Bus bar and wiring module

Abstract

To provide a bus bar capable of being deformed in a width direction.SOLUTION: A bus bar 10 comprises: two connection parts 11; a side wall part 12 that is erected from at least one end of the connection part 11 in the width direction orthogonal to an arrangement direction of the two connection parts 11; and a coupling part 13 for coupling the two side wall parts 12 together in the arrangement direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a bus bar and a wiring module. [Background technology]

[0002] An electric storage module for an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or the like includes a large number of stacked electric storage elements, and the electric storage elements are electrically connected in series or parallel by a bus bar. A connection bus bar described in JP 2019-207825 A (Patent Document 1 below) is known as such a bus bar. A plurality of through holes are formed in the connection bus bar in a line in the left-right direction (long side direction of the connection bus bar). A bent portion that protrudes in a direction away from the electrode terminal (upward) is formed between the plurality of through holes in the connection bus bar. The bent portion has a substantially U-shape that opens downward when viewed from the front-rear direction (short side direction of the connection bus bar). The bent portion is configured to be able to be bent and deformed in the long side direction of the connection bus bar. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-207825 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above configuration, the connection bus bar is unlikely to deform in the short side direction of the connection bus bar, and therefore, if the energy storage element is misaligned in the short side direction of the connection bus bar, stress may be applied to the connection portion between the connection bus bar and the electrode terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The busbar of the present disclosure includes two connection portions, a side wall portion rising from at least one end of the connection portions in a width direction perpendicular to an arrangement direction of the two connection portions, and a connecting portion connecting the two side wall portions in the arrangement direction.

[0006] In addition, the wiring module of the present disclosure is a wiring module that is attached to a plurality of energy storage elements each having an electrode terminal, and includes the above-mentioned bus bar, the connection portion of which is connected to the electrode terminal, a voltage detection wire electrically connected to the bus bar, and a protector that holds the bus bar and the voltage detection wire. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a bus bar capable of deforming in the width direction can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bus bar according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a view of the bus bar according to the first embodiment as viewed in the thickness direction. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram of the bus bars according to the first embodiment as viewed from the arrangement direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view of the electricity storage module according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a side view of the energy storage device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bus bar according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a view of the bus bar according to the second embodiment as viewed in the thickness direction. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a view of the bus bar according to the second embodiment as viewed in the width direction. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the bus bar according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the bus bar according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a bus bar according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a view of the bus bar according to the fifth embodiment as viewed in the thickness direction. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a bus bar according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the electricity storage module according to the seventh embodiment. 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. [1] The busbar disclosed herein comprises two connection portions, a side wall portion rising from at least one end of the connection portions in a width direction perpendicular to an arrangement direction of the two connection portions, and a connecting portion connecting the two side wall portions in the arrangement direction.

[0010] With this configuration, the bus bar is more likely to deform in the width direction due to deformation of the connecting portion that connects the side wall portions.

[0011] [2] In the above item [1], it is preferable that the side wall portions rise from both ends of the connection portion in the width direction.

[0012] According to this configuration, the side walls rise from both ends of the connection part in the width direction, so that two coupling parts are provided. Therefore, compared to a case where only one coupling part is provided, the cross-sectional area of ​​the conductive path between the two connection parts can be increased. As a result, heat generation in the bus bar can be suppressed.

[0013] [3] In the above item [1] or [2], it is preferable that a notch is formed in the connecting portion.

[0014] According to this configuration, the formation of the cuts makes the connecting portion more likely to deform.

[0015] [4] In any one of the above items [1] to [3], it is preferable that the connecting portion is bent so as to protrude from the side wall portion in the width direction.

[0016] With this configuration, the connecting portion is more likely to undergo elastic deformation.

[0017] [5] In any one of the above items [1] to [4], the connecting portion is preferably configured by laminating two metal plates.

[0018] With this configuration, if the thickness (width dimension) of the connecting portion is the same, the flexibility of the connecting portion can be increased when the connecting portion is made of two stacked metal plates compared to when the connecting portion is made of a single metal plate.

