Busbars

Abstract

To provide a bus bar that can prevent the occurrence of a variation in load applied to a plurality of connection objects even when the bus bar has a plurality of types of bus bar parts.SOLUTION: Bus bars 1, 1A, 1B, 1D, 1F each comprise a first bus bar part 20 having a first connection part 21 that is connected to a battery 50 and a first conductive part 22 that is connected continuous to the first connection part 21. The bus bars each further comprise a second bus bar part 30 having a second connection part 31 that is connected to a battery 50 different from the battery 50 that is connected to the first connection part 21 and a second conductive part 32 that is connected continuous to the second connection part 31 and has a higher resistance value than the first conductive part 22. A current diverting part 40 that diverts current is formed in the first conductive part 22 such that a shortest path of the current flowing through the first conductive part 22 increases in length, thereby increasing an amount of heat generation in the first conductive part 22 to be more than when the current diverting part 40 is not formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bus bar. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of this type of prior art is disclosed in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses a busbar including a plurality of busbar portions, each of which has a connection portion connected to a battery as an object to be connected and a conductive portion connected to the connection portion. The plurality of busbar portions includes at least one busbar portion whose conductive portion has a resistance value different from that of the other busbar portions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-136238 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When there are multiple types of busbar parts whose conductive parts have different resistance values ​​as in the conventional technology described above, there will be variation in the load applied to the connection objects connected to the connection parts of the respective busbar parts.

[0005] As described above, in the conventional technology, when multiple types of busbar portions are provided, there is a problem that the loads applied to the multiple connection objects vary.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the conventional techniques, and an object of the present invention is to provide a busbar that can suppress variations in loads applied to multiple connection objects even when the busbar has multiple types of busbar portions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A busbar according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first busbar portion having a first connection portion connected to a battery and a first conductive portion connected to the first connection portion, and a second busbar portion having a second connection portion connected to a battery other than the battery connected to the first connection portion and a second conductive portion connected to the second connection portion and having a higher resistance than the first conductive portion, wherein a current bypass portion is formed in the first conductive portion to divert current so that the shortest path of the current flowing through the first conductive portion is longer, thereby causing the amount of heat generated in the first conductive portion to be greater than if the current bypass portion was not formed.

[0008] A busbar according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a first busbar portion having a first connection portion connected to a connection object and a first conductive portion connected to the first connection portion, and a second busbar portion having a second connection portion connected to a connection object other than the connection object connected to the first connection portion and a second conductive portion connected to the second connection portion and having a higher resistance than the first conductive portion, wherein the first conductive portion is formed with a current bypass portion that bypasses current so as to lengthen the shortest path of the current flowing through the first conductive portion. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 2 is a plan view showing an example of a state in which a plurality of batteries are connected using the bus bar according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 2] 4 is a partially enlarged plan view showing a state in which an insulating member is provided so as to fill a slit formed in the bus bar according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] 4 is a partially enlarged plan view showing a state in which an insulating member is provided so as to cover a slit formed in the bus bar according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example of a state in which a plurality of batteries are connected using a bus bar according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example of a state in which a plurality of batteries are connected using a bus bar according to a third embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an example of a state in which a plurality of batteries are connected using a bus bar according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a slit according to a first modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a slit according to a second modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The busbar according to the present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0011] In the following, a battery is used as an example of a connection object, and the description will be given with the up-down direction defined as a state in which the battery (connection object) is located below and the bus bar is located above.

[0012] In addition, the following embodiments and their modified examples include similar components, and therefore, in the following, the similar components are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0013] (First embodiment) As shown in FIG. 1, the busbar 1 of this embodiment has multiple busbar portions 10, each having a connection portion 11 electrically connected to a battery (connection object) 50 and a conductive portion 12 connected to the connection portion 11.

[0014] In this embodiment, the busbar 1 includes four busbar portions 10, and the four busbar portions 10 are connected by connecting portions 15. That is, the busbar 1 according to this embodiment is formed by integrating the four busbar portions 10 with three connecting portions 15.

