Electric connection box, mobile with electric connection box loaded thereon, and power line connection method in electric connection box

Abstract

To improve versatility of an electric connection box and reduce cost of the electric connection box.SOLUTION: A junction box 200 is provided on a power transfer path 222 connecting a plurality of capacitors 100 including a first capacitor 1001 and a second capacitor 1002 with a motor 16. The junction box 200 comprises: a positive electrode part 254 to which a first positive electrode power line 2341 connected to a positive electrode of the first capacitor 1001, a second positive electrode power line 2342 connected to a positive electrode of the second capacitor 1002 and a load-side positive electrode power line 2345 connected to a positive electrode of the motor 16 are connected; and a negative electrode part 256 to which a first negative electrode power line 2361 connected to a negative electrode of the first capacitor 1001, a second negative electrode power line 2362 connected to a negative electrode of the second capacitor 1002 and a load-side negative electrode power line 2365 connected to a negative electrode of the motor 16 are connected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connection box, a moving body equipped with the electrical connection box, and a method for connecting power lines in the electrical connection box. More specifically, the present invention relates to an electrical connection box provided on a power transmission path for connecting a plurality of storage batteries and an electrical load, a moving body equipped with this electrical connection box, and a method for connecting power lines in this electrical connection box.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, vehicles equipped with a battery housing device for removably housing a storage battery are known (Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses, as such vehicles, a three-wheeled electric vehicle in which the rear wheels are rotationally driven by an electric motor mounted on the vehicle body, and a four-wheeled electric vehicle in which the rear wheels are rotationally driven by an electric motor mounted on the vehicle body. In these vehicles, a battery housing device is provided at the rear of the vehicle body or below the driver's seat. When the battery housing device is provided at the rear of the vehicle body, the storage battery is taken in and out from the rear of the vehicle body. When the battery housing device is provided below the driver's seat, the storage battery is taken in and out from the side of the vehicle body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above prior art, although the arrangements of the storage battery and the battery housing device are disclosed, nothing is disclosed about the arrangements of the electric motor that drives the wheels and other electrical components. When an electric motor is used as a drive source, depending on the type of the electric motor, an induced voltage (back electromotive voltage) is generated during the idling of the electric motor. For example, when the electric motor is a PM (permanent magnet) motor, an induced voltage is generated during the idling of the electric motor. If the generated induced voltage is higher than the voltage of the storage battery, the electric power generated by the electric motor flows into the storage battery. It is not a problem that a current flows into the storage battery due to an induced voltage below a predetermined value for regenerative charging. However, if the electric motor rotates at a high rotational speed that generates a back electromotive voltage exceeding the predetermined value, the storage battery may be damaged due to overcharging by a large current. Therefore, in order to prevent overcharging, a cutoff mechanism such as a contactor that forcibly cuts off the electric circuit is provided on the power transmission path connecting the storage battery and the electric motor. The cutoff mechanism is provided, for example, inside an electrical connection box (also called a junction box, junction unit, etc.).

[0005] On the other hand, when the electric motor is a magnetless reluctance motor or an induction motor, no back electromotive voltage is generated during the idling of the electric motor, and the storage battery is not damaged. Also, even if the electric motor is a PM motor, when the back electromotive voltage generated by the electric motor is lower than the voltage of the storage battery, the electric power generated by the electric motor does not flow into the storage battery. Further, even if the voltage of the storage battery is lower than the back electromotive voltage, when a plurality of storage batteries are connected in series and the power supply voltage is higher than the back electromotive voltage, the electric power generated by the electric motor does not flow into the storage battery. Therefore, in such a case, there is no need to provide a cutoff mechanism on the power transmission path.

[0006] Thus, the necessity of the cutoff mechanism is determined by the type of the motor, the voltage of the storage battery, the connection arrangement of the storage batteries, and the back electromotive voltage. Therefore, it has been difficult to make the electrical connection box common. On the other hand, if the electrical connection box is made into a dedicated configuration according to the necessity of the cutoff mechanism, the common use of parts is restricted, resulting in an increase in cost. Further, when the electrical connection box is made into a dedicated configuration, it is necessary to replace the electrical connection box when changing the motor, changing the storage battery voltage, changing the storage battery connection arrangement, etc., so that the versatility of the electrical connection box is reduced.

[0007] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to enhance the versatility of the electrical connection box and reduce the cost of the electrical connection box.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention is an electrical connection box (200) provided on a power transmission path (222) connecting a plurality of storage batteries (100) including a first storage battery (1001) and a second storage battery (1002) and an electrical load (16), the electrical connection box (200) including a positive electrode portion (254) to which a first positive electrode power line (2341) which is a positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the first storage battery, a second positive electrode power line (2342) which is a positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the second storage battery, and a load-side positive electrode power line (2345) which is a positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the electrical load are connected, and a negative electrode portion (256) to which a first negative electrode power line (2361) which is a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the first storage battery, a second negative electrode power line (2362) which is a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the second storage battery, and a load-side negative electrode power line (2365) which is a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the electrical load are connected.

[0009] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the positive electrode portion has a first portion (2541) to which the first positive electrode power line and the second positive electrode power line are connected, and a second portion (2542) provided so as to be electrically separated from the first portion and to which the load-side positive electrode power line is connected.

[0010] In the above aspect, it is preferable to further include a separate member (260, 280, 290) provided so as to be attached to the first part and the second part.

[0011] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the first part and the second part are configured such that a separate member formed separately from the positive electrode part is attached thereto.

[0012] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the separate member has a first connection part (2601, 2801, 2901) which is a connection part with the first part, a second connection part (2602, 2802, 2902) which is a connection part with the second part, and a conduction part (2603, 2803, 2903) which electrically connects the first connection part and the second connection part.

[0013] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the separate member (260) further has a cutoff part (×) provided in the conduction part so as to be able to electrically cut off the first connection part and the second connection part.

[0014] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the separate member further has a measurement part (×) for measuring the current or the amount of electricity flowing between the first connection part and the second connection part.

[0015] In the above aspect, the separate member has a first connection part which is a connection part with the first part and a second connection part which is a connection part with the second part, and includes a first separate member (290) and a second separate member (260) having different electrical functions from each other, and it is preferable that one of the first separate member and the second separate member is attached to the first part and the second part.

[0016] In the above aspect, the electrical load is an electric motor (16), the first separate member is attached to the first part and the second part, and the first separate member is configured to have a function of electrically cutting off the first connection part and the second connection part when the induced voltage generated in the electric motor exceeds a predetermined second threshold value so that the first connection part and the second connection part are electrically cut off when the induced voltage in the electric motor is equal to or higher than a predetermined first threshold value.

[0017] In the above aspect, the electrical load is the electric motor (16), the second separate member is attached to the first part and the second part, and the second separate member is configured not to have a function of electrically disconnecting the first connection part and the second connection part when the maximum induced voltage generated in the electric motor is less than a predetermined third threshold value.

[0018] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the positive electrode part further has a third part (2543) with one end connected to the positive electrode part and the other end being the end part, and the negative electrode part has a fourth part (2563) with one end connected to the negative electrode part and the other end being the end part.

[0019] In the above aspect, it is preferable to further include another separate member (232) provided so as to be attached to the third part and the fourth part and arranged across the positive electrode part and the negative electrode part to function.

[0020] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the third part and the fourth part are formed separately from the positive electrode part and the negative electrode part, and are configured such that another separate member (232) arranged across the positive electrode part and the negative electrode part can be attached.

[0021] In the above aspect, the electrical connection box further includes at least one separation part (300) including a first separation part (3001) provided so as to be electrically isolated from the positive electrode part and the negative electrode part, and the first separation part is configured to be connectable in place of the first negative power line being connected to the negative electrode part and in place of the second positive power line being connected to the positive electrode part.

[0022] In the above aspect, the plurality of the capacitors further includes a third capacitor (1003) and a fourth capacitor (1004), at least one of the separation parts further includes a third separation part (3003), the third separation part is configured such that a third negative power line (2363), which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the third capacitor, can be connected thereto and a fourth positive power line (2344), which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the fourth capacitor, can be connected thereto, a third positive power line (2343), which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the third capacitor, is connected to the positive electrode part, and a fourth negative power line (2364), which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the fourth capacitor, is connected to the negative electrode part, which is preferable.

[0023] In the above aspect, at least one of the separation parts further includes a second separation part (3002), the second separation part is configured such that the second negative power line can be connected thereto instead of being connected to the negative electrode part and the third positive power line can be connected thereto instead of being connected to the positive electrode part, which is preferable.

[0024] In order to solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention is a moving body (10) equipped with the electrical connection box of the above aspect, wherein the electrical load is a propulsion unit electric motor (16) that drives a propulsion unit of the moving body.

[0025] In order to solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention is an electrical connection box (220) provided on a power transmission path (222) connecting a plurality of capacitors (100) including a first capacitor (1001) and a second capacitor (1002) and an electrical load (16), the electrical connection box including a positive electrode part (234) to which a first positive electrode power line (2341), which is a positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor, is connected, a negative electrode part (236) to which a second negative electrode power line (2362), which is a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the second capacitor, is connected, and at least one separation part (300) including a first separation part (3001) provided so as to be electrically isolated from the positive electrode part and the negative electrode part, wherein the first separation part is configured such that a first negative electrode power line (2361), which is a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the first capacitor, and a second positive electrode power line (2342), which is a positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the second capacitor, are connected thereto.

[0026] In the above aspect, the plurality of capacitors further include a third capacitor and a fourth capacitor, at least one of the separation parts further includes a third separation part (3003), the third separation part is configured such that a third negative electrode power line (2363), which is a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the third capacitor, and a fourth positive electrode power line (2344), which is a positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the fourth capacitor, are connected thereto, a third positive electrode power line (2343), which is a positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the third capacitor, is connected to the positive electrode part, and a fourth negative electrode power line (2364), which is a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the fourth capacitor, is connected to the negative electrode part.

[0027] In order to solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention is an electrical junction box (220) provided on a power transmission path (222) connecting a plurality of capacitors (100) including a first capacitor (1001), a second capacitor (1002), a third capacitor (1003), and a fourth capacitor (1004) and an electrical load. The electrical junction box includes a positive electrode part (254) to which a first positive electrode power line (2341), which is a positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor, is connected, a negative electrode part (256) to which a fourth negative electrode power line (2344), which is a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the fourth capacitor, is connected, and a plurality of separation parts (300) including a first separation part (3001), a second separation part (3002), and a third separation part (3003) provided so as to be electrically isolated from the positive electrode part and the negative electrode part. The first negative electrode power line (2361), which is a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the first capacitor, and the second positive electrode power line (2342), which is a positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the second capacitor, are connected to the first separation part. The second negative electrode power line (2362), which is a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the second capacitor, and the third positive electrode power line (2343), which is a positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the third capacitor, are connected to the second separation part. The third negative electrode power line (2363), which is a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the third capacitor, and the fourth positive electrode power line (2344), which is a positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the fourth capacitor, are connected to the third separation part.

[0028] In order to solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention is an electrical connection box (220) provided on a power transmission path (222) connecting a plurality of capacitors (100) including a first capacitor (1001) and a second capacitor (1002) and an electrical load (16), the electrical connection box including a positive electrode part (254) to which a first positive electrode power line (2341), which is a positive electrode power line connected to at least one positive electrode of the plurality of capacitors, is connected, a negative electrode part (256) to which a second negative electrode power line (2362), which is a negative electrode power line connected to at least one negative electrode of the plurality of capacitors, is connected, and at least one separation part (300) including a first separation part (3001) provided so as to be electrically isolated from the positive electrode part and the negative electrode part. The positive electrode part has a first positive electrode connection point (3041) and a second positive electrode connection point (3042) to which a plurality of positive electrode power lines (234) connected to the positive electrodes of the plurality of capacitors can be respectively connected. The negative electrode part has a first negative electrode connection point (3061) and a second negative electrode connection point (3062) to which a plurality of negative electrode power lines connected to the negative electrodes of the plurality of capacitors can be respectively connected. The first separation part has a separation part negative electrode connection point (3021) to which a negative electrode power line connected to one negative electrode of the plurality of capacitors can be connected, and a separation part positive electrode connection point (3011) to which a positive electrode power line (234) connected to one positive electrode of the plurality of capacitors can be connected.