[0019] [6] It is preferable that the busbar according to any one of [1] to [5] above further includes a conductive portion connecting the two connection portions in the arrangement direction.

[0020] According to this configuration, the conductive portion can increase the cross-sectional area of ​​the conductive path between the two connection portions, thereby suppressing heat generation in the bus bar.

[0021] [7] The wiring module of the present disclosure is a wiring module attached to a plurality of energy storage elements each having an electrode terminal, and includes a bus bar of any of [1] to [6] above, the connection portion of which is connected to the electrode terminal, a voltage detection wire electrically connected to the bus bar, and a protector that holds the bus bar and the voltage detection wire.

[0022] With this configuration, the bus bar can absorb tolerances and variations in the width direction of the energy storage element.

[0023] [8] The wiring module of [7] above preferably further comprises a connecting piece that is conductive and is arranged along an outer surface of the side wall portion, and the connecting piece preferably comprises a first connecting portion connected to the side wall portion and a second connecting portion to which the voltage detection line is connected.

[0024] With this configuration, the portion of the connection piece that electrically connects the bus bar and the voltage detection line that protrudes or protrudes from the bus bar can be made smaller, thereby making it possible to reduce the space required for arranging the bus bar and the connection piece in the wiring module.

[0025] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] The following describes embodiments of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is shown by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, some of the configurations may be exaggerated or simplified. In addition, the dimensional ratios of each part may differ in each drawing. In this specification, "orthogonal" does not only mean strictly orthogonal, but also includes roughly orthogonal within the range in which the action and effect of this embodiment are achieved.

[0026] In addition, "facing" in this specification refers to surfaces or members facing each other, and includes not only cases where they are completely facing each other, but also cases where they are partially facing each other. In addition, "facing" in this specification includes both cases where a member other than the two parts is interposed between the two parts, and cases where nothing is interposed between the two parts.

[0027] In each drawing, three mutually perpendicular directions are shown as a first direction D1, a second direction D2, and a third direction D3. That is, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are mutually perpendicular, the first direction D1 and the third direction D3 are mutually perpendicular, and the second direction D2 and the third direction D3 are mutually perpendicular. By showing arrows on both sides of the solid line indicating each direction, not only the direction of the arrow on the side with the symbol, but also the direction of the arrow on the side without the symbol is considered to indicate the corresponding direction.

[0028] <Embodiment 1> A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. In the following description, for multiple identical members, only some of the members may be labeled with reference numerals, and the reference numerals of the other members may be omitted.

[0029] (Busbar 10) The busbar 10 is formed by processing a conductive metal plate. The metal constituting the busbar 10 is, for example, copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, etc. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the busbar 10 includes two connection portions 11 arranged in a first direction D1 (an example of an arrangement direction), side wall portions 12 rising from both ends of each connection portion 11 in a second direction D2 (an example of a width direction), and a connecting portion 13 connecting the side wall portions 12 to each other in the first direction D1.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the connection portion 11 has a thin plate shape in the third direction D3. That is, the third direction D3 coincides with the thickness direction of the connection portion 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the connection portion 11 has, for example, a rectangular shape when viewed from the third direction D3. The two connection portions 11 are arranged side by side with a gap in the first direction D1. A through hole 11A is formed in the center of the connection portion 11. The through hole 11A penetrates the connection portion 11 in the third direction D3. As will be described later, the connection portion 11 is connected to the electrode terminal 2A of the energy storage element 2 by, for example, welding or the like (see FIG. 4). The through hole 11A is used to confirm the position of the electrode terminal 2A arranged opposite the connection portion 11 in the third direction D3. Note that, unlike this embodiment, the connection portion may have, for example, an insertion hole into which a bolt-shaped electrode terminal is inserted. The connection portion and the electrode terminal may be electrically connected by fastening a nut to the electrode terminal inserted into the insertion hole.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 3, the side wall portions 12 extend from both ends of the connection portion 11 in the second direction D2 to one side in the third direction D3 (to the right in Fig. 3). As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, two side wall portions 12 are provided for one connection portion 11, and thus four side wall portions 12 are provided for one busbar 10. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the side wall portions 12 include a first side wall portion 12A rising in the third direction D3 from an end portion of the connection portion 11 on one side in the second direction D2 (upper side in Figs. 2 and 3) and a second side wall portion 12B rising in the third direction D3 from an end portion of the connection portion 11 on the other side in the second direction D2 (lower side in Figs. 2 and 3).