[0015] Such a bus bar 1 can be formed, for example, by processing (pressing or bending) a metal plate.

[0016] The connection portion 11 of each busbar portion 10 is connected to one of the four batteries 50. In this embodiment, the connection portion 11 of each busbar portion 10 is electrically connected to the positive electrode (electrode terminal) 51 of each battery 50. At this time, the four batteries 50 are held by a member (not shown) such as a battery holder.

[0017] In this manner, the busbar 1 according to this embodiment is used for connecting four batteries 50 in parallel. It is also possible to connect the four batteries 50 in parallel by connecting the connection portions 11 of the busbar portions 10 to the negative poles (electrode terminals) of the respective batteries 50. It is also possible to connect the four batteries 50 in series.

[0018] Furthermore, the battery (connection object) 50 can be used as a part of a battery module mounted on an electric vehicle (for example, HV, PHV, EV, FCV, etc.), and a lithium ion battery, for example, can be used as such a battery (connection object) 50. Note that, although a cylindrical battery is exemplified in this embodiment, a square tube type or a pouch type battery can also be used.

[0019] In this embodiment, an other-side connection portion 13 is connected to the conductive portion 12 of each busbar portion 10 on the side opposite to the side to which the connection portion 11 is connected. The other-side connection portion 13 is a portion that is electrically connected to a connector portion for connecting to another battery or an ECU (Electrical Control Unit), or the like.

[0020] Furthermore, in this embodiment, bent portions 14 are formed between the conductive portion 12 and the connection portion 11 and between the conductive portion 12 and the other-side connection portion 13, so that the connection portion 11 and the other-side connection portion 13 are positioned lower than the conductive portion 12 (on the side where the battery 50 is disposed). This prevents the conductive portion 12 from interfering with the connection object, such as the battery 50, when the connection portion 11 and the other-side connection portion 13 are connected to the connection object, such as the battery 50.

[0021] In this embodiment, the busbar 1 has two types of busbar portions whose conductive portions 12 have different lengths.

[0022] Specifically, the busbar 1 includes two first busbar portions 20 each having a first connection portion 21 connected to a battery 50 and a first conductive portion 22 connected to the first connection portion 21. The busbar 1 also includes two second busbar portions 30 each having a second connection portion 31 connected to a battery 50 other than the battery 50 connected to the first connection portion 21, and a second conductive portion 32 connected to the second connection portion 31 and longer than the first conductive portion 22.

[0023] Such a busbar having two (or more) types of busbar portions is often used when a fixed configuration is required due to, for example, dimensional constraints, etc. In other words, a busbar having two (or more) types of busbar portions is often used when the location of battery (object to be connected) 50 and the location of busbar 1 are restricted.

[0024] In this embodiment, the first conductive portion 22 and the second conductive portion 32 have substantially the same width and thickness, and the length of the first conductive portion 22 is shorter than the length of the second conductive portion 32. In addition, the first busbar portion 20 and the second busbar portion 30 are formed of the same material. Therefore, in this embodiment, the resistance value of the second conductive portion 32 is higher than the resistance value of the first conductive portion 22.

[0025] In this way, when there are two types of conductive portions 12 (first conductive portion 22 and second conductive portion 32) with different resistance values, the amount of heat generated when a current is passed through each conductive portion 12 differs between the first conductive portion 22 and the second conductive portion 32. Specifically, the amount of heat generated per unit time in each conductive portion when a current is passed through each conductive portion 12 (first conductive portion 22 and second conductive portion 32) differs between the first conductive portion 22 and the second conductive portion 32.

[0026] If the amount of heat generated per unit time differs between the first conductive part 22 and the second conductive part 32, the amount of heat transferred to the battery 50 connected to the first connection part 21 will differ from the amount of heat transferred to the battery 50 connected to the second connection part 31. If the amount of heat transferred per unit time to the battery 50 differs depending on the connection destination, the rate of deterioration of the battery 50 due to heat will differ.

