Conductive module

Abstract

To improve mountability.SOLUTION: The present invention includes: a bus bar 10 for physically and electrically connecting to electrode terminals BCb of battery cells BC constituting a battery module BM; a wiring component 20 for electrically connecting the bus bar to a battery monitoring unit for monitoring battery states of the battery cells; a conductive member 40 for physically and electrically connecting to the bus bar; and a circuit protection component 30 configured as a chip fuse having a fusible portion to be melted when an overcurrent flows, or as a pattern fuse in which a wiring pattern having the fusible portion is provided on a printed circuit board, the circuit protection component physically and electrically connecting a first electrical connection part on one end side with respect to the fusible portion to a first fuse connection part 20a of the wiring component and physically and electrically connecting a second electrical connection part on the other end side with respect to the fusible portion to a second fuse connection part 41 of the conductive member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A conductive module electrically connects a plurality of battery cells arranged in an array using a plurality of bus bars. The conductive module electrically connects each bus bar to a battery monitoring unit that monitors the battery state of the battery cells using wiring components such as electric wires. This type of conductive module is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1 listed below. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-119651 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in a conductive module, a circuit protection component such as a fuse may be interposed between the bus bar and the wiring component, and the addition of the circuit protection component may increase the size of the conductive module. Therefore, the conductive module is required to be easily mounted on a battery module.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a conductive module that is easy to mount. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is characterized by comprising: a bus bar that physically and electrically connects to the electrode terminals of battery cells that constitute a battery module; a wiring component that electrically connects the bus bar to a battery monitoring unit that monitors the battery state of the battery cells; a conductive member that physically and electrically connects to the bus bar; and a circuit protection component that is configured as a chip fuse having a fusible portion that melts when an overcurrent flows or a pattern fuse in which a wiring pattern having the fusible portion is provided on a printed circuit board, and that physically and electrically connects a first electrical connection portion on one end side as seen from the fusible portion to a first fuse connection portion of the wiring component and physically and electrically connects a second electrical connection portion on the other end side as seen from the fusible portion to a second fuse connection portion of the conductive member.

[0007] The present invention is also characterized by comprising: a bus bar that physically and electrically connects to electrode terminals of battery cells that constitute a battery module; a wiring component that electrically connects the bus bar to a battery monitoring unit that monitors the battery status of the battery cells; and a circuit protection component that is configured as a chip fuse having a fusible portion that melts when an overcurrent flows, or a pattern fuse in which a wiring pattern having the fusible portion is provided on a printed circuit board, and that physically and electrically connects a first electrical connection portion on one end side as seen from the fusible portion to a first fuse connection portion of the wiring component and physically and electrically connects a second electrical connection portion on the other end side as seen from the fusible portion to a second fuse connection portion of the bus bar. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The conductive module according to the present invention includes a circuit protection component such as a chip fuse or pattern fuse, which is smaller in size than mechanical fuses such as blade fuses, and further, this circuit protection component is directly connected to a first fuse connection portion of a wiring component and a second fuse connection portion on the bus bar side. Therefore, the conductive module according to the present invention can be made smaller in size and has excellent mountability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conductive module according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the conductive module of the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a battery module together with a bus bar. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a modified example of the wiring component according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a modified example of the bus bar side conductive member of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a modified example of the wiring component according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the circuit protection component according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the circuit protection component according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a wiring component used in the conductive module of the first modification. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a conductive module of the second modification. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the conductive module of the second modification. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a conductive module of the third modification. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a conductive module according to the third modification. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a conductive module according to the fourth modification. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing a conductive module according to the fourth modification. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a conductive module according to the fifth modification. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view showing a conductive module according to the fifth modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a conductive module according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0011] [Embodiment] One embodiment of a conductive module according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0012] Reference numeral 1 in Figures 1 and 2 indicates a conductive module of this embodiment. This conductive module 1 is assembled to a battery module BM (Figure 3) in which a plurality of battery cells BC are arranged (for example, arranged in a single row), and electrically connects the plurality of battery cells BC in this battery module BM. This conductive module 1 also electrically connects the battery module BM to a battery monitoring unit (not shown), allowing the battery monitoring unit to monitor the battery state of the battery cells BC. This conductive module 1, together with the battery module BM, constitutes a battery pack. The battery pack is mounted, for example, on a vehicle (such as a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) or HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) that has a rotating machine as its driving source, and is used to supply power to the rotating machine.

[0013] Each battery cell BC includes a cell body BCa and positive and negative electrode terminals BCb (FIG. 3). The battery cell BC shown here has a cell body BCa formed in a rectangular shape with six outer wall surfaces. In the battery module BM, adjacent cell bodies BCa in the arrangement direction are arranged with one outer wall surface facing each other. This battery module BM includes one electrode terminal group BCc in which one electrode terminal BCb of each battery cell BC is arranged along the arrangement direction, and another electrode terminal group BCc in which the other electrode terminals BCb of each battery cell BC are arranged along the arrangement direction (FIG. 3).

[0014] In this example, each battery cell BC has a positive and negative electrode terminal BCb on one of the six outer wall surfaces of the cell body BCa (FIG. 3). Therefore, in the battery module BM, two electrode terminal groups BCc are provided on one plane (FIG. 3).

[0015] The electrode terminal BCb shown here is formed in a flat plate shape and is physically and electrically connected to the bus bar 10 (described later) by welding or the like (FIG. 3). However, the electrode terminal BCb may be formed in a pole column shape with a male screw portion. In this case, the bus bar 10 is fixed to the electrode terminal BCb by screwing a female screw member into the male screw portion of the electrode terminal BCb.