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the connecting portion 13 connects two side wall portions 12 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1. In detail, the connecting portion 13 includes a first connecting portion 13A that connects the two first side wall portions 12A in the first direction D1 and a second connecting portion 13B that connects the two second side wall portions 12B in the first direction D1. The connecting portion 13 protrudes from the side wall portions 12 in the second direction D2. For example, the connecting portion 13 has a thin plate shape in the second direction and is bent with respect to the side wall portions 12 so as to protrude in the second direction D2. In addition, the connecting portion 13 is formed in a mountain shape with respect to the side wall portions 12. Since the connecting portion 13 is formed to protrude with respect to the side wall portions 12, the connecting portion 13 is easily elastically deformed.

[0033] The elastic deformation of the linking portion 13 allows a certain degree of relative displacement between the two connection portions 11. The linking portion 13 can allow relative displacement between the two connection portions 11 in the width direction (second direction D2). The linking portion 13 can also allow relative displacement between the two connection portions 11 in the arrangement direction (first direction D1).

[0034] In the present embodiment, the first connecting portion 13A protrudes from the first side wall portion 12A to the other side in the second direction D2. The second connecting portion 13B protrudes from the second side wall portion 12B to one side in the second direction D2. That is, the first connecting portion 13A and the second connecting portion 13B protrude toward each other in the second direction D2. According to this configuration, unlike the present embodiment, the busbar 10 can be made smaller in size in the second direction D2 compared to a case in which the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion protrude away from each other in the second direction D2.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 4, the bus bar 10 of this embodiment is included in an energy storage module 1 mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The energy storage module 1 includes a plurality of energy storage elements 2 each having an electrode terminal 2A, and a wiring module 3 attached to the plurality of energy storage elements 2. The wiring module 3 includes the bus bar 10, a flexible printed circuit board 20 (an example of a voltage detection line) electrically connected to the bus bar 10, and a protector 30 that holds the bus bar 10 and the flexible printed circuit board 20. For simplicity, the configuration of the energy storage module 1 (the energy storage elements 2 and the wiring module 3) will be described below with the up-down direction in Figs. 4 and 5 as the up-down direction, the left-right direction in Fig. 4 as the left-right direction, and the left-right direction in Fig. 5 as the front-rear direction.

[0036] The energy storage element 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The energy storage element 2 is thin in the left-right direction (see FIG. 4) and long in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 5, electrode terminals 2A are provided on the front and back of the energy storage element 2. One of the two electrode terminals 2A of the energy storage element 2 is a positive electrode, and the other is a negative electrode. The energy storage element 2 is not particularly limited, and may be a secondary battery or a capacitor. The energy storage element 2 in this embodiment is a secondary battery. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of energy storage elements 2 are stacked in the left-right direction. A spacer (not shown) is arranged between adjacent energy storage elements 2.

[0037] The wiring module 3 is attached to the front and rear surfaces of the multiple energy storage elements 2. Fig. 4 shows the wiring module 3 attached to the front surfaces of the multiple energy storage elements 2. The wiring module 3 attached to the rear surfaces of the multiple energy storage elements 2 is not shown, but is configured similarly to the wiring module 3 shown in Fig. 4.

