Bus bar module

Abstract

To provide a bus bar module capable of further improving a degree of wiring freedom of a flexible substrate.SOLUTION: A bus bar module 5 comprises a case 6, which may be assembled to a battery module 2, and a flexible substrate 7 which is held by the case 6. A main body part 71 of the flexible substrate 7 includes a trunk portion 711 and a branch portion 712 which is branched from the trunk portion 711. On the other hand, the case 6 includes a trunk portion holding part 61, a branch portion holding part 62 which is positioned closer to the battery module 2 than the trunk portion holding part 61, and a connection wall 63 which connects the trunk portion holding part 61 and the branch portion holding part 62. A step is then formed from the trunk portion holding part 61, the branch portion holding part 62 and the connection wall 63. The branch portion 712 includes a curved portion 7122 which is smoothly curved in a connection portion with the trunk portion 711. In the case 6, there is formed a holding part 64 which holds the main body part 71 in a state where a curved shape of the curved portion 7122 is maintained.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A conventional bus bar module of this type is disclosed in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses a conductive module (bus bar module) including a bus bar portion electrically connected to the cells that make up the battery module, and a flexible substrate electrically connected to the bus bar portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-142505 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In this way, in a bus bar module formed using a flexible substrate, it is preferable to improve the degree of freedom in routing the flexible substrate.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the conventional technology, and an object of the present invention is to provide a bus bar module that allows for greater flexibility in routing flexible substrates. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A busbar module according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a case that can be assembled to a battery module having a plurality of cells, a flexible substrate held in the case, and a busbar portion that can electrically connect a main body portion of the flexible substrate to the battery module, wherein the main body portion comprises a stem and branch portions branching off from the stem, and the case comprises a stem holding portion that holds the stem, a branch holding portion that is positioned closer to the battery module than the stem holding portion and holds the branch portions, and a connecting wall that connects the stem holding portion and the branch holding portion, wherein the stem holding portion, the branch holding portion, and the connecting wall form a step, and the branch portions have curved portions that curve smoothly at the connection points with the stem, and the case is formed with a holding portion that holds the main body portion while maintaining the curved shape of the curved portions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a bus bar module that can further improve the degree of freedom in routing a flexible substrate. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of a power supply device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of a bus bar module according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of a flexible substrate according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an example of a case according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a state in which an example of a bus bar according to an embodiment is connected to an example of a battery module. [Figure 6] 1 is a partially enlarged perspective view illustrating an example of a power supply device according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged plan view illustrating an example of a power supply device according to an embodiment. [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing an example of a power supply device according to a modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged plan view showing an example of a power supply device according to a modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged plan view showing an example of a flexible substrate according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The busbar module according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0010] In the following embodiments, a bus bar module that is assembled to a battery module mounted on an electric vehicle (for example, an HV, a PHV, an EV, an FCV, etc.) will be exemplified.

[0011] In the following description, the direction in which multiple cells are lined up is defined as the X direction (front-to-back direction), the direction in which a pair of electrode terminals formed on one cell are lined up is defined as the Y direction (width direction), and the direction in which the electrode terminals protrude is defined as the Z direction (top-to-bottom direction).

[0012] Furthermore, the power supply device will be described with the bus bar module positioned above the battery module, with the up-down direction of each member defined.

[0013] 1 and 6, the busbar module 5 according to this embodiment is mounted on top of the battery module 2 and constitutes a part of the power supply device 1. This power supply device 1 is mounted on various electric vehicles that run using an electric motor, hybrid vehicles that run using both an engine and an electric motor, and is used to supply power to the electric motor.

[0014] The busbar module 5 includes a case 6 that is assembled to the battery module 2, and a flexible substrate 7 that is held by the case 6. In this embodiment, the flexible substrate 7 is an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) that has a flexible sheet-like main body 71.

[0015] In addition, the case 6 can be formed using an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and has a mounting surface that extends horizontally and allows the main body 71 of the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 to be placed from above in the Z direction (up and down direction).

[0016] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the battery module 2 includes a plurality of cells 21, which are arranged in a row along the X direction (front-rear direction). For example, lithium batteries can be used as such cells 21. By arranging the cells 21 in the X direction (front-rear direction), the battery module 2 has one stacked section in which the cells 21 are arranged in one direction (X direction). Note that the battery module 2 may have a plurality of stacked sections.

