery monitoring unit (not shown), which allows the battery monitoring unit to monitor the battery state of the battery cells BC. This conductive module 1 constitutes a battery pack BP together with the battery module BM (Figs. 1 and 2). The battery pack BP is mounted, for example, on a vehicle (such as a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) or Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)) that has a rotating machine as a drive source, and is used to supply power to the rotating machine.

[0014] The battery cell BC includes a cell body BC1 and positive and negative electrode terminals BC2 (FIG. 2). The battery cell BC shown here has a cell body BC1 formed in a rectangular shape with six outer wall surfaces, and the positive and negative electrode terminals BC2 are provided on one of the six outer wall surfaces of the cell body BC1. In the battery module BM, the cell bodies BC1 adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction are arranged with one outer wall surface facing each other. Thus, in the battery cell BC shown here, the positive and negative electrode terminals BC2 are provided on one of the four outer wall surfaces along the arrangement direction of the battery cells BC. On one outer wall surface of the cell body BC1, the electrode terminal BC2 serving as a positive electrode is arranged at one end in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the battery cells BC, and the electrode terminal BC2 serving as a negative electrode is arranged at the other end in the perpendicular direction.

[0015] The positive and negative electrode terminals BC2 may be, for example, plate-shaped or rectangular-shaped provided on one of the outer wall surfaces of the cell body BC1, or may be columnar poles protruding from one of the outer wall surfaces of the cell body BC1. In the case of the plate-shaped or rectangular-shaped electrode terminal BC2, a bus bar described later is physically and electrically connected to the electrode terminal BC2 by welding or the like. In the case of the columnar electrode terminal BC2, a male screw portion is provided in the electrode terminal BC2, so that the electrode terminal BC2 is inserted into a through hole of the bus bar described later, and a female screw member (not shown) is screwed into the male screw portion of the electrode terminal BC2, thereby physically and electrically connecting the bus bar described later to the electrode terminal BC2. Here, the columnar electrode terminal BC2 is taken as an example.

[0016] In the battery module BM, one electrode terminal BC2 and the other electrode terminal BC2 of the plurality of battery cells BC are arranged in the arrangement direction of the plurality of battery cells BC. In this battery module BM, one electrode terminal BC2 of a pair adjacent in the arrangement direction is electrically connected to each other electrode terminal BC2 of the pair by a bus bar described later. In addition, in this battery module BM, the other electrode terminal BC2 of a pair adjacent in the arrangement direction is electrically connected to each other electrode terminal BC2 of the pair by a bus bar described later. One of the pair of electrode terminals BC2 adjacent in the arrangement direction may be a positive electrode and the other may be a negative electrode, or both may be positive electrodes or negative electrodes. Here, the plurality of battery cells BC are arranged such that one of the pair of electrode terminals BC2 adjacent in the arrangement direction is a positive electrode and the other is a negative electrode. In this battery module BM, a bus bar described later is physically and electrically connected to one electrode terminal BC2 that is a total positive electrode, and a bus bar described later is physically and electrically connected to one electrode terminal BC2 that is a total negative electrode.

[0017] The conductive module 1 includes a bus bar that is connected to one or a pair of battery cells BC of the battery module BM. This bus bar is a metal plate-shaped conductive part, and is formed by press forming using a metal plate as a base material, for example.

[0018] When a single battery cell BC is to be connected, the bus bar is formed to physically and electrically connect to the electrode terminal BC2 serving as the total positive electrode or the electrode terminal BC2 serving as the total negative electrode. The pair of battery cells BC to be connected to the bus bar are adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction of the multiple battery cells BC, and each of the pair includes one electrode terminal BC2 and the other electrode terminal BC2 of the pair adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction. Thus, when a pair of battery cells BC is to be connected, the bus bar is formed to physically and electrically connect to one electrode terminal BC2 of the pair adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction, thereby electrically connecting the one electrode terminal BC2 of the pair. Furthermore, the bus bar in this case is formed to physically and electrically connect to the other electrode terminal BC2 of the pair adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction, thereby electrically connecting the other electrode terminal BC2 of the pair.

[0019] Here, a bus bar 10 for connecting a pair of battery cells BC is taken as a representative example (FIGS. 1, 3, and 4). In the conductive module 1, the bus bar 10 is provided for each combination of a pair of electrode terminals BC2.

