Component connection structure and connecting components

Abstract

One embodiment provides a component connection structure and a connecting component that can improve heat transfer between the connecting component and the busbar. [Solution] The component connection structure of one embodiment comprises a busbar, a component to be connected, and a connecting component that connects the busbar and the component to be connected. The connecting component has a first end facing the busbar in a first direction. The first end has a contact portion that abuts against the busbar and a recess that is recessed relative to the contact portion in a direction away from the busbar in the first direction. The connecting component is fixed to the busbar with a heat transfer material having a higher thermal conductivity than the connecting component filling the recess.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a component connection structure and a connecting component.

Background Art

[0002] An electrical connection unit having a housing for accommodating electronic components and a bus bar attached to the housing in an upright posture is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, it is an issue for an electrical connection unit to enhance the heat conductivity between a connecting component that fixes an electronic component to a bus bar and the bus bar.

[0005] One embodiment provides a component connection structure and a connecting component capable of enhancing the heat conductivity between a connecting component and a bus bar.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A component connection structure according to one embodiment includes a bus bar, a component to be connected, and a connecting component that connects the bus bar and the component to be connected. The connecting component includes a first end portion facing the bus bar in a first direction. The first end portion includes a contact portion that contacts the bus bar and a depression that is recessed in a direction away from the bus bar in the first direction with respect to the contact portion. The connecting component is fixed to the bus bar with a heat transfer member having a higher heat conductivity than the connecting component filled in the depression. In one embodiment, the connecting component has a first end facing the busbar in a first direction, and the first end has a contact portion that abuts against the busbar and a recess that is recessed relative to the contact portion in a direction away from the busbar in the first direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment, the heat transfer between the connecting component and the busbar can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A cross-sectional view showing an electrical connection unit of an embodiment. [Figure 2] A perspective view illustrating the main body of the embodiment. [Figure 3] A perspective view illustrating a subunit of the embodiment. [Figure 4] A perspective view showing a partially disassembled subunit of the embodiment. [Figure 5] A perspective view illustrating the electronic components and connecting components of the embodiment. [Figure 6] A perspective view illustrating the electronic components and connecting components of the embodiment. [Figure 7] A perspective view showing the connecting components of the embodiment. [Figure 8] A perspective view showing a wiring substrate of an embodiment. [Figure 9] A perspective view showing a partially disassembled wiring substrate of the embodiment. [Figure 10] A plan view showing the wiring substrate of the embodiment. [Figure 11] A perspective view showing a partially disassembled connection unit of the embodiment. [Figure 12] A bottom view showing the wiring substrate of the embodiment. [Figure 13] A cross-sectional view of the structure shown in Figure 10, along line AA. [Figure 14] A perspective view showing the three-dimensional cable arrangement structure of the busbar in the embodiment. [Figure 15] A plan view showing the three-dimensional cable arrangement structure of the busbar in the embodiment. [Figure 16] Cross-sectional view for explaining the structure of the connection component of the embodiment. [Figure 17] Perspective view for explaining the connection component of the embodiment. [Figure 18] Perspective view for explaining the first configuration in which a depression is provided in the connection component of the embodiment. [Figure 19] Side view of the configuration of FIG. 18 as viewed from the Y direction. [Figure 20] Plan view of the configuration of FIG.18 as viewed from the Z direction. [Figure 21] Perspective view for explaining the second configuration in which a depression is provided in the connection component of the embodiment. [Figure 22] Plan view corresponding to FIG. 20 showing the first modification of the depression. [Figure 23] Plan view corresponding to FIG. 20 showing the second modification of the depression.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having the same or similar functions are denoted by the same reference numerals. And redundant descriptions of those components may be omitted. Note that the configurations described below do not limit the scope of the embodiments.

[0010] In this disclosure, terms are defined as follows: “Connection” may include electrical connections, not just mechanical ones. That is, “Connection” may include cases where two elements to be connected are connected with another element in between, not just directly connected. “Accommodation” may include cases where only a part of a part is accommodated (with the remaining part protruding), not just the entire part. “Facing” means that the virtual projections of two objects overlap when viewed from a particular direction. That is, “Facing” may include cases where two objects face each other with another member present between them, not just directly facing each other. “Parallel,” “orthogonal,” or “same” may include cases where they are “approximately parallel,” “approximately orthogonal,” or “approximately the same,” respectively.

[0011] In this disclosure, the +X direction, -X direction, +Y direction, -Y direction, +Z direction, and -Z direction are defined as follows: The +X direction is the direction from the first end 80e1 to the second end 80e2 of the metal plate 80, which will be described later (see Figure 11). The -X direction is the direction opposite to the +X direction. Hereinafter, when the +X direction and the -X direction are not distinguished, they will simply be referred to as the "X direction". The +Y direction and the -Y direction are directions that intersect (e.g., are orthogonal to) the X direction. The +Y direction is the direction from the third end 80e3 to the fourth end 80e4 of the metal plate 80, which will be described later (see Figure 11). The -Y direction is the direction opposite to the +Y direction. Hereinafter, when the +Y direction and the -Y direction are not distinguished, they will simply be referred to as the "Y direction". The +Z direction and the -Z direction are directions that intersect (e.g., are orthogonal to) the X direction and the Y direction. The +Z direction is the direction from the metal plate 80 (described later) toward the main body MU (see Figure 1). The -Z direction is the opposite direction to the +Z direction. Hereafter, if the +Z direction and the -Z direction are not distinguished, they will simply be referred to as the "Z direction". The Z direction is an example of the "first direction". The X direction is an example of the "second direction". The Y direction is an example of the "third direction".

[0012] In the following, the X and Y directions may be referred to as the "horizontal direction" if they are not distinguished. In the following, the Z direction may be referred to as the "vertical direction." Also, in the following, the +Z direction may be referred to as "up" and the -Z direction as "down." However, these expressions are for the sake of explanation and do not limit the direction of gravity of the electrical connection unit 1 (the installation orientation of the electrical connection unit 1).

[0013] (Embodiment) <1. Configuration of the electrical connection unit> Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrical connection unit 1 according to an embodiment. The electrical connection unit 1 is an in-vehicle device installed in vehicles such as EVs (Electric Vehicles), HEVs (Hybrid Electric Vehicles), or PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles). The electrical connection unit 1 may also be referred to as an "electrical connection box" or "junction box." However, the electrical connection unit 1 is not limited to a box-shaped device.

[0014] The electrical connection unit 1 includes, for example, a main body MU, a metal plate (support member) 80, an insulating sheet 91 (see Figure 11), a plurality of heat transfer members 92, and an insulating cover 93.

[0015] <2. Main body> First, let me explain the main unit (MU). Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the main body MU. The main body MU is the part of the electrical connection unit 1 that performs the main function (e.g., switching of electrical connection states or overcurrent protection). In this embodiment, the main body MU is divided into a plurality of subunits SU. The main body MU is formed by connecting a plurality of subunits SU. In this embodiment, the main body MU has three subunits SU (subunits SUX, SUY, SUZ). Each subunit SU may be referred to as a "circuit configuration".

[0016] Subunit SUX has a first electrical function. Subunit SUX includes, for example, a plurality of electronic components 10X and a first wiring board 40X. The plurality of electronic components 10X are electrically connected to the first wiring board 40X.

[0017] Subunit SUY has a second electrical function, which is different from the first function. Subunit SUY includes, for example, a plurality of electronic components 10Y and a second wiring board 40Y. The plurality of electronic components 10Y are electrically connected to the second wiring board 40Y.

[0018] Subunit SUZ has a third electrical function, which is distinct from the first and second functions. Subunit SUZ includes, for example, a plurality of electronic components 10Z and a third wiring board 40Z. The plurality of electronic components 10Z are electrically connected to the third wiring board 40Z.

[0019] In this embodiment, the three subunits SUX, SUY, and SUZ are arranged side by side in the X direction. For example, subunit SUX is positioned on the +X side relative to subunit SUY. Subunits SUX and SUY are electrically connected via a plurality of connecting busbars 75 spanning the first wiring substrate 40X and the second wiring substrate 40Y. On the other hand, subunit SUZ is positioned on the -X side relative to subunit SUY. Subunits SUZ and SUY are electrically connected via a plurality of connecting busbars 75 (only one is shown in Figure 2) spanning the third wiring substrate 40Z and the second wiring substrate 40Y. The connecting busbars 75 are positioned on the opposite side of the metal plate 80 relative to the plurality of subunits SU.

[0020] In this embodiment, the three cable routing substrates 40X, 40Y, and 40Z included in the three subunits SUX, SUY, and SUZ are arranged on the same plane. In other words, the three cable routing substrates 40X, 40Y, and 40Z are positioned at the same height in the Z direction. As a result, the three cable routing substrates 40X, 40Y, and 40Z form one large cable routing substrate 40M.

[0021] In this embodiment, the three subunits SUX, SUY, and SUZ have the same or similar basic structure as each other. Therefore, the following description will focus on one subunit, SU, as a representative. Hereafter, when subunits SUX, SUY, and SUZ are not distinguished, they will simply be referred to as "subunit SU." Similarly, when electronic components 10X, 10Y, and 10Z are not distinguished, they will simply be referred to as "electronic component 10." Furthermore, when the first wiring substrate 40X, the second wiring substrate 40Y, and the third wiring substrate 40Z are not distinguished, they will simply be referred to as "wiring substrate 40."

[0022] Furthermore, the main body MU does not necessarily have to be divided into multiple subunits SU, as in the example described above. That is, the main body MU may be formed from multiple electronic components 10 and one wiring substrate 40. Also, the two or more subunits SU are not limited to subunits SU having different functions, but may also be subunits SU having the same function.

[0023] <3. Subunit Configuration> Next, we will explain the configuration of the subunit SU. Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating subunit SU. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing subunit SU partially disassembled. Subunit SU includes, for example, a plurality of electronic components 10, a plurality of connecting components 20 for component connection, a plurality of connecting components 30 for external connection, and a wiring substrate 40. The connecting components 20 and 30 are members that form vertical electrical circuits. The connecting components 20 and 30 may also be referred to as "vertical wiring members".

[0024] <3.1 Electronic components and connectors for connecting components> First, we will describe the electronic component 10 and the connecting component 20 for connecting the component. Electronic component 10 is an electronic component mounted on the subunit SU according to the required functions. Electronic component 10 may be, for example, a connector, fuse, relay (e.g., mechanical relay or semiconductor relay), capacitor, branching component, various sensors (e.g., current sensor or voltage sensor), electronic control unit, or an electronic component unit that combines two or more of these. The type of electronic component 10 is not limited to the above examples. Electronic component 10 may be, for example, a heat-generating component that generates heat when energized. Below, a first type electronic component 10M and a second type electronic component 10N will be described as examples of electronic component 10.

[0025] The connecting component 20 is a component that electrically connects the electronic component 10 and the wiring substrate 40. The connecting component 20 forms part of the current-carrying circuit in the subunit SU. The connecting component 20 is made of metal (for example, copper or a copper alloy). The connecting component 20 may also be referred to as a "metal component". Below, as examples of the connecting component 20, a first type connecting component 20M and a second type connecting component 20N will be described. Similarly, the connecting components 30 and 100 described later may also be referred to as "metal components".

[0026] <3.1.1 Type 1 Electronic Components> Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a first type electronic component 10M and a first type connecting component 20M. The first type electronic component 10M is an electronic component in which a plurality of terminals 13 are arranged in a row at one end of the electronic component 10M. The electronic component 10M has, for example, a case 11, a component body 12, a plurality of terminals 13, and a plurality of mounting parts 14.

[0027] (case) The case 11 is an outer casing that forms most of the external shape of the electronic component 10M. The case 11 is made of, for example, synthetic resin and has insulating properties. The case 11 houses the component body 12. The case 11 and the component body 12 may be formed as a single unit.

