Bus bar module

Abstract

To provide a bus bar module capable of improving manufacturing efficiency.SOLUTION: The bus bar module 1 includes the flexible printed circuit board 3, the plurality of bus bars 10 connected to the flexible printed circuit board 3, the plurality of chip fuses 6 connected to the bus bars 10, and the potting agent 8 covering the plurality of chip fuses 6, the plurality of chip fuses 6 are mounted in the one mounting region 33 of the flexible printed circuit board 3, and the potting agent 8 is arranged in the one mounting region 33 and covers the plurality of chip fuses 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there are busbar modules equipped with chip fuses. Patent Document 1 discloses a busbar module including a plurality of busbars fixed to battery cells of a battery module, a flexible plate-shaped circuit body, and a case that houses the circuit body and the busbars. Chip fuses are equipped in the circuit body of Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-173609 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is desirable to improve the manufacturing efficiency of a busbar module in which chip fuses are mounted. For example, if a sealing process is performed individually for a plurality of chip fuses, this tends to lead to a decrease in manufacturing efficiency.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a busbar module that can improve manufacturing efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The busbar module of the present invention comprises a flexible printed circuit board, a plurality of busbars connected to the flexible printed circuit board, a plurality of chip fuses connected to the busbars, and a potting material covering the plurality of chip fuses, wherein the plurality of chip fuses are mounted in one mounting area of ​​the flexible printed circuit board, and the potting material is disposed in the one mounting area to cover the plurality of chip fuses. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In the busbar module according to the present invention, the plurality of chip fuses are mounted in one mounting area of ​​the flexible printed circuit board, and the potting material is disposed in the one mounting area to cover the plurality of chip fuses. The busbar module according to the present invention has the advantage of being able to improve manufacturing efficiency by consolidating the plurality of chip fuses in one mounting area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a bus bar module according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the bus bar module according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an application example of the bus bar module according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the flexible printed circuit board according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the bus bar module according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the case according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view of another bus bar module according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a busbar module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. Furthermore, components in the following embodiments include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] [Embodiment] An embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7. The embodiment relates to a busbar module. Figs. 1 and 2 are plan views of the busbar module according to the embodiment, Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an application example of the busbar module according to the embodiment, Fig. 4 is a plan view of a flexible printed circuit board according to the embodiment, Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the busbar module according to the embodiment, Fig. 6 is a plan view of a case according to the embodiment, and Fig. 7 is a plan view of another busbar module according to the embodiment. Fig. 5 shows a VV cross section of Fig. 2.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, a busbar module 1 of this embodiment includes a flexible printed circuit board 3, a case 4, a plurality of busbars 10, a plurality of chip fuses 6, a reinforcing plate 7, and a potting material 8. The busbar module 1 is disposed in a battery module 110 of a battery pack 100, for example, as shown in FIG. 3. The battery module 110 includes a plurality of battery cells 120 arranged in an arrangement direction AR. The battery pack 100 is mounted as a power source in a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle.

[0012] The busbar 10 is a conductor formed from a conductive metal plate and is fixed to the electrode of the battery cell 120. The busbar 10 connects, for example, two adjacent battery cells 120 in series. The flexible printed circuit board 3 connects the multiple busbars 10 to a monitoring device 130 of the battery pack 100. The flexible printed circuit board 3 may connect a thermistor arranged in the battery cell 120 to the monitoring device 130. The monitoring device 130 is a device that monitors the state of the battery cell 120, such as its voltage and temperature.

[0013] The monitoring device 130 of this embodiment manages the battery cells 120 of the battery module 110 by dividing them into multiple cell groups. The multiple cell groups include a first cell group G1 and a second cell group G2. The first cell group G1 and the second cell group G2 each include multiple battery cells 120 arranged in succession. The first cell group G1 and the second cell group G2 are adjacent to each other.

[0014] The monitoring device 130 has an arithmetic circuit 140 that monitors a plurality of cell groups. The arithmetic circuit 140 is, for example, an integrated circuit (IC). The arithmetic circuit 140 monitors the battery cells 120 of the first cell group G1 and the battery cells 120 of the second cell group G2.

[0015] The flexible printed circuit board 3 is connected to the monitoring device 130 via a connector 5. The flexible printed circuit board 3 has a plurality of detection lines 9. Each detection line 9 is a circuit pattern formed from a conductive metal. The detection lines 9 are connected to the arithmetic circuit 140 via the connector 5 and the circuitry of the monitoring device 130.

