Fuse unit and conductive module

Abstract

The present invention provides a fuse unit and a conductive module that can reduce the effects of external heat on the fuse. [Solution] The fuse unit 1 comprises a fuse 5 having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a fusible portion between the first electrode and the second electrode; a first conductive member 6 connected to the first electrode; a second conductive member 7 connected to the second electrode; and a resin retaining member 8 that holds the first conductive member and the second conductive member. The retaining member has a main body 80 that holds the first conductive member and the second conductive member, and legs 82 that protrude from the main body and support the main body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuse unit and a conductive module.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a fuse unit. Patent Document 1 discloses a fuse unit including a first terminal electrically connected to a counterpart member, a second terminal electrically connected directly or indirectly to a wiring member, a resin portion covering a part of the first terminal and a part of the second terminal, and a chip fuse.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, from the viewpoint of stabilizing the performance of the fuse, it is desirable to reduce the influence of external heat on the fuse.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a fuse unit and a conductive module capable of reducing the influence of external heat on the fuse.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The fuse unit of the present invention includes a fuse having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a soluble portion between the first electrode and the second electrode, a first conductive member connected to the first electrode, a second conductive member connected to the second electrode, and a resin holding member that holds the first conductive member and the second conductive member. The holding member has a main body that holds the first conductive member and the second conductive member, and legs that protrude from the main body and support the main body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In the fuse unit according to the present invention, the holding member has a main body that holds a first conductive member and a second conductive member, and legs that protrude from the main body and support the main body. The fuse unit according to the present invention has the effect of reducing the influence of external heat on the fuse. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conductive module according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view of a conductive module according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a fuse unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a plan view of the first conductive member, the second conductive member, and the fuse according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a plan view of a fuse unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a fuse unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a side view of a conductive module according to an embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Below, a fuse unit and a conductive module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily conceivable by those skilled in the art or that are substantially identical.

[0010] [Embodiment] Embodiments will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. This embodiment relates to a fuse unit and a conductive module. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the conductive module according to the embodiment, Figure 2 is a plan view of the conductive module according to the embodiment, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the fuse unit according to the embodiment, Figure 4 is a plan view of the first conductive member, the second conductive member, and the fuse according to the embodiment, Figure 5 is a plan view of the fuse unit according to the embodiment, Figure 6 is a perspective view of the fuse unit according to the embodiment, and Figure 7 is a side view of the conductive module according to the embodiment.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the conductive module 100 of this embodiment is a busbar module having a fuse unit 1, a busbar 2, a wiring member 3, a case 4, and a connector 30. The conductive module 100 is arranged in a battery pack 200, for example, as shown in Figure 2. The battery pack 200 is mounted as a power source in a vehicle such as an automobile. The battery pack 200 has a plurality of battery cells 210. The battery cells 210 are arranged along a first direction X. The plurality of battery cells 210 constitute a battery module 220. The conductive module 100 in Figure 2 is assembled into the battery module 220.

[0012] The busbar 2 is formed from a conductive metal plate. The busbar 2 electrically connects two adjacent battery cells 210. More specifically, the busbar 2 is fixed to the electrodes of one battery cell 210 and the electrodes of the other battery cell 210, electrically connecting the two electrodes. The conductive module 100 of this embodiment has a plurality of busbars 2 arranged in a first direction X, and a plurality of fuse units 1 corresponding to the plurality of busbars 2.

[0013] The cable routing material 3 has a plurality of detection lines 31 and is routed along a first direction X. The illustrated cable routing material 3 is a flat cable routing material. The illustrated cable routing material 3 is a flexible flat cable having a plurality of wires and a sheath covering the plurality of wires. Each wire is connected to a corresponding busbar 2 and functions as a detection line 31. A connector 30 is located at the end of the cable routing material 3. Each detection line 31 is connected to a terminal of the connector 30. The detection lines 31 are connected to a monitoring device that monitors, for example, a battery pack 200. In this case, the monitoring device obtains the voltage of the battery cells 210 via the detection lines 31 and monitors the status of the battery module 220.

