Bus bar module

Abstract

To provide a bus bar module in which damage does not spread to other parts even if a pattern fuse is fused.SOLUTION: A bus bar module 1 includes a circuit board 16 having a bus bar 13 connected to an electrode 12 of a battery 11, a conductive pattern 14 connected to the bus bar 13, and an insulating coating 15 covering the conductive pattern 14. The insulating coating 15 has a coating main body 17 and a coating branch part 18 protruding from the coating main body 17. The conductive pattern 14 has a conductive pattern main body 19 covered with the coating main body 17 and provided along the longitudinal direction of the coating main body 17, and a conductive pattern branch part 20 covered with the coating branch part 18. The bus bar 13 is connected to the tip of the conductive pattern branch part 20, and the pattern fuse 21 is provided on the conductive pattern branch part 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Busbar modules for connecting a plurality of batteries in series or parallel in an automobile have been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-161743 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] FIG. 3 shows an example of a conventional busbar module 3. The busbar module 3 includes a plurality of busbars 33 connected in series or parallel to electrodes 32 of a plurality of batteries 31, a plurality of conductive patterns 34 connected to the busbars 33, and a circuit board 36 having an insulating coating 35 covering the conductive patterns 34. The circuit board 36 is a flexible FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit). The insulating coating 35 includes a long-shaped coating body 37 and a plurality of coating branches 38 protruding in the short direction from the coating body 37. Each of the plurality of conductive patterns 34 is covered by the coating body 37 and includes a conductive pattern body 39 arranged along the longitudinal direction of the coating body 37, and a conductive pattern branch 40 covered by the coating branch 38. The busbar 33 is connected to the tip of the conductive pattern branch 40. The busbar module 3 includes a pattern fuse 41 having a reduced width provided in a portion of the conductive pattern body 39.

[0005] Incidentally, in the busbar module 3, the pattern fuse 41 is provided in a part of the conductive pattern main body 39, and therefore, if the pattern fuse 41 melts, the conductive pattern main body 39 may be damaged depending on the extent of the melting.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a bus bar module in which damage does not spread to other parts even if a pattern fuse melts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the bus bar module according to the present invention has the following features. a plurality of bus bars connected to electrodes of a plurality of batteries; a circuit board having a plurality of conductive patterns connected to the plurality of bus bars, respectively, and an insulating coating covering the plurality of conductive patterns. In the busbar module, The insulating coating has an elongated coating body and a plurality of coating branch portions protruding in a short direction from the coating body, each of the plurality of conductive patterns includes a conductive pattern main body covered by the covering main body and provided along the longitudinal direction of the covering main body, and a conductive pattern branch portion covered by the covering branch portion; the bus bar is connected to a tip of the branch portion of the conductive pattern; a pattern fuse is provided on the conductive pattern branch portion; Busbar module. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The bus bar module according to the present invention has the advantage that even if the pattern fuse is blown, damage does not spread to other locations.

[0009] The present invention has been briefly described above. The details of the present invention will become clearer by reading the following detailed description of the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a partial plan view of a busbar module according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the covering body. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the covered branch portion. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial plan view of a busbar module according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a partial plan view of a conventional busbar module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] For convenience of explanation, the following definitions are used for "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," and "lower" as shown in Figures 1 to 4. The "front-rear direction," "left-right direction," and "up-down direction" are perpendicular to one another. The "left-right direction" corresponds to the "longitudinal direction" of the present invention, and the "front-rear direction" corresponds to the "short-side direction" of the present invention.

[0013] First Embodiment A busbar module according to a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The busbar module 1 shown in FIG. 1 is disposed on the upper surface of a plurality of batteries 11, which are connected in series, and supplies the voltage across the batteries 11 to a battery monitoring device (not shown). The batteries 11 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. A pair of electrodes 12 protrude from the upper surface of the battery 11. The pair of electrodes 12 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. Only the rear electrode 12 is shown in the partial plan view of FIG. 1.

[0014] 1, the busbar module 1 includes a plurality of busbars 13 connected to electrodes 12 of a plurality of batteries 11, a plurality of conductive patterns 14 connected to the plurality of busbars 13, and a circuit board 16 having an insulating coating 15 covering the plurality of conductive patterns 14. The circuit board 16 is a flexible printed circuit (FPC).