[0020] The busbar 10 has a busbar body 11 that is physically and electrically connected to the electrode terminals BC2 of the battery cell BC (FIGS. 1, 3, and 4). The busbar body 11 has through holes 11a for each of the two electrode terminals BC2, and the pair of electrode terminals BC2 are inserted into the through holes 11a for each electrode terminal BC2. With the busbar body 11 installed in a predetermined position, the busbar 10 physically and electrically connects the busbar body 11 to each electrode terminal BC2 by screwing a female screw member into the male screw portion of the electrode terminal BC2.

[0021] The conductive module 1 electrically connects the bus bars 10 to a battery monitoring unit, thereby allowing the battery monitoring unit to monitor the battery state of each battery cell BC. Therefore, the conductive module 1 includes a wiring component 20 that is flexible and flat and contains multiple circuit conductors that are electrically connected to the battery monitoring unit (FIGS. 1, 5, and 6).

[0022] The wiring component 20 shown here is a flexible printed circuit board, and the circuit conductors are formed by a conductor pattern. This wiring component 20 is provided with various films formed flat with flexibility as an insulating coating, and a conductor pattern is formed on at least one of the various films. The conductor pattern (circuit conductor) is enclosed by the insulating coating, and, for example, a place that becomes an electrical contact point with other components is exposed.

[0023] The wiring component 20 has a wiring main body 21 and branch bodies 22 branched from the wiring main body 21 for each of the bus bars 10 (FIGS. 1, 5, and 6).

[0024] The wiring main body 21 runs parallel to the multiple battery cells BC aligned in the arrangement direction of the multiple battery cells BC. In the wiring component 20, a first circuit conductor 23 (FIGS. 5 and 6) of the multiple circuit conductors contained in the wiring main body 21 is electrically connected to the battery monitoring unit.

[0025] In the wiring component 20, a first circuit conductor 23 contained in a branch body 22 is physically and electrically connected to the bus bar 10. The branch body 22 branches off from a wiring main body 21 and protrudes from the wiring main body 21 toward an outer wall surface of one of a pair of battery cells BC electrically connected by the bus bar 10. Here, the branch body 22 protrudes toward the outer wall surface of the battery cell BC on which the electrode terminal BC2 is arranged.

[0026] The busbar 10 has a circuit connection body 12 that is physically and electrically connected to the first circuit conductor 23 (FIGS. 1, 3, and 4). The circuit connection body 12 is disposed at a position protruding from the busbar body 11, and is physically and electrically connected to the first circuit conductor 23 contained in the branch body 22. The circuit connection body 12 has a circuit connection portion 12a that is physically and electrically connected to the first circuit conductor 23 on the mounting surface 22a (FIGS. 5 and 6) of the branch body 22 (FIGS. 3 and 4). For example, in the circuit connection body 12, the circuit connection portion 12a is soldered to the first circuit conductor 23 exposed from the insulating coating on the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22.

[0027] In the busbar 10 shown here, the busbar body 11 and the circuit connectors 12 are each formed in a flat plate shape, and the busbar body 11 and the circuit connectors 12 are arranged on the same plane. The busbar 10 is molded as a single member with the circuit connectors 12 protruding from the busbar body 11 on the same plane. Note that in the busbar 10, the busbar body 11 and the circuit connectors 12 may not be arranged on the same plane, but the busbar body 11 and the circuit connectors 12 may each be molded as separate members, and the busbar body 11 and the circuit connectors 12 may be fixed together by welding or the like to be integrated.

[0028] The circuit connector 12 shown here has a through hole 12b, and a circuit connector 12a is provided on a hole periphery 12c of this through hole 12b (FIGS. 1, 3, and 4). Here, the circuit connector 12 has a rectangular through hole 12b and a circular hole periphery 12c.

[0029] The conductive module 1 includes an electronic component 30 that is electrically connected to the battery monitoring unit via a wiring component 20 (FIGS. 1 and 6). The electronic component 30 may be, for example, a thermistor that detects the temperature of the battery cell BC via the branch body 22, a circuit protection component such as a fuse that cuts off an overcurrent that flows through the first circuit conductor 23, or an electronic component for noise suppression such as a capacitor or inductor.