[0016] The conductive module 1 includes bus bars 10 that are physically and electrically connected to the electrode terminals BCb of the battery cells BC that make up the battery module BM (FIGS. 1 to 3).

[0017] The busbar 10 is made of a conductive material such as metal. The busbar 10 is a metal, plate-shaped conductive component, and is formed by press-molding a metal plate as a base material, for example. The busbar 10 shown here is formed in a rectangular, flat plate shape.

[0018] The conductive module 1 includes, as the busbars 10, one that is physically and electrically connected to adjacent electrode terminals BCb of a pair of battery cells BC in the battery module BM, one that is physically and electrically connected to the electrode terminal BCb that serves as the total negative electrode in the battery module BM, and one that is physically and electrically connected to the electrode terminal BCb that serves as the total positive electrode in the battery module BM.

[0019] The conductive module 1 includes a wiring component 20 that electrically connects the bus bar 10 to the battery monitoring unit (FIGS. 1 and 2). The conductive module 1 also includes a circuit protection component 30 that is interposed between the bus bar 10 and the wiring component 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The conductive module 1 of this embodiment also includes a conductive member (hereinafter referred to as a "bus bar side conductive member") 40 that is interposed between the bus bar 10 and the circuit protection component 30 (FIGS. 1 and 2). In the conductive module 1, the wiring component 20, the circuit protection component 30, and the bus bar side conductive member 40 are provided for each bus bar 10.

[0020] The wiring component 20 is an electric wire (hereinafter referred to as "wiring wire") in which a core wire 21 is covered with an insulating sheath 22 (FIGS. 1 and 2). In this wiring component 20, the core wire 21 is exposed from the insulating sheath 22 at its end. The core wire 21 shown here is exposed in a state where it protrudes from the insulating sheath 22 at the end of the wiring component 20. Hereinafter, the exposed portion of the core wire 21 will be referred to as the exposed core portion 21a.

[0021] The wiring component 20 may be a wiring wire having a core wire 21 that is a single wire of a round conductor (wiring component 20A in FIGS. 1 and 2). Alternatively, the wiring component 20 may be a wiring wire having a core wire 21 that is a stranded wire formed by twisting together multiple element wires 21b (wiring component 20B in FIG. 4). Regardless of the type of core wire 21, the wiring component 20 shown here is formed into a cylindrical shape.

[0022] The circuit protection component 30 is a fuse that cuts off the flow of electricity when an overcurrent flows. The circuit protection component 30 used here is configured as a chip fuse having a fusible portion that melts when an overcurrent flows (circuit protection component 30A in FIGS. 1 and 2). One end of this circuit protection component 30 is electrically connected to the busbar 10, and the other end is electrically connected to the wiring component 20.

[0023] The circuit protection component 30 shown here has a first electrical connection portion on one end side as seen from the fusible portion physically and electrically connected to the first fuse connection portion 20a of the wiring component 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The first fuse connection portion 20a is provided in the exposed core portion 21a of the wiring component 20. In this conductive module 1, the first fuse connection portion 20a (exposed core portion 21a) of the wiring component 20 and the first electrical connection portion of the circuit protection component 30 are physically and electrically connected by, for example, soldering or welding. For example, solder may be applied to the first fuse connection portion 20a (exposed core portion 21a) in advance, or may be wire solder supplied during the connection work.

[0024] Furthermore, the circuit protection component 30 shown here physically and electrically connects the second electrical connection portion on the other end side as seen from the fusible portion to the second fuse connection portion 41 of the bus bar side conductive member 40 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0025] The bus bar side conductive member 40 is made of a conductive material such as metal and physically and electrically connects the bus bar 10 and the second electrical connection portion of the circuit protection component 30. For example, the bus bar side conductive member 40 is formed as a terminal fitting. The bus bar side conductive member 40 shown here is formed as a flat terminal fitting extending in one direction, with one longitudinal end serving as a second fuse connection portion 41 and the other longitudinal end serving as a bus bar connection portion 42 that physically and electrically connects to the bus bar 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0026] In this conductive module 1, the second fuse connecting portion 41 of the bus bar side conductive member 40 and the second electrical connecting portion of the circuit protection component 30 are physically and electrically connected by, for example, soldering, welding, etc. For example, the solder may be applied to the second fuse connecting portion 41 in advance, or may be wire solder supplied during the connection work.

[0027] The busbar side conductive member 40 physically and electrically connects the busbar connection portion 42 to the busbar 10 with the second fuse connection portion 41 protruding from the busbar 10 in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the plurality of battery cells BC. In the conductive module 1, the busbar connection portion 42 and the busbar 10 are physically and electrically connected by, for example, welding. The busbar side conductive member 40 may be configured to physically and electrically connect the busbar connection portion 42 and the busbar 10 by welding or the like in this manner (busbar side conductive member 40A in FIGS. 1 and 2). Alternatively, the busbar side conductive member 40 may be configured to physically and electrically connect the busbar connection portion 42 and the busbar 10 by screw fastening (busbar side conductive member 40B in FIG. 5). In this busbar side conductive member 40B, a through hole 42a is formed in the busbar connection portion 42, through which a male screw member (not shown) is inserted. In addition, the bus bar side conductive member 40 may have the bus bar connection portion 42 formed as a female terminal portion or a male terminal portion, and this bus bar connection portion 42 may be connected to the male terminal portion or the female terminal portion of the bus bar 10 by female-male mating.