[0028] In this embodiment, the case 11 has insulating ribs 11a that protrude horizontally (e.g., in the X direction) and extend in the Z direction. The insulating ribs 11a are, for example, plate-shaped and aligned horizontally (e.g., in the X direction) and in the Z direction. The insulating ribs 11a extend, for example, along the entire length of the case 11 in the Z direction. The insulating ribs 11a are positioned between a plurality of terminals 13 (terminals 13A and 13B, described later). The insulating ribs 11a electrically insulate terminals 13A and 13B. In this embodiment, a portion of the insulating ribs 11a is positioned between the first portions 21 (described later) of two connecting components 20M connected to the electronic component 10M. The insulating ribs 11a electrically insulate between the first portions 21 of the two connecting components 20M connected to the electronic component 10M.

[0029] (Main part of the component) The main body of the component 12 is the part that performs the main function of the electronic component 10M. For example, if the electronic component 10M is a relay, the main body of the component 12 includes a switching part (e.g., a contact part) that switches between a conductive state and a non-conductive state. For example, if the electronic component 10M is a fuse, the main body of the component 12 includes a fuse that melts when an overcurrent flows. For example, if the electronic component 10M is a capacitor, the main body of the component 12 includes a part that stores electric charge.

[0030] (Terminals) Terminal 13 is an electrical connection part exposed to the outside of the case 11. Terminal 13 is electrically connected to the component body 12 inside the case 11. In this embodiment, the electronic component 10M includes terminals 13A and terminal 13B as a plurality of terminals 13. One of terminals 13A and terminal 13B is the positive terminal. The other of terminals 13A and terminal 13B is the negative terminal.

[0031] In this embodiment, terminals 13A and 13B are provided at one end of the electronic component 10M in the horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). Terminals 13A and 13B are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction (e.g., the Y direction). Each terminal 13 has a mounting hole 13h into which a fastening member 71 (e.g., a screw or bolt), described later, is attached. The mounting hole 13h opens in the horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). The inner circumferential surface of the mounting hole 13h of the electronic component 10M has a screw groove.

[0032] (Mounting part) The mounting portion 14 is a part for fixing the electronic component 10M. The mounting portion 14 has a mounting hole 14h into which a fastening member 112 (for example, a screw or bolt, see Figure 11) described later is attached. The mounting hole 14h opens in the Z direction. The mounting hole 14h is a through hole through which the fastening member 112 passes. The destination for fixing the mounting portion 14 will be described later.

[0033] <3.1.2 Type 1 Connectors> The first type of connecting component 20M is a component that is placed between the first type of electronic component 10M and the routing board 40. In this embodiment, the connecting component 20M electrically connects the electronic component 10M and the busbar 42 (see Figure 8) included in the routing board 40. The connecting component 20M has, for example, a first portion 21 that rises above the routing board 40 and a second portion 22 that is arranged along the routing board 40.

[0034] (Part 1) The first portion 21 of the connecting component 20M is the portion that connects to the terminal 13 of the electronic component 10M. The first portion 21 is a plate-like or rectangular parallelepiped portion that extends in the Z direction. The first portion 21 extends in the Z direction along one end of the electronic component 10M (for example, the end in the X direction). The first portion 21 is an upright portion that stands upright in the Z direction relative to the routing substrate 40 (for example, relative to the bus bar 42 described later). The first portion 21 is adjacent to the electronic component 10M in the horizontal direction (for example, the X direction). For example, the first portion 21 is adjacent to the terminal 13 of the electronic component 10M in the horizontal direction (for example, the X direction) and is connected to the terminal 13 of the electronic component 10M from the horizontal direction (for example, the X direction).

[0035] The first portion 21 of the connecting component 20M has a mounting hole (hereinafter referred to as the second mounting hole for convenience of explanation) 21h through which a fastening member 71 (e.g., a screw or bolt) passes. The second mounting hole 21h opens horizontally (e.g., in the X direction). The first portion 21 also has a recess 25 around the second mounting hole 21h. The recess 25 is a accommodating part that houses the head of the fastening member 71 inserted into the second mounting hole 21h. The second mounting hole 21h faces the terminal 13 of the electronic component 10M in the X direction. The first portion 21 is physically and electrically connected to the terminal 13 of the electronic component 10M by the fastening member 71 passed through the second mounting hole 21h engaging with the mounting hole 13h of the terminal 13 of the electronic component 10M. Note that the first portion 21 does not necessarily have a recess 25.

[0036] Figure 17 is a perspective view showing possible configurations for the connecting parts 20, 30, and 100 of this embodiment. In Figure 17, the connecting parts 20, 30, and 100 are collectively referred to by reference numeral 20A, and the first part, first mounting hole, second mounting hole, second part, and third mounting hole of each connecting part are collectively referred to by reference numerals 21A, 21hA, 21hB, 22A, and 22hA, respectively. Figure 17 shows only the configurations common to each connecting part.

[0037] The first part 21A shown in Figure 17 includes a first mounting section 21fA, which includes a first mounting hole 21hA, allowing connection target components (second type electronic component 10N, busbars 75, 76, etc.) to be attached (fixed) from the Z direction using a fastening member F1 (fastening member 72, etc.) along the Z direction, and a second mounting section 21fB, which includes a second mounting hole 21hB, allowing connection target components (first type electronic component 10M, etc.) to be attached (fixed) from the X direction using a fastening member F2 (fastening member 71, etc.) along the X direction.

[0038] Furthermore, the second part 22A includes a third mounting portion 22fA, which includes a third mounting hole 22hA, and can be attached (fixed) to the busbar 42 (see Figure 8) using a fastening member (such as a fastening member 43) oriented along the Z direction.

[0039] The first mounting portion 21fA and the second mounting portion 21fB in the first part 21A are positioned offset from each other in the Y direction. The Y-direction offset D1 between the first mounting portion 21fA and the second mounting portion 21fB corresponds to the distance in the Y direction between the center A1 of the first mounting hole 21hA and the center B1 of the second mounting hole 21hB. The offset D1 should be set so that the first mounting hole 21hA and the second mounting hole 21hB do not overlap in the Y direction.

[0040] The second mounting portion 21fB of the first portion 21A and the third mounting portion 22fA of the second portion 22A are positioned offset from each other in the Y direction. The Y-direction offset D2 between the second mounting portion 21fB and the third mounting portion 22fA corresponds to the distance in the Y direction between the center B1 of the second mounting hole 21hB and the center C1 of the third mounting hole 22hA. The offset D2 should be set so that the second mounting hole 21hB and the third mounting hole 22hA do not overlap in the Y direction.

[0041] The magnitudes of the displacements D1 and D2 are different from each other. Therefore, the first mounting portion 21fA of the first portion 21A and the third mounting portion 22fA of the second portion 22A are positioned offset from each other in the Y direction. The Y-direction displacement between the first mounting portion 21fA and the third mounting portion 22fA corresponds to the distance in the Y direction between the center A1 of the first mounting hole 21hA and the center C1 of the third mounting hole 22hA.

[0042] (Second part) Returning to Figure 5, the second portion 22 of the connecting component 20M is the portion that connects to the bus bar 42 (see Figure 8). The second portion 22 protrudes horizontally (for example, in the X direction) from the -Z direction end (base end) of the first portion 21. The second portion 22 is a plate portion that runs horizontally. The second portion 22 is adjacent to (overlaps with) the bus bar 42 in the Z direction and connects to the bus bar 42 from the Z direction. The lower surface 22s of the second portion 22 (the -Z direction side, including the lower surface of the first portion 21) faces the upper surface 42s of the bus bar 42 (the +Z direction side) in the Z direction. The lower surface 22s of the connecting component 20M abuts against the upper surface 42s of the bus bar 42. In this state, the connecting component 20M is fixed to the bus bar 42. The lower surfaces 22s, 32s, and 102s of each connecting component 20, 30, and 100 in this embodiment are sometimes collectively referred to as the opposing surface 22As that faces the upper surface 42s of the busbar 42 in the Z direction.

[0043] The second portion 22 of the connecting component 20M is attached from the Z direction to a fastening member 43 (e.g., a screw or bolt, see Figure 8) that protrudes from the bus bar 42 in the +Z direction, and is physically and electrically connected to the bus bar 42. In this embodiment, the second portion 22 of the connecting component 20M has a third mounting hole 22h through which the fastening member 43 passes. The third mounting hole 22h opens in the Z direction. The fastening member 43, described later, passes through the third mounting hole 22h of the second portion 22. The second portion 22 is then fixed to the bus bar 42 by engaging an engaging member 44 (e.g., a nut, see Figure 3) with the tip of the fastening member 43 that has passed through the third mounting hole 22h. In this embodiment, the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 form an L-shaped single-piece connecting component 20M.

[0044] <3.1.3 Second Type Electronic Components> Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a second type electronic component 10N and a second type connecting component 20N. The second type electronic component 10N is an electronic component in which two terminals 13 are arranged separately at both horizontal ends of the electronic component 10N. The electronic component 10N has, for example, a case 11, a component body 12, and multiple terminals 13. In the configuration of the electronic component 10N, components that have the same function as the electronic component 10M are denoted by the same reference numerals. In this case, the explanation of the electronic component 10N can be read by replacing "electronic component 10M" with "electronic component 10N" in the explanation of the electronic component 10M described above.

[0045] In the electronic component 10N, terminals 13A and 13B are arranged separately at both ends of the electronic component 10N in the horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). Each terminal 13 has a mounting hole 13h into which a fastening member 72 (e.g., a screw or bolt), described later, is attached. The mounting hole 13h opens in the Z direction. For example, the mounting hole 13h of each terminal 13 is a through hole through which the fastening member 72 passes.

[0046] <3.1.4 Type 2 Connectors> The second type of connecting component 20N is a component that electrically connects the second type of electronic component 10N and the routing board 40. In this embodiment, the connecting component 20N electrically connects the electronic component 10N and the busbar 42 (see Figure 8) included in the routing board 40. The connecting component 20N has, for example, a first part 21, a second part 22, and a third part 23.

[0047] (Part 1) The first portion 21 of the connecting component 20N is the portion that connects to the terminal 13 of the electronic component 10N. The first portion 21 is a rectangular parallelepiped portion that extends in the Z direction. The first portion 21 is an upright portion that stands upright in the Z direction relative to the routing substrate 40 (for example, relative to the bus bar 42). The first portion 21 is adjacent to (overlaps) the terminal 13 of the electronic component 10N in the Z direction and is connected to the terminal 13 of the electronic component 10N from the Z direction. The first portion 21 of the connecting component 20N has a first mounting hole 21h into which the fastening member 72 engages. The first mounting hole 21h opens in the Z direction. The inner circumferential surface of the first mounting hole 21h of the connecting component 20N has a screw groove. In this disclosure, the "mounting hole" may be a screw hole or a through hole without a screw groove. The first mounting hole 21h faces the terminal 13 of the electronic component 10N in the X direction. The first part 21 is physically and electrically connected to the terminal 13 of the electronic component 10N by a fastening member 72 that is passed through the mounting hole 13h of the terminal 13 of the electronic component 10N engaging with the first mounting hole 21h of the first part 21. The configurations that can be used for the connecting component 20N in this embodiment are shown in Figure 17.

[0048] (Second part) The second portion 22 of the connecting component 20N is the portion that connects to the bus bar 42 (see Figure 8). The second portion 22 protrudes horizontally (for example, in the X direction) from the -Z direction end (base end) of the first portion 21. The second portion 22 is a plate portion that runs horizontally. The second portion 22 is adjacent to (overlaps with) the bus bar 42 in the Z direction and connects to the bus bar 42 from the Z direction. The lower surface 22s of the second portion 22 (the -Z direction side, including the lower surface of the first portion 21) faces the upper surface 42s of the bus bar 42 (the +Z direction side) 42s in the Z direction. The lower surface 22s of the connecting component 20N abuts against the upper surface 42s of the bus bar 42. In this state, the connecting component 20N is fixed to the bus bar 42.