[0029] In the above aspect, it is preferable that a first positive electrode power line (2341), which is a positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor, is connected to the first positive electrode connection point, a second positive electrode power line (2342), which is a positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the second capacitor, is connected to the second positive electrode connection point, a first negative electrode power line (2361), which is a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the first capacitor, is connected to the first negative electrode connection point, and a second negative electrode power line (2362), which is a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the second capacitor, is connected to the second negative electrode connection point.

[0030] In the above aspect, a first positive power line (2341), which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor, is connected to the first positive electrode connection point; a second negative power line (2362), which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the second capacitor, is connected to the second negative electrode connection point; a first negative power line (2361), which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the first capacitor, is connected to the separated portion negative electrode connection point; and a second positive power line (2342), which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the second capacitor, is connected to the separated portion positive electrode connection point, which is preferable.

[0031] In order to solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention is a power line connection method in the electrical connection box having the above configuration, including steps of connecting the first positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor to the first positive electrode connection point; connecting the second positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the second capacitor to the second positive electrode connection point; connecting the first negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the first capacitor to the first negative electrode connection point; and connecting the second negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the second capacitor to the second negative electrode connection point.

[0032] In order to solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention is a power line connection method in the electrical connection box having the above configuration, including steps of connecting the first positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor to the first positive electrode connection point; connecting the second negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the second capacitor to the second negative electrode connection point; connecting the first negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the first capacitor to the separated portion negative electrode connection point; and connecting the second positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the second capacitor to the separated portion positive electrode connection point.

[0033] In order to solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention is an electrical connection box (220) provided on a power transmission path (222) connecting a plurality of capacitors (100) including a first capacitor (1001), a second capacitor (1002), a third capacitor (1003), and a fourth capacitor (1004) and an electrical load (16). The electrical connection box includes a positive electrode part (254) to which a first positive electrode power line (2341), which is a positive electrode power line connected to at least one positive electrode of the plurality of capacitors, is connected, a negative electrode part (256) to which a fourth negative electrode power line (2362), which is a negative electrode power line connected to at least one negative electrode of the plurality of capacitors, is connected, and a plurality of separation parts (300) including a first separation part (3001), a second separation part (3002), and a third separation part (3003) provided so as to be electrically isolated from the positive electrode part and the negative electrode part. The positive electrode part has a first positive electrode connection point (3041), a second positive electrode connection point (3042), a third positive electrode connection point (3043), and a fourth positive electrode connection point (3044) to which a plurality of positive electrode power lines (234) connected to the positive electrodes of the plurality of capacitors can be respectively connected. The negative electrode part has a first negative electrode connection point (3061), a second negative electrode connection point (3062), a third negative electrode connection point (3063), and a fourth negative electrode connection point (3064) to which a plurality of negative electrode power lines (236) connected to the negative electrodes of the plurality of capacitors can be respectively connected. Each of the separation parts has a separation part negative electrode connection point (302) to which a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the capacitor can be connected, and a separation part positive electrode connection point (301) to which a positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the capacitor can be connected.

[0034] In the above aspect, a first positive power line (2341) connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor is connected to the first positive electrode connection point, a second positive power line (2342) which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the second capacitor is connected to the second positive electrode connection point, a third positive power line (2343) which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the third capacitor is connected to the third positive electrode connection point, a fourth positive power line (2344) which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the fourth capacitor is connected to the fourth positive electrode connection point, a first negative power line (2361) which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the first capacitor is connected to the first negative electrode connection point, a second negative power line (2362) which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the second capacitor is connected to the second negative electrode connection point, a third negative power line (2363) which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the third capacitor is connected to the third negative electrode connection point, and a fourth negative power line (2364) connected to the negative electrode of the fourth capacitor is connected to the fourth negative electrode connection point, which is preferable.

[0035] In the above aspect, a first positive power line (2341) connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor is connected to the first positive electrode connection point, a fourth negative power line (2364) connected to the negative electrode of the fourth capacitor is connected to the fourth negative electrode connection point, a first negative power line (2361) which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the first capacitor is connected to the isolation section negative electrode connection point (3021) of the first isolation section, a second positive power line (2342) which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the second capacitor is connected to the isolation section positive electrode connection point (3011) of the first isolation section, a second negative power line (2362) which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the second capacitor is connected to the isolation section negative electrode connection point (3022) of the second isolation section, a third positive power line (2343) which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the third capacitor is connected to the isolation section positive electrode connection point (3012) of the second isolation section, a third negative power line (2363) which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the third capacitor is connected to the isolation section negative electrode connection point (3023) of the third isolation section, and a fourth positive power line (2344) which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the fourth capacitor is connected to the isolation section positive electrode connection point (3013) of the third isolation section, which is preferable.

[0036] In order to solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention is a method for connecting power lines in the electrical connection box having the above configuration, the method including: connecting the first positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor to the first positive connection point; connecting the second positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the second capacitor to the second positive connection point; connecting the third positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the third capacitor to the third positive connection point; connecting the fourth positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the fourth capacitor to the fourth positive connection point; connecting the first negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the first capacitor to the first negative connection point; connecting the second negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the second capacitor to the second negative connection point; connecting the third negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the third capacitor to the third negative connection point; and connecting the fourth negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the fourth capacitor to the fourth negative connection point.

[0037] To solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention is a method for connecting power lines in the electrical connection box having the above configuration, the method including: connecting the first positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor to the first positive connection point; connecting the fourth negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the fourth capacitor to the fourth negative connection point; connecting the first negative power line, which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the first capacitor, to the negative connection point of the first separation part; connecting the second positive power line, which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the second capacitor, to the positive connection point of the first separation part; connecting the second negative power line, which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the second capacitor, to the negative connection point of the second separation part; connecting the third positive power line, which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the third capacitor, to the positive connection point of the second separation part; connecting the third negative power line, which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the third capacitor, to the negative connection point of the third separation part; and connecting the fourth positive power line, which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the fourth capacitor, to the positive connection point of the third separation part.

Advantages of the Invention

[0038] According to the above aspect, the versatility of the electrical connection box can be enhanced and the cost of the electrical connection box can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0039]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0040] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0041] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an electric vehicle 10 (a vehicle as an example of a moving body) has a vehicle body 12, a single front wheel 14 at the center, and left and right rear wheels 15, and is a three-wheeled electric vehicle in which the rear wheels 15 are rotationally driven by an electric motor 16 (an example of an electric load, see FIG. 3) mounted on the vehicle body 12. The vehicle body 12 is equipped with a front seat 17 that is a driver's seat and a rear seat 18 arranged behind the front seat 17.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle body 12 includes, as structural members, two left and right side members 20, a rear end connecting member 22, a lower intermediate connecting member 24, left and right protruding members 26, and an upper intermediate connecting member 28. The left and right side members 20 are arranged substantially parallel to each other so as to extend in the traveling direction on the left and right sides in the traveling direction of the electric vehicle 10. The rear end connecting member 22 extends in the left-right direction and connects the rear ends of the left and right side members 20 to each other. The lower intermediate connecting member 24 extends in the left-right direction and connects the middle portions in the front-rear direction of the left and right side members 20 to each other. The left and right protruding members 26 protrude upward from each side member 20 at the same front-rear direction position as the connection portion with the lower intermediate connecting member 24. The upper intermediate connecting member 28 extends in the left-right direction and connects the upper ends of the left and right protruding members 26 to each other. These structural members are rigid members or skeletal members of the vehicle body 12, and other members of the vehicle body 12 including plate members are attached to the structural members.

[0043] A capacitor holding part 40 is provided at the rear part of the vehicle body 12. The capacitor holding part 40 is arranged behind the rear seat 18 and has an outer frame assembly 42. The outer frame assembly 42 includes left and right side members 44 in a portal shape, left and right lower members 46, left and right intermediate members 48, a rear lower connecting member 50, a front lower connecting member 52, left and right lower bridging members 54, a rear intermediate connecting member 56, a front intermediate connecting member 58, left and right intermediate bridging members 60, a rear upper connecting member 62, and hook-shaped left and right side connecting members 64. The left and right lower members 46 connect the vicinity of the front and rear lower ends of each side member 44 to each other. The left and right intermediate members 48 connect the middle parts in the vertical direction (the front-rear direction) of each side member 44 to each other. The rear lower connecting member 50 connects the vicinity of the rear lower ends of the left and right side members 44 to each other. The front lower connecting member 52 connects the vicinity of the front lower ends of the left and right side members 44 to each other. The left and right lower bridging members 54 connect the vicinity of the left and right ends between the rear lower connecting member 50 and the front lower connecting member 52 to each other. The rear intermediate connecting member 56 connects the middle parts in the vertical direction of the rear parts of the left and right side members 44 to each other. The front intermediate connecting member 58 connects the middle parts in the vertical direction of the front parts of the left and right side members 44 to each other. The left and right intermediate bridging members 60 connect the vicinity of the left and right ends between the rear intermediate connecting member 56 and the front intermediate connecting member 58 to each other. The rear upper connecting member 62 connects the upper rear sides of the left and right side members 44 to each other. The left and right side connecting members 64 connect the vicinity of the left and right ends between the rear upper connecting member 62 and the front intermediate connecting member 58 respectively.

[0044] Leg members 70 are attached to two locations, front and rear, of each of the left and right lower members 46. Each leg member 70 is fixed to a mounting base 72 attached to each side member 20 by a screw member 74. On the front parts of the left and right side members 44, left and right front mounting arm parts 76 in an inverted U shape extending forward from each side member 44 are attached. A mounting member 78 is attached to each front mounting arm part 76. Each mounting member 78 is fixed to a mounting base 80 attached to the vicinity of the left and right ends of the upper intermediate connecting member 28 by a screw member 82.

[0045] In this way, the outer frame assembly 42 is bridged over the left and right side members 20 and fixed to the left and right side members 20 and the upper intermediate connecting member 28.

[0046] Inside the outer frame assembly 42, a lower housing 90 and an upper housing 92 are arranged vertically one above the other. The lower housing 90 and the upper housing 92 are each made of synthetic resin formed into a rectangular parallelepiped shape and have substantially the same structure as each other. The lower housing 90 and the upper housing 92 each define two accommodation chambers 102 (accommodation portions, see FIG. 14) on the left and right for accommodating the capacitors 100. Since the plurality of accommodation chambers 102 are constituted by the lower housing 90 and the upper housing 92 having an integral structure, the number of parts of the capacitor holding portion 40 can be reduced.

[0047] The lower housing 90 and the upper housing 92 each have flange portions 90A and 92A protruding from the outer surfaces of the left and right side walls. The left and right flange portions 90A of the lower housing 90 are fixed to mounting brackets 94 attached to the lower transfer member 54 by screw members 96. The left and right flange portions 92A of the upper housing 92 are fixed to mounting brackets 98 attached to the intermediate transfer member 60 by screw members 99.

[0048] As a result, the lower housing 90 and the upper housing 92 are fixed to the upper intermediate connection member 28 via the outer frame assembly 42 and are provided so as to span the left and right side members 20 and fixed to the respective side members 20 in a state of being vertically stacked. With this mounting structure, the lower housing 90 and the upper housing 92 are firmly mounted to the vehicle body 12 with high mounting strength. Furthermore, with this mounting structure, the torsional rigidity of the vehicle body 12 is improved.

[0049] The capacitors 100 are removably accommodated in the respective accommodation chambers 102. Each accommodation chamber 102 is a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped space following the outer shape of the capacitor 100 because the capacitor 100 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is long in the substantially horizontal direction in the front-rear direction. Only one surface (rear surface) of the six surfaces constituting the rectangular parallelepiped of each accommodation chamber 102 serves as an opening 102A for taking in and out the capacitor 100 with respect to the accommodation chamber 102. Each opening 102A is placed so as to face the rear in the traveling direction of the electric vehicle 10.

[0050] A single decorative panel 104 is arranged at the rear ends of the lower housing 90 and the upper housing 92. The decorative panel 104 has its lower edge fixed to the rear lower connecting member 50 and its upper edge fixed to the rear upper connecting member 62. The opening 102A of each storage chamber 102 is formed by the decorative panel 104.

