Connection structure

Abstract

To provide a connection structure capable of preventing battery cells from heating up even when a short circuit occurs on an electronic apparatus.SOLUTION: The connection structure is a structure in which an electronic apparatus and a battery module are electrically connected via a connector. A first connector at the electronic apparatus is integrated with a board on which a high-voltage circuit is installed. The electronic apparatus has a release member for releasing the second connector by relatively moving in a direction that releases the connection of the second connector with respect to the board inside a case that houses the board. The release member is configured so as to, when a load is applied from the case in the direction that disconnects the second connector, move in the direction to release the connection of the second connector to apply a load to the second connector that disconnects the same from the first connector.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection structure.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connection structure in an electric vehicle equipped with a battery module, in which the battery module, an electronic device, and an electronic device are electrically connected within a space formed by a floor panel.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, when the floor panel is deformed due to a collision of an electric vehicle or the like and the equipment box for housing the electronic device is crushed, the electronic device including the high-voltage circuit is crushed and short-circuited. When the electronic device is short-circuited, a large current may flow from the electronic device to the battery cell through the conductive member, and the battery cell may generate heat.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a connection structure capable of avoiding heat generation of the battery cell even when a short circuit occurs on the electronic device side.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to a connection structure in which an electronic device having a high-voltage circuit and a battery module having a plurality of battery cells are electrically connected via a connector. The connector includes a first connector on the electronic device side electrically connected to the high-voltage circuit and a second connector on the battery module side connected to the first connector. The first connector is integrated with a substrate on which the high-voltage circuit is provided. The electronic device has a release member inside a housing that houses the substrate and relatively moves in a direction to release the connection of the second connector with respect to the substrate to release the connection of the second connector. When a load in the release direction is input from the housing to the release member, the release member moves in the direction to release the connection of the second connector and applies a load to the second connector to release the connection with the first connector.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] In the present invention, the connection between the first connector and the second connector can be physically released by the load input from the housing to the release member. Thereby, even if a short circuit occurs on the electronic device side, heat generation of the battery cell can be avoided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, the connection structure in the embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a connection structure in an embodiment. The connection structure 1 is a structure in which a battery module 2 and a battery ECU 3 are electrically connected. The connection structure 1 is applied to an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle is a vehicle equipped with a motor for running, such as a hybrid vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV), or a battery electric vehicle (BEV). The battery module 2 and the battery ECU 3 are mounted on the electric vehicle in a state of being housed in a housing case of a battery pack. Inside the housing case of the battery pack, the battery module 2 is housed in a module case 4, and the battery ECU 3 is housed in an equipment box 5. The module case 4 and the equipment box 5 are fixed to the housing case of the battery pack.

[0011] The battery module 2 is a battery pack composed of a plurality of battery cells. The battery module 2 is housed inside the module case 4. The battery module 2 is electrically connected to the battery ECU 3 via a female connector 6. The female connector 6 and the battery module 2 are electrically connected via an FPC 7.

[0012] The battery ECU 3 is an electronic control unit that controls the battery module 2. The battery ECU 3 includes a processor and a memory. The battery ECU 3 loads a program stored in the storage unit into the working area of the memory and executes it, and controls each component through the execution of the program to realize a function that meets a predetermined purpose. Signals from various sensors mounted on the electric vehicle are input to the battery ECU 3. The battery ECU 3 executes battery control based on the signals input from the various sensors. The battery ECU 3 outputs various command signals to the battery module 2 according to the battery control. At this time, the command signal is transmitted from the battery ECU 3 to the battery module 2 via the female connector 6.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, the battery ECU 3 includes a high-voltage circuit 11, a board 12, a housing 13, and a male connector 14.