[0030] The electronic component 30 is physically and electrically connected to the second circuit conductor 24 (FIGS. 5 and 6) among the multiple circuit conductors on the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22. The electronic component 30 shown here is physically and electrically connected to the second circuit conductor 24 in a through hole 12b having the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22 as its bottom surface. For example, the electronic component 30 has electrical connection parts 31, 32 at one end and the other end (FIG. 6). The electronic component 30 physically and electrically connects the electrical connection part 31 at one end and the electrical connection part 32 at the other end to a first contact point on one side and a second contact point on the other side of the second circuit conductor 24 divided by the branch body 22, respectively. In the electronic component 30, the electrical connection part 31 at one end is soldered to the first contact point of the second circuit conductor 24, and the electrical connection part 31 at the other end is soldered to the second contact point of the second circuit conductor 24.

[0031] Here, in the wiring component 20, the second circuit conductor 24 contained in the wiring main body 21 is electrically connected to the battery monitoring unit side in the same manner as the first circuit conductor 23. The first circuit conductor 23 and the second circuit conductor 24 are routed in the branch body 22 from the wiring main body 21 side to the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22. For example, the first circuit conductor 23 and the second circuit conductor 24 are linearly routed in the branch body 22 from the wiring main body 21 side to the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22.

[0032] In the circuit connection body 12, the hole periphery 12c is placed on the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22, and the circuit connection part 12a of the hole periphery 12c is physically and electrically connected to the first circuit conductor 23 exposed from the insulating coating on the mounting surface 22a. Therefore, the circuit connection part 12a is specifically provided on a wall surface (hereinafter referred to as the "installation surface") 12d that faces the mounting surface 22a of the hole periphery 12c (FIGS. 3 and 4). Then, the first circuit conductor 23 is exposed from the insulating coating on the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22, and is disposed opposite the circuit connection part 12a on the installation surface 12d.

[0033] On the other hand, the second circuit conductor 24 is exposed from the insulating coating at the mounting surface 22a of the branching body 22, and is routed into the through hole 12b across the installation surface 12d of the hole periphery 12c. Therefore, if the second circuit conductor 24 comes into contact with the hole periphery 12c, there is a possibility that its durability will be reduced. Therefore, the circuit connecting body 12 is provided with a recess 12e in a location different from the circuit connecting portion 12a in the hole periphery 12c to avoid contact with the circuit conductor of the mounting surface 22a of the branching body 22 (FIG. 4). The recess 12e shown here is provided on the installation surface 12d of the hole periphery 12c to avoid contact between the hole periphery 12c and the second circuit conductor 24 of the mounting surface 22a.

[0034] In this conductive module 1, the electronic component 30 is covered with an insulating sealing member 40 (FIG. 1). Since the sealing member 40 is poured into the through hole 12b in a liquid state and cured (for example, UV cured), there is a risk that the sealing member 40 will flow out of the gap between the recess 12e of the hole periphery 12c and the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22 before curing. Therefore, in this conductive module 1, a liquid sealing member 40 having high viscosity and high thixotropy is used for the liquid sealing member 40 to prevent the liquid sealing member 40 from leaking out of the gap. For example, the liquid sealing member 40 is a high-viscosity and high-thixotropy material that can ensure a film thickness on the cured electronic component 30 that is required to protect the electronic component 30 and that can provide the desired insulation. Thus, in this conductive module 1, the liquid sealing member 40 is filled into the through hole 12b, and a suitable film thickness is formed after the liquid sealing member 40 is cured.

[0035] As described above, in the conductive module 1 of this embodiment, the circuit connecting body 12 has the recess 12e at a location different from the circuit connecting portion 12a in the hole peripheral portion 12c to avoid contact with the circuit conductor of the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22, so that deterioration in durability of the circuit conductor can be suppressed. Therefore, the conductive module 1 of this embodiment can suppress deterioration in durability of the wiring component 20.

[0036] Incidentally, the hole peripheral portion 12c exemplified here has two recesses 12e (FIG. 4). In this example, one of the two recesses 12e is used to avoid contact with the second circuit conductor 24 of the mounting surface 22a. The other of the two recesses 12e is used to avoid contact with the second circuit conductor 24 of the mounting surface 22a, for example, when the entry path of the second circuit conductor 24 into the mounting surface 22a is different from that in this example.

[0037] [Variation 1] The conductive module 2 of this modification is obtained by replacing the bus bar 10 in the conductive module 1 of the above-described embodiment with a bus bar 110 described below (FIGS. 7 and 8).