[0049] The second portion 22 of the connecting component 20N is attached from the Z direction to a fastening member 43 (e.g., a screw or bolt, see Figure 8) that protrudes from the bus bar 42 in the +Z direction, and is physically and electrically connected to the bus bar 42. In this embodiment, the second portion 22 of the connecting component 20N has a third mounting hole 22h through which the fastening member 43 passes. The third mounting hole 22h opens in the Z direction. The fastening member 43, described later, passes through the third mounting hole 22h of the second portion 22. The second portion 22 is then fixed to the bus bar 42 by engaging an engaging member 44 (e.g., a nut, see Figure 3) with the tip of the fastening member 43 that has passed through the third mounting hole 22h.

[0050] (3rd part) The third portion 23 is an upright wall (side wall) that rises in the +Z direction from both horizontal ends of the second portion 22. The third portion 23 is a wall along the Z direction. The third portion 23 is connected to the first portion 21 and also to the second portion 22. The third portion 23 extends with an inclination such that it increases in the X direction as it moves in the -Z direction, for example. The third portion 23 may be provided on the connecting component 20M described above. On the other hand, the connecting component 20N does not have to have the third portion 23. The third portion 23 can be considered as a heat dissipation fin 24f.

[0051] <3.2 Connection components for external connections> Next, we will describe the connection component 30 for external connection. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a connecting component 30 for external connection. The connecting component 30 is a component that electrically connects the external connection bus bar 76 and the wiring board 40. In this embodiment, the connecting component 30 electrically connects the external connection bus bar 76 and the bus bar 42 (see Figure 8) included in the wiring board 40. The external connection bus bar 76 is electrically connected to an external device. In this disclosure, "external device" refers to an electrical device located outside the electrical connection unit 1. The external device is, for example, a battery unit mounted on a vehicle or an inverter for driving the vehicle's motor, but is not limited to these examples. The connecting component 30 has, for example, a first part 31, a second part 32, and a third part 33.

[0052] (Part 1) The first portion 31 is the portion that connects to the external connection bus bar 76. The first portion 31 is a rectangular parallelepiped portion that extends in the Z direction. The first portion 31 is an upright portion that stands upright in the Z direction relative to the routing substrate 40 (for example, relative to the bus bar 42). The first portion 31 is adjacent to the external connection bus bar 76 in the Z direction and connects to the external connection bus bar 76 from the Z direction. The first portion 31 has a first mounting hole 31h through which a fastening member 73 (for example, a screw or bolt) passes. The first mounting hole 31h opens in the Z direction. The inner circumferential surface of the first mounting hole 31h has a screw groove. In this disclosure, the “mounting hole” may be a screw hole or a through hole without a screw groove. The first part 31 is physically and electrically connected to the external connection bus bar 76 by fastening member 73, which is passed through the mounting hole 76h of the external connection bus bar 76, engaging with the mounting hole 31h of the first part 31. The configurations that can be used for the connecting component 30 in this embodiment are shown in Figure 17.

[0053] (Second part) The second part 32 is the part that connects to the bus bar 42 (see Figure 8). The second part 32 protrudes horizontally (for example, in the X direction) from the -Z direction end (base end) of the first part 31. The second part 32 is a plate portion that runs horizontally. The second part 32 is adjacent to (overlaps with) the bus bar 42 in the Z direction and connects to the bus bar 42 from the Z direction. The lower surface (-Z direction side surface, including the lower surface of the first part 31) 32s of the second part 32 faces the upper surface (+Z direction side surface) 42s of the bus bar 42 in the Z direction. The lower surface 32s of the connecting part 30 abuts against the upper surface 42s of the bus bar 42. In this state, the connecting part 30 is fixed to the bus bar 42.

[0054] The second portion 32 of the connecting component 30 is attached from the Z direction to a fastening member 43 (e.g., a screw or bolt, see Figure 8) that protrudes from the bus bar 42 in the +Z direction, and is physically and electrically connected to the bus bar 42. In this embodiment, the second portion 32 has a third mounting hole 32h through which the fastening member 43 passes. The third mounting hole 32h opens in the Z direction. The fastening member 43, described later, passes through the third mounting hole 32h of the second portion 32. The second portion 32 is then fixed to the bus bar 42 by engaging an engaging member 44 (e.g., a nut, see Figure 3) with the tip of the fastening member 43 that has passed through the third mounting hole 32h.

[0055] (3rd part) The third part 33 is an upright wall (side wall) that rises from both horizontal ends of the second part 32 in a +Z direction. The third part 33 is a wall along the Z direction. The third part 33 is connected to the first part 31 and also to the second part 32. The third part 33 extends with an inclination such that it increases in the X direction (or Y direction) as it proceeds in the -Z direction, for example. Note that the connecting part 30 does not necessarily have to have the third part 33.

[0056] <3.3 Circuit board for cable routing> Next, the wiring substrate 40 will be described. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the wiring substrate 40. The wiring substrate 40 is a component that forms at least a portion of the electrical conduction paths between a plurality of electronic components 10, and / or at least a portion of the electrical conduction paths between the electronic components 10 and external equipment. In this disclosure, "wiring substrate" means a substrate-type wiring structure. "Substrate-type" means that, when viewed as a whole, regardless of the fine shape, it is in the shape of a plate along a single plane. In this disclosure, "plate-like," "sheet-like," or "plane" is not limited to cases where it is perfectly flat, but may include cases where there are fixing structures or ribs protruding in the Z direction, or where there are uneven shapes on the surface that follow the thickness of the busbars. In this embodiment, the wiring substrate 40 is in the shape of a plate along the X and Y directions.

[0057] The cable routing substrate 40 includes, for example, a base plate 41, one or more (e.g., multiple) busbars 42, and multiple fastening members 43. In this embodiment, the base plate 41 and the multiple busbars 42 are integrated by insert molding. For example, the cable routing substrate 40 is formed as a single piece by insert molding of the busbars 42 with the base plate 41 after the fastening members 43 have been fixed to the busbars 42. That is, the busbars 42 are integrated with the base plate 41 without using fastening members such as screws or bolts. The cable routing substrate 40 may be formed by a different structure instead of insert molding. For example, an opening (corresponding to the housing portion 55 described later) into which the busbars 42 can be fixed by fitting or the like may be formed in the cable routing substrate 40 which has been molded separately from the busbars 42, and the busbars 42 may be fixed into the opening to form a busbar insert plate.

[0058] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the wiring substrate 40 in a partially disassembled state. For the sake of convenience, the base plate 41, bus bar 42, and fastening member 43 will be described below with reference to the partially disassembled diagram of the wiring substrate 40.

[0059] (Base plate) The base plate 41 is a holding member that integrally holds a plurality of busbars 42 arranged horizontally with spacing between them. The base plate 41 is made of, for example, synthetic resin and has insulating properties. The base plate 41 electrically insulates the plurality of busbars 42. The base plate 41 is an example of a "base member". The base plate 41 may also be called an "insulating substrate". The base plate 41 has, for example, a flat portion 51 and a plurality of fixing portions 52.

[0060] The flat portion 51 is a plate-shaped part formed within the base plate 41. The flat portion 51 is plate-shaped and oriented horizontally. The flat portion 51 forms the main part of the base plate 41. The flat portion 51 forms the base (insulating base) of the base plate 41. In this embodiment, the flat portion 51 extends across the entire width of the base plate 41 in the X direction, except for the four corners of the base plate 41, and also extends across the entire width of the base plate 41 in the Y direction.

[0061] The planar portion 51 has a first surface 51a and a second surface 51b. The first surface 51a is a surface oriented in the +Z direction. The first surface 51a is a plane that aligns with the horizontal direction. The first surface 51a faces multiple electronic components 10 and also faces the insulating cover 93 (see Figure 1) of the electrical connection unit 1. The second surface 51b is located on the opposite side from the first surface 51a. The second surface 51b is a surface oriented in the -Z direction. The second surface 51b is a plane that aligns with the horizontal direction. The second surface 51b faces the metal plate 80 (see Figure 1). The thickness direction (plate thickness direction) of the planar portion 51 is the Z direction.

[0062] The planar portion 51 has, for example, one or more (e.g., multiple) housing portions 55, each of which accommodates a busbar 42. The multiple housing portions 55 are formed apart from each other in the X or Y direction. Each housing portion 55 is, for example, a through hole that penetrates the planar portion 51 in the Z direction. Alternatively, the housing portion 55 may be a recess provided on the first surface 51a or the second surface 51b of the planar portion 51 and recessed in the Z direction. In this disclosure, "the housing portion penetrates the planar portion in the first direction (Z direction)" may also include cases where a portion of the total length of the housing portion 55 penetrates the planar portion 51 in the Z direction (for example, the remaining portion of the housing portion 55 may be a recess recessed in the Z direction, or it may be provided inside the base plate 41 and not exposed to the outside of the base plate 41). Similarly, in this disclosure, "the housing portion is recessed in the first direction (Z direction)" may also include cases where a portion of the total length of the housing portion 55 is recessed in the Z direction (for example, the remaining portion of the housing portion 55 may be a through hole penetrating the planar portion 51 in the Z direction, or it may be provided inside the base plate 41 and not exposed to the outside of the base plate 41).

[0063] Each housing section 55 has an external shape corresponding to the shape of the bus bar 42 it houses when viewed from the Z direction. In this embodiment, the planar section 51 includes, for example, five housing sections 55A, 55B, 55C, 55D, and 55E as a plurality of housing sections 55. Housing section 55A is provided in correspondence with the bus bar 42A described later and houses the bus bar 42A. Housing section 55B is provided in correspondence with the bus bar 42B described later and houses the bus bar 42B. Housing section 55C is provided in correspondence with the bus bar 42C described later and houses the bus bar 42C. Housing section 55D is provided in correspondence with the bus bar 42D described later and houses the bus bar 42D. Housing section 55E is provided in correspondence with the bus bar 42E described later and houses the bus bar 42E.

[0064] (Bus bar) The busbar 42 is a routing member (electrical connection member) included in the routing substrate 40. The busbar 42 is, for example, a routing member for electrically connecting a plurality of electronic components 10. Alternatively, the busbar 42 may be a routing member for connecting the electronic components 10 to an external device. The busbar 42 is made of metal (for example, copper or a copper alloy) and is conductive. In this embodiment, the routing substrate 40 has a plurality of busbars 42, for example, five busbars 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D, and 42E. The five busbars 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D, and 42E are arranged horizontally with space between them. The five busbars 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D, and 42E include portions that are arranged on the same plane. The five busbars 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D, and 42E are held in place by the flat portion 51 of the base plate 41.

[0065] At least a portion of each busbar 42 is plate-shaped and oriented horizontally. At least a portion of each busbar 42 is housed in the housing 55 and extends along the planar portion 51. That is, at least a portion of each busbar 42 extends along the first surface 51a of the planar portion 51. At least a portion of each busbar 42 extends horizontally within the housing 55. In this embodiment, each busbar 42 is plate-shaped and oriented horizontally throughout its entire length. Each busbar 42 is housed in the housing 55 and extends along the planar portion 51 throughout its entire length. Hereinafter, the portion of each busbar 42 that is housed in the housing 55 and extends along the planar portion 51 may be referred to as the "plate portion 42p". The busbar 42 is a member that forms a horizontal electrical circuit. The busbar 42 may also be referred to as a "horizontal wiring member".

[0066] Figure 10 is a plan view showing the wiring substrate 40. Each busbar 42 has, for example, a first connecting portion 61, a second connecting portion 62, and an extended portion 63.