[0027] In this way, when a busbar 1 having two types of conductive portions 12 with different resistance values ​​is used, the variation in the rate of thermal deterioration of the multiple batteries 50 increases. Therefore, even when a busbar 1 having two types of conductive portions 12 with different resistance values ​​is used, it is preferable to be able to reduce the variation in the rate of thermal deterioration of the multiple batteries 50. In particular, even when a fixed configuration is required due to dimensional constraints, it is preferable to be able to reduce the variation in the rate of thermal deterioration of the multiple batteries 50.

[0028] Therefore, in this embodiment, by eliminating the variation in the resistance value of the first conductive portion 22 and the resistance value of the second conductive portion 32, the amount of heat transferred to the battery 50 per unit time is made approximately uniform.

[0029] In this case, it is preferable to match the resistance value of the second conductive part 32 to the resistance value of the first conductive part 22, which has a short distance and a low resistance value. However, in order to reduce the resistance value of the second conductive part 32, which has a long distance, it is necessary to increase the width and thickness of the second conductive part 32, and this cannot be adopted when a fixed configuration is required due to dimensional constraints, etc.

[0030] Therefore, in this embodiment, the resistance value of the first conductive portion 22, which has a lower resistance value than the second conductive portion 32, is intentionally increased to eliminate the variation between the resistance value of the first conductive portion 22 and the resistance value of the second conductive portion 32.

[0031] In this case, if the overall width of the first conductive part 22 is narrowed, it is possible to increase the resistance value of the first conductive part 22 even when a fixed configuration is required due to dimensional constraints, etc. However, if the overall width of the first conductive part 22 is narrowed, the first conductive part 22 becomes thin as a whole, making it impossible to ensure mechanical strength, and there is a risk that the first conductive part 22 will be torn off when an impact is applied. In addition, the shape of the first conductive part 22 will change, making it vulnerable to external vibrations, and narrowing the entire first conductive part 22 will also reduce the area of ​​the first conductive part 22, reducing the heat dissipation effect.

[0032] In this way, if the shape of the first conductive part 22 is changed significantly, it becomes difficult to make the amount of heat transferred to the battery 50 uniform per unit time.

[0033] Therefore, in this embodiment, the resistance value of the first conductive part 22 can be adjusted without changing the shape of the first conductive part 22 as much as possible, and adjustments can be made to eliminate variations in the amount of heat generated.

[0034] Specifically, by forming a current bypass section 40 in the first conductive section 22, which bypasses the current so that the shortest path of the current flowing through the first conductive section 22 becomes longer, the resistance value of the first conductive section 22 becomes higher than when the current bypass section 40 is not formed. In this manner, the amount of heat generated in the first conductive section 22 is increased. In this embodiment, a slit 41 is formed in the first conductive section 22, so that the slit 41 functions as the current bypass section 40. That is, the current bypass section 40 has the slit 41.

[0035] In this embodiment, first conductive part 22 has a shape bent at a substantially right angle in a plan view. Therefore, the current travels a shorter distance along inner contour 221 of first conductive part 22 than along outer contour 222. In other words, when current bypass part 40 is not formed, the path along inner contour 221 of first conductive part 22 is the shortest path for the current (see the dashed arrow in FIG. 1).

[0036] Therefore, in this embodiment, slits 41 (current bypass sections 40) are provided in the first conductive section 22 so as to cut off the shortest path of current when the current bypass sections 40 are not formed, and air is present in the portion of the slits 41. In other words, by providing the slits 41 so as to cut off the portion of the first conductive section 22 that is the shortest path of current, this shortest path is separated by air, which does not pass current, and current is prevented from flowing in the portion where the slits 41 (current bypass sections 40) are formed.

[0037] In this way, the current flowing through first conductive portion 22 is diverted, and the shortest path of the current flowing through first conductive portion 22 is lengthened (see the solid arrow in FIG. 1).

[0038] In this manner, in this embodiment, when the resistance values ​​and thus heat generation amounts of each busbar section differ, a slit is formed in the shorter busbar section so that it has the same resistance value as the longer busbar section, thereby adjusting the heat generation amount of each busbar section.