[0028] In the conductive module 1, the wiring component 20 (wiring wire) and the bus bar side conductive member 40 are arranged such that the axial direction of the wiring component 20 (wiring wire) is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bus bar side conductive member 40, and such that the first fuse connection portion 20a (exposed core portion 21a) of the wiring component 20 (wiring wire) faces the second fuse connection portion 41 of the bus bar side conductive member 40. Here, the wiring component 20 (wiring wire) and the bus bar side conductive member 40 are arranged such that the arrangement direction of the wiring component 20 (wiring wire) and the bus bar side conductive member 40 (i.e., the opposing arrangement direction of the first fuse connection portion 20a and the second fuse connection portion 41) is parallel to the plane of the bus bar 10.

[0029] For example, in this conductive module 1, the circuit protection component 30 is placed on a jig with the first electrical connection portion and the second electrical connection portion facing upward, and the first fuse connection portion 20a (exposed core portion 21a) of the wiring component 20 (wiring wire) is placed on the first electrical connection portion, and the first fuse connection portion 20a (exposed core portion 21a) and the first electrical connection portion are physically and electrically connected by soldering, welding, etc. Then, in this conductive module 1, the circuit protection component 30 is placed on one flat surface of the second fuse connection portion 41 of the bus bar side conductive member 40, and the second electrical connection portion of this circuit protection component 30 and the second fuse connection portion 41 are physically and electrically connected by soldering, welding, etc.

[0030] The conductive module 1 includes an insulating member 50 (FIG. 1) that surrounds the circuit protection component 30, the first fuse connecting portion 20a, and the second fuse connecting portion 41 in order to maintain their connected state. The insulating member 50 is molded from an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

[0031] For example, the insulating member 50 may be a molded body that is insert-molded to encapsulate the circuit protection component 30, the first fuse connection portion 20a, and the second fuse connection portion 41, or a hardened body that is formed by hardening a potting liquid that encapsulates the circuit protection component 30, the first fuse connection portion 20a, and the second fuse connection portion 41. The insulating member 50 may also be a box that includes multiple case members that can be assembled together, and that houses the circuit protection component 30, the first fuse connection portion 20a, and the second fuse connection portion 41 in an accommodating chamber inside the assembled case members. In this insulating member 50, the assembled state of the case members is maintained by engaging engaging portions, such as claws, provided on the respective case members with each other.

[0032] Here, the conductive module 1 of this embodiment may use a wiring component 20 (wiring component 20C in FIG. 6) in which a forming process has been performed on the exposed core wire portion 21a. In this wiring component 20C (wiring wire), the core wire 21 is configured by bundling multiple strands of wire. Then, in this wiring component 20C, a forming process is performed on the exposed core wire portion 21a, and a terminal portion 21c is formed in which the multiple strands of wire are collectively welded to the exposed core wire portion 21a (FIG. 6). At least one flat surface is provided on the terminal portion 21c for placing the circuit protection component 30 thereon. For example, the exposed core wire portion 21a is resistance-welded or ultrasonic-welded while being pressurized to form the terminal portion 21c. The flat surface of the terminal portion 21c of the exposed core wire portion 21a is used as the first fuse connecting portion 20a.

[0033] In this conductive module 1, the wiring component 20C (wiring wire) and the bus bar side conductive member 40 are arranged with the first fuse connection portion 20a (flat portion of the terminal portion 21c) of the wiring component 20C (wiring wire) and one flat surface of the second fuse connection portion 41 of the bus bar side conductive member 40 on the same plane. Here, the wiring component 20C (wiring wire) and the bus bar side conductive member 40 are arranged with the same plane parallel to the plane of the bus bar 10. In this conductive module 1, the circuit protection component 30 can be placed on the first fuse connection portion 20a (flat portion of the terminal portion 21c) and one flat surface of the second fuse connection portion 41, and the circuit protection component 30 can be physically and electrically connected to the first fuse connection portion 20a and the second fuse connection portion 41 by soldering, welding, or the like. Therefore, in this conductive module 1, even if the circuit protection component 30 is a chip fuse, the circuit protection component 30 can be placed on the first fuse connecting portion 20a and the second fuse connecting portion 41 in a stable state.

[0034] Alternatively, the circuit protection component 30 may be configured as a pattern fuse in which the wiring pattern 31 is provided on a printed circuit board (flexible printed circuit board or rigid board) (circuit protection component 30B in FIGS. 7 and 8). The wiring pattern 31 is provided with a first electrical connection portion 31a that is physically and electrically connected to the first fuse connection portion 20a of the wiring component 20 (wiring wire), and a second electrical connection portion 31b that is physically and electrically connected to the second fuse connection portion 41 of the bus bar side conductive member 40 (FIGS. 7 and 8). The wiring pattern 31 is provided with a fusible portion 31c between the first electrical connection portion 31a and the second electrical connection portion 31b (FIGS. 7 and 8).

[0035] In this conductive module 1, for example, the first fuse connection portion 20a (exposed core portion 21a) of the wiring component 20 (wiring wire) and the second fuse connection portion 41 of the busbar side conductive member 40 are placed on the first electrical connection portion 31a and the second electrical connection portion 31b of the circuit protection component 30B, respectively, and the circuit protection component 30B is physically and electrically connected to the first fuse connection portion 20a and the second fuse connection portion 41 by soldering, welding, etc.