[0067] The first connection portion 61 is the part that contacts one connection component 20 (hereinafter referred to as "first connection component 20"). The first connection component 20 is a connection component that connects one electronic component 10 (hereinafter referred to as "first electronic component 10") and the bus bar 42. The first connection portion 61 is the part of the bus bar 42 that overlaps with the first connection component 20 when viewed from the Z direction. The first connection portion 61 is adjacent to the first connection component 20 in the Z direction and is connected to the first connection component 20 from the Z direction.

[0068] The second connection portion 62 is the portion that contacts another connection component 20 (hereinafter referred to as "second connection component 20"). The second connection component 20 is a connection component that connects another electronic component 10 (hereinafter referred to as "second electronic component 10") included in the plurality of electronic components 10 to the bus bar 42. The second connection portion 62 is the portion of the bus bar 42 that overlaps with the second connection component 20 when viewed from the Z direction. The second connection portion 62 is adjacent to the second connection component 20 in the Z direction and is connected to the second connection component 20 from the Z direction.

[0069] Note that the second connection portion 62 may be a portion that contacts another connection component 30 (hereinafter referred to as "second connection component 30") instead of the above example. The connection component 30 is a connection component for connecting an external device to the busbar 42. In this case, the second connection portion 62 is the portion of the busbar 42 that overlaps with the second connection component 30 when viewed from the Z direction. The second connection portion 62 is adjacent to the second connection component 30 in the Z direction and is connected to the second connection component 30 from the Z direction.

[0070] Alternatively, the second connection portion 62 may be a portion that contacts a connecting busbar 75 for connecting to another subunit SU, instead of the connection parts 20 and 30. In this case, the second connection portion 62 is the portion of the busbar 42 that overlaps with the connecting busbar 75 when viewed from the Z direction. The second connection portion 62 is adjacent to the connecting busbar 75 in the Z direction and is connected to the connecting busbar 75 from the Z direction.

[0071] The extension portion 63 extends from the first connecting portion 61 in the X or Y direction. The extension portion 63 is provided between the first connecting portion 61 and the second connecting portion 62. The extension portion 63 extends across the first connecting portion 61 and the second connecting portion 62. The extension portion 63 connects the first connecting portion 61 and the second connecting portion 62.

[0072] In this embodiment, the first connecting portion 61, the second connecting portion 62, and the extension portion 63 are plate-shaped and oriented horizontally. In this embodiment, each busbar 42 is housed in the housing portion 55 over at least the first connecting portion 61 and the second connecting portion 62 and extends along the planar portion 51. For example, the first connecting portion 61, the second connecting portion 62, and the extension portion 63 are housed in the housing portion 55 and extend along the planar portion 51.

[0073] In this embodiment, the extensions 63 of some busbars 42 are housed in the housing 55, so that they extend across both sides of region R, which overlaps with the electronic component 10 when viewed from the Z direction. For example, the extension 63 has a portion that extends linearly along the X direction. This portion extends across the region R that overlaps with the electronic component 10 when viewed from the Z direction, so that it spans both the +X and -X sides of region R. In other words, by being housed in the housing 55, the busbars 42 can be routed along a better path (for example, a shorter path) without being obstructed by the presence of the electronic component 10.

[0074] Furthermore, one or more busbars 42 may have an extension 64 in addition to the first connection 61, the second connection 62, and the extension 63. The extension 64 is a portion of the busbar 42 that is extended or branched for the purpose of increasing the heat dissipation area and / or increasing the heat capacity for heat storage (heat absorption). The extension 64 is a portion that is not used for electrical connection. For example, the extension 64 is located on the opposite side of the extension 63 from the first connection 61 (or second connection 62). The extension 64 is plate-shaped and runs horizontally. The extension 64 is housed in the housing 55 and extends along the planar portion 51. The extension 64 extends to a region R that overlaps with the electronic component 10 when viewed from the Z direction, and has an end 42e1 of the busbar 42 at a position that overlaps with the electronic component 10 when viewed from the Z direction.

[0075] (Fastening member) Next, we will return to Figure 9 and explain the fastening member 43. The fastening member 43 is a component for fixing the bus bar 42 to the component to which the bus bar 42 is connected (connecting component 20, connecting component 30, or connecting bus bar 75). The fastening member 43 is, for example, a crimping bolt fixed to the bus bar 42. The fastening member 43 is an example of a "fastening part".

[0076] In this embodiment, each of the first connecting portion 61 and the second connecting portion 62 of the bus bar 42 has a through hole 42h. The through hole 42h penetrates the bus bar 42 in the Z direction. The fastening member 43 is, for example, a bolt having a shaft portion 43a and a head portion 43b. The circumferential surface of the shaft portion 43a has screw grooves. The head portion 43b has a larger diameter than the shaft portion 43a. The fastening member 43 is crimped and fixed to the bus bar 42 with the shaft portion 43a passing through the through hole 42h of the bus bar 42. With this fixing, the fastening member 43 is electrically and physically connected to the bus bar 42 with the shaft portion 43a protruding from the through hole 42h of the bus bar 42 in the +Z direction. Note that the fastening member 43 is not limited to crimping and may be fixed to the bus bar 42 by welding or other methods.

[0077] In this embodiment, the connecting component 20 is attached to the fastening member 43 from the Z direction, with the connecting component 20 already fixed to the electronic component 10 by the fastening member 71 or fastening member 72. For example, the connecting component 20 is inserted into the third mounting hole 22h of the second portion 22 of the fastening member 43 by inserting the shaft portion 43a of the fastening member 43. Then, an engaging member 44 (e.g., a nut) is engaged with the shaft portion 43a of the fastening member 43 that protrudes from the third mounting hole 22h of the second portion 22 of the connecting component 20. The engaging member 44 is attached to the shaft portion 43a, for example, along the Z direction. This engagement fixes the second portion 22 of the connecting component 20 to the fastening member 43.

[0078] <4. Metal plate, insulating sheet, heat transfer component, and insulating cover> Next, the metal plate 80, insulating sheet 91, heat transfer member 92, and insulating cover 93 will be described.

[0079] <4.1 Metal Plate> Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the electrical connection unit 1 partially disassembled. The metal plate 80 is a component that ensures the rigidity of the electrical connection unit 1 and improves its heat dissipation. The metal plate 80 is made of metal (for example, aluminum or an aluminum alloy). The metal plate 80 may also be called a "rigid member". The metal plate 80 is a single piece of metal plate.

[0080] The metal plate 80 is rectangular in shape when viewed from the Z direction, oriented along the X direction. The metal plate 80 has a first end 80e1, a second end 80e2, a third end 80e3, and a fourth end 80e4. The first end 80e1 and the second end 80e2 are a pair of longitudinal ends of the metal plate 80, separated in the X direction. The third end 80e3 and the fourth end 80e4 are a pair of transverse ends of the metal plate 80, separated in the Y direction. The metal plate 80 includes, for example, a flat portion 81, a plurality of fixing portions 82, and a plurality of fixing portions 83.

[0081] The flat portion 81 is a plate-shaped part within the metal plate 80. The flat portion 81 is plate-shaped and oriented horizontally. The flat portion 81 forms the main part of the metal plate 80. The flat portion 81 forms the base (metal base) of the metal plate 80. In this embodiment, the flat portion 81 is large enough to cover the three subunits SU from below. The flat portion 81 faces the routing substrate 40 of the three subunits SU. In this embodiment, the metal plate 80 leaves a gap S1 (see Figure 13) between itself and the second surface 51b of the flat portion 51 of each subunit SU, and faces the second surface 51b of the flat portion 51 of each subunit SU.

[0082] The fixing portion 82 is a fixing portion for fixing the base plate 41 of each subunit SU to the metal plate 80. When viewed from the Z direction, the fixing portion 82 is provided at a position corresponding to the fixing portion 52 of the base plate 41 of each subunit SU. The fixing portion 82 is a cylindrical or prismatic boss that protrudes in the +Z direction from the flat portion 81 of the metal plate 80.

[0083] The fixing portion 83 is a fixing portion for directly fixing the electronic components 10 of each subunit SU to the metal plate 80 without going through the base plate 41. When viewed from the Z direction, the fixing portion 83 is provided at a position corresponding to the mounting portion 14 of the electronic components 10 of each subunit SU. The fixing portion 83 is a cylindrical or prismatic boss that protrudes from the planar portion 81 in the +Z direction.

[0084] <4.2 Insulating Sheet> The insulating sheet 91 is an insulating member for electrically insulating the metal plate 80 from the busbars 42 of each subunit SU. The insulating sheet 91 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyester or polyimide and has insulating properties. When viewed from the Z direction, the insulating sheet 91 is rectangular. The insulating sheet 91 is a sheet that runs horizontally. The insulating sheet 91 is placed between the flat portion 81 of the metal plate 80 and the routing substrate 40 of each subunit SU. For example, the insulating sheet 91 is placed between the flat portion 81 of the metal plate 80 and a plurality of heat transfer members 92.

[0085] In this embodiment, the insulating sheet 91 is attached to the flat portion 81 of the metal plate 80. The insulating sheet 91 has notches or openings to avoid the fixing portions 82 and 83 of the metal plate 80. Alternatively, the insulating sheet 91 may be provided between the wiring substrate 40 of each subunit SU and the plurality of heat transfer members 92. If the heat transfer members 92 have insulating properties and the necessary insulation is ensured by the heat transfer members 92, the insulating sheet 91 may be omitted.

[0086] <4.3 Heat Transfer Components> The heat transfer member 92 is a member for transferring the heat generated by the electronic component 10 when energized, and / or the heat (Joule heat) generated by the busbar 42 itself when energized, to the metal plate 80. The heat transfer member 92 is, for example, an elastic heat transfer sheet (for example, a thermally conductive silicone sheet). However, the heat transfer member 92 is not limited to the above example and may be a heat transfer member formed from a thermally conductive gel or other material.

[0087] Figure 12 is a bottom view showing the wiring substrate 40. In this embodiment, the multiple heat transfer members 92 are partially provided on the wiring substrate 40. For example, the multiple heat transfer members 92 are positioned so as to overlap with a portion of the busbar 42 when viewed from the Z direction. More specifically, the multiple heat transfer members 92 are positioned so as to overlap with a portion of the busbar 42 near the electronic component 10 (e.g., electronic components 10A, 10B) when viewed from the Z direction. In this embodiment, the multiple heat transfer members 92 are positioned so as to overlap with the connecting component 20 when viewed from the Z direction.

[0088] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view along line AA of the structure shown in Figure 10. In this embodiment, the heat transfer member 92 is positioned between the metal plate 80 and the busbar 42. The heat transfer member 92 transfers heat from the electronic component 10 to the busbar 42, and / or heat generated by the busbar 42, from the busbar 42 to the metal plate 80.

[0089] In this embodiment, a portion of the heat transfer member 92 is in contact with the busbar 42 at a position that overlaps with the connecting component 20 when viewed from the Z direction. In this case, the heat transfer member 92 facilitates the transfer of heat from the terminal 13 of the electronic component 10 to the connecting component 20, and from the connecting component 20 to the metal plate 80 via the busbar 42.

[0090] In this embodiment, a portion of the heat transfer member 92 is positioned so as to overlap with the head 43b of the fastening member 43 when viewed from the Z direction, and is in contact with the head 43b of the fastening member 43. In this case, the heat transfer member 92 makes it easier to transfer heat from the terminal 13 of the electronic component 10 to the connecting component 20 from the fastening member 43 to the metal plate 80.

[0091] In this embodiment, a portion of the heat transfer member 92 is in contact with the busbar 42 at a position that overlaps with the electronic component 10 when viewed from the Z direction. In this case, the heat transfer member 92 can more easily transfer heat from the electronic component 10 to the busbar 42 and from the busbar 42 to the metal plate 80. In the example shown in Figure 13, the upper surface of the busbar 42 is in contact with the electronic component 10, so the busbar 42 is thermally connected to the electronic component 10. Note that the extension portion 63 or the extended portion 64 may be the part of the busbar 42 that is thermally connected to the electronic component 10.