[0017] In this embodiment, a smoke exhaust duct 3 extending along the arrangement direction (X direction) of the cells 21 is placed on the upper surface between the electrode terminals 211, 212 of each cell 21. This smoke exhaust duct 3 is a pipe for discharging gas released to the outside of the battery module 2 when the gas pressure inside each cell 21 exceeds a predetermined value.

[0018] 1, the battery module 2 and the smoke exhaust duct 3 configured as described above are housed in a housing case 4. The housing case 4 is formed in a substantially box shape that opens upward.

[0019] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bus bar module 5 includes bus bar portions 8 that can electrically connect the main body portion 71 of the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 and the battery module 2.

[0020] In this embodiment, the busbar module 5 includes a plurality of busbar portions 8, and each busbar portion 8 includes a flexible busbar 81 that is flexible and formed integrally with the main body portion 71 of the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7. Each busbar portion 8 also includes a busbar 82 that is electrically connected to the flexible busbar 81 and the single cells 21.

[0021] The bus bars 82 are electrically connected to the cells 21 of the battery module 2, thereby connecting the cells 21 in series or parallel. In this embodiment, each cell 21 has a battery body formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is arranged with the long sides of the upper surfaces of the battery bodies in contact with each other. Electrode terminals 211 and 212 that protrude upward (toward the side where the case 6 is attached) are provided on the upper surface of the battery body. One of the electrode terminals 211 and 212 formed on one cell 21 is a positive terminal, and the other is a negative terminal.

[0022] The bus bar 82 is connected to the electrode terminal 211 and the electrode terminal 212 , thereby electrically connecting the bus bar 82 to the cells 21 of the battery module 2 .

[0023] Specifically, the plurality of unit cells 21 are arranged such that the electrode terminals 211 and the electrode terminals 212, which are positive and negative terminals, are alternately arranged in one direction (X direction). That is, the plurality of unit cells 21 are arranged such that they are alternately inverted and lined up in one direction (X direction).

[0024] The busbars 82 are formed into a plate shape using a conductive material. In this embodiment, the busbars 82 include a plurality of connection busbars 821 that connect adjacent cells 21, and two extraction busbars 822 that are connected to one cell 21 and electrically connected to a power source or the like (not shown).

[0025] 5, two insertion holes 821a are formed in each of the multiple connection bus bars 821, and the electrode terminals 211 and 212 of adjacent cells 21 are inserted into the two insertion holes 821a of each connection bus bar 821. Insertion holes 822a are also formed in each of the two extraction bus bars 822. One extraction bus bar 822 is connected to the electrode terminal 211 of the cell 21 arranged at one end in one direction (X direction), and another extraction bus bar 822 is connected to the electrode terminal 212 of the cell 21 arranged at the other end in one direction (X direction).

[0026] In this way, the plurality of cells 21 are connected in series by the bus bar 82. That is, the plurality of cells 21, each having an electrode terminal 211 and an electrode terminal 212, are stacked in a row with polarities alternately reversed, and adjacent cells 21 are electrically connected by the bus bar 82, thereby connecting the plurality of cells 21 in series. Note that it is also possible to arrange a plurality of adjacent cells 21 (e.g., 3 to 5 cells) in a set with the terminal polarities aligned, and connect the plurality of sets in series.

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the flexible bus bar 81 includes a strip-shaped branch portion 811 connected to the main body portion 71, and a connection portion 812 connected to one end of the branch portion 811 and electrically connected to the bus bar 82. An electronic component (not shown) is mounted on the connection portion 812, and when the connection portion 812 is electrically connected to the cell 21 via the bus bar 82, the electronic component is electrically connected to the cell 21. Examples of such electronic components that can be used include fuses, resistors, capacitors, coils, and semiconductors.

[0028] It is also possible to interpose a sensor such as a temperature sensor or a voltage sensor between the connection portion 812 and the bus bar 82 or between the bus bar 82 and the cell 21, or to mount a sensor chip as an electronic component on the connection portion 812. Using such a sensor allows the bus bar module 5 to have various functions such as a voltage monitoring function.