[0051] Each capacitor 100 includes a rectangular parallelepiped capacitor body 100A and a gripping portion 100B provided at one end of the capacitor body 100A in the longitudinal direction, which is gripped by hand when the capacitor 100 is carried and when it is inserted into and removed from the storage chamber 102. When the capacitor 100 is inserted into and removed from the storage chamber 102, the gripping portion 100B is located on the rear side of the vehicle body 12. Each capacitor 100 is pressed from behind by a door member 110 provided at the rear of the outer frame assembly 42. The capacitor 100 of the present embodiment is composed of a cylindrical lithium-ion secondary battery cell.

[0052] The storage chambers 102 are arranged in two stages (N stages) in the vertical direction (up and down direction) by the lower housing 90 and the upper housing 92, and two rows (N rows) in the horizontal direction (left and right direction) in each stage, for a total of 2 2 pieces (N 2 pieces), that is, four are provided. As a result, the arrangement of the storage chambers 102 becomes substantially square when viewed from the front, and the pressing of the capacitor 100 by the door member 110 is performed more uniformly than in the case of a single-row arrangement.

[0053] The openings 102A of the respective storage chambers 102 are arranged such that they are in a substantially horizontal direction and face the same direction as each other. In other words, the openings 102A of the plurality of storage chambers 102 are all opened facing the rear in the traveling direction of the electric vehicle 10. Moreover, the respective openings 102A are provided at substantially the same front-rear positions as each other in the insertion / removal direction (front-rear direction) of the capacitor 100 with respect to the storage. That is, the respective openings 102A are in a single virtual plane orthogonal to the insertion / removal direction of the capacitor 100.

[0054] As a result, the door member 110 can have a flat and simple shape. All the insertion and removal of the plurality of capacitors 100 into and from each storage chamber 102 performed by the user are carried out from the rear of the vehicle body 12. Moreover, since the openings 102A are provided at substantially the same front-rear positions with respect to the insertion / removal direction of the capacitors 100 for storage, the operation of inserting and removing the capacitors 100 into and from the corresponding storage chambers 102 from each opening 102A is performed at the same position. Therefore, the workability is improved as compared with the case where the openings 102A are not aligned in the front-rear direction.

[0055] The door member 110 is formed in a square frame shape by a lower horizontal member 112, an upper horizontal member 114, and left and right vertical members 116, 118. The lower horizontal member 112 extends horizontally rearward at a position corresponding to the upper and lower 1 / 2 position of the storage chamber 102 (lower storage chamber) of the lower housing 90 in the closing door position described later. The upper horizontal member 114 extends horizontally rearward at a position corresponding to the upper and lower 1 / 2 position of the storage chamber 102 (upper storage chamber) of the upper housing 92. The left and right vertical members 116, 118 connect the respective ends in the extending direction of the lower horizontal member 112 and the upper horizontal member 114 to each other. The left vertical member 116 extends vertically in the left outer side of the lower housing 90 and the upper housing 92 and in the right inner side of the left side member 44. The right vertical member 118 extends vertically in the right outer side of the lower housing 90 and the upper housing 92 and in the left inner side of the right side member 44. The door member 110 further has an intermediate vertical member 117 that connects the intermediate portions in the extending direction of the lower horizontal member 112 and the upper horizontal member 114 to each other.

[0056] One part of the hinge 122 is attached to the left side member 44 by a mounting bracket 120. The other part of the hinge 122 is attached to the left vertical member 116. The hinge 122 is attached to the vertical member 116 and the mounting bracket 120 such that the pivot extends in the vertical direction (up and down direction).

[0057] The door member 110 is rotatable about an axis extending in the vertical direction by the hinge 122. The door member 110 rotates between a closed door position (the position in Fig. 2) where it closes the openings 102A of the plurality of storage chambers 102 all at once facing the front surfaces of the lower housing 90 and the upper housing 92, and an open door position where it rotates approximately 90 degrees backward from the closed door position to open the openings 102A of the plurality of storage chambers 102 all at once.

[0058] Note that the door member 110 does not necessarily need to close the entire (entire area) of the opening 102A of the storage chamber 102 with a continuous surface. As shown in the figure, the door member 110 may have a structure in which a part of the opening 102A is closed by crossbars (lower horizontal member 112, upper horizontal member 114, etc.) extending in a direction crossing the opening 102A in the left - right direction, and which prevents the battery 100 housed in the storage chamber 102 from falling off.

[0059] A captured member 126 is attached to the right - hand side member 44 by a mounting fitting 124. A capturing member 128 is attached to the right - hand vertical member 118. The capturing member 128 detachably engages with the captured member 126 when the door member 110 is in the closed door position, and holds the door member 110 in the closed door position.

[0060] A plurality of protruding members 130 protruding toward the opening 102A are attached to the lower horizontal member 112 and the upper horizontal member 114 respectively when the door member 110 is in the closed door position. Two protruding members 130 are provided for each opening 102A.

[0061] Each protruding member 130 has a rubber tip, and the tip abuts on a portion other than the gripping portion 100B of the battery 100 housed in the corresponding storage chamber 102, that is, the rear end surface of the battery body 100A, when the door member 110 is in the closed door position.

[0062] Due to the action of each protruding member 130, when the door member 110 is in the closed position, all the capacitors 100 housed in each housing chamber 102 are simultaneously prevented from coming out backward from the housing chamber 102. As a result, preventing all the capacitors 100 from coming out backward from the housing chamber 102 is simply and surely achieved with good operability just by rotating the door member 110 to the closed position, where the catching member 128 engages with the caught member 126 and holds the door member 110 in the closed position.

[0063] Since the protruding member 130 presses the rear end face of the capacitor body 100A with higher rigidity than the gripping portion 100B, the protruding member 130 surely prevents the capacitor 100 from coming out without damaging the capacitor 100. That is, regardless of the strength of the gripping portion 100B, the capacitor 100 in the housing chamber 102 is surely fixed.

[0064] When the door member 110 is in the open position, all the protruding members 130 are simultaneously separated from the capacitor 100, and the prevention of all the capacitors 100 housed in each housing chamber 102 from coming out backward from the housing chamber 102 is simultaneously released. As a result, just by rotating the door member 110 to the open position, all the capacitors 100 housed in each housing chamber 102 can be taken out, and the operation of taking out the capacitor 100 is also simply performed with good operability.

[0065] The door member 110 is in a frame shape, and the lower horizontal member 112 and the upper horizontal member 114 are provided only at the portions necessary for the arrangement of the protruding members 130, so that the weight can be reduced without obstructing the arrangement of the protruding members 130. As a result, the operability of opening and closing the door member 110 is improved. Further, since the door member 110 is in a frame shape, even when the door member 110 is in the closed position, the housing state of the capacitor 100 in the housing chamber 102 can be visually recognized from the rear.

[0066] Since the door member 110 opens and closes around an axis extending in the vertical direction by the hinge 122, the door member 110 can be stopped at an arbitrary rotational position. Further, the user can easily approach the opening 102A from the rear, and can take in and out the capacitor 100 with respect to the storage chamber 102 at a position close to the opening 102A.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the vehicle body 12 further includes, as structural members, a first intermediate connecting member 134 and a second intermediate connecting member 136. The first intermediate connecting member 134 extends in the left - right direction and connects the vicinity of the rear ends of the left and right side members 20 to each other via the connecting member 132. The second intermediate connecting member 136 extends in the left - right direction and connects the left and right side members 20 to each other in front of the lower intermediate connecting member 24.

[0068] The power unit 144 is attached to the first intermediate connecting member 134, the lower intermediate connecting member 24, and the second intermediate connecting member 136 by the front support portion 140 and the rear support portion 142.

[0069] The power unit 144 includes an electric motor 16 and a transmission device 148 that is connected to the electric motor 16 and transmits the power of the electric motor 16 to the rear wheels 15. That is, the electric motor 16 functions as a propulsion motor for the electric vehicle 10 which is a moving body.

[0070] The transmission device 148 is generally located at the center in the left - right direction (vehicle width direction). The electric motor 16 has its substantially circular box - shaped case 147 coupled by bolts 152 to the front - upper position of the substantially oval - shaped box - shaped case 149 of the transmission device 148. The case 149 of the transmission device 148 extends in the vertical direction in a forward - tilted posture and includes a portion located below the case 147 of the electric motor 16. Thereby, the electric motor 16 is entirely above the lower end of the transmission device 148 on the front side of the transmission device 148.

[0071] The output shaft 156 (Fig. 3) of the electric motor 16 includes a portion protruding outward to the left and right from the approximate center of the case 147. An inverter 157 (Figs. 4 and 7) is attached to the protruding portion on the left side of the output shaft 156. The inverter 157 is provided integrally with the electric motor 16. A drive pulley 158 is attached to the protruding portion on the right side of the output shaft 156. The transmission device 148 incorporates a gear train (not shown) inside the case 149. The input shaft 160 of the gear train includes a portion protruding outward to the upper right from the upper part of the case 149. A driven pulley 162 is attached to the protruding portion of the input shaft 160. A flexible endless transmission member 164 is stretched between the drive pulley 158 and the driven pulley 162. The endless transmission member 164 transmits power between the electric motor 16 and the transmission device 148. Output portions 166 of the aforementioned gear train are provided on both the left and right sides at the lower part of the case 149. An axle (not shown) for driving the rear wheels 15 is connected to the output portion 166.

[0072] The case 147 of the electric motor 16 is attached to the case 149 of the transmission device 148 at one location by bolts 152, and the bolts 152 are located at a position offset radially outward from the output shaft 156. Thereby, when the case 147 rotates and displaces with respect to the case 149 about the bolts 152 as the center, the electric motor 16 is fixed by the bolts 152 so that the relative position with respect to the transmission device 148 can be changed. By changing this relative position, the axial distance between the output shaft 156 of the electric motor 16 and the input shaft 160 of the transmission device 148 changes, and the tension of the endless transmission member 164 is adjusted.

[0073] As structural members, the vehicle body 12 further includes left and right support brackets 170 that hang down from the lower intermediate connecting member 24 and the second intermediate connecting member 136 and extend vertically at the left and right positions of the electric motor 16.

[0074] Each support bracket 170 includes a pair of left and right leg pieces 172 that are substantially V-shaped in side view and a connecting piece 174 that connects the upper ends of the left and right leg pieces 172 and extends in the front-rear direction. Each support bracket 170 has the front end of the connecting piece 174 connected to the second intermediate connecting member 136 and the rear end of the connecting piece 174 connected to the lower intermediate connecting member 24.

[0075] On the left and right support brackets 170, a transmission device 148 is attached by a front support member 176 that forms the main part of the front support portion 140. The front support member 176 includes a pair of left and right support pieces 178 that extend substantially in the vertical direction along the left and right sides of the case 149 of the transmission device 148, and a connecting piece 180 that connects the lower ends of the left and right support pieces 178 to each other. With this structure, the mechanical strength of the front support member 176 is improved.

[0076] The upper end portions 178A of the left and right support pieces 178 are pivotally supported around a horizontal axis extending in the left - right direction at the lower ends of the corresponding support brackets 170 via vibration - damping members 184 such as elastic bushes by bolts 182. That is, the upper end portions 178A of the left and right support pieces 178 are coupled to the corresponding support brackets 170 via pivot portions 186 including bolts 182 and vibration - damping members 184. Note that the horizontal axes (central axes of the bolts 182) of the left and right pivot portions 186 exist coaxially.

[0077] The pivot portion 186 including the vibration - damping member 184 suppresses the transmission of vibration between the support bracket 170 and the support piece 178. As a result, the power unit 144 is less likely to vibrate, and the durability of the power unit 144 is improved.

[0078] Each support piece 178 extends obliquely rearward and downward from the pivot portion 186 with the support bracket 170 and includes a portion that extends to a position lower than the lowermost end of the case 147 of the electric motor 16. The lower end portion 178B of each support piece 178 is coupled to the front - lower portion of the case 149 of the transmission device 148 by a bolt 188.