[0016] The detection lines 9 are connected to the corresponding bus bars 10 via chip fuses 6 mounted on the flexible printed circuit board 3. At least one detection line 9 is connected to one bus bar 10. The bus bars 10 corresponding to the first cell group G1 have bus bars 10a and 10b located at the ends in the arrangement direction AR. The bus bar 10a located at one end is the bus bar 10 connected to one battery cell 120a located at the end of the battery module 110. The bus bar 10a is connected to, for example, the electrode on the lowest potential side of the battery module 110, which is the so-called total negative electrode.

[0017] The bus bar 10a is connected to one detection line 91. The detection line 91 is connected to the arithmetic circuit 140 as, for example, a GND line. The detection line 91 may be used as a line for voltage detection.

[0018] Among the multiple bus bars 10 corresponding to the first cell group G1, the bus bar 10b is the bus bar 10 located at the end opposite to the bus bar 10a side. In other words, the bus bar 10b is connected to the electrode on the highest potential side in the first cell group G1.

[0019] The multiple detection lines 9 include two detection lines 93, 94 connected to the bus bar 10b. The two detection lines 93, 94 are each connected to the arithmetic circuit 140. Of the two detection lines 93, 94, the detection line 93 is a line for detecting the voltage of the bus bar 10b. Of the two detection lines 93, 94, the other detection line 94 is a line serving as the total positive electrode of the first cell group G1. The arithmetic circuit 140 monitors the battery cells 120 of the first cell group G1 based on the detection results of the detection lines 9, including the detection lines 91, 93, and 94.

[0020] The bus bar 10 of the second cell group G2 is further connected to the arithmetic circuit 140 via a detection line 9. The arithmetic circuit 140 monitors the battery cells 120 of the second cell group G2 based on the detection results of the detection line 9 connected to the bus bar 10 of the second cell group G2.

[0021] In this way, the busbar module 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the arithmetic circuit 140 can monitor the battery cells 120 of a plurality of cell groups including the first cell group G1 and the second cell group G2.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flexible printed circuit board 3 has a trunk portion 30 and multiple branch portions 31. The flexible printed circuit board 3 has a base film, a coverlay, and a conductive layer. The base film and the coverlay are flexible insulating resin layers. The conductive layer is sandwiched between the base film and the coverlay for protection. The conductive layer is, for example, a conductive metal foil and has multiple circuit patterns.

[0023] The trunk portion 30 has a longitudinal direction X and a width direction Y. The width direction Y is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. A plurality of detection lines 9 extend along the trunk portion 30. The branch portions 31 branch off from edges of the trunk portion 30 in the width direction Y. In this embodiment, the branch portions 31 extend from the trunk portion 30 in the width direction Y.

[0024] 2 and 4, the flexible printed circuit board 3 has branch portions 31b corresponding to the bus bars 10b. The flexible printed circuit board 3 is provided with mounting areas 33 in which a plurality of chip fuses 6 are mounted. The mounting areas 33 are disposed at branch points 30b in the trunk 30 where the branch portions 31b branch off.

[0025] Two sets of contact portions 34 corresponding to the detection lines 93, 94 are arranged in the mounting area 33. Each set of contact portions 34 has a contact 34a connected to the detection line 9 and a contact 34b connected to a connection line 35. Each chip fuse 6 is mounted so as to be interposed between one set of contacts 34a, 34b. One connection line 35 extends to the branch portion 31b and connects the two sets of contact portions 34 and the bus bar 10b.

[0026] At the tip of each branch 31, a connection portion 32 is provided on which the conductive plate 11 is placed. A set of pads 32a connected to the plate is exposed at the connection portion 32. A connection line 35 of the branch 31b is connected to the pads 32a. Near the mounting area 33, a plurality of pads 30a for connecting the reinforcing plate 7 are exposed.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2 , a frame-shaped reinforcing plate 7 is disposed in the trunk line portion 30, surrounding the mounting area 33. In this embodiment, the reinforcing plate 7 has a rectangular frame shape. The reinforcing plate 7 is formed of, for example, metal. In this case, the reinforcing plate 7 is fixed to the pads 30a by solder or the like. The reinforcing plate 7 may also be formed of resin or the like. In this case, the reinforcing plate 7 may also be fixed to the flexible printed circuit board 3 by adhesive or the like. The two chip fuses 6 and the mounting area 33 are housed in a space 70 surrounded by the reinforcing plate 7.

[0028] A conductive plate 11 is fixed to the connection portion 32 of the branch portion 31b. The plate 11 is fixed to a set of pads 32a by soldering or the like. The plate 11 is also electrically connected to the bus bar 10b. Therefore, the connection wire 35 is connected to the bus bar 10b via the plate 11.