[0029] As described above, in this embodiment, the smoke exhaust duct 3 is placed on the upper surface between the electrode terminals 211, 212 of each battery cell 21, and the main body 71 of the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 cannot be routed above the smoke exhaust duct 3. Therefore, in this embodiment, the main body 71 includes a trunk 711 and a pair of branch portions 712 branching from the trunk 711.

[0030] In this embodiment, a connector 7111 is mounted on the tip end (one end in the X direction: the end opposite to the end to which the branch portion 712 is connected) of the trunk portion 711. Through this connector 7111, a conductor circuit formed on the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 is electrically connected to a device such as an ECU (Electrical Control Unit).

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of branch portions 712 are each connected to the other end of the trunk portion 711 in the X direction, and each branch portion 712 is formed in a generally belt-like shape extending toward the other end in the X direction.

[0032] A plurality of flexible bus bars 81 are formed on the side of each branch portion 712 that faces the counterpart branch portion 712 in the Y direction (width direction), spaced apart in the X direction (front-rear direction), so as to protrude in the Y direction (width direction) toward the counterpart branch portion 712. In this embodiment, the branch portions 811 of the flexible bus bars 81 are curved downward, so that the connection portions 812 of the flexible bus bars 81 are electrically connected to the bus bars 82.

[0033] The FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 having such a shape can be obtained, for example, by cutting a single base material. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, when a single base material is cut, the width W1 in the Y direction (width direction) of the branch portion 712 is set to be the same as the width of the trunk portion 711 in the Y direction (width direction). Furthermore, in this embodiment, one end of the branch portion 712 located on one side in the Y direction (width direction) is positioned on approximately the same straight line as the end of the trunk portion 711 on one side in the Y direction (width direction). Furthermore, the other end of the branch portion 712 located on the other side in the Y direction (width direction) is positioned on approximately the same straight line as the end of the trunk portion 711 on the other side in the Y direction (width direction). This width W1 is appropriately set based on, for example, the size of the connector 7111 to be mounted on the trunk portion 711.

[0034] 1 and 6 , the case 6 is placed on the storage case 4 when assembled to the battery module 2 and includes a stem holding portion 61 that holds the stem 711. The case 6 is also located vertically below the stem holding portion 61 (toward the battery module 2). The case 6 is also provided with a pair of branch holding portions 62 that are disposed on both sides of the smoke exhaust duct 3 in the Y direction (width direction) when assembled to the battery module 2 and that hold the branch portions 712, respectively. In this embodiment, the pair of branch holding portions 62 are arranged above the electrode terminals 211, 212 on both sides of the smoke exhaust duct 3 in the Y direction (width direction) when assembled to the battery module 2. The case 6 also includes a pair of connecting walls 63 that extend in the Z direction (vertical direction) and connect the stem holding portion 61 and the branch holding portion 62. The provision of the stem holding portion 61, the branch holding portion 62, and the connecting walls 63 allows a step to be formed in the case 6.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, the case 6 is formed so that the length in the Y direction (width direction) of the pair of branch portion holding portions 62 is width W2. That is, the length from one end in the Y direction (width direction) of the branch portion holding portion 62 located on one side in the Y direction (width direction) to the other end in the Y direction (width direction) of the branch portion holding portion 62 located on the other side in the Y direction (width direction) is width W2. This width W2 is set appropriately depending on the width in the Y direction (width direction) of the cell 21, the width in the Y direction (width direction) between the electrode terminals 211 and 212 formed on one cell 21, the width in the Y direction (width direction) of the smoke exhaust duct 3, etc.

[0036] In this embodiment, the width W2 is larger than the width W1. That is, the power supply device 1 does not need to have the width of the connector 7111 in the Y direction (width direction) increased to match the width of the cell 21 or the smoke exhaust duct 3 in the Y direction (width direction).

[0037] In this case, if the width of the branch portions 712 in the Y direction (width direction) is made approximately the same as width W2 when cutting one piece of base material, and the main body 71 is formed so that the branch portions 712 are wider than the trunk 711, it will be possible to easily hold the main body 71 in the case 6. However, if the branch portions 712 are made wider than the trunk 711, a large amount of material will be discarded after cutting the portions that will become the FPCs 7 from the base material, making it impossible to efficiently obtain multiple FPCs 7 from a single base material.