[0038] Like the busbar 10 of the embodiment, the busbar 110 of this modified example has a busbar main body 111 that is physically and electrically connected to the electrode terminal BC2 of the battery cell BC, and a circuit connector 112 that is physically and electrically connected to the first circuit conductor 23 (FIGS. 7 and 8). In the busbar 110 shown here, the busbar main body 111 and the circuit connector 112 are each formed in a flat plate shape, and the busbar main body 111 and the circuit connector 112 are arranged on the same plane. The busbar 110 is formed as a single member with the circuit connector 112 protruding from the busbar main body 111 on the same plane.

[0039] Like the circuit connection body 12 of the embodiment, the circuit connection body 112 has a circuit connection portion 112a that physically and electrically connects to the first circuit conductor 23 on the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22 (FIG. 8). However, the circuit connection body 112 of this modification has a notch portion 112b that penetrates between the respective flat surfaces, and the circuit connection portion 112a is provided on a frame portion 112c on the periphery of this notch portion 112b (FIGS. 7 and 8). Here, the circuit connection body 112 is formed in the shape of a rectangular flat plate, and a rectangular notch portion 112b is formed in this circuit connection body 112.

[0040] The frame 112c has an opening 112d on the path of the circuit conductors, except for the first circuit conductor 23, from the wiring main body 21 to the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22 (FIGS. 7 and 8). In the wiring component 20 shown here, all the circuit conductors extending from the wiring main body 21 to the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22 enter in the same direction. The frame 112c has a notched bottom 112e at the end of the opening 112d in the direction of all the circuit conductors extending from the wiring main body 21 to the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22 (FIGS. 7 and 8). In this example, the first circuit conductor 23 and the second circuit conductor 24 enter linearly from the wiring main body 21 to the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22 while facing the same direction (FIGS. 5 and 6). Therefore, the frame portion 112c in this example has an opening 112d on a path of the second circuit conductor 24 from the wiring main body 21 side to the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22.

[0041] The electronic component 30 needs to secure an insulation distance from the circuit connector 112 at the branch body 22. Therefore, the electronic component 30 is arranged away from the cutout bottom 112e of the frame portion 112c toward the opening 112d of the cutout portion 112b of the frame portion 112c (FIG. 7).

[0042] For example, electronic component 30 in this modified example is placed in cutout portion 112b having mounting surface 22a of branch body 22 as its bottom surface (FIG. 7). At this time, electronic component 30 is placed in cutout portion 112b after ensuring an insulation distance from frame portion 112c. In this case, no matter what orientation electronic component 30 is placed in cutout portion 112b, there is no problem as long as the insulation distance between frame portion 112c and electronic component 30 can be ensured.

[0043] However, if the cutout portion 112b of the circuit connecting body 112 cannot be enlarged due to miniaturization or the like, it becomes difficult to ensure an insulation distance between the frame portion 112c and the electronic component 30. Therefore, in the conductive module 2 of this modified example, an electronic component 30 having electrical connection portions 31, 32 at one and the other longitudinal ends is used (FIG. 6). The electronic component 30 is disposed in the cutout portion 112b with its longitudinal direction aligned with the direction in which the second circuit conductor 24 enters the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22 (FIG. 7).

[0044] In this case, in the conductive module 2, in order to ensure an insulation distance between each end of the electronic component 30 in the short direction and the frame portion 112c, an electronic component 30 having a shape suitable for ensuring that insulation distance is used, and frame portion 112c (notch portion 112b) having a size suitable for ensuring that insulation distance is formed in the circuit connector 112. Then, the electronic component 30 is pulled away from the notch bottom 112e toward the opening 112d to a position where an insulation distance is ensured between one or the other end of the electronic component 30 in the long direction and the notch bottom 112e.

[0045] The electronic component 30 is covered with the sealing member 40 similar to that of the embodiment (FIG. 7). That is, in this modified example, the liquid sealing member 40 having high viscosity and high thixotropy is used to prevent the liquid sealing member 40 poured into the notch 112b from leaking out of the notch 112b. In this conductive module 2, the liquid sealing member 40 is blocked in the notch 112b, and a suitable film thickness is formed after the liquid sealing member 40 hardens.

[0046] Furthermore, in this conductive module 2, if the leakage from the notch 112b cannot be prevented by the high-viscosity and high-thixotropy liquid sealing member 40, the notch bottom 112e is disposed vertically below the opening 112d, and the high-viscosity and high-thixotropy liquid sealing member 40 is poured into the notch 112b with the circuit connector 112 and the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22 tilted (FIG. 9). Since the sealing member 40 in this case is formed in such a form, the height from the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22 in the notch 112b increases from the opening 112d toward the notch bottom 112e (FIGS. 9 to 11).