[0079] That is, the left and right support pieces 178 extend substantially in the vertical direction along the left and right of the transmission device 148, and each has an upper end portion 178A coupled to the support bracket 170 and a lower end portion 178B coupled to the case 149 of the transmission device 148. The support bracket 170 provides a high degree of freedom in the arrangement of the pivot portion 186 and increases the degree of freedom in design.

[0080] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each support piece 178 includes a portion that extends to a position lower than the lowermost end of the case 147 of the motor 16. Therefore, it is difficult for flying stones or flying objects from below to hit the case 147 of the motor 16, and the input of external force to the motor 16 can be reduced. As a result, the motor 16 is protected against external force, and it is difficult for the motor 16 to be damaged. The left and right support brackets 170 act as protection members that make it difficult for flying stones or flying objects from the left and right outer sides to hit the case 147 of the motor 16.

[0081] The connecting piece 180 is an extending portion that extends in the left-right direction with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle of the electric vehicle 10. The connecting piece 180 is disposed below the surface facing downward of the motor 16 or the transmission device 148, and is formed such that the length in the left-right direction is longer than the length in the left-right direction of the motor 16 or the transmission device 148. In other words, the connecting piece 180 extends in the left-right direction in front of the lower part of the case 149 of the transmission device 148, and acts as a member that protects the transmission device 148 against flying stones and the like from the front.

[0082] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, a covering member 192 is disposed below the motor 16. The covering member 192 has a bottom plate portion 194, left and right side plate portions 196 that rise from both left and right edge portions of the bottom plate portion 194, and a front plate portion 197 that rises from the front edge portion of the bottom plate portion 194. The covering member 192 is fixed to the second intermediate connecting member 136 by bolts 198 at the front portions of the left and right side plate portions 196, and the rear portions of the left and right side plate portions 196 are fixed to the outer leg pieces 172 of the corresponding support brackets 170 by bolts 199. Thereby, the covering member 192 extends from the second intermediate connecting member 136 in front of the motor 16 to the vicinity of the support piece 178 and covers the lower surface of the motor 16. The covering member 192 is arranged such that the bottom plate portion 194 forming the lowermost end thereof is located at a position higher than the lowermost end of the support piece 178.

[0083] The covering member 192 makes it more difficult for flying objects such as flying stones to collide with the electric motor 16, and strengthens the suppression of a large external force being input into the electric motor 16. The covering member 192 is arranged such that the bottom plate portion 194 forming its lowermost end is located at a position higher than the lowermost end of the support piece 178. Thereby, it becomes more difficult for flying objects such as flying stones to hit the covering member 192 compared to the support piece 178, and the covering member 192 can be configured to have a lower strength than the support piece 178.

[0084] The rear support portion 142 includes a rear support member 202 whose upper and lower ends are bolted 200 to two locations, upper and lower, at the rear of the case 149 of the transmission device 148. The rear support members 202 are provided on both the left and right sides of the case 149. A fixing member 206 is fixed by a bolt 204 to a substantially central portion in the left - right direction of the first intermediate connecting member 134. The rear support member 202 has its middle portion connected to the fixing member 206 via a vibration damping member 210 such as an elastic bush by a bolt 208. In other words, the rear support portion 142 pivotally supports the transmission device 148 from the first intermediate connecting member 134 about a horizontal axis extending in the left - right direction by the rear support member 202.

[0085] Thereby, the transmission device 148 is supported on both the front and rear sides by the first intermediate connecting member 134, the lower intermediate connecting member 24, and the second intermediate connecting member 136. The electric motor 16 is supported by the first intermediate connecting member 134, the lower intermediate connecting member 24, and the second intermediate connecting member 136 via the transmission device 148.

[0086] The vibration damping member 210 suppresses the transmission of vibration between the first intermediate connecting member 134 and the rear support member 202. Thereby, it becomes more difficult for the power device 144 to vibrate, and the durability of the power device 144 is improved.

[0087] FIG. 8 is a side view of the rear part of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 8, the rear seat 18 is placed on the upper intermediate connecting member 28. The rear seat 18 has a seating portion 212 on which an occupant sits and a backrest portion 214 that extends upward from the rear edge of the seating portion 212. The seating portion 212 is plate-shaped and is slightly inclined upward toward the front. The seating portion 212 is supported at its rear end by the upper intermediate connecting member 28. The backrest portion 214 is plate-shaped and is fixed to the seating portion 212 in a reclined posture inclined rearward upward. Therefore, the upper end of the backrest portion 214 forms the rear end of the rear seat 18. The upper surface of the seating portion 212 and the front surface of the backrest portion 214 are soft cushion surfaces.

[0088] The seating portion 212 is arranged at a position higher than the side member 20 by the protruding member 26. The protruding member 26 is provided at a portion of the side member 20 that is aligned in the front-rear direction with the lower intermediate connecting member 24 to which the rear end of the support bracket 170 is coupled. The rear portion of the seating portion 212 is located above the power unit 144. The capacitor holding portion 40 is attached onto the side member 20 via the mounting base 72 and is arranged at a position higher than the side member 20. The protruding member 26 is higher than the mounting base 72, and the lower end of the seating portion 212 is located above the lower end of the capacitor holding portion 40. The capacitor holding portion 40 is located obliquely rearward above the power unit 144. The outer frame assembly 42 of the capacitor holding portion 40 is arranged in the vicinity of the rear surface of the backrest portion 214 such that the upper end is lower than the upper end of the backrest portion 214 and the front end is located below the upper end of the backrest portion 214.

[0089] Below the backrest portion 214, a junction box 220 (electrical connection box) is provided. The junction box 220 is provided on a power transmission path 222 (see FIG. 9) that connects the capacitor 100 held by the capacitor holding portion 40 and the electric motor 16 that drives the rear wheel 15. The junction box 220 is disposed at a height between the lower end of the rear seat 18 and the upper end of the power unit 144 in the vertical direction. The upper end of the junction box 220 is disposed at a position higher than the lower end of the outer frame assembly 42 of the capacitor holding portion 40, and the lower end of the junction box 220 is disposed at a position lower than the lower end of the outer frame assembly 42 of the capacitor holding portion 40. That is, the lower portion of the junction box 220 is disposed between the upper end of the electric motor 16 and the lower end of the capacitor holding portion 40. Further, the junction box 220 is disposed at a position between the protruding member 26 that supports the rear seat 18 and the outer frame assembly 42 of the capacitor holding portion 40 in the front-rear direction. The front end of the junction box 220 is located above the rear end of the electric motor 16 supported by the lower intermediate connecting member 24 via the support bracket 170. That is, the rear portion of the junction box 220 is disposed between the rear end of the electric motor 16 and the front end of the outer frame assembly 42 of the capacitor holding portion 40 in the front-rear direction.

[0090] The power transmission path 222 includes a first power line 223 for connecting the capacitor 100 and the junction box 220, and a second power line 224 for connecting the junction box 220 and the electric motor 16. Each of the first power line 223 and the second power line 224 means a bundle of power lines including two power lines that constitute a DC circuit. The first power line 223 connects the lower housing 90 or the upper housing 92 and the junction box 220, and is provided in a number corresponding to the number of capacitors 100. The second power line 224 connects the junction box 220 and the DC / DC converter 229 (see FIG. 9).

[0091] In other embodiments, the inverter 157 may be provided inside the junction box 220, and the second power line 224 may connect the junction box 220 and the motor 16. In this case, the second power line 224 is composed of three-phase AC lines.

[0092] FIG. 9 is an electrical system diagram of the electric vehicle 10. As shown in FIG. 9, the power transmission path 222 connects the four capacitors 100 mounted on the electric vehicle 10 and the motor 16 via the DC / DC converter 229 and the inverter 157. The four capacitors 100 are connected to the motor 16 in parallel. On the power transmission path 222, in addition to the above-mentioned junction box 220, a control device 230 and a step-down DC / DC converter 232 are provided. The control device 230 and the step-down DC / DC converter 232 are arranged outside the junction box 220 and are electrically connected to the power transmission path 222 inside the junction box 220. The step-down DC / DC converter 232 steps down the voltage of the capacitor 100 and adjusts it to a desired value in order to supply driving or charging power to various electrical components and the fixed battery mounted on the electric vehicle 10.

[0093] The control device 230 is an electronic control unit (ECU) composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. The CPU reads a program and executes arithmetic processing according to the program to control the DC / DC converter 229, the inverter 157, and the motor 16. The control device 230 may be configured as one piece of hardware, or may be configured as a unit composed of a plurality of pieces of hardware. Information such as vehicle state and driving operation amount is input to the control device 230 via a communication line (not shown). Based on these input information, the control device 230 controls the driving and regeneration (charging from the motor 16 to the capacitor 100) of the motor 16.

[0094] The DC / DC converter 229 boosts the voltage of the parallel-connected capacitors 100 when driving the electric motor 16, adjusts the output voltage applied to the inverter 157 and the electric motor 16 to a desired value, and adjusts the drive current supplied to the inverter 157 and the electric motor 16. Also, when the electric motor 16 regenerates, the DC / DC converter 229 steps down the high-voltage DC power supplied from the inverter 157, adjusts the charging voltage applied to the parallel-connected capacitors 100 to a desired value, and adjusts the charging current supplied to the capacitors 100.

[0095] The inverter 157 is configured as a three-phase bridge type inverter. During the power running of the electric vehicle 10, DC power is supplied from the four capacitors 100 to the inverter 157 via the DC / DC converter 229. The inverter 157 converts the DC power into three-phase AC power and supplies the AC power to the electric motor 16. The electric motor 16 is an AC motor equipped with permanent magnets, whereby the electric motor 16 rotationally drives the rear wheels 15 and the electric vehicle 10 travels. On the other hand, during braking of the running electric vehicle 10, the inverter 157 performs a regeneration operation to function the electric motor 16 as a generator, and converts the AC power generated by the electric motor 16 into DC power. The high-voltage DC power converted by the inverter 157 is stepped down via the DC / DC converter 229, and DC power is supplied to the four capacitors 100. Thereby, these capacitors 100 are charged.

[0096] The DC / DC converter 229 may be included inside the inverter 157. In other embodiments, the DC / DC converter 229 may be omitted. In this case, the voltage of the capacitor 100 is directly applied to the inverter 157 and the electric motor 16.

[0097] The power transmission path 222 is composed of two power lines, namely a positive power line 234 and a negative power line 236 for DC power. The power transmission path 222 includes a first power line 223 for connecting the capacitor 100 and the junction box 220 as described above, and a second power line 224 for connecting the junction box 220 and the motor 16. The first power line 223 is provided for each capacitor 100 and is connected in parallel inside the junction box 220. Each of the first power lines 223 is connected to a first connection area 238 formed in the junction box 220. Each of the second power lines 224 is connected to a second connection area 239 formed in the junction box 220. The power line connecting the junction box 220 to the control device 230 and the step-down DC / DC converter 232 is connected to a third connection area 240 formed in the junction box 220. The first connection area 238, the second connection area 239, and the third connection area 240 are composed of a through-hole formed in the junction box 220 and a grommet mounted in the through-hole. For example, the first connection area 238 is formed as an insertion hole through which the first power line 223 is inserted, and the first power line 223 is connected to the first connection area 238 in a manner of passing through the insertion hole and penetrating the junction box 220. In other embodiments, a plurality of first power lines 223 may pass through one first connection area 238. Also, the first connection area 238 may consist of a connection terminal provided in the junction box 220, and the first power line 223 may be connected to the first connection area 238 in a manner of being connected to the terminal. In the illustrated example, the second connection area 239 is arranged at two upper and lower positions on the side surface of the junction box 220. In other embodiments, the second power line 224 may pass through one second connection area 239. One or two second connection areas 239 may be preferably provided at the lower part of the side surface of the junction box 220 (the side where the first connection area 238 is provided).

[0098] In this embodiment, one DC / DC converter 229 is provided for four parallel-connected capacitors 100. Therefore, when the charging states of these capacitors 100 are different, current is supplied from a specific capacitor 100 with a higher voltage to the motor 16 due to the voltage difference between the capacitors 100. The generation of such a large current can cause battery degradation. Therefore, in other embodiments, current regulators (DC / DC converters 229) may be individually provided for each of the four parallel-connected capacitors 100. The current regulators may be provided inside the junction box 220 or outside the junction box 220.