[0038] The protector 30 is made of an insulating synthetic resin. The protector 30 includes a busbar accommodating section 31 in which the busbar 10 is accommodated, and a board accommodating section 32 in which the flexible printed circuit board 20 is accommodated. The busbar accommodating section 31 is frame-shaped and arranged side by side in the left-right direction. A connection hole (not shown) is provided in the bottom wall of the busbar accommodating section 31. The connection section 11 of the busbar 10 is connected to the electrode terminal 2A through this connection hole. The board accommodating section 32 is in the shape of a groove extending in the left-right direction. The board accommodating section 32 is disposed above the busbar accommodating section 31. A cutout section 31A is formed in a wall section of the busbar accommodating section 31 that is disposed closer to the board accommodating section 32. A metal piece 40 that electrically connects the busbar 10 and the flexible printed circuit board 20 is disposed in the cutout section 31A. The metal piece 40 and the busbar 10 are connected by, for example, welding. The metal piece 40 and the flexible printed circuit board 20 are connected by, for example, soldering. The wiring module 3 may include a cover (not shown) that covers the protector 30 that holds the bus bar 10 and the flexible printed circuit board 20.

[0039] The flexible printed circuit board 20 includes a sheet-like member made of insulating synthetic resin, and a plurality of conductive paths protected by the sheet-like member. One end of the conductive path is electrically connected to the bus bar 10 via a metal piece 40. The other end of the conductive path is connected to an external ECU (Electronic Control Unit) or the like via a connector (not shown). The ECU is equipped with a microcomputer, elements, etc., and has a well-known configuration having functions for detecting the voltage, current, temperature, etc. of each storage element 2, controlling the charging and discharging of each storage element 2, etc.

[0040] In the wiring module 3, the connection portion 11 of the busbar 10 is disposed so as to face the electrode terminal 2A, and the connection portion 11 and the electrode terminal 2A are connected by welding. The side wall portion 12 extends in a direction away from the energy storage element 2 in the thickness direction (third direction D3) of the connection portion 11. The busbar 10 connects the electrode terminals 2A of the adjacent energy storage elements 2. In the busbar 10, the two connection portions 11 are connected by the coupling portion 13 via the side wall portion 12. That is, the coupling portion 13 is a conductive path provided between the two connection portions 11. Therefore, a large current flows through the coupling portion 13 when the vehicle is in use. In this embodiment, the side wall portion 12 rises from both ends of the connection portion 11 in the width direction, and two coupling portions 13 are formed in the busbar 10. Therefore, unlike this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the conductive path between the two connection portions 11 can be increased compared to a case in which only one coupling portion is provided in the busbar. As a result, heat generation in the busbar 10 can be suppressed.

[0041] In the busbar 10 of this embodiment, the elastic deformation of the coupling parts 13 allows the connection parts 11 to be displaced in the width direction. Thus, according to the arrangement as shown in FIG. 4, the coupling parts 13 allow the connection parts 11 to be displaced in the vertical direction. Therefore, it is possible to absorb manufacturing tolerances and assembly tolerances in the vertical direction of the energy storage elements 2. Furthermore, even if adjacent energy storage elements 2 are dynamically displaced in the vertical direction due to vibration of the vehicle or the like, the elastic deformation of the coupling parts 13 makes it difficult for the connection parts 11 and the electrode terminals 2A to be damaged. Similarly, since the coupling parts 13 can allow the connection parts 11 to be displaced in the arrangement direction, the arrangement shown in FIG. 4 also allows tolerances and fluctuations in the left-right direction of the energy storage elements 2.

[0042] (Effects of the First Embodiment) (1-1) The busbar 10 in embodiment 1 comprises two connection portions 11, a side wall portion 12 rising from at least one end of the connection portion 11 in a width direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the two connection portions 11, and a connecting portion 13 connecting the two side wall portions 12 in the arrangement direction.

[0043] With this configuration, the busbar 10 becomes more likely to deform in the width direction when the connecting portions 13 that connect the side wall portions 12 are deformed.

[0044] (1-2) In the first embodiment, the side walls 12 rise from both ends of the connection portion 11 in the width direction.

[0045] According to this configuration, the side wall portions 12 rise from both ends of the connection portion 11 in the width direction, so that two linking portions 13 are provided. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the conductive path between the two connection portions 11 can be increased compared to a case where only one linking portion is provided. As a result, heat generation in the busbar 10 can be suppressed.