[0047] As described above, the conductive module 2 of this modification has the notch 112b and the frame 112c in the circuit connection body 112, and the opening 112d of the notch 112b in the frame 112c is provided on the intrusion path from the wiring main body 21 side to the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22 in the circuit conductors other than the first circuit conductor 23 among the plurality of circuit conductors, and the electronic component 30 is disposed in the notch 112b. Therefore, in the conductive module 2 of this modification, the circuit connection body 112 can avoid contact with the circuit conductor (the second circuit conductor 24 in this example) of the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22 at a location different from the circuit connection part 112a in the frame 112c, so that the deterioration of the durability of the circuit conductor can be suppressed. Therefore, the conductive module 2 of this modification can suppress the deterioration of the durability of the wiring component 20.

[0048] Furthermore, the conductive module 2 of this modification is provided with a notch 112b and a frame 112c in the circuit connector 112, and the electronic component 30 is arranged away from the notch bottom 112e in the frame 112c toward the opening 112d of the notch 112b in the frame 112c, making it easier to ensure an insulation distance between the frame 112c and the electronic component 30. Therefore, the conductive module 2 of this modification can ensure an insulation distance between the frame 112c and the electronic component 30 even if the electronic component 30 is arranged in the notch 112b. In this way, the conductive module 2 of this modification can reduce the size of the bus bar 110 due to the reduction in size of the circuit connector 112, compared to a conventional conductive module (where the electronic component is arranged in the through hole of the circuit connector) in which the arrangement space for the electronic component is narrow. The conductive module 2 of this modification includes a plurality of such bus bars 110, which can contribute to the reduction in size of the overall body size. Moreover, in the conductive module 2 of this modification, the electronic component 30 is disposed in the cutout portion 112b with the longitudinal direction aligned with the direction in which the second circuit conductor 24 enters the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22, so that the frame portion 112c can be brought close to each end portion in the lateral direction of the electronic component 30, which also makes it possible to miniaturize the bus bar 110 in accordance with the miniaturization of the circuit connector 112. Furthermore, the conductive module 2 of this modification can also achieve a reduction in cost due to the miniaturization of the bus bar 110.

[0049] Furthermore, in the conductive module 2 of this modification, the electronic component 30 is arranged away from the notch bottom 112e in the frame portion 112c toward the opening 112d of the notch portion 112b in the frame portion 112c, which increases the degree of freedom in arranging the vias on the first contact side and the vias on the second contact side of the second circuit conductor 24 in the branch body 22, and increases the degree of freedom in designing the wiring component 20. Thus, the conductive module 2 of this modification enables the design of the wiring component 20 to be simplified, and enables the wiring component 20 to be made smaller in size by reducing the size of the branch body 22, thereby reducing the overall size.

[0050] [Variation 2] The conductive module 3 of this modification is obtained by replacing the bus bar 110 in the conductive module 2 of the above-described modification 1 with a bus bar 210 described below (FIGS. 12 and 13).

[0051] Like the busbar 110 of the first modification, the busbar 210 of this modification has a busbar main body 211 that is physically and electrically connected to the electrode terminal BC2 of the battery cell BC, and a circuit connector 212 that is physically and electrically connected to the first circuit conductor 23 (FIGS. 12 and 13). In the busbar 210 shown here, the busbar main body 211 and the circuit connector 212 are each formed in a flat plate shape, and the busbar main body 211 and the circuit connector 212 are arranged on the same plane. The busbar 210 is formed as a single member in which the circuit connector 212 protrudes from the busbar main body 211 on the same plane.

[0052] The circuit connection body 212, like the circuit connection body 112 of the first modification, has a circuit connection portion 212a that is physically and electrically connected to the first circuit conductor 23 of the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22, and a notch portion 212b that penetrates between the respective flat surfaces, and the circuit connection portion 212a is provided in a frame portion 212c on the periphery of the notch portion 212b (FIGS. 12 and 13). Furthermore, like the frame portion 112c of the first modification, the frame portion 212c has an opening 212d and a notch bottom 212e of the notch portion 212b (FIG. 13).