[0039] This makes it possible to adjust the resistance value and the amount of heat generated per unit time of first conductive part 22 without changing the shape (total width: outline shape in plan view) and surface area of ​​first conductive part 22 as much as possible. In other words, it is possible to adjust the resistance value and the amount of heat generated per unit time of first conductive part 22 while ensuring the mechanical strength of first conductive part 22 and minimizing the reduction in heat dissipation effect. Therefore, it becomes easier to adjust the amount of heat generated by first conductive part 22, making it easier to design first conductive part 22.

[0040] When the slit 41 is provided in the first conductive part 22, a narrow conductive path 22a is formed through which the current detouring toward the tip side of the slit 41 passes. In this embodiment, the slit 41 is provided to adjust the resistance value and heat generation amount of the first conductive part 22 by lengthening the shortest path of the current, so it is necessary to prevent the conductive path 22a from being melted by the heat generated by the current flowing through the first conductive part 22. Therefore, it is preferable that the conductive path 22a has a width that will not melt even if the maximum overcurrent expected when used as a product such as a battery module flows. Therefore, if there is a risk that the conductive path 22a will melt when a desired resistance value is achieved by forming one slit 41, it is preferable to form multiple slits to make the width of the conductive path 22a such that it is not expected to be melted.

[0041] Furthermore, by forming the slit 41 as in this embodiment, even if there is variation in the height of the battery 50, the vicinity of the slit 41 of the first conductive part 22 can easily elastically deform, making it possible to absorb the height difference of the battery 50.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, when increasing the resistance value of the first conductive part 22, it is also possible to have an insulating member 60 having electrical insulation properties present in a portion where it is not desired to pass a current (a portion corresponding to the slit 41 in FIG. 1). That is, it is also possible to have the shortest path of the first conductive part 22 in the normal case separated by a material that does not pass a current (insulating member 60 having electrical insulation properties). This insulating member 60 can be formed using ceramic, resin, or the like. It is also possible to have a material (not shown) that passes a current but has a high resistance value present in a portion where it is not desired to pass a current (a portion corresponding to the slit 41 in FIG. 1). That is, it is also possible to have the shortest path of the first conductive part 22 in the normal case separated by a material (not shown) that passes a current but has a high resistance value.

[0043] The insulating member 60 can be formed so as to fill the pre-formed slits 41. Alternatively, the insulating member 60 may be formed simultaneously with the first conductive portion 22 when manufacturing the bus bar 1. In other words, it is also possible to provide the insulating member 60 in a portion where it is not desired for a current to pass, without forming the slits 41 in advance.

[0044] With this configuration, the insulating member 60 can function as the current bypass section 40, and it is possible to minimize any decrease in the mechanical strength of the first conductive section 22. In other words, it is possible to maintain the same level of strength as before the resistance adjustment.

[0045] 3, it is also possible to have an insulating member 60 present in the pre-formed slit 41 and its surrounding area. This insulating member 60 can be formed, for example, by covering the slit 41 and its surrounding area with a resin mold.

[0046] Even with this configuration, the insulating member 60 can function as the current bypass section 40, and it is possible to minimize any decrease in the mechanical strength of the first conductive section 22. In other words, it is possible to maintain the same level of strength as before the resistance adjustment.

[0047] 3 shows an example in which the insulating member 60 is present only in the slits 41 and their surrounding areas, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration and various configurations are possible. For example, the insulating member 60 may be formed to follow the shape of the busbar portion 10 so that the entire busbar portion 10 is covered by the insulating member 60. Also, the entire busbar portion 10 may be covered by the insulating member 60, which has a rectangular outline shape in a plan view and is larger than the shape of the busbar portion 10.

[0048] Second embodiment In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, four batteries (connection objects) 50 are connected using two bus bars, a bus bar 1A and a bus bar 1B.

[0049] Specifically, the busbar 1A has a shape in which two busbar portions 10 are connected by a connecting portion 15, and this busbar 1A also has two types (multiple types) of busbar portions: a first busbar portion 20 and a second busbar portion 30.