[0029] 5 shows a VV cross section of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 5, two chip fuses 6 are housed in a space 70 surrounded by a reinforcing plate 7. A potting material 8 is filled in the space 70 to cover the two chip fuses 6 and the mounting area 33. In the busbar module 1 of this embodiment, multiple chip fuses 6 are mounted in one mounting area 33, and the potting material 8 covers the multiple chip fuses 6 arranged in one mounting area 33. Therefore, the busbar module 1 of this embodiment can reduce the mounting area and reduce costs by consolidating the chip fuses 6.

[0030] When one busbar 10 is connected to one detection line 9, the chip fuse 6 is mounted on the tip of the branch 31. As shown in FIG. 1 , the multiple busbars 10 include a busbar 10 connected to one detection line 9. The detection line 9 for this busbar 10 is connected to the plate 11 from the trunk 30 via the branch 31. The chip fuse 6 is mounted in an area surrounded by the frame-shaped plate 11. The detection line 9 is connected to the busbar 10 via the chip fuse 6 and the plate 11.

[0031] 6 shows a case member 4E that constitutes the case 4. The case 4 of this embodiment is formed by connecting multiple case members 4E to each other. In other words, the case 4 of this embodiment is configured to be expandable by connecting multiple case members 4E. By connecting multiple case members 4E, it is possible to easily accommodate a long flexible printed circuit board 3.

[0032] The case member 4E has a main body 40 having a wiring passage 41 and a cover 42 that covers the wiring passage 41. In the case member 4E of this embodiment, the main body 40 and the cover 42 are integrally molded. However, the main body 40 and the cover 42 may be separate members.

[0033] The main body 40 of this embodiment has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. The main body 40 has a wiring path 41 and a plurality of holding portions 43. The wiring path 41 is a groove-shaped passage that accommodates the flexible printed circuit board 3. The wiring path 41 has a support wall 41a that supports the main wire portion 30 of the flexible printed circuit board 3. The wiring path 41 extends from one end to the other end of the main body 40 in the longitudinal direction.

[0034] The holding portion 43 is a portion that houses and holds the bus bar 10. The multiple holding portions 43 are adjacent to the wiring path 41 in the width direction of the main body 40 and are lined up along the wiring path 41. The holding portion 43 is formed in a frame shape and has a locking portion that locks the bus bar 10. The branch portion 31 of the flexible printed circuit board 3 extends between two adjacent holding portions 43.

[0035] The cover 42 is connected to the main body 40 via a hinge portion 46. The cover 42 has a trunk portion 42a that covers the trunk portion 30 of the flexible printed circuit board 3, and branch portions 42b that cover the branch portions 31. The cover 42 has a plurality of branch portions 42b. The branch portions 42b protrude in the width direction from the trunk portion 42a. An engaging portion 42e that engages with the main body 40 is provided at the tip of the branch portions 42b.

[0036] Both longitudinal ends of the case member 4E are provided with engaging portions 44, 45 that can engage with each other. The two case members 4E are connected by engaging the engaging portion 44 of one case member 4E with the engaging portion 45 of the other case member 4E. The case member 4E may have a clip or the like that engages with the battery module 110.

[0037] It should be noted that the multiple chip fuses 6 mounted in the mounting area 33 may be connected to different bus bars 10. FIG. 7 shows another bus bar module 1 according to the embodiment. A mounting area 33 is provided in the trunk portion 30 of the flexible printed circuit board 3. The mounting area 33 is disposed, for example, between two adjacent branch portions 31c, 31d. The two branch portions 31c, 31d are connected to different bus bars 10. One branch portion 31c is connected to one bus bar 10c of the two adjacent bus bars 10c, 10d. The other branch portion 31d is connected to the other bus bar 10d of the two bus bars 10c, 10d. Two chip fuses 6 are mounted in the mounting area 33.

[0038] One chip fuse 6 is connected to one bus bar 10c. Bus bar 10c is connected to the arithmetic circuit 140 of the monitoring device 130 via the chip fuse 6 and a detection line 95. The other chip fuse 6 is connected to the other bus bar 10d. Bus bar 10d is connected to the arithmetic circuit 140 via the chip fuse 6 and a detection line 96. A reinforcing plate 7 is fixed to the flexible printed circuit board 3, surrounding the mounting areas 33 corresponding to the bus bars 10c and 10d. A potting material 8 that covers the two chip fuses 6 is filled into the space surrounded by this reinforcing plate 7.