[0099] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of the junction box 220. Note that FIG. 10 shows the junction box 220 in a state where a lid body 242, which will be described later and is indicated by an imaginary line, is removed. As shown in FIG. 10, the junction box 220 has a bathtub-shaped box body 241 that is open on one side and a lid body 242 that closes the open surface of the box body 241. In the following description regarding FIG. 10, the direction is defined based on the posture with the open surface of the box body 241 facing upward, rather than the mounting posture of the junction box 220 on the electric vehicle 10.

[0100] The upper surface of the box body 241 is flat, and the box body 241 defines an internal accommodation space 244 that is rectangular in plan view. A rectangular annular groove 246 is formed on the upper surface of the box body 241. The lower part of an annular seal member 248 is received in the annular groove 246. A plurality of screw holes 250 for attaching the lid body 242 are formed outside the annular groove 246 on the upper surface of the box body 241. When the lid body 242 is attached to the upper surface of the box body 241 by a screw member 292 (FIG. 19), the accommodation space 244 is hermetically sealed.

[0101] In addition, a plurality of mounting holes 252 for attaching to the vehicle body 12 are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the box body 241. In other embodiments, a plurality of mounting holes 252 for attaching to the vehicle body 12 may be formed on the lid body 242.

[0102] In the accommodation space 244 of the junction box 220, a positive electrode portion 254 to which a plurality of positive electrode power lines 234 are connected and a negative electrode portion 256 to which a plurality of negative electrode power lines 236 are connected are arranged. The positive electrode portion 254 and the negative electrode portion 256 may be busbars made of bar-shaped metal pieces with female threads formed thereon, or may have other shapes. The positive electrode portion 254 and the negative electrode portion 256 are arranged parallel to each other. Four positive electrode power lines 234 connected to the positive electrodes of the four capacitors 100 are connected to the positive electrode portion 254. Four negative electrode power lines 236 connected to the negative electrodes of the four capacitors 100 are connected to the negative electrode portion 256.

[0103] The control device 230 is connected to the positive electrode portion 254 by the positive electrode power line 234 and is also connected to the negative electrode portion 256 by the negative electrode power line 236. The step-down DC / DC converter 232 is connected to the positive electrode portion 254 by two positive electrode power lines 234 and is also connected to the negative electrode portion 256 by two negative electrode power lines 236. One end of a circuit breaker 260 (an example of a separate member) for cutting off the power transmission path 222 is connected to one end of the positive electrode portion 254. The DC / DC converter 229 is connected to the positive electrode portion 254 via the circuit breaker 260 by a positive electrode power line 234 connected to the other end side of the circuit breaker 260 and is also connected to the negative electrode portion 256 by the negative electrode power line 236. The circuit breaker 260 may be, for example, a fuse, or may be an electromagnetic contactor (contactor 290, see FIG. 18), an electromagnetic switch, a breaker, or the like.

[0104] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the capacitor 100. As shown in FIG. 11, a female connector 100C is provided on the other end face of the capacitor body 100A in the longitudinal direction opposite to the end where the gripping portion 100B is provided. The end face of the capacitor 100 provided with the female connector 100C is the face located on the back side when the capacitor 100 is inserted and removed, and hereinafter this face is referred to as the bottom face. The female connector 100C is arranged along one side at a position offset to one side on the bottom face of the capacitor body 100A. Therefore, the capacitor 100 can be used only when it is inserted into the opening 102A of the accommodation chamber 102 in a predetermined orientation.

[0105] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the capacitor 100 as viewed from the bottom side. As shown in FIG. 12, the female connector 100C has a pedestal 262, a plurality of female terminal grooves 264 that are supported by the pedestal 262 and are arranged in parallel with a space therebetween, and a pair of positioning holes 266 formed in the pedestal 262. The pedestal 262 is made of an insulator such as an insulating resin, for example. The female terminal groove 264 is a terminal receiving groove that receives a male terminal 272 (FIG. 13) provided in the lower housing 90 and the upper housing 92, and includes a pair of female terminals that receive the male terminal 272 and are electrically connected to the male terminal 272 by clamping. The positioning holes 266 are arranged outside the arrangement direction of the plurality of female terminal grooves 264 and receive positioning pins 274 (FIG. 13) provided in the lower housing 90 and the upper housing 92.

[0106] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the bottom of the lower housing 90. The upper part on the opening 102A side of the lower housing 90 is shown broken away. A male connector 270 is provided on the bottom surface of the lower housing 90. The male connector 270 is arranged along one side at a position offset to one side on the bottom surface of the lower housing 90. The male connector 270 has a plurality of male terminals 272 that project from the bottom surface of the lower housing 90 toward the opening 102A, and a pair of positioning pins 274 arranged outside the arrangement direction of the plurality of male terminals 272. A wall portion 276 extending along the arrangement direction of the plurality of male terminals 272 is provided in the vicinity of the plurality of male terminals 272.

[0107] When the capacitor 100 is inserted into the accommodation chamber 102 from the opening 102A, the positioning pins 274 of the male connector 270 are inserted into the positioning holes 266 of the female connector 100C, so that the capacitor 100 is arranged at a predetermined position. Then, the male terminals 272 of the male connector 270 are electrically connected to the female terminals of the female connector 100C. Thereby, power supply from the capacitor 100 and charging of the capacitor 100 become possible.

[0108] FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the lower housing 90 as viewed from the bottom side. At the bottom of the lower housing 90, male connectors 270 are provided so as to project power line connection portions 278 which are connection portions with power lines. The male connectors 270 are provided for each storage chamber 102. Therefore, two male connectors 270 are provided at the bottom of the lower housing 90.

[0109] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the bottom of the capacitor holding portion 40, corresponding to a view as seen from the direction of arrow XV in FIG. 8 (a view in which the rear seat 18 is not shown). As shown in the drawing, four male connectors 270 are provided on the lower housing 90 and the upper housing 92 of the capacitor holding portion 40. Each male connector 270 is offset to the upper side of the bottom surface of the storage chamber 102 (FIG. 13) and is arranged along the upper side. A second power line 224 (wire harness) including a positive power line 234 and a negative power line 236 (see FIG. 10) is connected to the lower surface of the power line connection portion 278 of each male connector 270. The second power line 224 may be fixed to the outer frame assembly 42 at an appropriate position by a holder (not shown).

[0110] As shown in FIG. 8, the junction box 220 is in front of the upper housing 92 and is arranged between the backrest portion 214 of the rear seat 18 and the capacitor holding portion 40. The first power line 223 connected to the lower housing 90 extends obliquely upward and forward from the upper part of the lower housing 90, passes through the first connection region 238 (FIG. 9) on the surface 220a facing obliquely backward above the junction box 220, and reaches the inside of the junction box 220. The first power line 223 connected to the upper housing 92 extends obliquely downward and forward from the upper part of the upper housing 92, passes through the first connection region 238 (FIG. 9) at the lower part of the junction box 220, and reaches the inside of the junction box 220. The second power line 224 for connecting the junction box 220 and the electric motor 16 passes through the second connection region 239 (FIG. 9) at the side part of the junction box 220, reaches the outside of the junction box 220, and reaches the DC / DC converter 229 arranged obliquely downward and forward.

[0111] The electric vehicle 10 is configured as described above. Next, the details of the junction box 220 mounted on the electric vehicle 10 will be described.

[0112] FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view of the junction box 220 with the circuit breaker 260 removed. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 16, four positive power lines 234 and one end of the circuit breaker 260 are connected to the positive electrode portion 254, and the other end of the circuit breaker 260 is connected to an additional positive bus bar. In other words, the positive electrode portion 254 has a positive electrode main body portion 2541 (an example of the first portion) connected to the positive electrode of the capacitor 100 to which the four positive power lines 234 are connected, and a positive electrode separation portion 2542 (an example of the second portion) provided separately from the positive electrode main body portion 2541. The circuit breaker 260 is provided in the positive electrode portion 254 so as to connect the positive electrode main body portion 2541 and the positive electrode separation portion 2542 to each other.

[0113] Hereinafter, the four capacitors 100 will be referred to as the first capacitor 1001, the second capacitor 1002, the third capacitor 1003, and the fourth capacitor 1004 in order from the right side of FIG. 16. When there is no need to distinguish or when referring to them generically, they are called the capacitor 100. Also, the respective positive power lines 234 of the capacitor 100 are referred to as the first positive power line 2341, the second positive power line 2342, the third positive power line 2343, and the fourth positive power line 2344. When there is no need to distinguish or when referring to them generically, they are called the positive power line 234. The respective negative power lines 236 of the capacitor 100 are referred to as the first negative power line 2361, the second negative power line 2362, the third negative power line 2363, and the fourth negative power line 2364. When there is no need to distinguish or when referring to them generically, they are called the negative power line 236. Further, the positive power line 234 and the negative power line 236 connected to the positive electrode portion 254 and the DC / DC converter 229 are referred to as the load-side positive power line 2345 and the load-side negative power line 2365. The load-side positive power line 2345 is connected to the positive electrode separation portion 2542 of the positive electrode portion 254.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 10, the circuit breaker 260 includes a first connection portion 2601 connected to the positive electrode main body portion 2541, a second connection portion 2602 which is a connection portion between the positive electrode separation portion 2542, and a conduction portion 2603 that electrically connects the first connection portion 2601 and the second connection portion 2602. The first connection portion 2601 and the second connection portion 2602 are formed of plate-like members made of conductive metal and have through holes so that fastening members such as screws and bolts can be attached. When the circuit breaker 260 is a fuse, the conduction portion 2603 includes an alloy component that functions as a cutoff portion that melts when a current larger than the rated current flows and electrically cuts off the first connection portion 2601 and the second connection portion 2602. That is, the circuit breaker 260 has a function of electrically connecting the first connection portion 2601 and the second connection portion 2602 when the maximum induced voltage generated in the motor 16 is less than a predetermined threshold value (the third threshold value in the claims). The circuit breaker 260 protects the electrical circuit by melting the alloy component and opening the circuit of the power transmission path 222.

[0115] The first connection portion 2601 and the second connection portion 2602 of the circuit breaker 260 are attached to the positive electrode main body portion 2541 and the positive electrode separation portion 2542 by fastening members, and fix the circuit breaker 260 to the positive electrode portion 254. That is, the positive electrode main body portion 2541 and the positive electrode separation portion 2542 of the positive electrode portion 254 are configured such that the first connection portion 2601 and the second connection portion 2602 can be attached. Further, the first connection portion 2601 and the second connection portion 2602 have a function of maintaining the fixation of the circuit breaker 260 to the positive electrode portion 254 even when a large current exceeding the rating flows. On the other hand, the conduction portion 2603 of the circuit breaker 260 electrically connects the first connection portion 2601 and the second connection portion 2602 during normal times, and has a function of electrically cutting off the first connection portion 2601 and the second connection portion 2602 when a large current exceeding the rating flows. That is, the first connection portion 2601 and the second connection portion 2602, and the conduction portion 2603 have different electrical functions from each other.

[0116] In this embodiment, the junction box 220 is mounted on the electric vehicle 10, and the electric motor 16 is composed of a PM (permanent magnet) motor. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the circuit breaker 260 is provided in the positive electrode portion 254 so as to be mounted on the first connection portion 2601 and the second connection portion 2602. On the other hand, the junction box 220 may be mounted on an electric vehicle 10 in which the electric motor 16 is composed of a magnetless reluctance motor or an induction motor. Alternatively, the induced voltage generated during the idling of the electric motor 16 may not exceed the voltage of the capacitor 100 (for example, 50V). In such a case, it is not necessary to provide the circuit breaker 260 in the power transmission path 222 in the junction box 220.