[0092] <4.4 Insulating Cover> Returning to Figure 1, the insulating cover 93 will be described. The insulating cover 93 is a component for preventing fingers from touching the current-carrying path of the main body MU. The insulating cover 93 is made of, for example, synthetic resin and has insulating properties. The insulating cover 93 is, for example, box-shaped with the -Z direction side open. The insulating cover 93 has a plurality of ventilation holes 93h. The insulating cover 93 is attached to the metal plate 80 along the Z direction. Note that the insulating cover 93 is not limited to a box-shaped component, but may also be a sheet-like component that covers the current-carrying path of the main body MU.

[0093] <5. Exposed busbar structure> Next, we will describe the exposed structure of the busbar 42.

[0094] <5.1 Exposed structure on the upper side of the busbar> First, with reference to Figure 8, the exposed structure on the upper side of the busbar 42 will be described. In this embodiment, at least a portion of the extended portion 63 of the busbar 42 is exposed to the outside of the base plate 41 on the upper side (the side of the first surface 51a of the planar portion 51). For example, the extended portion 63 of the busbar 42 is exposed to the outside of the base plate 41 on the upper side in at least a portion of the region R (see Figure 10) that overlaps with the electronic component 10 when viewed from the Z direction.

[0095] In this embodiment, the busbar 42 is housed in the housing portion 55 over its entire length, at least between the first connection portion 61 and the second connection portion 62, and extends along the first surface 51a of the planar portion 51. The busbar 42 is exposed to the outside of the base plate 41 on its upper side over its entire length, at least between the first connection portion 61 and the second connection portion 62.

[0096] In this embodiment, the busbar 42 is housed in the housing portion 55 along its entire length and extends along the first surface 51a of the planar portion 51. The busbar 42 is exposed to the outside of the base plate 41 on its upper side along its entire length.

[0097] As shown in Figure 13, at least a portion of the extended portion 63 of the busbar 42 is exposed to the outside of the base plate 41 not only on the upper side but also on the lower side (second surface 51b side). For example, the busbar 42 is exposed to the outside of the base plate 41 on the lower side along its entire length.

[0098] <5.2 Exposed structure on the underside of the busbar> Next, with reference to Figure 13, the exposed structure on the lower side of the busbar 42 will be described. In this embodiment, the plate portion 42p of the busbar 42 includes an exposed portion 42u that is exposed to the outside of the base plate 41 on the lower side (the second surface 51b side of the flat portion 51). In this embodiment, the exposed portion 42u of the busbar 42 extends along the entire length of the busbar 42. In this embodiment, the heat transfer member 92 is positioned between the exposed portion 42u of the busbar 42 and the metal plate 80. For example, the heat transfer member 92 is in contact with the exposed portion 42u of the busbar 42.

[0099] In this embodiment, at least a portion of the exposed portion 42u of the busbar 42 is provided in a region that overlaps with the connecting component 20 when viewed from the Z direction. At least a portion of the heat transfer member 92 overlaps with the exposed portion 42u of the busbar 42 in the region that overlaps with the connecting component 20 when viewed from the Z direction. For example, at least a portion of the heat transfer member 92 is in contact with the exposed portion 42u of the busbar 42 in the region that overlaps with the connecting component 20 when viewed from the Z direction.

[0100] In this embodiment, the exposed portion 42u of the busbar 42 includes a first portion 42ua located in a region that overlaps with the connecting component 20 when viewed from the Z direction, and a second portion 42ub located in a region that overlaps with the electronic component 10 when viewed from the Z direction.

[0101] The heat transfer member 92 includes a first heat transfer section 92a and a second heat transfer section 92b. The first heat transfer section 92a overlaps with the first portion 42ua of the exposed portion 42u of the busbar 42 in the region that overlaps with the connecting component 20 when viewed from the Z direction. For example, the first heat transfer section 92a is in contact with the first portion 42ua of the exposed portion 42u of the busbar 42. On the other hand, the second heat transfer section 92b overlaps with the second portion 42ub of the exposed portion 42u of the busbar 42 in the region that overlaps with the electronic component 10 when viewed from the Z direction. For example, the second heat transfer section 92b is in contact with the second portion 42ub of the exposed portion 42u of the busbar 42.

[0102] As described above, at least a portion of the extended portion 63 of the busbar 42 is exposed to the outside of the base plate 41 not only on the lower side but also on the upper side (first surface 51a side). For example, the busbar 42 is exposed to the outside of the base plate 41 on the upper side along its entire length. For example, the second portion 42ub of the exposed portion 42u of the busbar 42 is exposed to the outside of the base plate 41 on the upper side as well as the lower side and faces the electronic component 10.

[0103] <6. Three-dimensional cable routing structure of busbars> Next, we will explain the three-dimensional cable routing structure CS of the busbar 42. Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the three-dimensional cable routing structure CS of the busbars 42. Figure 15 is a plan view showing the three-dimensional cable routing structure CS of the busbars 42. The three-dimensional cable routing structure CS has multiple busbars 42, namely busbar 42F, busbar 42G, busbar 42H, and busbar 42I. The three-dimensional cable routing structure CS also includes multiple connecting components 100. The three-dimensional crossing structure CS also includes multiple connecting busbars 75, namely connecting busbar 75C and connecting busbar 75D.

[0104] Busbars 42F and 42G are, for example, busbars 42 included in subunit SUY. The planar portion 51 of the base plate 41 of subunit SUY has a plurality of housing sections 55, namely housing section 55F and housing section 55G. Busbar 42F is housed in housing section 55F and extends along the planar portion 51. Busbar 42G is housed in housing section 55G and extends along the planar portion 51. Busbar 42F is an example of a "first busbar". Housing section 55F housing busbar 42F is an example of a "first housing section". Busbar 42G is an example of a "fourth busbar". Housing section 55G housing busbar 42G is an example of a "fourth housing section". Busbars 42F and 42G are busbars 42 located in the first layer (lower layer) of the three-dimensional cable routing structure CS.

[0105] In this embodiment, the busbar 42F has a first portion 42Fa extending in the X direction and a second portion 42Fb bending from the first portion 42Fa and extending in the Y direction. The second portion 42Fb extends along the boundary B between subunit SUY and subunit SUZ.

[0106] On the other hand, busbars 42H and 42I are, for example, busbars 42 included in subunit SUZ. The planar portion 51 of the base plate 41 of subunit SUZ has a plurality of housing portions 55, namely housing portion 55H and housing portion 55I. Busbar 42H is housed in housing portion 55H and extends along the planar portion 51. Busbar 42I is housed in housing portion 55I and extends along the planar portion 51. Busbars 42H and 42I are busbars 42 located in the first layer (lower layer) of the three-dimensional wiring structure CS.

[0107] The connecting component 100 has the same configuration as the external connecting component 30 described above. For example, the connecting component 100 has a first part 101, a second part 102, and a third part 103. Details of the connecting component 100 can be found in the description of the connecting component 30 described above by replacing "connecting component 30" with "connecting component 100", "first part 31" with "first part 101", "first mounting hole 31h" with "first mounting hole 101h", "second part 32" with "second part 102", "third mounting hole 32h" with "third mounting hole 102h", and "third part 33" with "third part 103". The connecting component 100 is a member that forms a vertical electrical circuit. The connecting component 100 may also be called a "vertical wiring member". In Figure 14, reference numeral 102s indicates the lower surface of the second portion 102 of the connecting component 100 (including the lower surface of the first portion 101). The lower surface 102s faces the upper surface 42s of the bus bar 42 in the Z direction.

[0108] The multiple connecting components 100 include connecting component 100A and connecting component 100B. When viewed from the Z direction, connecting component 100A overlaps with the second connecting portion 62 of the bus bar 42G in the subunit SUY. Connecting component 100A is adjacent to the second connecting portion 62 of the bus bar 42G in the Z direction and is connected to the second connecting portion 62 of the bus bar 42G from the Z direction. Connecting component 100A stands upright from the bus bar 42G in the +Z direction.

[0109] When viewed from the Z direction, the connecting component 100B overlaps with the second connecting portion 62 of the busbar 42I in the subunit SUZ. The connecting component 100B is adjacent to the second connecting portion 62 of the busbar 42I in the Z direction and is connected to the second connecting portion 62 of the busbar 42I from the Z direction. The connecting component 100B stands upright in the +Z direction from the busbar 42I.

[0110] One end of the connecting busbar 75C is adjacent to the second connection part 62 of busbar 42F in the Z direction in subunit SUY, and is connected to the second connection part 62 of busbar 42F from the Z direction. The other end of the connecting busbar 75C is adjacent to the second connection part 62 of busbar 42H in the Z direction in subunit SUZ, and is connected to the second connection part 62 of busbar 42H from the Z direction. With this configuration, busbar 42F of subunit SUY and busbar 42H of subunit SUZ are electrically connected via the connecting busbar 75C. The connecting busbar 75C is a busbar 75 located in the first layer (lower layer) of the three-dimensional wiring structure CS.

[0111] On the other hand, in subunit SUY, the connecting busbar 75D is adjacent to the first part 101 of connecting component 100A in the Z direction and is connected to the first part 101 of connecting component 100A from the Z direction. The other end of the connecting busbar 75D is adjacent to the first part 101 of connecting component 100B in subunit SUZ in the Z direction and is connected to the first part 101 of connecting component 100B from the Z direction.

[0112] The connecting busbar 75D is supported by the first portion 101 of connector 100A and the first portion 101 of connector 100B at a position away from the busbar 42F in the Z direction. The connecting busbar 75D is supported by the first portion 101 of connector 100A and the first portion 101 of connector 100B and extends along the horizontal direction (e.g., the X direction). The connecting busbar 75D is electrically connected to the first portion 101 of connector 100A and the first portion 101 of connector 100B. In this configuration, the busbar 42F of subunit SUY and the busbar 42I of subunit SUZ are electrically connected via the two connectors 100 and the connecting busbar 75D.

[0113] In this embodiment, the connecting busbar 75D extends across the second portion 42Fb of the busbar 42F at a position away from the busbar 42F in the +Z direction. As a result, a grade-separated crossing structure is formed by the connecting busbar 75D and the busbar 42F. In this embodiment, the connecting busbar 75D extends across the boundary B of a plurality of subunits SU.

[0114] In this embodiment, the three-dimensional cable routing structure CS of the busbar 42 is provided at a position that straddles the boundary B of multiple subunits SU. With this arrangement, the three-dimensional cable routing structure CS reinforces the connecting structure between the multiple subunits SU. Alternatively, instead of providing the three-dimensional cable routing structure CS of the busbar 42 at the boundary B of multiple subunits SU, it may be provided inside one or more subunits SU.

[0115] <12. Structure of connecting components> Next, we will describe the structure of the connecting component 20. Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the connecting component 20. In this embodiment, the connecting component 20 (for example, connecting component 20M and connecting component 20N) is a heat storage member (heat absorption member) that increases the heat capacity of the current-carrying path of the electrical connection unit 1. The connecting component 20 stores (absorbs) at least a portion of the heat emitted by, for example, the electronic component 10. Alternatively / in addition, the connecting component 20 may also store (absorb) at least a portion of the heat emitted by the busbar 42 itself when energized. The connecting component 20 may be referred to as a "heat storage component" or a "heat absorption component".

[0116] In this embodiment, the busbar 42 is positioned at a distance from the terminal 13 of the electronic component 10 (for example, at a distance in the Z direction). The connecting component 20 is positioned between the electronic component 10 and the busbar 42. In this disclosure, "the connecting component is positioned between the electronic component and the busbar" is not limited to cases where a portion of the connecting component is located between the electronic component and the busbar when viewed from the X or Y direction. "The connecting component is positioned between the electronic component and the busbar" may also refer to cases where a portion of the connecting component is located between the electronic component and the busbar when viewed from a direction inclined with respect to the X or Y direction. The connecting component 20 electrically connects the terminal 13 of the electronic component 10 and the busbar 42.