[0014] The high-voltage circuit 11 is provided on the board 12. The board 12 is an ECU board. The housing 13 is an ECU housing. The male connector 14 is attached to the board 12. The male connector 14 is integrated with the board 12. The male connector 14 has pins electrically connected to the high-voltage circuit 11. In the battery ECU 3, the high-voltage circuit 11 and the board 12 are housed inside the housing 13. The battery ECU 3 is an electronic device having the high-voltage circuit 11. The male connector 14 has a structure that allows the female connector 6 to be connected from the outside of the housing 13. When the female connector 6 is fitted to the male connector 14 from the outside of the housing 13 and the terminals of the female connector 6 and the pins of the male connector 14 are electrically connected, the battery ECU 3 and the battery module 2 are electrically connected via the female connector 6. In the connection structure 1, the male connector 14 is the first connector and the female connector 6 is the second connector.

[0015] In a battery pack including the battery module 2 and the battery ECU 3 configured as described above, due to its structure, if the equipment box 5 is crushed, the battery ECU 3 having the high-voltage circuit 11 may be crushed and short-circuited. At that time, a large current flows through the FPC 7 to the battery module 2, and the battery cells generate heat. That is, when the battery ECU 3 is crushed, the built-in high-voltage circuit 11 is short-circuited, and a large current flows through the battery cells, resulting in heat generation. To avoid this heat generation, usually, circuit interruption is performed by a fuse. However, due to the size and mountability limitations of the battery pack, it is difficult to use a fuse that meets the ratings. Therefore, in the connection structure 1, it is configured to cut off the short-circuit circuit by physically removing the female connector 6 using the load at the time of crushing. As shown in FIG. 2, the connection structure 1 includes a release member 30 inside the housing 13 of the battery ECU 3 for releasing the connection of the female connector 6.

[0016] The release member 30 is a member for releasing the connection state between the female connector 6 and the male connector 14. The release member 30 is made of an insulator such as resin. For example, the release member 30 is integrally formed of resin. The release member 30 functions as an extrusion mechanism that presses the female connector 6 in the release direction to release the connection between the female connector 6 and the male connector 14.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the release member 30 has a flat plate portion 31, a release pin 32, and a pressing portion 33.

[0018] The flat plate portion 31 is the main body portion of the release member 30 and is a plate portion having a planar shape facing the base plate 12 in the horizontal direction. The flat plate portion 31 is a part for receiving the load for moving the release member 30 in the release direction. The flat plate portion 31 is disposed on the side opposite to the male connector 14 with respect to the base plate 12. The flat plate portion 31 is disposed at a position separated from the base plate 12 in the horizontal direction. The flat plate portion 31 has a plane 31a facing the side opposite to the male connector 14 in the horizontal direction. The plane 31a is the surface on which the load in the release direction is input from the housing 13 when the housing 13 is crushed.

[0019] The release pin 32 is a pin-shaped convex portion that protrudes from the flat plate portion 31 toward the female connector 6 side. The release pin 32 is a part for releasing the claw 61 of the female connector 6. The female connector 6 has a claw 61 that locks to the main body of the male connector 14 so as not to fall off from the male connector 14 in the release direction. The claw 61 is a locking claw for preventing the female connector 6 from coming off. The release pin 32 is provided at a position for removing the claw 61.

[0020] The release pin 32 passes through the base plate 12 from the flat plate portion 31 and is disposed inside the guide portion 14a of the male connector 14. The base plate 12 has a through hole 12a through which the release pin 32 is inserted and a through hole 12b through which the pressing portion 33 is inserted. The male connector 14 has a guide portion 14a into which the release pin 32 is inserted. The through hole 12a is provided at a position corresponding to the release pin 32. The guide portion 14a is provided at a position corresponding to the through hole 12a and communicates with the through hole 12a. The guide portion 14a is formed by a notch portion that linearly extends along the horizontal direction. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the release pin 32 is inserted into the through hole 12a and is disposed inside the guide portion 14a. The claw 61 is provided on the main body side of the female connector 6 in the guide portion 14a. The male connector 14 has a standing wall portion 14b on which the claw 61 locks. The standing wall portion 14b is a part of the main body of the male connector 14 and is a portion located between the guide portion 14a and the female connector 6 in the horizontal direction. The standing wall portion 14b is a portion to be locked. When the claw 61 locks to the standing wall portion 14b, the state in which the female connector 6 is fitted to the male connector 14 is maintained.