[0014] Case 4 is a component that supports and houses the fuse unit 1, the busbar 2, and the cable routing material 3, and is assembled to the battery pack 200. Case 4 is molded from, for example, an insulating synthetic resin. Case 4 has a retaining portion 41 for holding the busbar 2 and a cable routing path 42 for supporting the cable routing material 3. In this embodiment, Case 4 has a plurality of retaining portions 41 arranged in a first direction X. The cable routing path 42 is adjacent to the plurality of retaining portions 41 and extends in the first direction X. The cable routing material 3 is placed on the cable routing path 42 so as to extend along the first direction X.

[0015] The fuse unit 1 is positioned between the detection line 31 and the busbar 2. As shown in Figure 3, the fuse unit 1 includes a fuse 5, a first conductive member 6, a second conductive member 7, and a resin retaining member 8. The fuse 5 is a circuit protection component that interrupts the circuit when an overcurrent flows. The fuse 5 in this embodiment is a chip fuse.

[0016] Figure 4 shows the fuse unit 1, excluding the retaining member 8, which consists of the fuse 5, the first conductive member 6, and the second conductive member 7. As shown in Figure 4, the fuse 5 has a first electrode 51, a second electrode 52, and a fusible portion 53.

[0017] The first electrode 51 is connected to one end of the fusible portion 53. The second electrode 52 is connected to the other end of the fusible portion 53. The fusible portion 53 is configured to cut off the connection between the first electrode 51 and the second electrode 52 by fusing when an overcurrent flows. The fusible portion 53 is, for example, a fuse element having predetermined fusing characteristics.

[0018] The first conductive member 6 and the second conductive member 7 are conductive members, and are formed of, for example, metal plates. The first conductive member 6 is connected to the first electrode 51 of the fuse 5. The second conductive member 7 is connected to the second electrode 52 of the fuse 5. That is, the fuse 5 is a protective component interposed between the first conductive member 6 and the second conductive member 7.

[0019] The first conductive member 6 has a first connection portion 61, a second connection portion 62, and an intermediate portion 63. The illustrated first conductive member 6 is a flat plate member having a linear shape in plan view. The first connection portion 61 is one end of the first conductive member 6, and the second connection portion 62 is the other end. The first connection portion 61 is formed so as to be capable of being joined to the first electrode 51 of the fuse 5. The first connection portion 61 has a rectangular flat plate shape and has a width slightly wider than that of the first electrode 51. The first connection portion 61 is joined to the first electrode 51 by means such as solder.

[0020] The second connection portion 62 is formed so as to be capable of being joined to the bus bar 2. The second connection portion 62 has a rectangular flat plate shape and has a width wider than that of the first connection portion 61. The second connection portion 62 is joined to the bus bar 2 by means such as solder or welding, etc. The intermediate portion 63 is a portion between the first connection portion 61 and the second connection portion 62. The shape of the intermediate portion 63 in plan view is rectangular. The width of the intermediate portion 63 is wider than the width of the first connection portion 61 and narrower than the width of the second connection portion 62. A through hole 63a is provided in the intermediate portion 63. The illustrated shape of the through hole 63a is circular.

[0021] The second conductive member 7 has a first connecting portion 71, a second connecting portion 72, and an intermediate portion 73. The illustrated second conductive member 7 is a crimp terminal having a linear shape in plan view. The first connecting portion 71 is one end of the second conductive member 7, and the second connecting portion 72 is the other end. The first connecting portion 71 is formed to be connectable to the second electrode 52 of the fuse 5. The first connecting portion 71 has a rectangular flat plate shape and is slightly wider than the second electrode 52.

[0022] The illustrated second connection portion 72 is a crimping portion that is crimped to the detection wire 31. The second connection portion 72 has a core wire crimping portion 72a and a coating crimping portion 72b. The core wire crimping portion 72a is crimped to the core wire of the detection wire 31 and holds the core wire. The coating crimping portion 72b is crimped to the insulating coating of the detection wire 31 and holds the coating. The shape of the crimping portions 72a and 72b after crimping is, for example, cylindrical.

[0023] The intermediate section 73 is the portion between the first connecting section 71 and the second connecting section 72. In plan view, the shape of the intermediate section 73 is rectangular. The width of the intermediate section 73 is wider than the width of the first connecting section 71. The intermediate section 73 is provided with a through hole 73a. The shape of the illustrated through hole 73a is circular.