[0036] In the conductive module 1 of this embodiment, the bus bar side conductive member 40 may be an electric wire (not shown). In this case, in the bus bar side conductive member 40, for example, an exposed core portion exposed from one end serves as the second fuse connecting portion 41, and an exposed core portion exposed from the other end serves as the bus bar connecting portion 42.

[0037] The conductive module 1 of the present embodiment described above includes a circuit protection component 30 that is a chip fuse or pattern fuse, which is smaller in size than mechanical fuses such as blade fuses. Furthermore, the circuit protection component 30 is directly connected to the first fuse connection portion 20a of the wiring component 20 and the second fuse connection portion 41 of the bus bar side conductive member 40. Therefore, the conductive module 1 of the present embodiment is compact in size and has excellent mountability. Furthermore, the conductive module 1 of the present embodiment covers the circuit protection component 30, the first fuse connection portion 20a of the wiring component 20, and the second fuse connection portion 41 of the bus bar side conductive member 40 with an insulating member 50. Therefore, the conductive module 1 of the present embodiment can maintain the stability of the electrical connection between these components while achieving a compact size.

[0038] Furthermore, if the conductive module 1 of this embodiment uses a chip fuse for the circuit protection component 30, it can reduce costs compared to when a mechanical fuse such as a blade fuse is used.Furthermore, by connecting the circuit protection component 30 to the wiring component 20 and the bus bar side conductive member 40 by soldering or welding, the conductive module 1 of this embodiment can keep the contact resistance at the connection portion lower compared to when a mechanical fuse such as a blade fuse is used.

[0039] Furthermore, in the conductive module 1 of this embodiment, it is also possible to connect the wiring component 20, the circuit protection component 30, and the bus bar side conductive member 40 in advance, and then physically and electrically connect the bus bar side conductive member 40 of this assembly to the bus bar 10. Therefore, the conductive module 1 of this embodiment can improve its productivity.

[0040] [Variation 1] The conductive module 2 of this modification is the conductive module 1 of the above-described embodiment, in which the wiring component 20 provided for each bus bar 10 is replaced with the following wiring component 120 (FIG. 9). In this modification, illustrations and descriptions of components and parts similar to those of the conductive module 1 of the embodiment are omitted. Note that the circuit protection component 30 of this modification may be a chip fuse or a pattern fuse, as in the embodiment. Furthermore, the bus bar side conductive member 40 of this modification may be formed as a terminal fitting, as in the embodiment, or may be an electric wire.

[0041] The wiring component 120 of this modified example is a flat cable in which the linear conductors 121 of each busbar 10 are covered with an insulating coating 122 ( FIG. 9 ). The linear conductors 121 of the wiring component 120 shown here are similar to the cylindrical core wires 21 of the round conductors, such as solid wires or twisted wires, shown in the embodiment. In this wiring component 120, the ends of each linear conductor 121 are exposed from the insulating coating 122. The linear conductors 121 shown here are exposed, protruding from the insulating coating 122. Hereinafter, these ends of the linear conductors 121 will be referred to as exposed conductor portions 121a.

[0042] Like the wiring component 20 of the embodiment, the wiring component 120 of this modified example has a first fuse connection portion 120a that is physically and electrically connected to the first electrical connection portion of the circuit protection component 30 ( FIG. 9 ). The wiring component 120 is provided with this first fuse connection portion 120a for each busbar 10. The first fuse connection portion 120a is provided on the exposed conductor portion 121a of the wiring component 120. That is, in the wiring component 120, the first fuse connection portion 120a is provided on the exposed conductor portion 121a of each linear conductor 121.

[0043] In this wiring component 120, similar to the wiring component 20C of the embodiment, a forming process may be performed on the conductor exposed portion 121a of the linear conductor 121, which is formed by bundling multiple wires, to form a terminal portion on this conductor exposed portion 121a similar to the terminal portion 21c of the wiring component 20C of the embodiment.

[0044] Like the conductive module 1 of the embodiment, this conductive module 2 includes an insulating member (not shown) that surrounds the circuit protection component 30, the first fuse connecting portion 120a, and the second fuse connecting portion 41 to maintain their connection. This insulating member is similar to the insulating member 50 of the embodiment. However, the insulating member of this modification is designed to match the shapes and arrangements of the circuit protection component 30, the first fuse connecting portion 120a, and the second fuse connecting portion 41 that it contains.

[0045] As described above, the conductive module 2 of this modified example is obtained by replacing the wiring component 20 for each bus bar 10 in the conductive module 1 of the embodiment with the wiring component 120, and can achieve the same effects as the conductive module 1 of the embodiment. Furthermore, the conductive module 2 of this modified example replaces the multiple wiring components 20 with one wiring component 120, and therefore can improve the workability when routing the wiring component 120 compared to the conductive module 1 of the embodiment.

[0046] [Variation 2] The conductive module 3 of this modification is the conductive module 1 of the above-described embodiment, with the wiring component 20 replaced with the wiring component 220 described below (FIGS. 10 and 11). Therefore, in this modification, the same components and parts as those in the conductive module 1 of the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the embodiment, and their description will be omitted. The circuit protection component 30 of this modification may be a chip fuse or a pattern fuse, as in the embodiment. Here, the circuit protection component 30 configured as a chip fuse is shown. The bus bar side conductive member 40 of this modification may be formed as a terminal fitting, as in the embodiment, or may be an electric wire. Here, the bus bar side conductive member 40 formed as a terminal fitting is shown.