[0046] (1-3) In the first embodiment, the connecting portion 13 is bent so as to protrude from the side wall portion 12 in the width direction.

[0047] With such a configuration, the connecting portion 13 is more likely to undergo elastic deformation.

[0048] (1-4) The wiring module 3 of embodiment 1 is a wiring module 3 attached to a plurality of energy storage elements 2 each having an electrode terminal 2A, and includes a bus bar 10 having a connection portion 11 connected to the electrode terminal 2A, a voltage detection wire (flexible printed circuit board 20) electrically connected to the bus bar 10, and a protector 30 that holds the bus bar 10 and the voltage detection wire.

[0049] With this configuration, bus bar 10 can absorb tolerances and variations in energy storage elements 2 in the width direction.

[0050] <Embodiment 2> A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 6 to Fig. 9. A busbar 110 according to the second embodiment is substantially similar to that of the first embodiment except for the configurations of a side wall portion 112 and a connecting portion 113. Therefore, the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted.

[0051] Unlike the connecting portion 13 of the first embodiment, the connecting portion 113 of the present embodiment does not have a shape that protrudes from the side wall portion 112, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. The connecting portion 113 is formed to be approximately flush with the side wall portion 112.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 8, the side wall portion 112 and the connecting portion 113 are configured by stacking two metal plates. The two metal plates are stacked in the width direction (second direction D2) of the connection portion 11. In detail, the two metal plates configuring the side wall portion 112 and the connecting portion 113 are formed by folding one metal plate by tight bending. If the thickness (dimension in the width direction) of the connecting portion 113 is constant, the flexibility of the connecting portion 113 can be improved by stacking two thin metal plates as in this embodiment, rather than configuring the connecting portion from one metal plate.

[0053] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a cut 114 is formed in the connecting portion 113. The cut 114 is disposed in a position in the connecting portion 113 closer to the side wall portion 112. The cut 114 extends in the thickness direction (third direction D3) of the connection portion 11. The dimension of the cut 114 in the third direction D3 is, for example, about half the dimension of the connecting portion 113 in the third direction D3. The cut 114 has an opening at an end on the connecting portion 11 side. By forming the cut 114 in the connecting portion 113, the connecting portion 113 becomes easier to deform. The cut 114 may have an opening at either end of both ends of the connecting portion 113 in the third direction D3. The number of the cuts 114 provided in the connecting portion 113 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.

[0054] (Effects of the second embodiment) (2-1) In bus bar 210 according to embodiment 2, connecting portion 113 has notch 114 formed therein.

[0055] With this configuration, the formation of the notches 114 makes the connecting portion 113 more likely to deform. (2-2) In bus bar 210 according to the second embodiment, connecting portion 113 is formed by stacking two metal plates.

[0056] With this configuration, if the thickness (dimension in the width direction) of the coupling portion 113 is the same, the flexibility of the coupling portion 113 can be increased when the coupling portion is configured by stacking two metal plates, compared to when the coupling portion is configured by one metal plate. Also, the cross-sectional area of ​​the coupling portion 113, which serves as the conductive path between the two coupling portions 11, can be increased without increasing the thickness of the connection portions 11.

[0057] <Embodiment 3> A third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 10. A busbar 210 according to the third embodiment is substantially similar to that of the second embodiment except for the configuration of a connecting portion 213. Therefore, the same members as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted.

[0058] The connecting portion 213 is configured by laminating two metal plates, similar to the connecting portion 113 of the second embodiment. However, unlike the connecting portion 113, the connecting portion 213 protrudes from the side wall portion 112 in the width direction.

[0059] <Embodiment 4> A fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 11. A bus bar 310 according to the fourth embodiment is substantially similar to that of the first embodiment except for the configuration of a connecting portion 313, and therefore the same members as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted.

[0060] Unlike the first embodiment, the connecting portion 313 does not have a shape that protrudes from the side wall portion 12. As in the second embodiment, the connecting portion 313 is disposed flush with the side wall portion 12. The connecting portion 313 has a notch 114 in a portion closer to the side wall portion 12.