[0117] In this embodiment, the thickness of at least a portion of the connecting component 20 is greater than the thickness (thickness in the Z direction) T3 of the busbar 42. For example, the thickness T1 in the X direction of at least a portion of the connecting component 20 is greater than the thickness T3 of the busbar 42. In this embodiment, the thickness T1 in the X direction of the first portion 21 of the connecting component 20 is greater than the thickness T3 of the busbar 42. In this embodiment, the first portion 21 has a thickness T1 in the X direction that is greater than the thickness T3 of the busbar 42, over its entire length in the Z direction. The thickness T1 in the X direction of the first portion 21 of the connecting component 20 is, for example, more than twice the thickness T3 of the busbar 42. In another view, the thickness T2 in the Z direction of the second portion 22 of the connecting component 20 may be greater than the thickness T3 of the busbar 42.

[0118] In this embodiment, the thickness T1 in the X direction of the first portion 21 of the connecting component 20 is greater than the thickness T2 in the Z direction of the second portion 22 of the connecting component 20. In this embodiment, the first portion 21 has a thickness T1 in the X direction that is greater than the thickness T2 in the Z direction of the second portion 22, along its entire length in the Z direction. As a result, as shown in Figure 17, it is easier to form the first mounting hole 21hA within the thickness T1 of the first portion 21, and the heat storage capacity of the first portion 21 and, consequently, the connecting component 20 is increased.

[0119] Note that the above dimensional relationships also apply to the connection component 30 to which the external connection bus bar 76 is connected and / or the connection component 100 to which the connection bus bar 75 is connected. For example, for the description of the connection component 30, in the description of the above-mentioned connection component 20, just replace "connection component 20" with "connection component 30", "first part 21" with "first part 31", and "second part 22" with "second part 32". Similarly, for the description of the connection component 100, in the description of the above-mentioned connection component 20, just replace "connection component 20" with "connection component 100", "first part 21" with "first part 101", and "second part 22" with "second part 102". <14. Advantages of this Embodiment> <A. Advantages Regarding the Wiring Substrate> As a comparative example, consider an electrical connection unit in which a bus bar is arranged in a standing posture with respect to the lower wall of the housing. In such a configuration of the comparative example, it may be difficult to reduce the height of the electrical connection unit depending on the width of the standing bus bar.

[0120] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the electrical connection unit 1 includes the first electronic component 10 and the wiring substrate 40. The wiring substrate 40 includes a base plate 41 and a first bus bar 42. The base plate 41 has a plate-shaped flat portion 51 having a first surface 51a facing the first electronic component 10. The flat portion 51 has a first accommodating portion 55 recessed in the Z direction or penetrating the flat portion 51 in the Z direction. At least a part of the first bus bar 42 is accommodated in the first accommodating portion 55 and extends along the flat portion 51. According to such a configuration, at least a part of the wiring path is formed on a plane, and compared with the structure of the above comparative example, the bus bar is less likely to affect in the height direction, making it easier to reduce the height of the electrical connection unit 1.

[0121] In this embodiment, the electrical connection unit 1 has a first connecting component 20. The first connecting component 20 includes a portion that stands upright relative to the first busbar 42 and electrically connects the first electronic component 10 and the first busbar 42. The first busbar 42 has a first connecting portion 61 that contacts the first connecting component 20. The first connecting portion 61 is housed in a first housing portion 55 and extends along a planar portion 51. With this configuration, a larger portion of the cable routing path is formed on a planar surface, making it easier to further reduce the height of the electrical connection unit 1.

[0122] In this embodiment, the electrical connection unit 1 has a second connecting component 20. The second connecting component 20 includes a portion that stands upright relative to the first bus bar 42 and electrically connects the second electronic component or external device to the first bus bar 42. The first bus bar 42 has a second connecting portion 62 that contacts the second connecting component 20. The first bus bar 42 is housed in a first housing portion 55 and extends along a planar portion 51, at least over the first connecting portion 61 and the second connecting portion 62. With this configuration, a larger portion of the cable routing path is formed on a planar surface, making it easier to further reduce the height of the electrical connection unit 1.

[0123] In this embodiment, the first busbar 42 has an extension portion 63 between the first connection portion 61 and the second connection portion 62. The extension portion 63 is housed in the first housing portion 55 and extends across both sides of a region R that overlaps with the electronic component 10 when viewed from the Z direction. With this configuration, since the extension portion 63 is housed in the first housing portion 55, the wiring layout is less constrained by the presence of the electronic component 10. Therefore, it becomes possible to create a wiring layout that is more advantageous in terms of electrical characteristics, for example, by making it easier to extend the extension portion 63 in a straight line. In addition, it is possible to avoid routing the busbar in a way that bypasses the electronic component 10. This makes it possible to improve the electrical characteristics of the electrical connection unit 1 and / or to miniaturize the electrical connection unit 1.

[0124] In this embodiment, the first busbar 42 extends to a region R that overlaps with the first electronic component 10 when viewed from the Z direction, and has an extension portion 64 with an end 42e1 at a position overlapping with the first electronic component 10. The extension portion 64 is housed in the first housing portion 55 and extends along the planar portion 51. With this configuration, by housing the extension portion 64 in the first housing portion 55, the height of the electrical connection unit 1 can be reduced, while a metallic heat dissipation portion (extension portion 64) for promoting heat dissipation and / or heat storage of the first electronic component 10 can be placed below the first electronic component 10. This improves the heat dissipation and / or heat storage performance of the electrical connection unit 1.

[0125] In this embodiment, the first busbar 42 is housed in the first housing section 55 along its entire length and extends along the planar section 51. With this configuration, a larger portion of the cable routing path is formed on a planar surface, making it easier to further reduce the height of the electrical connection unit 1.

[0126] In this embodiment, the electrical connection unit 1 has a second busbar 42 electrically connected to the second terminal 13B of the first electronic component 10. The planar portion 51 has a second housing portion 55 located away from the first housing portion 55, which is recessed in the Z direction or penetrates the planar portion 51 in the Z direction. At least a portion of the second busbar 42 is housed in the second housing portion 55 and extends along the planar portion 51. With this configuration, more of the routing path including multiple busbars 42 is held on a plane by a single base plate 41, making it easier to further reduce the height of the electrical connection unit 1.

[0127] In this embodiment, the electrical connection unit 1 has a third busbar 42. The first busbar 42 is a busbar included in the positive electrode line PL. The third busbar 42 is a busbar included in the negative electrode line NL. The planar portion 51 has a third housing portion 55 located away from the first housing portion 55, which is recessed in the Z direction or penetrates the planar portion 51 in the Z direction. At least a portion of the third busbar 42 is housed in the third housing portion 55 and extends along the planar portion 51. With this configuration, more of the wiring paths forming the positive electrode line PL and the negative electrode line NL are held on a plane by a single base plate 41, making it easier to further reduce the height of the electrical connection unit 1.

[0128] In this embodiment, the electrical connection unit 1 includes a fourth busbar 42, a fifth busbar 42, and a third connecting component 100 that electrically connects the fourth busbar 42 and the fifth busbar 42. The planar portion 51 has a fourth housing portion 55 that is recessed in the Z direction or penetrates the planar portion 51 in the Z direction, at a position away from the first housing portion 55. At least a portion of the fourth busbar 42 is housed in the fourth housing portion 55 and extends along the planar portion 51. The third connecting component 100 includes a portion that stands upright relative to the fourth busbar 42. The fifth busbar 42 is supported by the third connecting component 100 at a position away from the first busbar 42 in the Z direction and extends parallel to the first surface 51a. With this configuration, the fourth busbar 42, the third connecting component 100, and the fifth busbar 42 can easily form a three-dimensional wiring path. This makes it possible to provide an electrical connection unit 1 with excellent assembly properties. Furthermore, by positioning the fourth busbar 42 in the housing portion 55 of the base plate 41, a portion of the three-dimensional cable routing path is formed within the thickness of the base plate 41. This makes it easier to further reduce the height of the electrical connection unit 1.

[0129] In the present embodiment, the fifth bus bar 42 extends so as to straddle the first bus bar 42 at a position away from the first bus bar 42 in the Z direction. According to such a configuration, it is easy to form a wiring path that intersects the first bus bar 42 three-dimensionally by the third connecting component 100 and the fifth bus bar 42. Thereby, the electrical connection unit 1 excellent in assemblability can be provided.

[0130] <Advantages regarding flat bus bar> As a comparative example, consider an electrical connection unit in which a bus bar is arranged in a standing posture with respect to the lower wall of the housing. In the configuration of such a comparative example, it is necessary to fix the bus bar to the housing in a standing posture, and it is difficult to improve the workability regarding the attachment of the bus bar. In this case, it may be difficult to improve the assemblability of the electrical connection unit 1.

[0131] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the electrical connection unit 1 includes a base plate 41 and a bus bar 42. The base plate 41 includes a plate-shaped flat portion 51. The flat portion 51 has a first accommodating portion 55 that is recessed in the Z direction or penetrates the flat portion 51 in the Z direction. At least a part of the bus bar 42 is accommodated in the first accommodating portion 55 and extends along the flat portion 51. According to such a configuration, it becomes easy to handle the base plate 41 and the bus bar 42 integrally, and the workability regarding the attachment of the bus bar can be improved as compared with the configuration of the above comparative example. Thereby, the assemblability of the electrical connection unit 1 can be improved.

[0132] In the present embodiment, the bus bar 42 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 55 over the entire length of the bus bar 42 and extends along the flat portion 51. According to such a configuration, while improving the assemblability of the electrical connection unit 1, it becomes easy to reduce the height of the electrical connection unit 1.

[0133] In this embodiment, the bus bar 42 is integrated with the base plate 41 by insert molding. According to such a configuration, the operation of manually attaching the bus bar 42 to the housing can be eliminated or reduced. Thereby, further improvement in the assemblability of the electrical connection unit 1 can be achieved.

[0134] In this embodiment, it has a fastening member 43 protruding in the Z direction from the bus bar 42, and connection components 20, 30 attached to the fastening member 43 from the Z direction. The connection components 20, 30 electrically connect the electronic component 10 or the external device and the bus bar 42. According to such a configuration, it becomes easier to align the direction of the operation of attaching the connection target component to the bus bar 42 in the Z direction. If the operation directions can be aligned, further improvement in the assemblability of the electrical connection unit 1 can be achieved.

[0135] In this embodiment, the connection component 20 is connected to the electronic component 10 from the X direction (or Y direction). According to such a configuration, for the electronic component 10 that requires connection from the X direction, by using the connection component 20, the connection direction of the electronic component 10 with respect to the bus bar 42 can be converted to the Z direction. Thereby, further improvement in the assemblability of the electrical connection unit 1 can be achieved.

[0136] <C. Advantages Regarding the Exposed Structure on the Upper Surface Side of the Bus Bar> As a comparative example, consider an electrical connection unit in which the upper surface side of the bus bar 42 is covered with a synthetic resin. In such a configuration of the comparative example, it is difficult to improve the heat dissipation of the bus bar 42.

[0137] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the electrical connection unit 1 includes a first electronic component 10 and a wiring substrate 40. The wiring substrate 40 includes a base plate 41 and bus bars 42. The base plate 41 has a plate-shaped flat portion 51 having a first surface 51a facing the first electronic component 10 and a second surface 51b located on the opposite side of the first surface 51a. The flat portion 51 has a housing portion 55 that is recessed in the Z direction or penetrates the flat portion 51 in the Z direction. At least a portion of the bus bars 42 has a plate portion 42p that is housed in the housing portion 55 and extends along the flat portion 51. The plate portion 42p includes a first connection portion 61 that overlaps with the first connection component 20 when viewed in the Z direction, and an extension portion 63 that extends from the first connection portion 61 in a direction intersecting the Z direction. At least a portion of the extended portion 63 is exposed to the outside of the base plate 41 on the first surface 51a side. With this configuration, at least a portion of the busbar 42 other than the connecting portions 61 and 62 that connect to other components is exposed to the outside and functions as an area for releasing heat. In this case, the heat dissipation performance of the electrical connection unit 1 can be improved.