[0021] The pressing part 33 is a rod-shaped convex part protruding from the flat plate part 31 toward the female connector 6 side. The pressing part 33 is a part for pushing out the female connector 6 in the release direction. The pressing part 33 protrudes in the same direction as the release pin 32, and two pressing parts 33 are provided on both sides of the male connector 14 so as to sandwich the release pin 32. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pressing part 33 is provided at a position corresponding to the receiving part 62 of the female connector 6. Horizontally, the pressing part 33 and the receiving part 62 face each other. As shown in FIG. 4, when the claw 61 is locked to the male connector 14, the pressing part 33 and the receiving part 62 are not in contact. When the release member 30 moves in the release direction due to the crushing of the housing 13, the pressing part 33 abuts against the receiving part 62 of the female connector 6 and presses the receiving part 62 in the release direction. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the receiving part 62 is provided on both sides of the main body of the female connector 6. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the pressing part 33 passes through the through hole 12b of the base 12 and linearly extends along the release direction to near the receiving part 62.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, when the release member 30 is not moving in the direction of releasing the connection of the female connector 6, the horizontal distance between the base 12 and the flat plate part 31 is longer than the horizontal distance between the release pin 32 and the claw 61, and is also longer than the horizontal distance between the pressing part 33 and the receiving part 62. Thereby, before the flat plate part 31 abuts against the base 12 in the release direction, the release pin 32 can abut against the claw 61, and the pressing part 33 can abut against the receiving part 62. Also, in this state, the horizontal distance between the pressing part 33 and the receiving part 62 is longer than the horizontal distance between the release pin 32 and the claw 61. Thereby, before the pressing part 33 abuts against the receiving part 62 in the release direction, the release pin 32 can abut against the claw 61. Further, in this state, the horizontal distance between the release pin 32 and the vertical wall part 14b is longer than the horizontal distance between the pressing part 33 and the receiving part 62. Thereby, before the release pin 32 abuts against the vertical wall part 14b in the release direction, the pressing part 33 can abut against the receiving part 62.

[0023] When the machine box 5 is crushed and the housing 13 is crushed, as shown in FIG. 8, the load to be crushed is input to the plane 31a of the flat plate portion 31, and the flat plate portion 31 is pushed in the release direction by the crushing load. When the flat plate portion 31 is pushed in the release direction, the release member 30 moves in the release direction, and the tip portion 32a of the release pin 32 pushes down and disengages the claw 61 of the female connector 6. That is, the release member 30 moves in the release direction and pushes the claw 61 in the direction of releasing the locking state between the claw 61 and the standing wall portion 14b. A gap is set so that the pressing portion 33 does not contact the female connector 6 until the claw 61 is disengaged. When the release member 30 further moves in the release direction in a state where the claw 61 is disengaged, the pressing portion 33 abuts on the receiving portion 62, and the pressing portion 33 pushes the main body of the female connector 6 in the release direction. As a result, the female connector 6 can be pushed out in the release direction to a position where it is disengaged from the pin of the male connector 14, and the female connector 6 can be physically disconnected from the high-voltage circuit 11.

[0024] When the housing 13 is crushed as the machine box 5 is crushed, the housing 13 abuts on the release member 30. At that time, when a load in the release direction is input from the housing 13 to the release member 30, the release member 30 moves in the direction of releasing the connection of the female connector 6 and applies a load for releasing the connection with the male connector 14 to the female connector 6. In this way, the release member 30 relatively moves in the direction of releasing the connection of the female connector 6 with respect to the base 12 to release the connection of the female connector 6.