[0061] <Embodiment 5> A fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 12 to Fig. 14. A bus bar 410 according to the fifth embodiment is substantially similar to that of the first embodiment, except for the configuration of a conductive portion 415 and the incision 114. Therefore, the same members as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0062] 12 and 13, the bus bar 410 includes a conductive portion 415 that couples the two connection portions 11 in the arrangement direction (first direction D1). When viewed from the third direction D3, the conductive portion 415 is located between the two coupling portions 13. Like the coupling portion 13, the conductive portion 415 forms a conductive path between the two connection portions 11. That is, by providing the conductive portion 415, it is possible to increase the cross-sectional area of ​​the conductive path between the two connection portions 11. Therefore, it is possible to suppress heat generation from the bus bar 410.

[0063] 14, the conductive portion 415 protrudes from the connection portion 11 in the third direction D3. For example, the conductive portion 415 has a thin plate shape in the third direction D3 and is bent at multiple points so as to protrude in the third direction D3. The protruding direction of the conductive portion 415 from the connection portion 11 coincides with the direction in which the side wall portion 12 rises from the connection portion 11. The conductive portion 415 is formed in a mountain shape with respect to the connection portion 11.

[0064] From the viewpoint of facilitating deformation of busbar 410 in the width direction, it is preferable that the dimension of conductive portion 415 in the width direction (second direction D2) is smaller than the dimension of connection portion 11 in the width direction, as shown in FIG.

[0065] (Effects of the Fifth Embodiment)

[0066] (5-1) Bus bar 410 according to embodiment 5 further includes a conductive portion 415 that couples two connection portions 11 together in the arrangement direction.

[0067] With this configuration, the cross-sectional area of ​​the conductive path between two connection portions 11 can be increased by conductive portion 415. Therefore, heat generation from bus bar 410 can be suppressed.

[0068] <Embodiment 6> A sixth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 15. A bus bar 510 according to the sixth embodiment is substantially similar to that of the fifth embodiment, except for the number and arrangement of conductive portions 515. Therefore, the same members as those of the fifth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0069] Bus bar 510 has two conductive portions 515. The two conductive portions 515 are arranged spaced apart from each other in the width direction.

[0070] <Embodiment 7> A seventh embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is a partially enlarged perspective view of a power storage module 601 according to the seventh embodiment, with the protector omitted for ease of viewing. The protector of the seventh embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment.

[0071] The power storage module 601 includes a plurality of power storage elements 2 and a wiring module 603 attached to the plurality of power storage elements 2. The wiring module 603 is configured substantially similarly to the wiring module 3 of the first embodiment, and includes a bus bar 510, a flexible printed circuit board 620 (an example of a voltage detection line), and a protector (not shown). The bus bar 510 and the flexible printed circuit board 620 are electrically connected by a small metal piece 640 (an example of a connection piece).

[0072] In the seventh embodiment, a description will be given of a preferred embodiment with regard to the configuration and relative arrangement of the connections between the metal pieces 640, the bus bar 510, and the flexible printed circuit board 620. Although the wiring module 603 of the seventh embodiment includes the bus bar 510 of the sixth embodiment, it may include a bus bar according to the present disclosure other than the bus bar 510.

[0073] The metal piece 640 has a plate shape. The metal piece 640 includes a first connection portion 641 connected to the side wall portion 12 of the bus bar 510 and a second connection portion 642 connected to the flexible printed circuit board 620. The first connection portion 641 and the side wall portion 12 are connected by, for example, welding. The second connection portion 642 and the flexible printed circuit board 620 are connected by, for example, soldering. The metal piece 640 is disposed along the outer surface of the side wall portion 12. In other words, the first connection portion 641 is in contact with the side wall portion 12 so that the thickness direction of the metal piece 640 corresponds to the thickness direction of the side wall portion 12 (the width direction of the connection portion 11, the third direction D3). With this arrangement, the portion of the metal piece 640 that electrically connects the bus bar 510 and the flexible printed circuit board 620 that is disposed protruding or sticking out from the bus bar 510 can be made small. Therefore, the space required for arranging the bus bar 510 and the small metal piece 640 in the wiring module 603 can be reduced.