[0138] In this embodiment, the extended portion 63 is exposed to the outside of the base plate 41 on the first surface 51a side in at least a portion of the region R that overlaps with the first connecting component 20 when viewed from the Z direction. With this configuration, it is easier to make a portion of the extended portion 63 function as a heat dissipation portion that transfers heat from the first connecting component 20. In this case, the heat dissipation performance of the electrical connection unit 1 can be improved.

[0139] In this embodiment, the first busbar 42 has a second connecting portion 62 that overlaps with the second connecting components 20 and 30 when viewed in the Z direction. The first busbar 42 is housed in the housing portion 55 and extends along the planar portion 51 for at least the entire length between the first connecting portion 61 and the second connecting portion 62, and is exposed to the outside of the base plate 41 on the first surface 51a side. With this configuration, a larger portion functions as a heat dissipation area, thereby further improving the heat dissipation performance of the electrical connection unit 1.

[0140] In this embodiment, the bus bar 42 is housed in the housing portion 55 over the entire length thereof, extends along the flat portion 51, and is exposed outside the base plate 41 on the side of the first surface 51a. According to such a configuration, since a wider portion functions as a heat dissipation area, it is possible to further improve the heat dissipation performance of the electrical connection unit 1.

[0141] At least a part of the extension portion 63 is exposed exposed of the base plate 41 on the side of the second surface 51b in addition to the side of the first surface 51a. According to such a configuration, since a wider portion functions as a heat dissipation area, it is possible to further improve the heat dissipation performance of the electrical connection unit 1.

[0142] In a modification of this embodiment, the electrical connection unit 1 includes a metal plate 80 facing the flat portion 51 with a gap S1 therebetween, and a heat transfer member 92 disposed between the bus bar 42 and the metal plate 80. The base plate 41 has a cover portion 51v that covers at least a part of the extension portion 63 on the side of the second surface 51b. According to such a configuration, even when heat tends to accumulate in the gap S1 between the base plate 41 and the metal plate 80, the provision of the cover portion 51v can suppress the tendency of heat to accumulate in the gap S1.

[0143] <D. Advantages Regarding the Exposed Structure on the Lower Surface Side of the Bus Bar> In order to enhance the holding property of the bus bar 42, a structure may be adopted in which portions other than the connection surface of the bus bar 42 with the electronic component 10 or the like are covered with resin. However, in a structure in which portions other than the connection surface of the bus bar 42 are covered, there is a problem that the heat dissipation performance of the bus bar 42 deteriorates. In this embodiment, the lower surface (the surface opposite to the component mounting surface) of the bus bar 42 is exposed, and a heat transfer sheet is set on this exposed surface. The heat transfer sheet is connected to a metal plate 80 (rigid member, heat dissipation member) provided below the wiring substrate 40. Thereby, heat can be favorably transferred from the bus bar 42 to the metal plate 80 (to the side opposite to the component mounting surface) via the heat transfer sheet.

[0144] <E. Advantages Regarding the Structure of the Connection Component> The connecting parts 20, 30, 100 of this embodiment are connecting parts that connect a first bus bar 42 and a component to be connected (electronic component 10, second bus bars 75, 76), and each part comprises a first portion 21, 31, 101 extending in a first direction (Z direction), and a second portion 22, 32, 102 extending from one end of the first portion 21, 31, 101 in a second direction (X direction) intersecting the first direction, and facing the first bus bar 42 in the first direction and fixed to the first bus bar 42. The first portion 21, 31, 101 may include a first mounting portion 21fA to which fastening members 72, 73 can be attached along the first direction when the first connecting target component 10N, 75, 76 is applied as the connecting target component. The first portion 21, 31, 101 may also include a second mounting portion 21fB to which fastening member 71 can be attached along the second direction when the second connecting target component 10M is applied as the connecting target component.

[0145] In this configuration, the connecting component positioned between the first busbar 42 and the components to be connected 10, 75, 76 has an L-shape with portions extending in a first direction and a second direction that intersect each other. The first portions 21, 31, 101 rising in the first direction, which is the direction opposite to the first busbar 42, may include a first mounting portion 21fA to which the first target component can be attached with fastening members 72, 73 along the first direction, and a second mounting portion 21fB to which the second target component can be attached with fastening member 71 along the second direction. This makes it possible to attach the first target component, which needs to be fastened from the direction opposite to the first busbar 42, and the second target component, which needs to be fastened from the direction along the first busbar 42, to the first busbar 42 with a single type of connecting component. This makes it possible to standardize the components of the electrical connection unit 1.

[0146] Furthermore, in the connecting parts 20, 30, and 100 of this embodiment, the first mounting portion 21fA has a first mounting hole 21hA that penetrates the first portion in the first direction, and the second mounting portion 21fB has a second mounting hole 21hB that penetrates the first portion in the second direction. With this configuration, by making each mounting hole 21hA, 21hB a through hole, it is possible to easily form each mounting portion 21fA, 21fB and to reduce the weight of the connecting parts.

[0147] Furthermore, in the connecting parts 20, 30, 100 of this embodiment, the thickness T1 of the first portion 21, 31, 101 in the second direction is greater than the thickness T2 of the second portion 22, 32, 102 in the first direction. With this configuration, by making the first parts 21, 31, and 101 thicker than the second parts 22, 32, and 102, it becomes easier to form mounting parts 21fA and 21fB in two mutually orthogonal directions in the first parts 21, 31, and 101, and also increases the heat storage capacity of the first parts 21, 31, and 101 and the entire connecting component, thereby improving the thermal characteristics of the electrical connection unit 1.

[0148] Furthermore, in the connecting parts 20, 30, and 100 of this embodiment, if the direction intersecting the first and second directions is defined as the third direction (Y direction), then the first mounting portion 21fA and the second mounting portion 21fB are positioned at different locations in the third direction. With this configuration, even when forming mounting portions 21fA and 21fB in two directions, the first mounting portion 21fA and the second mounting portion 21fB in the first portion 21, 31, 101 are positioned offset from each other in a third direction that intersects the first and second directions. This makes it easier to increase the spacing between the two mutually orthogonal mounting portions 21fA and 21fB in the first portion. This facilitates the formation of each mounting portion 21fA and 21fB, and also allows for easier fastening by spacing out the fastening members used for each mounting portion 21fA and 21fB.

[0149] Furthermore, in the connecting parts 20, 30, 100 of this embodiment, the second parts 22, 32, 102 have a third mounting part 22fA which is fixed to the first bus bar 42 by attaching a fastening member 43 along the first direction. With this configuration, the second parts 22, 32, and 102 have a third mounting part 22fA which is fixed to the first bus bar 42, so that the second parts 22, 32, and 102 can be fixed to the first bus bar 42 at a distance from the first parts 21, 31, and 101 which have multiple mounting parts.

[0150] Furthermore, in the connecting parts 20, 30, and 100 of this embodiment, if the direction intersecting the first and second directions is defined as the third direction (Y direction), the first mounting portion 21fA, the second mounting portion 21fB, and the third mounting portion 22fA are arranged at different positions in the third direction. With this configuration, the three mounting parts are positioned offset from each other, which allows the fastening members used for each mounting part to be spaced apart, making the fastening process easier.

[0151] Furthermore, in the connecting components 20, 30, and 100 of this embodiment, the component to be connected is either the electronic component 10 or the second busbars 75 and 76. This configuration allows multiple types of connection target components to be attached to the first busbar 42 with a single type of connection component, thereby promoting the standardization of components in the electrical connection unit 1.

[0152] Furthermore, the electrical connection unit 1 of this embodiment includes the first busbar 42 and the connection parts 20, 30, and 100, so that a first target part that needs to be fastened from the direction opposite to the first busbar 42 and a second target part that needs to be fastened from the direction along the first busbar 42 can be attached to the first busbar 42 with a single type of connection part, thereby enabling the commonality of components.

[0153] <Fixing structure of connecting parts> Figures 18 to 20 show the structure for fixing the connecting parts 20, 30, and 100 of this embodiment to the busbar 42. Figure 18 is a perspective view of connecting part 20A, Figure 19 is a side view of connecting part 20A viewed from the Y direction, and Figure 20 is a plan view of connecting part 20A viewed from the Z direction.

[0154] As shown in Figures 18 to 20, when viewed from the Y direction (third direction), the first part 21A and the second part 22A form a 90-degree angle θ1 between the rectangular plane on the +X direction side of the first part 21A (hereinafter referred to as the front surface 21b) and the rectangular plane on the +Z direction side of the second part 22A (hereinafter referred to as the top surface 22b). In the figures, the symbol R3 indicates a concave region in the connecting part 20A that is sandwiched between the front surface 21b and the top surface 22b and forms the angle θ1. In the figures, the symbol 21d indicates the rectangular plane on the -X direction side (rear surface) of the first part 21A, and the symbol 22d indicates the rectangular plane on the -Z direction side (bottom surface) of the second part 22A.

[0155] Figures 6 and 7 show a configuration in which a pair of wall-like third portions 23 and 33 are provided at both ends in the Y direction of the region R3 that forms the narrow angle θ1 in the connecting components 20 and 30. The third portions 23 and 33 also function as heat dissipation fins 24f in the connecting components 20 and 30. Although detailed illustrations are omitted, the connecting component 100 in Figure 14 has a similar configuration to the connecting components 20 and 30. The configuration of the connecting component 100 can be understood by substituting the description of the connecting component 30 as described in paragraph 0107.

[0156] The second parts 22 and 32 of the connecting parts 20 and 30 have third mounting holes 22h and 32h that penetrate the second parts 22 and 32 in the Z direction (first direction). Each of the third mounting holes 22h and 32h is circular in plan view from the Z direction, and the center of each third mounting hole 22h and 32h is located at the center in the width direction (center in the Y direction) of the respective second parts 22 and 32. The third mounting holes 22h and 32h allow fasteners such as bolts to be inserted, enabling the connecting parts 20 and 30 to be fastened (fixed) to the busbar 42.

[0157] Figures 18 to 20 show an example of a structure in which a component to be connected (e.g., an electronic component 10) 10D is fixed to a second mounting hole 21hB that penetrates the first portion 21A in the X direction. The first portion 21A shown in Figures 18 to 20 has a second mounting hole 21hB that penetrates the first portion 21A in the X direction (second direction) and allows fastening of the component to be connected 10D. The second mounting hole 21hB is circular in a front view from the X direction. The center of the second mounting hole 21hB is located at the center of the first portion 21A in the width direction (center in the Y direction), but it may be offset from the center in the width direction.

[0158] The second portion 22A has a third mounting hole 22hA that penetrates the second portion 22A in the Z direction (first direction) and allows fastening to the bus bar 42. The third mounting hole 22hA is circular in plan view from the Z direction. The center of the third mounting hole 22hA is located at the center of the second portion 22A in the width direction (center in the Y direction), but it may be offset from the center in the width direction.

[0159] The connecting component 20A comprises a first end 34 facing the busbar 42 in the Z direction and a second end 35 facing the component to be connected 10D in the X direction. The first end 34 is the portion of the second part 22A that faces the upper surface 42s of the busbar 42 (the portion on the lower surface 22d side). The second end 35 is the portion of the first part 21A that faces the front surface (+X direction side surface) 10f of the component to be connected 10D (the portion on the rear surface 21d side).

[0160] The first end portion 34 includes a contact portion (the portion forming the lower surface 22d) 34a that abuts against the upper surface 42s of the bus bar 42, and a recess 34b that is recessed in the Z direction away from the bus bar 42 (upward) relative to the contact portion 34a.