[0050] Similarly, busbar 1B has a shape in which two busbar portions 10 are connected by a connecting portion 15, and this busbar 1B also has two types (multiple types) of busbar portions: a first busbar portion 20 and a second busbar portion 30.

[0051] Two batteries 50 are connected in parallel to the two connection portions 11 (first connection portion 21 and second connection portion 31) of the bus bar 1A.

[0052] Similarly, two batteries 50 are connected in parallel to the two connection portions 11 (the first connection portion 21 and the second connection portion 31) of the bus bar 1B.

[0053] Slits 41 serving as current bypass sections 40 are formed in first conductive sections 22 of busbar 1A and busbar 1B.

[0054] This reduces the variation in the resistance values ​​of the first conductive portion 22 and the second conductive portion 32 of the busbar 1A. Also, the variation in the resistance values ​​of the first conductive portion 22 and the second conductive portion 32 of the busbar 1B is reduced. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the variation in the resistance values ​​of the first conductive portion 22 of the busbar 1A, the second conductive portion 32 of the busbar 1A, the first conductive portion 22 of the busbar 1B, and the second conductive portion 32 of the busbar 1B is also reduced.

[0055] This ensures that the amount of heat generated per unit time in the four busbar sections is approximately equal.

[0056] In this way, the configuration of this embodiment can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0057] Third embodiment In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, four batteries (connection objects) 50 are connected using two bus bars, a bus bar 1C and a bus bar 1D.

[0058] Specifically, busbar 1C has a shape in which two busbar portions 10 are connected by a connecting portion 15, and busbar 1D also has a shape in which two busbar portions 10 are connected by a connecting portion 15.

[0059] Here, busbar 1C includes two second busbar portions 30, and busbar 1C includes two first busbar portions 20. In this manner, in this embodiment, busbar 1C and busbar 1D include two types (multiple types) of busbar portions.

[0060] Two batteries 50 are connected in parallel to the two connection portions 11 (second connection portions 31) of the bus bar 1C.

[0061] Similarly, two batteries 50 are connected in parallel to the two connection portions 11 (first connection portions 21) of the bus bar 1D.

[0062] In addition, slits 41 serving as current bypass sections 40 are formed in the two first conductive sections 22 of the bus bar 1D.

[0063] This reduces the variation in the resistance value of the first conductive portion 22 of the busbar 1D and the resistance value of the second conductive portion 32 of the busbar 1C, and ensures that the amount of heat generated per unit time in the four busbar portions 10 is approximately uniform.

[0064] In this way, the configuration of this embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first and second embodiments.

[0065] (Fourth embodiment) In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, two batteries (objects to be connected) 50 are connected using two bus bars, a bus bar 1E and a bus bar 1F.

[0066] Specifically, busbar 1E includes one busbar portion 10, and busbar 1F includes one busbar portion 10.

[0067] Here, busbar 1E has one second busbar portion 30, and busbar 1F has one first busbar portion 20. In this manner, in this embodiment, busbar 1E and busbar 1F each have two types (multiple types) of busbar portions.

[0068] A battery (object to be connected) 50 is adapted to be connected to the connection portion 11 (second connection portion 31) of the busbar 1E, and a battery (object to be connected) 50 is adapted to be connected to the connection portion 11 (first connection portion 21) of the busbar 1F.

[0069] A slit 41 serving as a current bypass portion 40 is formed in the first conductive portion 22 of the busbar 1F.

[0070] This reduces the variation in the resistance value of the first conductive portion 22 of the busbar 1F and the resistance value of the second conductive portion 32 of the busbar 1E, and ensures that the amount of heat generated per unit time in the two busbar portions 10 is approximately equal.

[0071] In this way, the configuration of this embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first to third embodiments.

[0072] The shape of the slits 41 formed in the first conductive portion 22 does not have to be the shapes shown in the first to third embodiments, and various shapes are possible.

[0073] For example, as shown in Fig. 7, the slit 41 may be bent in an L shape, or as shown in Fig. 8, the slit 41 may be arc-shaped. Also, the slit 41 may be formed by combining straight lines and arcs.