[0053] However, in the bus bar 210 of this modification, the opening 112d is not present on the intrusion path of all the circuit conductors extending from the wiring main body 21 side to the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22, except for the first circuit conductor 23, and the notch portion 212b is not present on the intrusion path either (FIGS. 12 and 13). That is, the frame portion 212c of this modification is arranged so that all the circuit conductors extending from the wiring main body 21 side to the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22, except for the first circuit conductor 23, enter the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22 outside the notch portion 212b. In the bus bar 210 shown here, the circuit connector 212 is arranged on the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22 with the opposing arrangement direction of the opening 212d and the notch bottom 212e perpendicular to the intrusion direction of the second circuit conductor 24 from the wiring main body 21 side to the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22. Therefore, electronic component 30 in this modification is positioned away from notch bottom 212e in frame portion 212c toward opening 212d of notch portion 212b in frame portion 212c, as in modification 1, but is positioned outside notch portion 212b.

[0054] In the conductive module 3 of this modification, the electronic components 30 outside the notch 212b are covered with an insulating sealing member 40 (FIG. 12). In this conductive module 3, as in the first modification, a liquid sealing member 40 having high viscosity and high thixotropy is used. However, in this conductive module 3, the electronic components 30 are disposed outside the notch 212b, and the damming function of the liquid sealing member 40 by the notch 212b is lower than in the first modification. Therefore, in the conductive module 3 of this modification, the notch bottom 212e is disposed vertically below the opening 212d, and the mounting surface 22a of the circuit connector 212 and the branch body 22 is tilted, and the liquid sealing member 40 having high viscosity and high thixotropy is applied from above the electronic components 30. In the conductive module 3 of this modification, the liquid sealing member 40 flows into the notch 212b, and continues to be applied from above the electronic component 30 until it is blocked by the notch 212b (FIG. 14). Since the sealing member 40 in this case is formed in such a form, it is formed from the notch bottom 212e of the frame 212c, over the opening 212d, and to the outside of the notch 212b, and the height of the branch body 22 from the mounting surface 22a increases from the outside of the notch 212b toward the notch bottom 212e (FIGS. 14 to 16).

[0055] As described above, the conductive module 3 of this modification has a frame portion 212c disposed on the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22 so that all circuit conductors extending from the wiring main body 21 side toward the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22, except for the first circuit conductor 23, enter the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22 outside the notch portion 212b. Therefore, in the conductive module 3 of this modification, the circuit connection body 212 can avoid contact with the circuit conductor (the second circuit conductor 24 in this example) on the mounting surface 22a of the branch body 22 at a location different from the circuit connection portion 212a on the frame portion 212c, so that the deterioration of the durability of the circuit conductor can be suppressed. Therefore, the conductive module 3 of this modification can suppress the deterioration of the durability of the wiring component 20.

[0056] Furthermore, the conductive module 3 of this modification is provided with a notch 212b and a frame 212c in the circuit connector 212, and the electronic component 30 is separated from the notch bottom 212e in the frame 212c to the opening 212d of the notch 212b in the frame 212c, and the electronic component 30 is disposed outside the notch 212b, which makes it easier to ensure an insulation distance between the frame 212c and the electronic component 30. Therefore, the conductive module 3 of this modification can reduce the size of the bus bar 210 due to the miniaturization of the circuit connector 212, compared to a conventional conductive module (where the electronic component is disposed in the through hole of the circuit connector) in which the location for disposing the electronic component is narrow. The conductive module 3 of this modification includes a plurality of such bus bars 210, which contributes to the miniaturization of the overall size. Furthermore, the conductive module 3 of this modification can reduce the cost due to the miniaturization of the bus bar 210.

[0057] Furthermore, in the conductive module 3 of this modification, the electronic component 30 is separated from the notch bottom 212e in the frame portion 212c toward the opening 212d of the notch portion 212b in the frame portion 212c, and the electronic component 30 is disposed outside the notch portion 212b, which increases the degree of freedom in arranging the vias on the first contact side and the vias on the second contact side of the second circuit conductor 24 in the branch body 22, and increases the degree of freedom in designing the wiring component 20. Thus, the conductive module 3 of this modification enables the design of the wiring component 20 to be simplified, and enables the wiring component 20 to be made smaller in size as the branch body 22 is made smaller, thereby enabling the overall size to be made smaller. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1,2,3 Conductive Module 10,110,210 Bus bar 11,111,211 Busbar body 12,112,212 Circuit connector 12a, 112a, 212a Circuit connection part 12b Through hole 12c Hole periphery 12e Recess 20 Wiring parts 21 Mainly wiring 22 Branched body 22a Mounting surface 23 First circuit conductor 24 Second circuit conductor 30 Electronic Components 40 Sealing member 112b,212b Notch 112c,212c frame 112d,212d aperture 112e,212e notched bottom BC Battery Cell BC2 electrode terminal BM Battery Module