[0024] In the illustrated fuse unit 1, the first conductive member 6, the fuse 5, and the second conductive member 7 are arranged in a straight line. That is, the first conductive member 6 extends from the first electrode 51 along the longitudinal direction of the fuse 5 to one side, and the second conductive member 7 extends from the second electrode 52 along the same longitudinal direction to the other side.

[0025] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the retaining member 8 is integrally molded with the first conductive member 6 and the second conductive member 7, and holds the first conductive member 6 and the second conductive member 7. The retaining member 8 is insert-molded from, for example, an insulating synthetic resin. In this case, the retaining member 8 is molded with respect to the first conductive member 6 and the second conductive member 7, which are held in a predetermined relative position by a mold. The retaining member 8 is molded to expose the two connection portions 61, 62 of the first conductive member 6 and the two connection portions 71, 72 of the second conductive member 7. The fuse 5 may be connected to the conductive members 6, 7 after the retaining member 8 is formed, or it may be connected to the conductive members 6, 7 before the retaining member 8 is formed.

[0026] The retaining member 8 has a main body 80 and legs 82 that support the main body 80. The main body 80 is the part that holds the first conductive member 6 and the second conductive member 7. The illustrated main body 80 has a bottomed cylindrical shape and can house the fuse 5 inside.

[0027] The main body 80 of this embodiment has a bottom wall 83 and a frame-shaped side wall 81. The illustrated shape of the bottom wall 83 is a rectangular plate shape. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the bottom wall 83 has a first surface 83a and a second surface 83b. The first surface 83a is the surface facing the housing space of the main body 80. The fuse 5 is positioned on the side of the bottom wall 83 facing the first surface 83a and is housed in this housing space. The side wall 81 is erected from the first surface 83a and surrounds the fuse 5. The second surface 83b is the surface facing the opposite side from the first surface 83a and faces the external space of the main body 80. The legs 82 protrude from the second surface 83b. The direction of protrusion of the legs 82 is perpendicular to the second surface 83b.

[0028] The shape of the illustrated leg portion 82 is columnar, for example, a rectangular prism. As shown in Figure 6, the holding member 8 of this embodiment has a plurality of leg portions 82. The plurality of leg portions 82 are arranged spaced apart from each other. The holding member 8 of this embodiment has four leg portions 82 arranged at each corner of the bottom wall 83.

[0029] The side wall 81 has a rectangular frame shape. More specifically, the side wall 81 has a pair of flat first wall portions 81a and a pair of flat second wall portions 81b. The pair of first wall portions 81a face each other in the width direction of the conductive members 6 and 7. The pair of second wall portions 81b face each other in the longitudinal direction of the conductive members 6 and 7. The second wall portions 81b extend from one first wall portion 81a to the other first wall portion 81a.

[0030] The main body 80 is formed such that two conductive members 6 and 7 penetrate the side wall 81. For example, the intermediate portion 63 of the first conductive member 6 penetrates one of the second wall portions 81b. The first connecting portion 61 is exposed to the internal space of the main body 80, and the second connecting portion 62 protrudes to the outside of the main body 80. The through hole 63a of the intermediate portion 63 is located in the region enclosed by the side wall 81. The resin forming the bottom wall 83 fills the through hole 63a and locks the intermediate portion 63 in place.

[0031] The intermediate portion 73 of the second conductive member 7 penetrates the other second wall portion 81b. The first connecting portion 71 is exposed to the internal space of the main body 80, and the second connecting portion 72 protrudes to the outside of the main body 80. The through hole 73a of the intermediate portion 73 is located in the region surrounded by the side wall 81. The resin forming the bottom wall 83 fills the through hole 73a and locks the intermediate portion 73 in place.

[0032] As shown in Figure 7, the legs 82 of the fuse unit 1 are supported by a support surface 43a. The support surface 43a is, for example, a surface of the case 4 of the conductive module 100. The support surface 43a is, for example, a surface that supports the retaining member 8 from below. The support surface 43a is typically a plane. The retaining member 8 is configured such that multiple legs 82 can contact one support surface 43a. In this case, it is preferable that the tip surfaces of the multiple legs 82 are arranged on the same plane.