[0074] [Actions and Effects] The characteristic configurations of the bus bars shown in the above-described embodiments and the modified examples thereof and the effects obtained thereby will be described below.

[0075] The busbars 1, 1A, 1B, 1D, and 1F shown in the above-described embodiments and their modified examples include a first busbar portion 20 having a first connection portion 21 connected to a battery 50 and a first conductive portion 22 connected to the first connection portion 21. The busbars 1, 1A, 1B, 1D, and 1F also include a second busbar portion 30. The second busbar portion 30 has a second connection portion 31 connected to a battery 50 other than the battery 50 connected to the first connection portion 21, and a second conductive portion 32 connected to the second connection portion 31 and having a higher resistance value than the first conductive portion 22. The first conductive portion 22 is provided with a current bypass portion 40 that bypasses the current so that the shortest path of the current flowing through the first conductive portion 22 is longer, thereby increasing the amount of heat generated in the first conductive portion 22 compared to a case in which the current bypass portion 40 is not formed.

[0076] In this way, by forming the current bypass portion 40 in the first conductive portion 22, the resistance value of the first conductive portion 22 can be made higher than when the current bypass portion 40 is not formed. As a result, the amount of heat generated in the first conductive portion 22 can be made larger than when the current bypass portion 40 is not formed, and the amount of heat generated in the first conductive portion 22 can be made closer to the amount of heat generated in the second conductive portion 32. In other words, the difference between the amount of heat generated in the first conductive portion 22 and the amount of heat generated in the second conductive portion 32 can be made smaller.

[0077] In this way, the amount of heat transferred from the first conductive part 22 to the battery 50 connected to the first connection part 21 can be made closer to the amount of heat transferred from the second conductive part 32 to the battery 50 connected to the second connection part 31. As a result, it is possible to reduce the variation in the load (rate of deterioration due to heat) applied to the battery 50 connected to the first connection part 21 and the battery 50 connected to the second connection part 31.

[0078] Therefore, even when busbars 1, 1A, 1B, 1D, 1F having multiple types of busbar portions (first and second busbar portions 20, 30) are used, it is possible to suppress variations in the load (rate of deterioration due to heat) imposed on multiple batteries 50.

[0079] Furthermore, by suppressing the variation in the rate of deterioration due to heat among the multiple batteries 50, it is possible to extend the lifespan of a device (such as a battery pack) that uses the multiple batteries 50. In other words, by making the rate of deterioration due to heat among the multiple batteries 50 more uniform, it is possible to extend the lifespan of a device that uses the multiple batteries 50.

[0080] For example, if the amounts of heat transferred to the multiple batteries are left different without being adjusted, heat will concentrate on one battery. When heat is concentrated on one battery, the deterioration of the battery where the heat is concentrated will progress, causing a voltage drop, and current will flow from the other batteries to the one battery, causing the current of the one battery to increase and resulting in destruction. When heat is concentrated on one battery, the solution of the one battery where the heat is concentrated may run out and the battery may be destroyed. In this way, when heat is concentrated on one battery, deterioration may progress faster than the rate of deterioration due to heat, shortening the life of the device using multiple batteries 50.

[0081] Here, it is conceivable to provide the busbar with a fuse function, so that a battery that has reached the end of its life can be disconnected, thereby allowing the use of other batteries. However, disconnecting a battery that has reached the end of its life would increase the current load on the other batteries, shortening the life of the other batteries and shortening the life of the device using multiple batteries 50.

[0082] In contrast, if the rate of deterioration due to heat of the multiple batteries 50 is made more uniform, it is possible to prevent a large current load from being imposed on some batteries, and therefore to prevent a shortened lifespan of a device using the multiple batteries 50. As a result, it is possible to extend the lifespan of a device using the multiple batteries 50.