[0161] The recess 34b extends along the Y direction with a constant cross-section and opens to both sides of the connecting part 20A in the Y direction. The recess 34b is provided at the intersection 36 of the first part 21A and the second part 22A. The recess 34b is formed at the corner 37 where the first end 34 and the second end 35 of the connecting part 20A connect. When viewed from the Y direction, the recess 34b is formed to cut out the corner 37. In the figure, reference numeral L1 indicates a hypothetical ridge line formed by the intersection of the rear surface 21d and the bottom surface 22d of the connecting part 20A. The recess 34b and the ridge line L1 extend parallel to the Y direction.

[0162] The recess 34b has a rectangular cross-section and extends in the Y direction. The recess 34b has a recessed lower surface 34b1 displaced in the +Z direction relative to the lower surface 22d, and a recessed rear surface 34b2 displaced in the +X direction relative to the rear surface 21d. The recess 34b is open to the connection target component 10D side at the second end 35. At the second end 35, the recess 34b is recessed in the X direction away from the connection target component 10D (forward) relative to the rear surface 21d which abuts against or is close to the front surface 10f of the connection target component 10D. The rear surface 21d side of the recess 34b may be closed by the connection target component 10D.

[0163] The recess 34b has a width 34tx in the X direction that is smaller than the thickness (plate thickness T1) of the first portion 21A in the X direction. In other words, the recess 34b is formed within the width of the first portion 21A in the X direction. The recess 34b is formed by utilizing the thickness of the first portion 21A, which has heat storage capacity. The recess 34b has a width 34tz in the Z direction that is smaller than the thickness (plate thickness T2) of the second portion 22A in the Z direction. In other words, the recess 34b is formed within the width of the second portion 22A in the Z direction. By limiting the width of the recess 34b in the Z direction, the second end portion 35 is made more susceptible to heat from the connected component 10D.

[0164] The recess 34b is filled with a heat transfer member 38 that has a higher thermal conductivity than the connecting component. The heat transfer member 38 is made of, for example, a thermally conductive silicone sheet or the like, similar to the heat transfer member 92, and is an elastic molded product cut into a predetermined shape. The heat transfer member 38 is inserted (filled) into the recess 34b in a compressed state. That is, with the connecting component fixed to the bus bar 42 and the component to be connected 10D, and the cross-sectional shape of the recess 34b closed, the heat transfer member 38 is compressed in the Z direction between the lower surface 34b1 of the recess and the upper surface 42s of the bus bar 42, and compressed in the X direction between the rear surface 34b2 of the recess and the front surface 10f of the component to be connected 10D.

[0165] This configuration allows the heat transfer member 38 to adhere closely to the recess, as well as to the connected component 10D and the busbar 42, facilitating the transfer of heat stored in the connected component to the busbar 42, and enabling direct heat transfer from the connected component 10D to the busbar 42. The heat transfer member 38 is not limited to a molded product; it may also be formed from a thermally conductive gel or other material.

[0166] Figure 21 shows an example of a structure in which a component to be connected (terminals 13 of the electronic component 10, second busbars 75, 76) 10E is fixed to a first mounting hole 21hA that penetrates the first portion 21A in the Z direction. As shown in Figure 21, when the connecting component is fixed to the busbar 42 and the component to be connected 10E, the rear surface 21d side of the cross-sectional shape of the recess 34b may be open. In this case, the heat transfer member 38 housed in the recess 34b may be a molded product.

[0167] As described above, the component connection structure of the embodiment comprises a bus bar 42, components to be connected 10D and 10E, and a connecting component 20A that connects the bus bar 42 and the components to be connected 10D and 10E. The connecting component 20A has a first end portion 34 that faces the bus bar 42 in a first direction (Z direction). The first end portion 34 has a contact portion 34a that abuts against the bus bar 42, and a recess 34b that is recessed relative to the contact portion 34a in the first direction away from the bus bar 42. The connecting component 20A is fixed to the bus bar 42 with a heat transfer member 38 having a higher thermal conductivity than the connecting component 20A filling the recess 34b. With this configuration, a recess 34b is provided in the first end 34 of the connecting component 20A that is fixed to the bus bar 42, and the heat transfer member 38 is filled into the recess 34b. By fixing the connecting component 20A to the bus bar 42 in this state, the connecting component 20A acts as a heat storage member that receives heat from the connected components 10D and 10E, while the heat stored in the connecting component 20A is easily transferred to the bus bar 42 by the heat transfer member 38. This configuration improves the heat transfer between the connecting component 20A and the bus bar 42, and improves the heat dissipation of the connected components 10D and 10E.

[0168] In the component connection structure of the embodiment, the connecting component 20A has a first portion 21A extending in a first direction (Z direction) and a second portion 22A extending from the first portion 21A in a second direction (X direction) intersecting the first direction and including a first end portion 34, and the recess 34b is provided at the intersection 36 of the first portion 21A and the second portion 22A. In this configuration, the first portion 21A extending in the first direction is the part that extends along the component 10D to be connected, and by filling the intersection 36 of this first portion 21A and the second portion 22A extending along the bus bar 42 with a heat transfer member 38 with high thermal conductivity, it is possible to easily transfer heat from the component 10D to the first portion 21A and to easily transfer this heat from the second portion 22A to the bus bar 42.

[0169] In the component connection structure of the embodiment, the thickness T1 of the first portion 21A in the second direction (X direction) of the connecting component 20A is greater than the thickness T3 of the busbar 42 in the first direction (Z direction), and the width 34tx of the recess 34b in the second direction is smaller than the thickness T1 of the first portion 21A in the second direction. This configuration allows for an increase in heat storage capacity by increasing the thickness of the first portion 21A that contacts the component 10D to be connected, and also allows for the provision of a housing portion (recess 34b) for the heat transfer member 38 by utilizing the thickness of the first portion 21A.

[0170] In the component connection structure of the embodiment, the component to be connected 10D and the connecting component 20A are adjacent to each other in a second direction (X direction) that intersects with the first direction (Z direction), the connecting component 20A has a second end portion 35 that faces the component to be connected 10D in the second direction, the recess 34b is provided at the corner portion 37 where the first end portion 34 and the second end portion 35 are connected, and the heat transfer member 38 is in contact with the component to be connected 10D while filled in the recess 34b. With this configuration, the heat transfer member 38 comes into contact with the component 10D to be connected, thereby effectively transferring a portion of the heat from the component 10D to the connecting component 20A and the busbar 42.

[0171] The connecting component 20A of the embodiment connects the bus bar 42 and the component to be connected 10D, and has a first end portion 34 facing the bus bar 42 in a first direction, the first end portion 34 having a contact portion 34a that abuts against the bus bar 42 and a recess 34b that is recessed relative to the contact portion 34a in a direction away from the bus bar 42 in the first direction. With this configuration, the connecting component 20A functions as a heat storage member that receives heat from the connected component 10D, while the heat dissipation of the connected component 10D can be improved by filling the recess 34b of the first end portion 34 facing the busbar 42 with a heat transfer member 38 that has high thermal conductivity.

[0172] Figures 22 and 23 are plan views of the connecting component 20A as seen from the Z direction, showing modified examples of the recess 34b.

[0173] The recess 34b' shown in Figure 22 is configured not to open to both sides of the connecting component 20A in the Y direction, nor to the rear surface 21d of the connecting component 20A. Since the recess 34b' is closed in all directions (X, Y, and Z) by being fixed to the busbar 42, it is easier to work with when filling it with the gel-like heat transfer material 38.

[0174] The recess 34b'' shown in Figure 23 represents a configuration in which the recess is divided into multiple sections in the Y direction. The recess 34b'' formed within the width of the first section 21A in the Y direction opens to the rear surface 21d but not to the sides in the Y direction. For example, the recess 34b'' may be formed on the lower surface of the second section 22A.

[0175] <Variation> Next, we will describe some variations. Note that, apart from the configurations described below, the configurations in each variation are the same as those in the embodiments described above.

[0176] (First variation) The routing substrate 40 is not limited to a structure in which the base plate 41 and the busbar 42 are integrated by insert molding. For example, the base plate 41, which is provided with a housing portion 55 for housing the busbar 42, may be molded, and then the busbar 42 may be placed in the housing portion 55. In this case, the busbar 42 may be fixed to the housing portion 55 by fitting, or by adhesive or other fastening means. In these cases, potting may be applied to fill the gap between the busbar 42 and the housing portion 55.

[0177] (Second variation) The base member of the routing substrate 40 is not limited to a base plate 41 having a plate-shaped flat portion 51. The routing substrate 40 may also be a base member having a sheet-shaped flat portion 51 (for example, an insulating sheet). In this case, a portion of the flat portion 51 may conform to the outer shape of the busbar 42 to form the housing portion 55. In this disclosure, "sheet-shaped" or "sheet" is not limited to a member with a thickness of 1 mm or more, and may also include a member with a thickness of less than 1 mm (so-called film).

[0178] (Third variation) The base plate 41 of the routing substrate 40 may include a plurality of members (plate members or sheet members). The plurality of members are provided so as to sandwich a plurality of busbars 42 arranged horizontally from both sides in the Z direction, for example. For example, the plurality of members may be integrated by sandwiching a plurality of busbars 42, for example, by lamination molding. The plurality of members form a planar portion 51. In this case, the housing portion 55 may be formed hollow inside the base plate 41 (between the plurality of members). The plurality of members may be a plurality of plate members, a plurality of sheet members, or a combination of plate members and sheet members. The sheet member may be, for example, a flexible sheet member. The planar portion 51 formed by the plurality of members has openings that expose at least the first connection portion 61 and the second connection portion 62 of the busbars 42. For example, in this case, the housing portion 55 formed between the plurality of members corresponds to an example of a "housing portion recessed in the first direction (Z direction)".

[0179] (Fourth variation) The connection between the electronic component 10 and the busbar 42 is not limited to a connection via the connecting component 20. The electronic component 10 may be directly connected to the busbar 42 using fastening members (e.g., bolts or screws) or welding.

[0180] Several embodiments and modifications have been described above. However, the embodiments and modifications are not limited to the examples described above. For example, multiple embodiments may be implemented in combination with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0181] 1. Electrical connection unit 10D, 10E Connecting components 20A connection parts 21A Part 1 22A 2nd part 34 First end 34a Contact part 34b depression 34tx width in the second direction 35 Second end 36 Intersection 37 Corner 38 Heat transfer components 42 Bus Bar T1 Thickness in the second direction T3 Thickness in the first direction

Claims

1. A component connection structure comprising a busbar, a component to be connected, and a connecting component for connecting the busbar and the component to be connected, The connecting component has a first end facing the busbar in a first direction, The first end comprises a contact portion that abuts against the busbar, and a recess that is recessed relative to the contact portion in a direction away from the busbar in the first direction, The connecting component is fixed to the busbar with a heat transfer material having a higher thermal conductivity than the connecting component filling the recess. Component connection structure.

2. The aforementioned connecting component is A first portion extending in the first direction, It has a second portion that extends from the first portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction and includes the first end, The recess is provided at the intersection of the first portion and the second portion. The component connection structure according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned connecting component is The thickness of the first portion in the second direction is greater than the thickness of the busbar in the first direction. The width of the recess in the second direction is smaller than the thickness of the first portion in the second direction. The component connection structure according to claim 2.

4. The component to be connected and the connecting component are adjacent to each other in a second direction that intersects with the first direction. The connecting component has a second end facing the component to be connected in the second direction, The recess is provided at the corner where the first end and the second end are connected. The component connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the heat transfer member is in contact with the component to be connected while being filled in the recess.

5. A connecting component that connects a busbar to a component to be connected, It has a first end facing the busbar in the first direction, The first end of the connecting component comprises a contact portion that abuts against the busbar and a recess that is recessed relative to the contact portion in a direction away from the busbar in the first direction.

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