[0025] As described above, according to the embodiment, the battery cell can be physically disconnected from the high-voltage circuit 11 by using the load when the battery ECU 3 is crushed. As a result, even if the battery ECU 3 is crushed and the housing 13 and the base 12 come into contact with each other, or the bases 12 come into contact with each other, a short-circuit circuit between the high-voltage circuit 11 and the battery cell does not occur, so that heat generation of the battery cell can be avoided. According to the connection structure 1, it is possible to prevent heat generation of the battery cell from a short-circuit circuit that cannot be protected by a fuse, and the structure can ensure safety.

[0026] Note that the arrow UPR shown in each figure represents the upward direction of the electric vehicle. Similarly, the arrow RH represents the right direction of the electric vehicle, and the arrow FR represents the front direction of the electric vehicle. The opposite direction of the arrow UPR is the downward direction of the electric vehicle. The opposite direction of the arrow RH represents the left direction of the electric vehicle. The opposite direction of the arrow FR represents the rear direction of the electric vehicle. The direction in which the connection of the female connector 6 is released, i.e., the release direction, is the opposite direction of the arrow RH (the left direction of the electric vehicle). The direction for releasing the locked state between the claw 61 and the vertical wall portion 14b is the opposite direction of the arrow UPR (the downward direction of the electric vehicle). The horizontal direction is the left-right direction of the electric vehicle (the vehicle width direction of the electric vehicle).

[0027] In addition, the member for electrically connecting between the female connector 6 and the battery module 2 is not limited to the FPC 7, and may be a bus bar, a flexible conductive member, or the like.

[0028] Also, the direction for releasing the connection of the female connector 6 is not limited to the opposite direction of the arrow RH (the left direction of the electric vehicle), and any horizontal direction may be used. For example, the direction for releasing the connection of the female connector 6 may be the arrow RH (the right direction of the electric vehicle), the arrow FR (the front direction of the electric vehicle), or the opposite direction of the arrow FR (the rear direction of the electric vehicle).

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0029] 1 Connection structure 2 Battery module 3 Battery ECU 4 Module case 5 Equipment box 6 Female connector 7 FPC 11 High-voltage circuit 12 Base 12a, 12b Through holes 13 Housing 14 Male connector 14a Guide portion 14b Vertical wall portion 30 Release member 31 Flat plate portion 31a Plane 32 Release pin 32a tip 33 pressing part 61 claw 62 receiving part

Claims

1. A connection structure in which an electronic device having a high-voltage circuit and a battery module having a plurality of battery cells are electrically connected via a connector, wherein the connector includes a first connector on the electronic device side electrically connected to the high-voltage circuit, and a second connector on the battery module side connected to the first connector, the first connector is integrated with a substrate on which the high-voltage circuit is provided, the electronic device has a release member inside a housing that houses the substrate and that relatively moves in a direction to release the connection of the second connector with respect to the substrate to release the connection of the second connector, when a load in the release direction is input from the housing to the release member, the release member moves in the direction to release the connection of the second connector and applies a load to the second connector to release the connection with the first connector characterizing the connection structure.

2. The second connector has a claw that locks to the first connector to prevent disconnection, the first connector has a locked portion to which the claw locks, when a load in the direction to release the connection of the second connector is input to the release member, the release member moves in the direction to release the connection and pushes the claw in a direction to release the locked state between the claw and the locked portion characterizing the connection structure according to Claim 1.

3. The release member has a flat plate portion that faces the substrate in the horizontal direction and is disposed on the side opposite to the first connector with respect to the substrate, and a release pin that protrudes from the flat plate portion in the horizontal direction toward the first connector side to disengage the claw from the locked portion, in a state where the release member has not moved in the direction to release the connection, a horizontal distance between the substrate and the flat plate portion is longer than a horizontal distance between the release pin and the claw characterizing the connection structure according to Claim 2.

4. The locked portion is a portion located on the side in the direction to release the connection with respect to the claw characterizing the connection structure according to Claim 3.

Images