[0039] As described above, the busbar module 1 of this embodiment includes the flexible printed circuit board 3, a plurality of busbars 10 connected to the flexible printed circuit board 3, a plurality of chip fuses 6 connected to the busbar 10, and the potting material 8 that covers the plurality of chip fuses 6. The plurality of chip fuses 6 are mounted in one mounting area 33 of the flexible printed circuit board 3. The potting material 8 is disposed in one mounting area 33 and covers the plurality of chip fuses 6. According to the busbar module 1 of this embodiment, the plurality of chip fuses 6 are aggregated, which enables improved manufacturing efficiency and reduced costs.

[0040] The busbar module 1 of this embodiment has a frame-shaped reinforcing plate 7 that surrounds one mounting area 33. The potting material 8 is filled into the space surrounded by the reinforcing plate 7. Surrounding multiple chip fuses 6 with one reinforcing plate 7 improves manufacturing efficiency and reduces costs.

[0041] The flexible printed circuit board 3 of this embodiment has a trunk portion 30 and branch portions 31 that branch off from the trunk portion 30 and are connected to the busbar 10. One mounting area 33 is disposed, for example, at a branch point 30b where the branch portions 31 branch off from the trunk portion 30. By disposing the mounting area 33 on the trunk portion 30, it becomes easy to ensure that the mounting area 33 has an appropriate size according to the number of chip fuses 6 to be mounted.

[0042] A plurality of chip fuses 6 may be connected to one bus bar 10 via a single connection wire 35 arranged on the branch portion 31. With this configuration, a plurality of chip fuses 6 can be connected to the bus bar 10 without changing the dimensions of the branch portion 31.

[0043] The flexible printed circuit board 3 has, for example, a trunk portion 30 and a plurality of branch portions 31 that branch off from the trunk portion 30 and are connected to the busbar 10. One mounting area 33 is arranged, for example, in the trunk portion 30. As shown in FIG. 7 , multiple chip fuses 6 mounted in one mounting area 33 may be connected to different busbars 10. With such a configuration, multiple chip fuses 6 can be aggregated, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency and reducing costs.

[0044] The busbar module 1 does not necessarily have to have the reinforcing plate 7 surrounding the mounting area 33. In this case, the potting material 8 is applied so as to cover the chip fuses 6 and the mounting area 33. The potting material 8 may be a curable resin, or may be composed of multiple layers made of different materials.

[0045] The number of chip fuses 6 mounted in one mounting area 33 is not limited to the number exemplified in this embodiment. For example, three or more chip fuses 6 may be mounted in one mounting area 33. The multiple chip fuses 6 arranged in one mounting area 33 may be connected to one bus bar 10, or may be connected to multiple different bus bars 10. The number of mounting areas 33 provided on one flexible printed circuit board 3 is not limited to the number exemplified in this embodiment.

[0046] The contents disclosed in the above embodiments can be implemented in appropriate combinations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1: Busbar module 3: Flexible printed circuit board 4: Case, 4E: Case member 5: Connector, 6: Chip fuse, 7: Reinforcement plate 8: Potting agent, 9: Detection line 10, 10a, 10b: Bus bar 11: Plate 30: Main line, 30a: Pad 31, 31b: Branch portion, 32: Connection portion 33: Implementation area 34: contact portion; 34a, 34b: contacts; 35: connecting wire 40: Main body, 41: Wiring path, 42: Cover, 43: Retaining portion 70: Space part 100: Battery pack, 110: Battery module, 120: Battery cell 130: Monitoring device 140: Arithmetic circuit G1: First cell group, G2: Second cell group AR: Array Direction X: Longitudinal direction, Y: Width direction

Claims

1. A flexible printed circuit board; a plurality of bus bars connected to the flexible printed circuit board; a plurality of chip fuses connected to the bus bar; a potting material covering the plurality of chip fuses; Equipped with the plurality of chip fuses are mounted in one mounting area of ​​the flexible printed circuit board, The potting material is disposed in the one mounting area and covers the plurality of chip fuses. A busbar module characterized by:

2. a frame-shaped reinforcing plate surrounding the one mounting area; The potting agent is filled in the space surrounded by the reinforcing plate. The busbar module according to claim 1 .

3. the flexible printed circuit board has a trunk portion and branch portions branching from the trunk portion and connected to the bus bar, The one mounting area is disposed at a branch point of the trunk where the branch portion branches off. The busbar module according to claim 1 .

4. The plurality of chip fuses are connected to one of the bus bars via a single connection wire disposed on the branch portion. The busbar module according to claim 3 .

5. the flexible printed circuit board has a trunk portion and a plurality of branch portions branching from the trunk portion and connected to the bus bar, the one mounting area is disposed on the main line portion, The plurality of chip fuses mounted in the one mounting area are connected to different bus bars. The busbar module according to claim 1 .

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