[0038] Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to accommodate an FPC 7 in which the width W1 of the branch portion 712 is matched to the width W1 of the trunk portion 711, thereby making it possible to reduce the amount of material that is discarded after cutting the portion that will become the FPC 7 from the base material.

[0039] Specifically, a curved portion 7122 is formed on the branch portion 712. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, the curved portion 7122 is formed at the connection portion of the branch portion 712 with the trunk portion 711 (on the step of the case 6), and is curved so that the branch portion 712 is positioned outward in the Y direction (width direction) as it moves away from the trunk portion 711. Then, the case 6 is formed with a holding portion 64 that holds the main body portion 71 while maintaining the curved shape of the curved portion 7122.

[0040] This allows the branch portion 712 to be held by the branch portion holder 62 using an FPC 7 in which the width W1 of the branch portion 712 matches the width W1 of the trunk portion 711.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the holding portion 64 is formed by forming a pin 641 in the case 6, into which an insertion hole formed in the main body portion 71 is inserted. Specifically, the trunk-side pin 6411 is inserted into the trunk-side insertion hole 7112, and the branch-side pin 6412 is inserted into the branch-side insertion hole 71211, so that a curved portion 7122 is formed at the connection portion of the branch portion 712 with the trunk 711 (on the step of the case 6). The main body portion 71 is held by the holding portion 64 while maintaining the curved shape of the curved portion 7122. At this time, the flat portion 7121, which is the portion of the branch portion 712 connected to the curved portion 7122, is placed on the branch holding portion 62 of the case 6.

[0042] This makes it possible to hold the main body 71 in the case 6 while maintaining the shape of the curved portion 7122 simply by inserting the main body side pins 6411 and the branch side pins 6412 into the main body side insertion holes 7112 and the branch side insertion holes 71211 formed in the main body 71. This also makes it easier to hold the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 in the case 6 in a desired state, thereby further improving the ease of assembling the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 to the case 6.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the main body portion 71 is held by the pin 641 (holding portion 64), a smooth curved portion 7122 is formed. That is, the main body portion 71 is held in the case 6 in a state in which no creases are formed in the branch portions 712. Therefore, although crease-like lines are depicted in each drawing to indicate the curved portion 7122, in reality, the curved portion 7122 is formed without any creases.

[0044] This makes it possible to prevent excessive force from being applied to the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7, compared to when the branch portions 712 are bent along the boundary line into a shape with sharp corners. Furthermore, by preventing excessive force from being applied to the FPC 7, it is possible to more reliably prevent the FPC 7 from being damaged and the performance of the bus bar module 5 from being degraded.

[0045] As described above, in the bus bar module 5 according to this embodiment, the main body 71 of the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 has the trunk portion 711 and the branch portions 712. The main body 71 of the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 is held in the case 6 with the smoothly curved portions 7122 formed in the branch portions 712.

[0046] This allows the main body 71 of the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 to be held in the case 6 while the relative position of the branch 712 with respect to the trunk 711 is shifted. By appropriately setting the shape of the curved portion 7122, the branch 712 can be arranged in various positions.

[0047] In this way, by setting the shape of the curved portion 7122 according to the positions of the battery module 2 and the busbar portion 8, it becomes possible to route the branch portion 712 in a desired position, thereby further improving the degree of freedom in routing the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7. Note that cases in which the positions of the battery module 2 and the busbar portion 8 differ include, for example, when using unit cells 21 that have different widths (lengths in the Y direction) between the pair of electrode terminals 211, 212, and when the extending directions of the busbars 82 connected to the electrode terminals 211, 212 differ.

[0048] Furthermore, by improving the degree of freedom in routing the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7, it becomes possible to use one type of FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 to accommodate power supply devices 1 with battery modules 2 and busbar portions 8 in various positions. In other words, it becomes possible to accommodate various types of power supply devices 1 without preparing FPCs (flexible printed circuit) with different shapes.