[0015] 2, a pair of insulating coatings 15 are provided, and the pair of insulating coatings 15, 15 sandwich the conductive pattern 14 in the vertical direction (thickness direction). As shown in Fig. 1, the pair of insulating coatings 15, 15 has a coating body 17 that is elongated in the left-right direction, and a plurality of coating branch portions 18 that protrude rearward (in the short direction) from the coating body 17.

[0016] Each of the multiple conductive patterns 14 has a conductive pattern main body 19 covered by a covering main body 17 and arranged along the longitudinal direction of the covering main body 17, and conductive pattern branch portions 20 covered by covering branch portions 18. The conductive pattern main bodies 19 are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction. The left end of the conductive pattern main body 19 is connected to a battery monitoring device. The conductive pattern branch portions 20 protrude rearward from the right end of the conductive pattern main body 19. In addition, a pattern fuse 21 is provided on the conductive pattern branch portions 20. The pattern fuse 21 has a width dimension smaller than that of the conductive pattern branch portions 20 and is formed in a labyrinth shape.

[0017] 3, a conductive pad 22 that contacts the bus bar 13 is provided at the tip of the conductive pattern branch 20. The upper covered branch 18 is peeled off from the lower covered branch 18 so that the conductive pad 22 is exposed.

[0018] Next, the bus bar 13 will be described. The bus bar 13 is formed by stamping and bending a metal plate. As shown in FIG. 1, the bus bar 13 has an electrode connection portion 131 (first connection portion) connected to the electrode 12, and a pad connection portion 132 (second connection portion, metal plate) connected to the conductive pad 22. The electrode connection portion 131 is provided with a pair of electrode insertion holes into which the electrodes 12 of adjacent batteries 11 in the left-right direction are inserted. The pad connection portion 131 is provided to protrude forward from the electrode connection portion 132.

[0019] The pad connection portion 132 is in the shape of a frame with a rectangular opening. As shown in Fig. 3, the vertical frame 132A of this pad connection portion 132 contacts the conductive pad 22, and the vertical frame 132B is placed on the upper covering branch portion 18. This provides electrical continuity to the conductive pattern branch portion 20 via the vertical frame 23A and the conductive pad 22, and the pad connection portion 132 surrounds the pattern fuse 21. The opening of this pad connection portion 132 is filled with resin 24. The resin 24 has insulating and thermally conductive properties.

[0020] <Actions and Effects of the First Embodiment> As described above, according to the busbar module 1 of the embodiment of the present invention, the pattern fuse 21 is provided on the conductive pattern branch 20, so even if the pattern fuse 21 melts, damage does not spread to other locations. Furthermore, according to the busbar module 1, the pad connection portion 132 surrounding the pattern fuse 21 is provided, so when the pattern fuse 21 melts, melting of the covering branch 18 and the spread of fire do not extend beyond the pad connection portion 132. Furthermore, according to the busbar module 1, even if the pattern fuse 21 generates heat, the heat can be dissipated via the pad connection portion 132.

[0021] Furthermore, in the busbar module 1, the pad connection portion 132 is filled with resin 24, so even if the pattern fuse 21 melts, molten fragments do not scatter, eliminating the risk of short circuits. In particular, in the busbar module 1, the resin 24 has thermal conductivity, so it works in conjunction with the pad connection portion 132 to provide an excellent cooling effect. Furthermore, in the busbar module 1, the metal plate surrounding the pattern fuse 21 is formed from the pad connection portion 132. This eliminates the need to provide a metal plate and a busbar 13 separately, thereby reducing costs.

[0022] Second Embodiment Next, a busbar module according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment described below, the same reference numerals will be used in the drawings to denote the same components as those described in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4 , a busbar module 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in the shape of a busbar 13B. In the second embodiment, the busbar 13B has an electrode connection portion 131 and a pad connection portion 132B similar to those in the first embodiment. The pad connection portion 132B in the second embodiment is provided in a flat plate shape and does not surround the pattern fuse 21B. The pattern fuse 21B in the second embodiment is provided away from the conductive pad 22. Also, as in the first embodiment, the upper covering branch portion 18 is peeled off from the lower covering branch portion 18 so that the conductive pad 22 is exposed. The pad connection portion 133 is connected to and overlaps this exposed conductive pad 22.

[0024] <Actions and Effects of the Second Embodiment> As described above, according to the bus bar module 1B according to the embodiment of the present invention, the pattern fuse 21B is provided on the conductive pattern branch portion 20, so that even if the pattern fuse 21B melts, damage does not spread to other locations.