[0117] In such a case, as shown in FIG. 17, an extension bus bar 280 (an example of a separate member) is provided in the positive electrode portion 254 within the junction box 220. The extension bus bar 280 may be composed of a plate-like member made of a conductive metal and configured to have the same cross-sectional shape as the positive electrode main body portion 2541 and the positive electrode separation portion 2542. The extension bus bar 280 has a first connection portion 2801 connected to the positive electrode main body portion 2541, a second connection portion 2802 which is a connection portion with the second portion, and a conduction portion 2803 that electrically connects the first connection portion 2801 and the second connection portion 2802. The first connection portion 2801 and the second connection portion 2802 have through holes so that fastening members such as screws and bolts can be attached. The extension bus bar 280 maintains the electrical connection between the positive electrode main body portion 2541 and the positive electrode separation portion 2542. The first connection portion 2801, the second connection portion 2802, and the conduction portion 2803 have a common function of maintaining the conduction of the circuit. The extension bus bar 280 is a separate member having an electrical function of connecting and conducting the positive electrode main body portion 2541 and the positive electrode separation portion 2542. In other words, the extension bus bar 280 does not have a function of electrically disconnecting the first connection portion 2601 and the second connection portion 2602 when the maximum induced voltage generated in the electric motor 16 is less than a predetermined threshold value (the third threshold value in the claims). That is, the extension bus bar 280 has an electrical function different from that of the circuit breaker 260 including a fuse and a contactor 290 described later. The positive electrode portion 254 is configured such that one of the circuit breaker 260 and the extension bus bar 280 is attached to the positive electrode main body portion 2541 and the positive electrode separation portion 2542. At least two types of separate members having mutually different electrical functions are provided in the positive electrode portion 254. The separate members may be not only two or three types but also four or more types.

[0118] Thus, in the present embodiment, the positive electrode portion 254 includes a positive electrode main body portion 2541 and a positive electrode separation portion 2542 that are isolated from each other. The positive electrode main body portion 2541 and the positive electrode separation portion 2542 are configured to be able to mount separate members such as the circuit breaker 260 and the extension bus bar 280. Therefore, regardless of the type of the electric motor 16, the voltage of the capacitor 100, the connection arrangement of the capacitor 100, and the back electromotive voltage, the common junction box 220 can be used. Accordingly, the versatility of the junction box 220 can be enhanced, and the cost of the junction box 220 can be reduced by commonizing the components.

[0119] FIG. 18 is a schematic plan view of the junction box 220 with the contactor 290 attached. As shown in FIG. 18, in this example, the contactor 290 is provided in the positive electrode portion 254 as a circuit breaker of a separate member. The contactor 290 is an electromagnetic contactor and is an electric circuit breaker that opens and closes contacts by the magnetic force generated by an electromagnetic coil. The contactor 290 includes a first connection portion 2901 connected to the positive electrode main body portion 2541, a second connection portion 2902 that is a connection portion with the second portion, and a conduction portion 2903 that electrically connects the first connection portion 2901 and the second connection portion 2902. The first connection portion 2901 and the second connection portion 2902 have through holes so that fastening members such as screws and bolts can be mounted. A signal line 2904 for inputting a contactor OFF signal and a grounded GRN line 2905 are connected to the conduction portion 2903. The conduction portion 2903 includes an electromagnetic coil (not shown) and a movable iron core that is driven by the electromagnetic coil and switches the open / closed state of the circuit. The conduction portion 2903 normally electrically connects the first connection portion 2901 and the second connection portion 2902, and when a contactor OFF signal is input, it cuts off the connection between the first connection portion 2901 and the second connection portion 2902.

[0120] When the induced voltage generated in the electric motor 16 during the idling of the electric motor 16 is equal to or higher than a predetermined first threshold value, the conduction part 2903 has a function of electrically disconnecting the first connection part 2901 and the second connection part 2902. When the induced voltage of the electric motor 16 exceeds a predetermined second threshold value, the conduction part 2903 has a function of electrically disconnecting the first connection part 2901 and the second connection part 2902. Such a function is realized by controlling the ON / OFF of the contactor 290 by the control device 230. The first threshold value is a value determined based on the maximum value of the voltage at which the conduction part 2903 can maintain the conduction / shutdown function, that is, the physical maximum value. The second threshold value may be the same value as the first threshold value or may be a value different from the first threshold value. The second threshold value may be set in consideration of a safety margin in control and is a value equal to or less than the first threshold value. The first threshold value is the physical maximum value, while the second threshold value is the maximum value set for control. Thereby, the capacitor 100, which is an electrical device provided on the circuit, is protected from overcharging accompanied by the inflow of a large current.

[0121] In other words, when the induced voltage generated in the electric motor 16 during the idling of the electric motor 16 is less than a predetermined threshold value (second threshold value), the conduction part 2903 of the contactor 290 has a function of electrically connecting the first connection part 2901 and the second connection part 2902. Driven by the magnetic force of the electromagnetic coil, the contact of the contactor 290 constituting the conduction part 2603 functions as a cutoff part that electrically disconnects the first connection part 2601 and the second connection part 2602 when a current exceeding the second threshold value flows.

[0122] The conduction part 2903 of the contactor 290 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and has an electromagnetic coil and a movable iron core, and thus has a height larger than that of a fuse.

[0123] FIG. 19 is a schematic side view of the junction box 220. As shown in FIG. 19, the junction box 220 has a bathtub-shaped box body 241 and a lid body 242 that closes the open surface of the box body 241. The lid body 242 has a lid main body 2421 and a protruding lid 2422 that protrudes from the upper surface of the lid main body 2421. The lid main body 2421 has a generally flat plate shape with a plurality of screw holes 250 (FIG. 18) on the outer peripheral portion, and is detachably attached to the box body 241 by a screw member 292 inserted into the screw holes 250. The protruding lid 2422 of the lid body 242 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the lid main body 2421, and defines an expansion space 2441 inside that expands the accommodation space 244 (FIG. 18) of the junction box 220 upward. That is, an opening 242A is formed in the portion of the lid main body 2421 where the protruding lid 2422 is provided, and the protruding lid 2422 is provided on the lid main body 2421 so as to close this opening 242A.

[0124] The box body 241 has a height (depth of the accommodation space 244) such that when the contactor 290 is provided on the positive electrode portion 254, the upper portion of the contactor 290 protrudes from the upper edge. By the protruding lid 2422 forming the expansion space 2441 of the accommodation space 244, even when the contactor 290 is provided on the positive electrode portion 254, the contactor 290 can be accommodated in the accommodation space 244.

[0125] In the illustrated example, the protruding lid 2422 is formed separately from the lid main body 2421 and is detachably attached to the upper surface of the lid main body 2421 by a screw member 294. Thereby, the contactor 290 can be attached and detached and maintained without removing the protruding lid 2422 from the lid main body 2421 and without removing the lid main body 2421 from the box body 241. When the contactor 290 is not provided on the positive electrode portion 254, the opening 242A of the lid main body 2421 may be closed by a flat plate member instead of the protruding lid 2422. In other embodiments, the protruding lid 2422 may be provided on the lid main body 2421 integrally with the lid main body 2421 via a hinge or a flexible member so as to be able to open and close the opening 242A of the lid main body 2421.

[0126] <Other Embodiments> Next, referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same or similar elements as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted. The same applies to the following embodiments.

[0127] FIG. 20 is a schematic plan view of the junction box 220 with the step-down DC / DC converter 232 removed. As shown in FIG. 20, the positive electrode portion 254 further includes a positive electrode side connection portion 2543 (an example of the third portion) in addition to the positive electrode main body portion 2541 and the positive electrode separation portion 2542. The positive electrode side connection portion 2543 only needs to be connected to the positive electrode portion 254, and may be connected to the positive electrode main body portion 2541 or the positive electrode separation portion 2542. In the present embodiment, the positive electrode side connection portion 2543 is connected to the positive electrode separation portion 2542. The positive electrode side connection portion 2543 is connected to the positive electrode separation portion 2542 at one end side and extends from the positive electrode separation portion 2542 toward the negative electrode portion 256. The other end side of the positive electrode side connection portion 2543 is the end portion.

[0128] The negative electrode portion 256 has a linear negative electrode main body portion 2561 and a negative electrode side connection portion 2563 (an example of the fourth portion). Four negative electrode power lines 236 connected to the negative electrodes of the four capacitors 100, one negative electrode power line 236 connected to the control device 230, and one load side negative electrode power line 2365 connected to the DC / DC converter 229 are connected to the negative electrode main body portion 2561. The negative electrode side connection portion 2563 only needs to be connected to the negative electrode portion 256, and in the present embodiment, it is connected to the negative electrode main body portion 2561. The negative electrode side connection portion 2563 is connected to the negative electrode main body portion 2561 at one end side and extends from the negative electrode main body portion 2561 toward the positive electrode portion 254. The other end side of the negative electrode side connection portion 2563 is the end portion. The end portion of the negative electrode side connection portion 2563 is close to the end portion of the positive electrode side connection portion 2543.

[0129] FIG. 21 is a schematic plan view of the junction box 220 with the step-down DC / DC converter 232 attached. As shown in FIG. 21, the step-down DC / DC converter 232 is mounted on the positive electrode side connection portion 2543 and the negative electrode side connection portion 2563 and provided inside the junction box 220. The step-down DC / DC converter 232 has a first connection portion 2321 connected to the positive electrode side connection portion 2543, a second connection portion 2322 connected to the negative electrode side connection portion 2563, and a conduction portion 2323 that electrically connects the first connection portion 2321 and the second connection portion 2322. The step-down DC / DC converter 232 is an example of a separate member that is arranged across the positive electrode portion 254 and the negative electrode portion 256 and functions. In other embodiments, power devices other than the step-down DC / DC converter 232, such as transformers such as boosters and step-down converters, may be arranged across the positive electrode portion 254 and the negative electrode portion 256 as separate members.

[0130] In other embodiments, the positive electrode portion 254 may not include the positive electrode side connection portion 2543 that extends from the positive electrode main body portion 2541 or the positive electrode separation portion 2542. Further, the negative electrode portion 256 may not include the negative electrode side connection portion 2563 that extends from the negative electrode main body portion 2561. That is, the step-down DC / DC converter 232 may be directly connected to the positive electrode main body portion 2541 or the positive electrode separation portion 2542, and the positive electrode main body portion 2541 or the positive electrode separation portion 2542 may function as the positive electrode side connection portion 2543. Further, the step-down DC / DC converter 232 may be directly connected to the negative electrode main body portion 2561, and the negative electrode main body portion 2561 may function as the negative electrode side connection portion 2563.

[0131] However, there are advantages in providing the positive electrode side connection portion 2543 extending from the positive electrode separation portion 2542 and / or the negative electrode side connection portion 2563 extending from the negative electrode main body portion 2561 as in this embodiment. That is, the end of the positive electrode side connection portion 2543 and the end of the negative electrode side connection portion 2563 can be brought closer. Thereby, it is not necessary to increase the size of the separate member arranged across the positive electrode portion 254 and the negative electrode portion 256 for connection.

[0132] Note that the circuit breaker 260 including the contactor 290 and the fuse, and the extension bus bar 280 are arranged and function across the positive electrode main body portion 2541 and the positive electrode separation portion 2542, and do not function across the positive electrode portion 254 and the negative electrode portion 256. In other words, these components function without being arranged across the positive electrode portion 254 and the negative electrode portion 256.

[0133] In other embodiments, the positive electrode side connection portion 2543 may be formed separately from the positive electrode portion 254. Further, in addition to this, or instead of this, the negative electrode side connection portion 2563 may be formed separately from the negative electrode portion 256. Also in these cases, it is possible to configure so that other separate members arranged and functioning across the positive electrode portion 254 and the negative electrode portion 256 are mounted.

[0134] <Still Another Embodiment> Next, referring to FIGS. 22 to 24, still another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 22 is a schematic plan view of a junction box 220 according to still another embodiment. As shown in FIG. 22, in the present embodiment, the junction box 220 includes at least one separation portion 300 (first separation portion 3001) provided so as to be electrically isolated from the positive electrode portion 254 and the negative electrode portion 256. In the present embodiment, three separation portions 300 (3001, 3002, 3003) are provided in the junction box 220.

[0135] Each separation portion 300 is arranged between the positive electrode portion 254 and the negative electrode portion 256, specifically, between the positive electrode main body portion 2541 and the negative electrode main body portion 2561. The three separation portions 300 are arranged at equal intervals in the extending direction (left - right direction in the figure) of the positive electrode portion 254 and the negative electrode portion 256. Hereinafter, the three separation portions 300 will be referred to as the first separation portion 3001, the second separation portion 3002, and the third separation portion 3003 in order from the right side of FIG. 22. When not distinguishing or when collectively referring, it is called the separation portion 300.