Claims

1. a bus bar connected to one or a pair of battery cells of a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are arranged; a wiring component that is formed flat and flexible and that includes a plurality of circuit conductors that are electrically connected to a battery monitoring unit that monitors the battery state of the battery cell; an electronic component electrically connected to the battery monitoring unit via the wiring component; Equipped with the wiring component includes a wiring main body and branch bodies branched from the wiring main body for each of the plurality of bus bars, the bus bar includes a bus bar main body that is physically and electrically connected to an electrode terminal of the battery cell, and a circuit connection body that is physically and electrically connected to a first circuit conductor of the plurality of circuit conductors, the circuit connection body has a through hole, a circuit connection portion provided on a periphery of the through hole for physically and electrically connecting the first circuit conductor on the mounting surface of the branch body, and a recessed portion at a location different from the circuit connection portion on the periphery of the through hole for avoiding contact with the circuit conductor on the mounting surface of the branch body, the electronic component is physically and electrically connected to a second circuit conductor among the plurality of circuit conductors within the through hole, the bottom surface of which is the mounting surface of the branching body, and is covered with an insulating sealing member.

2. a bus bar connected to one or a pair of battery cells of a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are arranged; a wiring component that is formed flat and flexible and that includes a plurality of circuit conductors that are electrically connected to a battery monitoring unit that monitors the battery state of the battery cell; an electronic component electrically connected to the battery monitoring unit via the wiring component; Equipped with the wiring component includes a wiring main body and branch bodies branched from the wiring main body for each of the plurality of bus bars, the bus bar includes a bus bar main body that is physically and electrically connected to an electrode terminal of the battery cell, and a flat circuit connection body that is physically and electrically connected to a first circuit conductor of the plurality of circuit conductors, the circuit connection body has a notch portion penetrating between the respective flat surfaces, and a circuit connection portion provided on a peripheral frame portion of the notch portion and physically and electrically connected to the first circuit conductor on the mounting surface of the branch body, the electronic component is arranged away from a bottom of the notch in the frame toward an opening side of the notch in the frame, is physically and electrically connected to a second circuit conductor among the plurality of circuit conductors on the mounting surface of the branch body, and is covered with an insulating sealing member; A conductive module characterized in that the frame portion has an opening on an intrusion path from the wiring main body side to the mounting surface of the branch body in all of the plurality of circuit conductors except for the first circuit conductor.

3. the electronic component is disposed in the notch having the mounting surface of the branch body as a bottom surface, 3. The conductive module according to claim 2, wherein the sealing member has a height of the branch body from the mounting surface in the cutout portion increasing from the opening toward the bottom of the cutout.

4. a bus bar connected to one or a pair of battery cells of a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are arranged; a wiring component that is formed flat and flexible and that includes a plurality of circuit conductors that are electrically connected to a battery monitoring unit that monitors the battery state of the battery cell; an electronic component electrically connected to the battery monitoring unit via the wiring component; Equipped with the wiring component includes a wiring main body and branch bodies branched from the wiring main body for each of the plurality of bus bars, the bus bar includes a bus bar main body that is physically and electrically connected to an electrode terminal of the battery cell, and a flat circuit connection body that is physically and electrically connected to a first circuit conductor of the plurality of circuit conductors, the circuit connection body has a notch portion penetrating between the respective flat surfaces, and a circuit connection portion provided on a peripheral frame portion of the notch portion and physically and electrically connected to the first circuit conductor on the mounting surface of the branch body, the electronic component is disposed outside the notch, separated from a bottom of the notch in the frame toward an opening side of the notch in the frame, and is physically and electrically connected to a second circuit conductor among the plurality of circuit conductors on the mounting surface of the branch body, and is covered with an insulating sealing member; a conductive module characterized in that the frame portion is positioned so that all of the circuit conductors extending from the wiring main body side toward the mounting surface of the branching body, except for the first circuit conductor, enter the mounting surface of the branching body outside the cutout portion.

5. The conductive module according to claim 4, characterized in that the sealing member is formed from the bottom of the notch of the frame portion, beyond the opening, to the outside of the notch, and the height of the branching body from the mounting surface increases from the outside of the notch toward the bottom of the notch.

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