[0033] As shown in Figure 7, the leg portion 82 is configured to form a gap Gp between the support surface 43a and the second surface 83b of the bottom wall 83. In other words, the leg portion 82 is formed so that the second surface 83b of the bottom wall 83 can be separated from the support surface 43a. The retaining member 8 having the leg portion 82 can reduce the thermal influence on the fuse 5. For example, the gap Gp formed by the leg portion 82 can make it difficult for heat from the battery cell 210 and the busbar 2 to be transmitted to the fuse 5. Because the bottom wall 83 is supported by the leg portion 82, heat is less easily transferred from the support surface 43a to the bottom wall 83 compared to when the entire second surface 83b of the retaining member 8 is in contact with the support surface 43a.

[0034] Furthermore, the gap Gp promotes heat dissipation from the bottom wall 83 and suppresses the temperature rise of the fuse 5. The multiple legs 82 are spaced apart from each other, making it easier for heat to escape to the outside through the gap Gp.

[0035] The support surface 43a may be provided on a raised portion 43 formed by raising a part of the case 4. In other words, multiple legs 82 may be placed on the raised portion 43 of the case 4. In this case, the distance from the battery cell 210 to the fuse 5 can be increased. Also, as the raised portion 43 having the support surface 43a becomes thicker, the temperature rise of the support surface 43a is more easily suppressed.

[0036] The leg portion 82 does not have to be fixed to the support surface 43a. For example, the leg portion 82 may be supported by the support surface 43a so as to be movable relative to the support surface 43a. In this case, the load on each part when the first conductive member 6 is joined to the busbar 2 is suppressed. When the first conductive member 6 is joined to the busbar 2, vibration and heat are applied to the first conductive member 6. At this time, because the holding member 8 is movable, excessive stress is less likely to act on the fuse 5 or on the joint between the fuse 5 and the conductive members 6 and 7.

[0037] Furthermore, the main body 80 of the retaining member 8 may be filled with a potting agent to protect the fuse 5. The potting agent is filled into the housing space formed by the bottom wall 83 and the side walls 81, and covers the fuse 5 and the two first connection parts 61 and 71.

[0038] As described above, the fuse unit 1 of this embodiment includes a fuse 5, a first conductive member 6, a second conductive member 7, and a retaining member 8. The fuse 5 has a first electrode 51, a second electrode 52, and a fusible portion 53 between the first electrode 51 and the second electrode 52. The first conductive member 6 is connected to the first electrode 51. The second conductive member 7 is connected to the second electrode 52. The retaining member 8 is made of resin and holds the first conductive member 6 and the second conductive member 7 and houses the fuse 5.

[0039] The holding member 8 has a main body 80 and leg portions 82. The main body 80 holds the first conductive member 6 and the second conductive member 7. The leg portions 82 protrude from the main body 80 and support the main body 80. The fuse unit 1 of this embodiment has leg portions 82 that support the main body 80, which reduces the influence of external heat on the fuse 5.

[0040] The main body 80 of this embodiment includes a bottom wall 83 having a first surface 83a and a second surface 83b facing opposite directions. The fuse 5 is positioned on the side of the first surface 83a relative to the bottom wall 83. The leg portion 82 protrudes from the second surface 83b and is configured to form a gap Gp between the support surface 43a and the second surface 83b. The support surface 43a is the surface that supports the tip of the leg portion 82. The formation of a gap Gp between the support surface 43a and the second surface 83b reduces the influence of external heat on the fuse 5.

[0041] The retaining member 8 of this embodiment has a frame-shaped side wall 81 that is erected from the first surface 83a of the bottom wall 83. The side wall 81 surrounds the fuse 5 and can protect the fuse 5 from heat.

[0042] In this embodiment, the first conductive member 6 and the second conductive member 7 penetrate the side wall 81 and are connected to the fuse 5 in the space enclosed by the side wall 81. The retaining member 8 having legs 82 can separate the two conductive members 6 and 7 from the support surface 43a, thereby suppressing heat transfer to the fuse 5 via the conductive members 6 and 7.