[0047] The wiring component 220 of this modification has a first fuse connecting portion 220a that is physically and electrically connected to the first electrical connecting portion of the circuit protection component 30, similar to the wiring component 20 of the embodiment (FIGS. 10 and 11).

[0048] The wiring component 220 of this modified example includes an electric wire (hereinafter referred to as a "wiring wire") 220A in which a core wire 221 is covered with an insulating coating 222 (FIGS. 10 and 11). This wiring wire 220A is similar to the wiring wire (wiring component 20) of the embodiment, and has an exposed core portion 221a of the core wire 221 exposed at its end so that it protrudes from the insulating coating 222. The wiring component 220 of this modified example includes a terminal fitting (hereinafter referred to as a "wiring terminal") 220B physically and electrically connected to the exposed core portion 221a (FIGS. 10 and 11). The first fuse connecting portion 220a is provided on this wiring terminal 220B.

[0049] The wiring terminal 220B is made of a conductive material such as metal. The wiring terminal 220B has a wire connection portion 223 that is physically and electrically connected to the exposed core portion 221a of the wiring electric wire 220A (FIGS. 10 and 11). The wiring terminal 220B shown here is formed as a flat terminal fitting that extends in one direction, with one longitudinal end serving as the first fuse connection portion 220a and the other longitudinal end serving as the wire connection portion 223.

[0050] In this conductive module 3, the first fuse connecting portion 220a of the wiring terminal 220B and the first electrical connecting portion of the circuit protection component 30 are physically and electrically connected by, for example, soldering or welding. For example, the solder may be applied to the first fuse connecting portion 220a in advance, or may be wire solder supplied during the connection work.

[0051] In the conductive module 3, the wiring terminal 220B and the bus bar side conductive member 40 are arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the wiring terminal 220B and the longitudinal direction of the bus bar side conductive member 40 are parallel and the first fuse connection portion 220a of the wiring terminal 220B faces the second fuse connection portion 41 of the bus bar side conductive member 40. Furthermore, in the conductive module 3, the wiring terminal 220B and the bus bar side conductive member 40 are arranged such that one flat surface of the first fuse connection portion 220a of the wiring terminal 220B and one flat surface of the second fuse connection portion 41 of the bus bar side conductive member 40 are arranged on the same plane. Here, the wiring terminal 220B and the bus bar side conductive member 40 are arranged such that the same plane is parallel to the plane of the bus bar 10.

[0052] In this conductive module 3, if the circuit protection component 30 is a chip fuse (circuit protection component 30A), the circuit protection component 30A is placed on one flat surface of the first fuse connection portion 220a of the wiring terminal 220B and one flat surface of the second fuse connection portion 41 of the bus bar side conductive member 40, and the circuit protection component 30A is physically and electrically connected to the first fuse connection portion 220a and the second fuse connection portion 41 by soldering, welding, etc. Furthermore, in this conductive module 3, if the circuit protection component 30 is a pattern fuse (circuit protection component 30B), the other flat surface of the first fuse connection portion 220a of the wiring terminal 220B and the other flat surface of the second fuse connection portion 41 of the bus bar side conductive member 40 are placed on the first electrical connection portion 31a and the second electrical connection portion 31b of the circuit protection component 30B, respectively, and the circuit protection component 30B is physically and electrically connected to the first fuse connection portion 220a and the second fuse connection portion 41 by soldering, welding, etc.

[0053] The wire connection portion 223 of the wiring terminal 220B shown here is formed as a crimp terminal portion in which a pair of barrel pieces are crimped to the exposed core portion 221a of the wiring wire 220A. Note that the exposed core portion 221a of the wiring wire 220A and the wire connection portion 223 of the wiring terminal 220B may be physically and electrically connected by, for example, soldering or welding.

[0054] Like the conductive module 1 of the embodiment, this conductive module 3 includes an insulating member 250 that surrounds the circuit protection component 30, the first fuse connecting portion 220a, and the second fuse connecting portion 41 to maintain their connection (FIG. 10). This insulating member 250 is similar to the insulating member 50 of the embodiment. However, the insulating member 250 of this modification is designed to match the shapes and arrangements of the circuit protection component 30, the first fuse connecting portion 220a, and the second fuse connecting portion 41 that it contains.

[0055] As described above, the conductive module 3 of this modified example is obtained by replacing the wiring component 20 in the conductive module 1 of the embodiment with the wiring component 220, and can achieve the same effects as the conductive module 1 of the embodiment. Furthermore, the conductive module 3 of this modified example has the wiring terminal 220B interposed between the exposed core portion 221a of the wiring wire 220A and the circuit protection component 30, thereby improving the connection stability between the wiring component 220 and the circuit protection component 30.

[0056] In the conductive module 3 of this modification, the wiring wires 220A for each bus bar 10 may be replaced with the flat cable (wiring component 120) of the first modification. In this case, the wiring component 220 includes the flat cable (wiring component 120) and a wiring terminal 220B for each linear conductor 121 of the flat cable (wiring component 120). The wiring terminals 220B are physically and electrically connected to the ends (exposed conductor portions 121a) of the linear conductors 121. In this case, the first fuse connecting portions 220a are provided on the wiring terminals 220B.