[0049] Furthermore, the busbar module 5 according to this embodiment also makes it possible to adjust the routing position of the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 (the routing position of the branch portions 712). Therefore, even if the positions of the battery module 2 or the busbar portions 8 are misaligned due to an assembly error or the like, the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 and the battery module 2 can be electrically connected by the busbar portions 8 more reliably.

[0050] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the branch holding portion 62 may be provided with a holding protrusion 642 instead of a branch side pin 6412, and this holding protrusion 642 may be used to hold the main body portion 71 in the case 6 while maintaining the curved shape of the smoothly curved portion 7122.

[0051] 8 and 9, pairs of holding protrusions 642 are formed at both ends of each branch holding portion 62 in the Y direction (width direction) with a space between them in the X direction (front-rear direction). Each holding protrusion 642 includes a pillar portion 6421 extending in the Z direction (up-down direction) and a retaining protrusion 6422 protruding from the upper end of the pillar portion 6421 toward the branch portion 712 in the Y direction (width direction). This prevents the branch portion 712 from being retained by the branch holding portion 62. This eliminates the need to form a branch-side insertion hole 71211 in the flat portion 7121 of the branch portion 712, as shown in FIG. 10, making it easier to form the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7. Holding protrusions may also be provided on the trunk portion 711. This eliminates the need to provide the trunk side insertion hole 7112 in the trunk 711, making it possible to form the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 even more easily.

[0052] [Actions and Effects] The following describes the characteristic configurations of the bus bar modules shown in the above-described embodiment and its modified examples, and the effects obtained thereby.

[0053] The busbar module 5 shown in the above embodiment and its modified examples includes a case 6 that can be assembled to a battery module 2 having a plurality of cells 21, and an FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 held by the case 6. The busbar module 5 also includes busbar portions 8 that can electrically connect a main body portion 71 of the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 and the battery module 2.

[0054] Here, main body 71 includes trunk 711 and branch portions 712 branching off from trunk 711. Case 6 also includes trunk holding portion 61 that holds trunk 711, branch portion holding portion 62 that is located closer to (lower than) trunk holding portion 61 than battery module 2 and holds branch portion 712, and connecting wall 63 that connects trunk holding portion 61 and branch portion holding portion 62. The trunk holding portion 61, branch portion holding portion 62, and connecting wall 63 form a step in case 6. Furthermore, branch portion 712 includes curved portion 7122 that curves smoothly at the connecting portion with trunk 711.

[0055] The case 6 is formed with a holding portion 64 that holds the main body portion 71 while maintaining the curved shape of the curved portion 7122.

[0056] As described above, in the bus bar module 5 shown in the above embodiment and its modified example, the main body 71 of the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 has the trunk portion 711 and the branch portions 712. Then, with the smoothly curved portions 7122 formed in the branch portions 712, the main body 71 of the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 is held in the case 6 having a step.

[0057] This allows the main body 71 of the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 to be held in the case 6 while the relative position of the branch 712 with respect to the trunk 711 is shifted. By appropriately setting the shape of the curved portion 7122, the branch 712 can be arranged in various positions.

[0058] In this way, by setting the shape of the curved portion 7122 according to the positions of the battery module 2 and the busbar portion 8, it becomes possible to route the branch portion 712 in a desired position, thereby further improving the degree of freedom in routing the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7. Note that cases in which the positions of the battery module 2 and the busbar portion 8 differ include, for example, when using unit cells 21 that have different widths (lengths in the Y direction) between the pair of electrode terminals 211, 212, and when the extending directions of the busbars 82 connected to the electrode terminals 211, 212 differ.

[0059] Furthermore, by improving the degree of freedom in routing the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7, it becomes possible to use one type of FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 to accommodate power supply devices 1 with battery modules 2 and busbar portions 8 in various positions. In other words, it becomes possible to accommodate various types of power supply devices 1 without preparing FPCs (flexible printed circuit) with different shapes.

[0060] Furthermore, the busbar module 5 described in the above embodiment and its modified examples also makes it possible to adjust the routing position of the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 (routing position of the branch portions 712). Therefore, even if the positions of the battery module 2 or the busbar portions 8 are misaligned due to an assembly error or the like, the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 and the battery module 2 can be electrically connected by the busbar portions 8 more reliably.