[0043] The holding member 8 of this embodiment has a plurality of legs 82 arranged spaced apart from each other, and is configured to allow the plurality of legs 82 to come into contact with the support surface 43a. This configuration promotes the flow of air between the gap Gp and the external space.

[0044] The conductive module 100 of this embodiment includes a fuse unit 1, a busbar 2 connected to a first conductive member 6, a detection wire 31, and a case 4. The detection wire 31 is a voltage detection wire connected to a second conductive member 7. The case 4 is a support member that supports the busbar 2 and the fuse unit 1. The leg portion 82 is supported by the case 4 so as to form a gap Gp between the case 4 and the main body 80. The conductive module 100 of this embodiment can reduce the influence of external heat on the fuse 5.

[0045] The shape and number of legs 82 on the holding member 8 are not limited to the exemplified shapes and numbers. For example, the shape of the legs 82 may be cylindrical or other shapes. The tip of the leg 82 may be flat or curved. If the tip of the leg 82 is curved, it is possible to reduce the contact area between the support surface 43a and the leg 82.

[0046] The legs 82 shown in Figure 6 are positioned at each corner of the bottom wall 83. Alternatively, the legs 82 may be elongated ribs extending from one corner to the other of the bottom wall 83. In this case, the legs 82 may extend in the width direction of the conductive members 6 and 7, or they may extend in the longitudinal direction of the conductive members 6 and 7. The main body 80 of the retaining member 8 may be supported by two elongated ribs. For example, the main body 80 may be supported by two ribs positioned at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall 83, or by two ribs positioned at both ends in the width direction of the bottom wall 83.

[0047] The application of fuse unit 1 is not limited to the battery module 220. Fuse unit 1 may be applied as a protective circuit to other devices. The object to which the first conductive member 6 is connected is not limited to the busbar 2. The second connection portion 62 of the first conductive member 6 may be connected to wiring materials such as electric wires, or to other conductive members. The object to which the second conductive member 7 is connected is not limited to electric wires. The second connection portion 72 of the second conductive member 7 may be connected to circuits on flexible printed circuit boards, or to other conductive members.

[0048] The contents disclosed in the above embodiments can be combined and implemented as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1: Fuse unit 2: Busbar, 3: Cable ties, 4: Case, 5: Fuse 6: First conductive member, 7: Second conductive member 8: Retaining member 30: Connector 31: Detection line (voltage detection line) 41: Holding part, 42: Routing path, 43: Raised part, 43a: Support surface 51: First electrode, 52: Second electrode, 53: Soluble part 61: First connection point, 62: Second connection point, 63: Intermediate section 71: First connection point, 72: Second connection point, 73: Intermediate section 80: Main body, 81: Side walls, 82: Legs 83: Bottom wall, 83a: First side, 83b: Second side 100: Conductive Module 200: Battery pack, 210: Battery cell, 220: Battery module X: First direction

Claims

1. A fuse having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a fusible portion between the first electrode and the second electrode, A first conductive member connected to the first electrode, A second conductive member connected to the second electrode, A resin retaining member that holds the first conductive member and the second conductive member and houses the fuse, Equipped with, The holding member comprises a main body that holds the first conductive member and the second conductive member, and legs that protrude from the main body and support the main body. A fuse unit characterized by the following features.

2. The main body includes a bottom wall having a first surface and a second surface facing opposite sides, The fuse is positioned on the side of the first surface relative to the bottom wall. The leg portion protrudes from the second surface and is configured to form a gap between the support surface that supports the tip of the leg portion and the second surface. The fuse unit according to claim 1.

3. The retaining member is erected from the first surface of the bottom wall and has a frame-shaped side wall surrounding the fuse. The fuse unit according to claim 2.

4. The first conductive member and the second conductive member penetrate the side wall and are connected to the fuse in the space enclosed by the side wall. The fuse unit according to claim 3.

5. The holding member has a plurality of legs that are spaced apart from each other, and is configured to allow the plurality of legs to come into contact with the support surface. The fuse unit according to claim 2.

6. The fuse unit according to claim 1, A busbar connected to the first conductive member, A voltage detection line connected to the second conductive member, A support member that supports the busbar and the fuse unit, Equipped with, The leg portion is supported by the support member such that a gap is formed between the support member and the main body. Conductive module.

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