[0057] [Variation 3] The conductive module 4 of this modification is the conductive module 3 of the above-described modification 2, except that the wiring component 220 is replaced with the wiring component 320 described below, and the bus bar side conductive member 40 is replaced with the bus bar side conductive member 340 described below (FIGS. 12 and 13). Therefore, in this modification, the same components and parts as those in the conductive module 3 of modification 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in modification 2, and their description will be omitted. Note that the circuit protection component 30 of this modification may be a chip fuse or a pattern fuse, as in the embodiment. Here, the circuit protection component 30 configured as a chip fuse is shown.

[0058] The wiring component 320 of this modification is obtained by replacing the wiring terminal 220B in the wiring component 220 of modification 2 with a wiring terminal 320B (FIGS. 12 and 13). The wiring terminal 320B of this modification corresponds to the linear, flat wiring terminal 220B of modification 2 bent into an L shape along its plane. In this wiring terminal 320B, the extension direction of one half of the L shape is perpendicular to the extension direction of the other half of the L shape.

[0059] In this wiring terminal 320B, a first fuse connecting portion 320a is provided on one half of the L-shape, and an electric wire connecting portion 323 is provided on the other half of the L-shape (FIGS. 12 and 13). The first fuse connecting portion 320a is formed in the same manner as the first fuse connecting portion 220a of the wiring terminal 220B of Modification 2, and is physically and electrically connected to the first electrical connecting portion of the circuit protection component 30 by, for example, soldering or welding. The electric wire connecting portion 323 is formed in the same manner as the electric wire connecting portion 223 of the wiring terminal 220B, and is physically and electrically connected to the exposed core portion 221a of the wiring electric wire 220A. The electric wire connecting portion 323 shown here is formed as a crimp terminal portion.

[0060] The bus bar side conductive member 340 of this modification may be formed as a terminal fitting, similar to the bus bar side conductive member 40 of modification 2, or may be an electric wire. Here, the bus bar side conductive member 340 formed as a terminal fitting is shown. The bus bar side conductive member 340 of this modification is similar to the bus bar side conductive member 40 of modification 2, but its length is changed relative to the bus bar side conductive member 40 to match its arrangement. One longitudinal end of the bus bar side conductive member 340 serves as a second fuse connection portion 341 that is physically and electrically connected to the second electrical connection portion of the circuit protection component 30, and the other longitudinal end serves as a bus bar connection portion 342 that is physically and electrically connected to the bus bar 10 ( FIGS. 12 and 13 ).

[0061] The second fuse connection portion 341 is physically and electrically connected to the second electrical connection portion of the circuit protection component 30 by, for example, soldering or welding.

[0062] The busbar side conductive member 340 of this modification has its second fuse connection portion 341 protruding from the busbar 10 in the arrangement direction of the plurality of battery cells BC, and the busbar connection portion 342 is physically and electrically connected to the busbar 10. Like the busbar connection portion 42 of the busbar side conductive member 40 of modification 2, the busbar connection portion 342 may be physically and electrically connected to the busbar 10 by welding, for example, or may be physically and electrically connected to the busbar 10 by screw fastening, or may be connected to the busbar 10 by male-female fitting.

[0063] In the conductive module 4, the wiring terminal 320B and the bus bar side conductive member 340 are arranged such that the longitudinal direction of one side of the wiring terminal 320B provided with the first fuse connection portion 320a is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bus bar side conductive member 340 and the first fuse connection portion 320a faces the second fuse connection portion 341 of the bus bar side conductive member 340. Furthermore, in the conductive module 4, the wiring terminal 320B and the bus bar side conductive member 340 are arranged such that one flat surface of the first fuse connection portion 320a of the wiring terminal 320B and one flat surface of the second fuse connection portion 341 of the bus bar side conductive member 340 are arranged on the same plane. Here, the wiring terminal 320B and the bus bar side conductive member 340 are arranged such that the same plane is parallel to the plane of the bus bar 10.

[0064] In this conductive module 4, depending on whether the circuit protection component 30 is a chip fuse or a pattern fuse, the circuit protection component 30 is physically and electrically connected to the first fuse connection portion 320a of the wiring terminal 320B and the second fuse connection portion 341 of the bus bar side conductive member 340 by soldering, welding, etc. in the same manner as the conductive module 3 of variant example 2.

[0065] Like the conductive module 3 of Modification 2, this conductive module 4 includes an insulating member 350 that surrounds the circuit protection component 30, the first fuse connecting portion 320a, and the second fuse connecting portion 341 to maintain their connection (FIG. 12). This insulating member 350 is similar to the insulating member 250 of Modification 2. However, the insulating member 350 of this modification is designed to match the shapes and arrangements of the circuit protection component 30, the first fuse connecting portion 320a, and the second fuse connecting portion 341 that it contains.

[0066] In this way, the conductive module 4 of this modification is obtained by replacing the wiring component 220 in the conductive module 3 of the second modification with the wiring component 320, and can achieve the same effects as the conductive module 3 of the second modification.

[0067] In the conductive module 4 of this modification, the wiring wires 220A for each bus bar 10 may be replaced with the flat cable (wiring component 120) of the first modification. In this case, the wiring component 320 includes the flat cable (wiring component 120) and a wiring terminal 320B for each linear conductor 121 of the flat cable (wiring component 120). The wiring terminals 320B are physically and electrically connected to the ends (exposed conductor portions 121a) of the linear conductors 121. In this case, the first fuse connecting portions 320a are provided on the wiring terminals 320B.

[0068] In the conductive module 4 of this modified example, the bus bar side conductive member 340 may be an electric wire (not shown).