[0025] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. Furthermore, the material, shape, size, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary and not limited as long as they can achieve the present invention.

[0026] In the first embodiment described above, the pattern fuse 21 is surrounded by the pad connection portion 132 of the bus bar 13, but this is not limited to this. The pattern fuse 21 may be surrounded by a metal plate separate from the bus bar 13.

[0027] Here, the features of the above-described embodiments of the busbar module according to the present invention will be briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [4].

[0028] [1] a plurality of bus bars (13) connected to electrodes (12) of a plurality of batteries (11); a circuit board (16) having a plurality of conductive patterns (14) connected to the plurality of bus bars (13), respectively, and an insulating coating (15) covering the plurality of conductive patterns (14); In the busbar module (1), The insulating coating (15) has an elongated coating body (17) and a plurality of coating branch portions (18) protruding in a lateral direction from the coating body (17), Each of the plurality of conductive patterns (14) has a conductive pattern main body (19) covered by the covering main body (17) and provided along the longitudinal direction of the covering main body (17), and conductive pattern branch portions (20) covered by the covering branch portions (18), The bus bar (13) is connected to the tip of the conductive pattern branch portion (20), A pattern fuse (21) is provided on the conductive pattern branch portion (20). Busbar module (1).

[0029] According to the busbar module (1) having the configuration [1] above, since the pattern fuse (21) is provided on the conductive pattern branch portion (20), even if the pattern fuse (21) melts, damage does not spread to other locations.

[0030] [2] In the busbar module (1) described in [1] above, A metal plate (23) is provided surrounding the pattern fuse (21). Busbar module (1).

[0031] According to the busbar module (1) having the configuration [2] above, since the metal plate (23) surrounding the pattern fuse (21) is provided, when the pattern fuse (21) melts, the upper covering branch portion (18A) and the lower covering branch portion (18B) do not melt and the fire does not spread beyond the metal plate (23). Furthermore, according to the busbar module (1), even if the pattern fuse (21) generates heat, the heat can be dissipated through the metal plate (23).

[0032] [3] In the busbar module (1) described in [2] above, The metal plate (23) is filled with a resin (24). Busbar module (1).

[0033] According to the busbar module (1) having the configuration [3] above, the resin (24) is filled in the metal plate (23), so that even if the pattern fuse (21) melts, molten fragments do not scatter, and there is no risk of a short circuit, etc. In particular, according to the busbar module (1), the resin (24) has thermal conductivity, and therefore works together with the metal plate (23) to provide a good cooling effect.

[0034] [4] In the busbar module (1) described in [2] above, The bus bar (13) has a first connection portion (131) connected to the electrode (12) and a second connection portion (132) connected to the conductive pattern (14), The metal plate is composed of the second connection portion (132). Busbar module (1).

[0035] According to the bus bar module (1) having the configuration [4] above, it is not necessary to separately provide the metal plate (132) and the bus bar (13), thereby reducing costs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1, 1B busbar module 11 Batteries 12 electrodes 13 Bus Bar 14 Conductive pattern 15 Insulation coating 16 Circuit Board 17 Covering body 18 Covered branches 19 Conductive pattern body 20 Conductive pattern branch 21,21B pattern fuse 131 electrode connection part (first connection part) 132 Pad connection part (second connection part, metal plate) 24 Resin

Claims

1. a plurality of bus bars connected to electrodes of a plurality of batteries; a circuit board having a plurality of conductive patterns connected to the plurality of bus bars, respectively, and an insulating coating covering the plurality of conductive patterns. In the busbar module, The insulating coating has an elongated coating body and a plurality of coating branch portions protruding in a short direction from the coating body, each of the plurality of conductive patterns includes a conductive pattern main body covered by the covering main body and provided along the longitudinal direction of the covering main body, and a conductive pattern branch portion covered by the covering branch portion; the bus bar is connected to a tip of the branch portion of the conductive pattern; a pattern fuse is provided on the conductive pattern branch portion; Busbar module.

2. The busbar module according to claim 1, a metal plate surrounding the pattern fuse; Busbar module.

3. The busbar module according to claim 2, The metal plate is filled with resin. Busbar module.

4. The busbar module according to claim 2, the bus bar has a first connection portion connected to the electrode and a second connection portion connected to the conductive pattern, The metal plate is composed of the second connection portion. Busbar module.

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