[0136] The first separation part 3001 is located between the first positive power line 2341 and the second positive power line 2342, and is configured such that the first negative connection point 3061 and the second positive power line 2342 can be connected. The second separation part 3002 is located between the second positive power line 2342 and the third positive power line 2343, and is configured such that the second negative connection point 3062 and the third positive power line 2343 can be connected. The third separation part 3003 is located between the third positive power line 2343 and the fourth positive power line 2344, and is configured such that the third negative connection point 3063 and the fourth positive power line 2344 can be connected.

[0137] Each separation part 300 is composed of a plate-like member made of a conductive metal, and has a separation part positive connection point 301 for connecting the positive power line 234 and a separation part negative connection point 302 for connecting the negative power line 236. Hereinafter, the separation part positive connection points 301 of the first to third separation parts 300 are referred to as the first separation part positive connection point 3011, the second separation part positive connection point 3012, and the third separation part positive connection point 3013. The separation part negative connection points 302 of the first to third separation parts 300 are referred to as the first separation part negative connection point 3021, the second separation part negative connection point 3022, and the third separation part negative connection point 3023.

[0138] The positive electrode part 254 has at least two positive connection points 304 (3041, 3042) for connecting the positive power line 234. In this embodiment, four positive connection points 304 (3041, 3042, 3043, 3044) for connecting the capacitor 100 are provided on the positive electrode part 254. Hereinafter, starting from the right in FIG. 22, they are referred to as the first positive connection point 3041, the second positive connection point 3042, the third positive connection point 3043, and the fourth positive connection point 3044. The first positive power line 2341 is connected to the first positive connection point 3041. The second positive power line 2342 is connected to the second positive connection point 3042. The third positive power line 2343 is connected to the third positive connection point 3043. The fourth positive power line 2344 is connected to the fourth positive connection point 3044.

[0139] The negative electrode portion 256 has at least two negative electrode connection points 306 (3061, 3062) for connecting the negative electrode power line 236. In this embodiment, four negative electrode connection points 306 (3061, 3062, 3063, 3064) for connecting the capacitor 100 are provided on the negative electrode portion 256. Hereinafter, from the right in FIG. 22, they are referred to as the first negative electrode connection point 3061, the second negative electrode connection point 3062, the third negative electrode connection point 3063, and the fourth negative electrode connection point 3064 in order. The first negative electrode power line 2361 is connected to the first negative electrode connection point 3061. The second negative electrode power line 2362 is connected to the second negative electrode connection point 3062. The third negative electrode power line 2363 is connected to the third negative electrode connection point 3063. The fourth negative electrode power line 2364 is connected to the fourth negative electrode connection point 3064.

[0140] That is, in the wiring structure and wiring method shown in FIG. 22, four capacitors 100 are connected in parallel to the DC / DC converter 229, more specifically, to the positive electrode portion 254 and the negative electrode portion 256 of the junction box 220. For example, when the voltage of the capacitor 100 is 50V, a voltage of 50V is supplied to the DC / DC converter 229.

[0141] On the other hand, by having the above configuration, the junction box 220 of this embodiment can connect a plurality of capacitors 100 to the DC / DC converter 229 in various modes.

[0142] FIG. 23 is a schematic plan view of a junction box 220 showing a first connection example of power lines, which is different from the connection example in FIG. 22. As shown in FIG. 23, in this example, four capacitors 100 are connected in two series and two parallel to the positive electrode portion 254 and the negative electrode portion 256 of the junction box 220.

[0143] Specifically, the first positive electrode power line 2341 of the first capacitor 1001 is connected to the first positive electrode connection point 3041 of the positive electrode portion 254. Instead of being connected to the negative electrode portion 256, the first negative electrode power line 2361 of the first capacitor 1001 is connected to the first isolation portion negative electrode connection point 3021 of the first isolation portion 3001. Instead of being connected to the positive electrode portion 254, the second positive electrode power line 2342 of the second capacitor 1002 is connected to the first isolation portion positive electrode connection point 3011 of the first isolation portion 3001. The second negative electrode power line 2362 of the second capacitor 1002 is connected to the second negative electrode connection point 3062 of the negative electrode portion 256. The third positive electrode power line 2343 of the third capacitor 1003 is connected to the third positive electrode connection point 3043 of the positive electrode portion 254. Instead of being connected to the negative electrode portion 256, the third negative electrode power line 2363 of the third capacitor 1003 is connected to the third isolation portion negative electrode connection point 3023 of the third isolation portion 3003. Instead of being connected to the positive electrode portion 254, the fourth positive electrode power line 2344 of the fourth capacitor 1004 is connected to the third isolation portion positive electrode connection point 3013 of the third isolation portion 3003. The fourth negative electrode power line 2364 of the fourth capacitor 1004 is connected to the fourth negative electrode connection point 3064 of the negative electrode portion 256.

[0144] By connecting each power line in this way and configuring the junction box 220 as described above, four capacitors 100 are provided in the power transmission path 222 in a 2 - series and 2 - parallel configuration, and a voltage of 100 V is supplied to the DC / DC converter 229.

[0145] FIG. 24 is a schematic plan view of a junction box 220 showing a second connection example of power lines, which is different from the connection examples of FIGS. 22 and 23. As shown in FIG. 24, in this example, four capacitors 100 are connected in series (4 - series) to the positive electrode portion 254 and the negative electrode portion 256 of the junction box 220.

[0146] Specifically, the first positive power line 2341 of the first capacitor 1001 is connected to the first positive electrode connection point 3041 of the positive electrode portion 254. Instead of being connected to the negative electrode portion 256, the first negative power line 2361 of the first capacitor 1001 is connected to the first isolation portion negative electrode connection point 3021 of the first isolation portion 3001. Instead of being connected to the positive electrode portion 254, the second positive power line 2342 of the second capacitor 1002 is connected to the first isolation portion positive electrode connection point 3011 of the first isolation portion 3001. Instead of being connected to the negative electrode portion 256, the second negative power line 2362 of the second capacitor 1002 is connected to the second isolation portion negative electrode connection point 3022 of the second isolation portion 3002. Instead of being connected to the positive electrode portion 254, the third positive power line 2343 of the third capacitor 1003 is connected to the second isolation portion positive electrode connection point 3012 of the second isolation portion 3002. Instead of being connected to the negative electrode portion 256, the third negative power line 2363 of the third capacitor 1003 is connected to the third isolation portion negative electrode connection point 3023 of the third isolation portion 3003. Instead of being connected to the positive electrode portion 254, the fourth positive power line 2344 of the fourth capacitor 1004 is connected to the third isolation portion positive electrode connection point 3013 of the third isolation portion 3003. The fourth negative power line 2364 of the fourth capacitor 1004 is connected to the fourth negative electrode connection point 3064 of the negative electrode portion 256.

[0147] By connecting each power line in this way and configuring the junction box 220 as described above, four capacitors 100 are provided in series (four in series) in the power transmission path 222, and a voltage of 200 V is supplied to the DC / DC converter 229.

[0148] Next, referring to FIG. 19, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same elements as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the differences from the above embodiment will be described. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a vehicle according to another embodiment as viewed from the rear. As shown in FIG. 19, the electric vehicle 310 (vehicle) has a vehicle body 312, left and right front wheels 314, and left and right rear wheels 315, and is a four-wheel electric vehicle in which the rear wheels 315 are rotationally driven by an electric motor (not shown) mounted on the vehicle body 312.

[0149] At the rear of the vehicle body 312 and behind the rear seat 18 (not shown), there is provided a capacitor chamber 318 that is open rearward, and a rear lid 320 is provided that has its lower end rotatably attached to the vehicle body 312 around a horizontal axis to open and close the capacitor chamber 318. A capacitor holding portion 40 for holding the capacitor 100 is provided in the capacitor chamber 318, and a junction box 220 (not shown) is provided between the capacitor holding portion 40 and the rear seat 18. The capacitor holding portion 40 and the junction box 220 are the same as those in the above-described embodiment. The same effects as those in the above-described embodiment can also be obtained in this embodiment.

[0150] With the above, the description of the specific embodiments is completed. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and can be widely modified and implemented. For example, the vehicle is not limited to that shown in the above-described embodiment. The capacitor 100 is configured by lithium-ion secondary battery cells in the above-described embodiment, but may be configured by a capacitor element such as a capacitor. Also, the load in the above-described embodiment was an AC motor, but it may be an inverter for supplying power to an electrical device outside the junction box 220. The electrical device in this case may be a battery power source (storage battery). The number of capacitors 100 connected to the junction box 220 does not have to be four, and may be three or less, or five or more.

[0151] Instead of providing a circuit breaker 260, which is a separate member, in the positive electrode portion 254, an electrical component such as a current sensor may be provided as a separate member. The current sensor has a configuration similar to that of the contactor 290 shown in FIG. 18, although not shown. The current sensor has a first connection portion 2901 connected to the positive electrode main body portion 2541, a second connection portion 2902 that is a connection portion with the second portion, and a conduction portion 2903 that electrically connects the first connection portion 2901 and the second connection portion 2902. Also, the conduction portion 2903 includes a measurement portion that measures the current or the amount of electric power flowing between the first connection portion 2901 and the second connection portion 2902.

[0152] In addition, the specific configurations, arrangements, quantities, materials, etc. of each member and part can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. Also, the above-described embodiments may be combined with each other in part or in whole. On the other hand, not all of the constituent elements shown in the above-described embodiments are necessarily essential, and they can be appropriately selected.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0153] 10: Electric vehicle (an example of a moving body) 16: Electric motor (an example of a load, FIG. 3) 100: Electric storage device 1001: First electric storage device 1002: Second electric storage device 1003: Third electric storage device 1004: Fourth electric storage device 220: Junction box (electrical connection box) 222: Power transmission path 229: DC / DC converter 232: Step-down DC / DC converter (separate member) 234: Positive power line 2341: First positive power line 2342: Second positive power line 2343: Third positive power line 2344: Fourth positive power line 2345: Load-side positive power line 236: Negative power line 2361: First negative power line 2362: Second negative power line 2363: Third negative power line 2364: Fourth negative power line 2365: Load-side negative power line 241: Box body 242: Cover 2421: Cover body 2422: Protruding cover 244: Accommodation space 2441: Expansion space 254: Positive electrode part 2541: Positive electrode main body part (first part) 2542: Positive electrode separation part (second part) 2543: Positive electrode side connection part (third part) 256: Negative electrode part 2561: Negative electrode main body part 2563: Negative electrode side connection part (fourth part) 260: Circuit breaker (separate component) 2601: First connection part 2602: Second connection part 2603: Conductive part 280: Extension bus bar (separate component) 2801: First connection part 2802: Second connection part 2803: Conductive part 290: Contact (separate component) 2901: First connection part 2902: Second connection part 2903: Conductive part 300: Separation part 3001: First separation part 3002: Second separation part 3003: Third separation part 301: Separation part positive electrode connection point 3011: First separation part positive electrode connection point 3012: Second separation part positive electrode connection point 3013: Third separation part positive electrode connection point 302: Separation part negative electrode connection point 3021: First separation part negative electrode connection point 3022: Second separation part negative electrode connection point 3023: Third separation part negative electrode connection point 304: Positive electrode connection point 3041: First positive electrode connection point 3042: Second positive electrode connection point 3043: Third positive electrode connection point 3044: Fourth positive electrode connection point 306: Negative electrode connection point 3061: First negative electrode connection point 3062: Second negative electrode connection point 3063: Third negative electrode connection point 3064: Fourth negative electrode connection point

Claims

1. An electrical connection box provided on a power transmission path connecting a plurality of capacitors including a first capacitor and a second capacitor and an electrical load, a positive electrode part to which a first positive electrode power line, which is a positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor, a second positive electrode power line, which is a positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the second capacitor, and a load-side positive electrode power line, which is a positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the electrical load, are connected; a negative electrode part to which a first negative electrode power line, which is a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the first capacitor, a second negative electrode power line, which is a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the second capacitor, and a load-side negative electrode power line, which is a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the electrical load, are connected. The electrical connection box comprises the above.