[0074] The flexible printed circuit board 620 includes a main body 621 having an elongated shape in the first direction D1, a connection piece 622 connected to the second connection portion 642, and a link portion 623 connecting the main body 621 and the connection piece 622. The link portion 623 is configured to be elastically deformable. The link portion 623 has, for example, an elongated strip shape. The link portion 623 has, for example, a width dimension smaller than the dimension of the connection piece 622. The connection piece 622 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the second connection portion 642 and the side wall portion 12, for example.

[0075] (Other embodiments) The above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 7 can be modified as follows: The above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 7 and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0076] In the first embodiment, the bus bar 10 has the through hole 11A, but the through hole may be omitted.

[0077] In the first embodiment, the side walls 12 rise from both ends of the connection portion 11 in the width direction, but the side walls may rise from only one end of the connection portion in the width direction. In this case, the busbar has two side walls and one coupling portion.

[0078] In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the first coupling portion 13A and the second coupling portion 13B protrude toward each other in the second direction D2, but the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion may protrude away from each other in the second direction. Also, the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion may protrude in the same direction in the second direction. Note that, when the coupling portion 13 protrudes toward the inside in the width direction of the connection portion 11, it is possible to make the coupling portion 13 protrude while suppressing an increase in the width of the busbar 10 in the second direction D2.

[0079] In the above-described first embodiment, the flexible printed circuit board 20 is illustrated as the voltage detection wire, but the voltage detection wire may be an electric wire, a flexible flat cable, or the like.

[0080] In the first embodiment, the bus bar 10 and the flexible printed circuit board 20 are indirectly connected via the metal pieces 40, but the bus bar and the flexible printed circuit board may be directly connected.

[0081] In the first embodiment, the width direction (second direction D2) of the busbar 10 coincides with the vertical direction of the energy storage module 1. However, the arrangement of the busbars in the energy storage module may be different from that in the first embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1: Energy storage module 2: Energy storage element 2A: Electrode terminal 3: Wiring module 10: Busbar 11: Connection 11A:Through hole 12: Side wall 12A: First side wall part 12B: Second side wall part 13:Connection part 13A: 1st connection part 13B:Second connection part 20: Flexible printed circuit board (an example of a voltage detection line) 30: Protector 31: Busbar housing 31A: Notch 32: Substrate housing section 40: Small metal piece 110: Busbar 112: Side wall 113:Connection part 114: Cut 210: Busbar 213: Connection part 310: Busbar 313:Connection part 410: Busbar 415: Conductive part 510: Busbar 515: Conductive part 601: Energy storage module 603: Wiring module 620: Flexible printed circuit board 621: Main body 622: Connection piece 623: Links 640: Small metal piece (an example of a connecting piece) 641: First connection part 642: Second connection part D1: 1st direction D2:Second direction D3: Third direction

Claims

1. Two connectors; a side wall portion rising from at least one end of the connection portion in a width direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the two connection portions; a connecting portion connecting the two side wall portions in the arrangement direction.

2. The busbar according to claim 1 , wherein the side wall portions rise from both ends of the connection portion in the width direction.

3. The bus bar according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a notch is formed in the connecting portion.

4. The busbar according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting portion is bent so as to protrude from the side wall portion in the width direction.

5. The bus bar according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting portion is formed by stacking two metal plates.

6. The bus bar according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a conductive portion connecting the two connection portions in the arrangement direction.

7. A wiring module attached to a plurality of energy storage elements each having an electrode terminal, The bus bar according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection portion is connected to the electrode terminal; A voltage detection line electrically connected to the bus bar; a protector that holds the bus bar and the voltage detection line.

8. a connecting piece that is electrically conductive and that is disposed along an outer surface of the side wall portion; The wiring module according to claim 7 , wherein the connection piece includes a first connection portion connected to the side wall portion and a second connection portion to which the voltage detection line is connected.

Images