[0061] Furthermore, with the above configuration, even when it is necessary to arrange the branch portions 712 in a state where they protrude outward from the trunk portion 711 in the Y direction (width direction), this can be achieved by using an FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 in which the branch portions 712 are formed so as to fit within the width of the trunk portion 711. That is, by using an FPC 7 in which the branch portions 712 are formed so that the end positions in the Y direction (width direction) are the same as the Y direction end positions of the trunk portion 711, it becomes possible to arrange the branch portions 712 in a state where they protrude outward from the trunk portion 711 in the Y direction (width direction).

[0062] Therefore, with the above configuration, it is not necessary to initially form branch portions 712 whose end positions in the Y direction (width direction) are located outside the Y direction end of trunk portion 711. In other words, when cutting a base material to form FPCs (flexible printed circuits) 7, it is not necessary to cut the base material so that branch portions 712 are wider than trunk portion 711. As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of material that is discarded after cutting the portions that will become FPCs (flexible printed circuits) 7 from the base material, and it becomes possible to obtain more FPCs (flexible printed circuits) 7 from one base material.

[0063] Furthermore, the busbar modules 5 shown in the above embodiment and its modifications are adapted to various types of power supply devices 1 by forming the smoothly curved portions 7122. Therefore, compared to when the branch portions 712 are bent along the boundary lines into shapes with sharp corners, it is possible to prevent excessive force from being applied to the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 from being damaged and the performance of the busbar module 5 from being degraded.

[0064] Furthermore, the holding portion 64 may be pins (stem side pin 6411 and branch side pin 6412) inserted into insertion holes (stem side insertion hole 7112 and branch side insertion hole 71211) formed in the main body portion 71.

[0065] In this way, the main body 71 can be held in the case 6 while maintaining the shape of the curved portion 7122 simply by inserting the trunk-side pins 6411 and the branch-side pins 6412 into the trunk-side insertion holes 7112 and the branch-side insertion holes 71211 formed in the main body 71. As a result, the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 can be more easily held in the case 6 in a desired state, and the workability of assembling the FPC (flexible printed circuit) 7 to the case 6 can be further improved.

[0066] [others] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0067] For example, it is possible to appropriately combine the configurations shown in the above-described embodiment and its modified examples.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and its modified examples, the case 6 is exemplified in which the trunk holding portion 61 and the branch holding portion 62 are connected by a connecting wall 63 extending in the Z direction (up and down direction). However, the configuration of the case 6 is not limited to this configuration, and various configurations are possible. For example, the connecting wall 63 can be an inclined wall, or a wall portion having a curved surface that curves along the curved portion 7122.

[0069] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its modified examples, the case 6 is exemplified as one in which the branch portions 712 must be arranged so as to be wider than the trunk portion 711, but the configuration of the case 6 is not limited to this configuration and various configurations are possible. For example, the case 6 may be one in which the branch portions 712 are arranged so as to be narrower than the trunk portion 711, or one in which the branch portions 712 are arranged so as to have the same width as the trunk portion 711.

[0070] In addition, the specifications of the case, busbars, and other details (shape, size, layout, etc.) can be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 2 Battery Module 21 D cell 5 Busbar Module 6 cases 61 Executive Retention Department 62 Branch holding part 63 Connecting wall 64 Holding part 641 pins 7 FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit) 71 Main body 711 Executive 712 Branch 7122 Curved section 8 Busbar section

Claims

1. a case that can be assembled to a battery module having a plurality of cells; a flexible substrate held in the case; a busbar portion capable of electrically connecting the main body portion of the flexible substrate and the battery module; Equipped with The main body portion includes a trunk portion and a branch portion branching from the trunk portion, the case includes a stem holding portion that holds the stem, a branch portion holding portion that is located closer to the battery module than the stem holding portion and that holds the branch portion, and a connecting wall that connects the stem holding portion and the branch portion holding portion, and a step is formed between the stem holding portion, the branch portion holding portion, and the connecting wall; The branch portion has a curved portion that is smoothly curved at a connection portion with the trunk portion, The case is formed with a holding portion that holds the main body portion while maintaining the curved shape of the bending portion. Busbar module.

2. The holding portion is a pin that is inserted into an insertion hole formed in the main body portion. The busbar module according to claim 1 .

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