[0069] [Variation 4] The conductive module 5 of this modification is obtained by removing the bus bar side conductive member 40 from the conductive module 1 of the embodiment or the conductive module 3 of modification 2 and replacing the bus bar 10 with a bus bar 410 described below (FIGS. 14 and 15). Here, an example is shown in which the bus bar side conductive member 40 from the conductive module 3 of modification 2 is removed and the bus bar 10 is replaced with a bus bar 410 described below. Therefore, in this modification, the same components and parts as those in the conductive module 3 of modification 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the embodiment, and their description will be omitted. Note that the circuit protection component 30 of this modification may be a chip fuse or a pattern fuse, as in the embodiment. Here, the circuit protection component 30 configured as a chip fuse is shown.

[0070] In the conductive module 5 of this modification, a second fuse connection portion 410a is provided on the bus bar 410, and this second fuse connection portion 410a is physically and electrically connected to the second electrical connection portion of the circuit protection component 30 by, for example, soldering or welding (FIGS. 14 and 15). The bus bar 410 of this modification is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape like the bus bar 10 of modification 2, but a notch is formed in part of the bus bar to provide the second fuse connection portion 410a. The second fuse connection portion 410a shown here is formed as a piece that extends at a corner of the bus bar 410 in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the multiple battery cells BC.

[0071] Like the conductive module 3 of Modification 2, this conductive module 5 includes an insulating member 450 that surrounds the circuit protection component 30, the first fuse connecting portion 220a, and the second fuse connecting portion 410a to maintain their connection (FIGS. 14 and 15). This insulating member 450 is similar to the insulating member 250 of Modification 2. However, the insulating member 450 of this modification is designed to match the shapes and arrangement of the circuit protection component 30, the first fuse connecting portion 220a, and the second fuse connecting portion 410a that it contains.

[0072] The conductive module 5 of this modification is obtained by replacing the bus bar 10 in the conductive module 1 of the embodiment or the conductive module 3 of the modification 2 with a bus bar 410, and giving the bus bar 410 the function of the bus bar side conductive member 40. Therefore, the conductive module 5 of this modification can achieve the same effects as the conductive module 1 of the embodiment or the conductive module 3 of the modification 2. The conductive module 5 of this modification corresponds to the conductive module 1 of the embodiment or the conductive module 3 of the modification 2 from which the bus bar side conductive member 40 has been removed, and can be made smaller in size and at a lower cost than the conductive module 1 of the embodiment or the conductive module 3 of the modification 2.

[0073] In the conductive module 5 of this modification, the wiring component 20 (electric wire for wiring) for each bus bar 410 may be replaced with the flat cable (wiring component 120) of the first modification described above.

[0074] [Variation 5] The conductive module 6 of this modification is obtained by replacing the bus bar 410 in the conductive module 5 of modification 4 with a bus bar 510 described below and replacing the wiring component 220 with a wiring component 520 described below (FIGS. 16 and 17). Therefore, in this modification, the same components and parts as those in the conductive module 5 of modification 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in modification 4, and their description will be omitted. Note that the circuit protection component 30 of this modification may be a chip fuse or a pattern fuse, as in the embodiment. Here, the circuit protection component 30 configured as a chip fuse is shown.

[0075] Similar to the bus bar 410 of Modification 4, the bus bar 510 of this modification has a second fuse connection portion 510a formed by forming a notch in part of a rectangular, flat main body (FIGS. 16 and 17). The second fuse connection portion 510a shown here is formed as a piece that extends from a corner of the bus bar 510 in the arrangement direction of the multiple battery cells BC.

[0076] The wiring component 520 of this modification has a first fuse connection portion 520a that is physically and electrically connected to the first electrical connection portion of the circuit protection component 30, similar to the wiring component 220 of modification 4 (Figures 16 and 17).

[0077] The wiring component 520 of this modification includes an electric wire (hereinafter referred to as a "wiring electric wire") 520A in which a core wire 521 is covered with an insulating coating 522 (FIGS. 16 and 17). This wiring electric wire 520A is similar to the wiring electric wire 220A of modification 4, and has an exposed core portion 521a of the core wire 521 exposed at its end so as to protrude from the insulating coating 522. The wiring component 520 of this modification includes a terminal fitting (hereinafter referred to as a "wiring terminal") 520B physically and electrically connected to the exposed core portion 521a. The first fuse connecting portion 520a is provided on this wiring terminal 520B.

[0078] The wiring terminal 520B of this modification is bent into an L shape, similar to the wiring terminal 320B of modification 3. In this wiring terminal 520B, a first fuse connection portion 520a is provided on one half of the L shape, and an electric wire connection portion 523 is provided on the other half of the L shape (FIGS. 16 and 17). The first fuse connection portion 520a is physically and electrically connected to the first electrical connection portion of the circuit protection component 30 by, for example, soldering or welding. The electric wire connection portion 523 is physically and electrically connected to the exposed core portion 521a of the wiring electric wire 520A. The electric wire connection portion 523 shown here is formed as a crimp terminal portion.

[0079] In the conductive module 6, the wiring terminal 520B and the bus bar 510 are arranged such that the longitudinal direction of one half of the wiring terminal 520B provided with the first fuse connection portion 520a is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second fuse connection portion 510a of the bus bar 510, and such that the first fuse connection portion 520a and the second fuse connection portion 510a face each other. Furthermore, in the conductive module 6, the wiring terminal 520B and the bus bar 510 are arranged such that one flat surface of the first fuse connection portion 520a of the wiring terminal 520B is located on the same plane as one flat surface of the second fuse connection portion 510a of the bus bar 510 (i.e., one flat surface of the bus bar 510).