2. The positive electrode part has a first part to which the first positive electrode power line and the second positive electrode power line are connected; The electrical connection box according to claim 1, further comprising a second part provided so as to be electrically separated from the first part and to which the load-side positive electrode power line is connected.

3. The electrical connection box according to claim 2, further comprising a separate member provided so as to be attached to the first part and the second part.

4. The electrical connection box according to claim 2, wherein the first part and the second part are configured such that a separate member formed separately from the positive electrode part is attached thereto.

5. The separate member has a first connection part which is a connection part with the first part, a second connection part which is a connection part with the second part, and a conduction part which electrically connects the first connection part and the second connection part. The electrical connection box according to claim 3 or 4 comprises the above.

6. The electrical connection box according to claim 5, wherein the separate member further has a cutoff part provided in the conduction part so as to be able to electrically cutoff the first connection part and the second connection part.

7. The electrical connection box according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the separate member further has a measurement part for measuring a current or an amount of electricity flowing between the first connection part and the second connection part.

8. The separate member has a first connection part which is a connection part with the first part and a second connection part which is a connection part with the second part, and includes at least two types of first separate members and second separate members having different electrical functions from each other. The electrical connection box according to claim 3 or 4, wherein one of the first separate member and the second separate member is attached to the first part and the second part.

9. The electrical load is an electric motor, and the first separate member is attached to the first part and the second part. The first separate member is configured to have a function of electrically disconnecting the first connection portion and the second connection portion when the induced voltage generated in the electric motor exceeds a predetermined second threshold value so that the first connection portion and the second connection portion are electrically disconnected when the induced voltage generated in the electric motor is equal to or higher than a predetermined first threshold value. The electrical connection box according to claim 8.

10. The electrical load is an electric motor, and the second separate member is attached to the first portion and the second portion. The second separate member is configured not to have a function of electrically disconnecting the first connection portion and the second connection portion when the maximum induced voltage generated in the electric motor is less than a predetermined third threshold value. The electrical connection box according to claim 8.

11. The positive electrode portion further has a third portion having one end connected to the positive electrode portion and the other end serving as a terminal portion. The negative electrode portion has a fourth portion having one end connected to the negative electrode portion and the other end serving as a terminal portion. The electrical connection box according to any one of claims 2 to 10.

12. Provided so as to be attached to the third portion and the fourth portion. The electrical connection box according to claim 11, further comprising another separate member that is disposed across the positive electrode portion and the negative electrode portion and functions.

13. The third portion and the fourth portion are formed separately from the positive electrode portion and the negative electrode portion, and are configured such that another separate member that is disposed across the positive electrode portion and the negative electrode portion and functions is attached. The electrical connection box according to claim 11.

14. The electrical connection box further includes at least one separation portion provided so as to be electrically isolated from the positive electrode portion and the negative electrode portion. The first separation portion is configured to be connectable such that the first negative power line is connected instead of being connected to the negative electrode portion, and the second positive power line is connected instead of being connected to the positive electrode portion. The electrical connection box according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The plurality of the capacitors further includes a third capacitor and a fourth capacitor. At least one of the separation portions further includes a third separation portion. The third separation portion is configured to be connectable such that a third negative power line, which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the third capacitor, is connected, and a fourth positive power line, which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the fourth capacitor, is connected. A third positive power line, which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the third capacitor, is connected to the positive electrode portion. The electrical connection box according to claim 14, wherein a fourth negative power line, which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the fourth capacitor, is connected to the negative electrode part.

16. At least one of the separation parts further includes a second separation part, The electrical connection box according to claim 15, wherein the second separation part is configured to be connectable such that the second negative power line is connected instead of being connected to the negative electrode part, and the third positive power line is connected instead of being connected to the positive electrode part.

17. A moving body equipped with the electrical connection box according to any one of claims 1 to 16, The moving body, wherein the electrical load is an electric motor for a propulsion part that drives a propulsion part of the moving body.

18. An electrical connection box provided on a power transmission path connecting a plurality of capacitors including a first capacitor and a second capacitor and an electrical load, A positive electrode part to which a first positive power line, which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor, is connected; A negative electrode part to which a second negative power line, which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the second capacitor, is connected; At least one separation part including a first separation part provided so as to be electrically isolated from the positive electrode part and the negative electrode part, The electrical connection box, wherein the first separation part is configured such that a first negative power line, which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the first capacitor, and a second positive power line, which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the second capacitor, are connected.

19. The plurality of capacitors further includes a third capacitor and a fourth capacitor, At least one of the separation parts further includes a third separation part, The third separation part is configured such that a third negative power line, which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the third capacitor, and a fourth positive power line, which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the fourth capacitor, are connected, A third positive power line, which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the third capacitor, is connected to the positive electrode part, The electrical connection box according to claim 18, wherein a fourth negative power line, which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the fourth capacitor, is connected to the negative electrode part.

20. An electrical connection box provided on a power transmission path connecting a plurality of capacitors including a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a third capacitor, and a fourth capacitor and an electrical load, A positive electrode part to which a first positive power line, which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor, is connected; A negative electrode part to which a fourth negative power line, which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the fourth capacitor, is connected; A plurality of isolation parts including a first isolation part, a second isolation part, and a third isolation part provided so as to be electrically isolated from the positive electrode part and the negative electrode part. A first negative power line, which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the first capacitor, and a second positive power line, which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the second capacitor, are connected to the first isolation part. A second negative power line, which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the second capacitor, and a third positive power line, which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the third capacitor, are connected to the second isolation part. An electrical connection box to which a third negative power line, which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the third capacitor, and a fourth positive power line, which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the fourth capacitor, are connected to the third isolation part.

21. An electrical connection box provided on a power transmission path connecting a plurality of capacitors including a first capacitor and a second capacitor and an electrical load, A positive electrode part to which a positive power line, which is a positive power line connected to at least one positive electrode of the plurality of capacitors, is connected, A negative electrode part to which a negative power line, which is a negative power line connected to at least one negative electrode of the plurality of capacitors, is connected, At least one isolation part including a first isolation part provided so as to be electrically isolated from the positive electrode part and the negative electrode part. The positive electrode part has a first positive electrode connection point and a second positive electrode connection point to which a plurality of positive power lines connected to the positive electrodes of the plurality of capacitors can be respectively connected. The negative electrode part has a first negative electrode connection point and a second negative electrode connection point to which a plurality of negative power lines connected to the negative electrodes of the plurality of capacitors can be respectively connected. The first isolation part has an isolation part negative electrode connection point to which a negative power line connected to one negative electrode of the plurality of capacitors can be connected, and an isolation part positive electrode connection point to which a positive power line connected to one positive electrode of the plurality of capacitors can be connected. An electrical connection box.

22. A first positive power line, which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor, is connected to the first positive electrode connection point. A second positive power line, which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the second capacitor, is connected to the second positive electrode connection point. A first negative power line, which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the first capacitor, is connected to the first negative electrode connection point. The electrical connection box according to claim 21, wherein a second negative power line, which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the second capacitor, is connected to the second negative electrode connection point.

23. A first positive power line, which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor, is connected to the first positive electrode connection point. A second negative power line, which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the second capacitor, is connected to the second negative electrode connection point. A first negative power line, which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the first capacitor, is connected to the separated part negative electrode connection point. The electrical connection box according to claim 21, wherein a second positive power line, which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the second capacitor, is connected to the separated part positive electrode connection point.

24. A power line connection method for the electrical connection box according to claim 21, comprising: connecting a first positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor to the first positive electrode connection point; connecting a second positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the second capacitor to the second positive electrode connection point; connecting a first negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the first capacitor to the first negative electrode connection point; connecting a second negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the second capacitor to the second negative electrode connection point.

25. A power line connection method for the electrical connection box according to claim 21, comprising: connecting a first positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor to the first positive electrode connection point; connecting a second negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the second capacitor to the second negative electrode connection point; connecting a first negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the first capacitor to the separated part negative electrode connection point; connecting a second positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the second capacitor to the separated part positive electrode connection point.

26. An electrical connection box provided on a power transmission path connecting a plurality of capacitors including a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a third capacitor, and a fourth capacitor and an electrical load, comprising: a positive electrode part to which a first positive power line, which is a positive power line connected to at least one positive electrode of the plurality of capacitors, is connected; a negative electrode part to which a fourth negative power line, which is a negative power line connected to at least one negative electrode of the plurality of capacitors, is connected; a plurality of separated parts including a first separated part, a second separated part, and a third separated part provided so as to be electrically isolated from the positive electrode part and the negative electrode part; the positive electrode part has a first positive electrode connection point, a second positive electrode connection point, a third positive electrode connection point, and a fourth positive electrode connection point to which a plurality of positive power lines connected to the positive electrodes of the plurality of capacitors can be respectively connected. The negative electrode part has a first negative electrode connection point, a second negative electrode connection point, a third negative electrode connection point, and a fourth negative electrode connection point to which a plurality of negative electrode power lines connected to the negative electrodes of the plurality of capacitors can be respectively connected. Each of the separation parts has a separation part negative electrode connection point to which a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the capacitor can be connected, and a separation part positive electrode connection point to which a positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the capacitor can be connected, an electrical connection box.

27. The first positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor is connected to the first positive electrode connection point. A second positive electrode power line, which is a positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the second capacitor, is connected to the second positive electrode connection point. A third positive electrode power line, which is a positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the third capacitor, is connected to the third positive electrode connection point. A fourth positive electrode power line, which is a positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the fourth capacitor, is connected to the fourth positive electrode connection point. The first negative electrode power line, which is a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the first capacitor, is connected to the first negative electrode connection point. The second negative electrode power line, which is a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the second capacitor, is connected to the second negative electrode connection point. The third negative electrode power line, which is a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the third capacitor, is connected to the third negative electrode connection point. The electrical connection box according to claim 26, wherein the fourth negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the fourth capacitor is connected to the fourth negative electrode connection point.

28. The first positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor is connected to the first positive electrode connection point. The fourth negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the fourth capacitor is connected to the fourth negative electrode connection point. The first negative electrode power line, which is a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the first capacitor, is connected to the separation part negative electrode connection point of the first separation part. The second positive electrode power line, which is a positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the second capacitor, is connected to the separation part positive electrode connection point of the first separation part. The second negative electrode power line, which is a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the second capacitor, is connected to the separation part negative electrode connection point of the second separation part. The third positive electrode power line, which is a positive electrode power line connected to the positive electrode of the third capacitor, is connected to the separation part positive electrode connection point of the second separation part. The third negative electrode power line, which is a negative electrode power line connected to the negative electrode of the third capacitor, is connected to the separation part negative electrode connection point of the third separation part. The electrical connection box according to claim 26, wherein a fourth positive power line, which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the fourth capacitor, is connected to the positive electrode connection point of the third separation part.

29. A power line connection method for the electrical connection box according to claim 26, comprising: connecting the first positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor to the first positive electrode connection point; connecting a second positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the second capacitor to the second positive electrode connection point; connecting a third positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the third capacitor to the third positive electrode connection point; connecting a fourth positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the fourth capacitor to the fourth positive electrode connection point; connecting a first negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the first capacitor to the first negative electrode connection point; connecting a second negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the second capacitor to the second negative electrode connection point; connecting a third negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the third capacitor to the third negative electrode connection point; connecting the fourth negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the fourth capacitor to the fourth negative electrode connection point.

30. A power line connection method for the electrical connection box according to claim 26, comprising: connecting the first positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the first capacitor to the first positive electrode connection point; connecting the fourth negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the fourth capacitor to the fourth negative electrode connection point; connecting a first negative power line, which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the first capacitor, to the negative electrode connection point of the first separation part; connecting a second positive power line, which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the second capacitor, to the positive electrode connection point of the first separation part; connecting a second negative power line, which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the second capacitor, to the negative electrode connection point of the second separation part; connecting a third positive power line, which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the third capacitor, to the positive electrode connection point of the second separation part; connecting a third negative power line, which is a negative power line connected to the negative electrode of the third capacitor, to the negative electrode connection point of the third separation part. A power line connection method, comprising: connecting a fourth positive power line, which is a positive power line connected to the positive electrode of the fourth capacitor, to the positive electrode connection point of the third separation part of the third separation part.

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