[0080] Like the conductive module 5 of Modification 4, this conductive module 6 includes an insulating member 550 that surrounds the circuit protection component 30, the first fuse connecting portion 520a, and the second fuse connecting portion 510a to maintain their connection (FIGS. 16 and 17). This insulating member 550 is similar to the insulating member 450 of Modification 4. However, the insulating member 550 of this modification is designed to match the shapes and arrangements of the circuit protection component 30, the first fuse connecting portion 520a, and the second fuse connecting portion 510a that it contains.

[0081] In this way, the conductive module 6 of this modified example is obtained by replacing the bus bar 410 and the wiring component 220 in the conductive module 5 of modified example 4 with a bus bar 510 and a wiring component 520, and can achieve the same effects as the conductive module 5 of modified example 4.

[0082] In the conductive module 6 of this modification, the wiring wires 520A for each bus bar 410 may be replaced with the flat cable (wiring component 120) of the first modification. In this case, the wiring component 520 includes the flat cable (wiring component 120) and a wiring terminal 520B for each linear conductor 121 of the flat cable (wiring component 120). The wiring terminals 520B are physically and electrically connected to the ends (exposed conductor portions 121a) of the linear conductors 121. In this case, the first fuse connecting portions 520a are provided in the wiring terminals 520B. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1,2,3,4,5,6 Conductive Module 10,410,510 Bus Bar 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 120, 220, 320, 520 Wiring parts 20a, 120a, 220a, 320a, 520a First fuse connection 21,221,521 core wire 21a, 221a, 521a exposed core 21c Terminal section 22,122,222,522 Insulation coating 30, 30A, 30B Circuit Protection Components 31 Wiring Pattern 31a First electrical connection part 31b Second electrical connection part 31c Fusible part 40, 40A, 40B, 340 Busbar side conductive member (conductive member) 41,341,410a,510a Second fuse connection 50,250,350,450,550 Insulating material 121 Linear conductor 121a Exposed conductor 220A, 520A wiring wire 220B, 320B, 520B wiring terminal 223,323 Wire connection BC battery cell BCb electrode terminal BM battery module

Claims

1. a bus bar that is physically and electrically connected to the electrode terminals of the battery cells that constitute the battery module; a wiring component that electrically connects the bus bar to a battery monitoring unit that monitors the battery state of the battery cell; a conductive member that is physically and electrically connected to the bus bar; a circuit protection component configured as a chip fuse having a fusible portion that melts when an overcurrent flows, or a pattern fuse in which a wiring pattern having the fusible portion is provided on a printed circuit board, wherein a first electrical connection portion on one end side as viewed from the fusible portion is physically and electrically connected to a first fuse connection portion of the wiring component, and a second electrical connection portion on the other end side as viewed from the fusible portion is physically and electrically connected to a second fuse connection portion of the conductive member; A conductive module comprising:

2. The conductive module according to claim 1 , wherein the conductive member is a terminal metal fitting or an electric wire.

3. a bus bar that is physically and electrically connected to the electrode terminals of the battery cells that constitute the battery module; a wiring component that electrically connects the bus bar to a battery monitoring unit that monitors the battery state of the battery cell; a circuit protection component configured as a chip fuse having a fusible portion that melts when an overcurrent flows, or as a pattern fuse in which a wiring pattern having the fusible portion is provided on a printed circuit board, wherein a first electrical connection portion on one end side as viewed from the fusible portion is physically and electrically connected to a first fuse connection portion of the wiring component, and a second electrical connection portion on the other end side as viewed from the fusible portion is physically and electrically connected to a second fuse connection portion of the bus bar; A conductive module comprising:

4. the wiring component is an electric wire for wiring, the core wire of which is covered with an insulating coating, 4. The conductive module according to claim 1, wherein the first fuse connecting portion is provided at an exposed core portion of the core exposed from the insulating coating at an end of the wiring component.

5. The core wire is formed by bundling a plurality of element wires, The conductive module according to claim 4, characterized in that the exposed core wire portion has a terminal portion in which a plurality of the wires are welded together, and a flat portion of the terminal portion is used as the first fuse connection portion.

6. the wiring component is a flat cable in which the linear conductors of the bus bars are covered with an insulating coating, 4. The conductive module according to claim 1, wherein the first fuse connection portion is provided at an end of the linear conductor exposed from the insulating coating.

7. The wiring component includes a wiring wire having a core wire covered with an insulating coating, and a wiring terminal physically and electrically connected to an exposed core portion of the core wire exposed from the insulating coating at an end of the wiring wire, 4. The conductive module according to claim 1, wherein the first fuse connection portion is provided on the wiring terminal.

8. the wiring component includes a flat cable in which the linear conductors of the bus bars are covered with an insulating coating, and wiring terminals for the linear conductors, the wiring terminals being physically and electrically connected to ends of the linear conductors exposed from the insulating coating; 4. The conductive module according to claim 1, wherein the first fuse connection portion is provided on the wiring terminal.

9. 4. The conductive module according to claim 1, further comprising an insulating member that encloses the circuit protection component, the first fuse connecting portion, and the second fuse connecting portion.

10. The conductive module according to claim 9, wherein the insulating member is a molded body that is insert-molded to contain the circuit protection component, the first fuse connection portion, and the second fuse connection portion, or a hardened body that is formed by hardening a potting liquid that contains the circuit protection component, the first fuse connection portion, and the second fuse connection portion.

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