[0083] Furthermore, if the current bypass portion 40 is formed in the first conductive portion 22 itself, it becomes possible to adjust the amount of heat generated by the first conductive portion 22 without expanding the area in which the first conductive portion 22 is arranged. Therefore, even if the length or width of the first conductive portion 22 cannot be changed due to restrictions such as other components, it becomes possible to adjust the amount of heat generated by the first conductive portion 22. Therefore, it becomes possible to adjust the amount of heat generated by the first conductive portion 22 after determining the length, width, etc. of the busbar portion in advance.

[0084] Furthermore, the amount of heat generated in the first conductive portion 22 and the amount of heat generated in the second conductive portion 32 may be substantially the same.

[0085] In this way, the amount of heat transferred from the first conductive part 22 to the battery 50 connected to the first connection part 21 can be made even closer to the amount of heat transferred from the second conductive part 32 to the battery 50 connected to the second connection part 31. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the variation in the rate of deterioration due to heat of the battery 50 connected to the first connection part 21 and the battery 50 connected to the second connection part 31. In other words, it is possible to more reliably suppress the occurrence of variation in the rate of deterioration due to heat of the multiple batteries 50, and it is possible to make the rate of deterioration of the multiple batteries more uniform.

[0086] Moreover, the current bypass portion 40 may have a slit 41 .

[0087] This simplifies the configuration and makes it easier to adjust the amount of heat generated in first conductive part 22. Furthermore, by providing slits 41 in first conductive part 22, it is possible to reduce the weight of bus bars 1, 1A, 1B, 1D, and 1F.

[0088] Moreover, bus bars 1, 1A, 1B, 1D may further include a connecting portion 15 that connects first conductive portion 22 and second conductive portion 32 together.

[0089] In this way, first busbar portion 20 and second busbar portion 30 are integrated, so that busbars 1, 1A, 1B, 1D can be more easily arranged in predetermined positions.

[0090] Furthermore, the battery 50 connected to the first connection portion 21 and the battery 50 connected to the second connection portion 31 may be connected in parallel.

[0091] This arrangement prevents heat from being concentrated in some of the busbar portions in the parallel circuit, making it possible to make the amount of heat generated in each busbar more uniform.

[0092] Furthermore, the first conductive portion 22 and the second conductive portion 32 may have substantially the same width and thickness, and the length of the first conductive portion 22 may be shorter than the length of the second conductive portion 32.

[0093] In this manner, bus bars 1, 1A, 1B, 1D, and 1F can be manufactured by processing a single metal plate, making it easier to manufacture bus bars 1, 1A, 1B, 1D, and 1F.

[0094] Moreover, the busbars 1, 1A, 1B, 1D, and 1F shown in the above-mentioned respective embodiments and their modified examples include a first busbar portion 20 having a first connection portion 21 connected to a connection object (battery 50) and a first conductive portion 22 connected to the first connection portion 21. The busbars 1, 1A, 1B, 1D, and 1F also include a second busbar portion 30. The second busbar portion 30 has a second connection portion 31 connected to a connection object (another battery 50) other than the connection object (battery 50) connected to the first connection portion 21. The second busbar portion 30 also has a second conductive portion 32 connected to the second connection portion 31 and having a resistance value higher than that of the first conductive portion 22. The first conductive portion 22 is formed with a current bypass portion 40 that bypasses the current so that the shortest path of the current flowing through the first conductive portion 22 becomes longer.

[0095] In this manner, by forming the current bypass portion 40 in the first conductive portion 22, it is possible to increase the resistance value of the first conductive portion 22 and bring the resistance value of the first conductive portion 22 closer to the resistance value of the second conductive portion 32. As a result, it is possible to reduce the variation in the load (the current value flowing through the connection object (battery 50)) applied to the connection object (battery 50) connected to the first connection portion 21 and the connection object (battery 50) connected to the second connection portion 31.

[0096] Therefore, even when busbars 1, 1A, 1B, 1D, 1F having multiple types of busbar portions (first and second busbar portions 20, 30) are used, it is possible to suppress variations in the load applied to multiple connection objects (batteries 50).

[0097] In addition, when a voltage sensor is provided that detects a difference in the amount of current flowing through a plurality of connection objects (batteries 50) due to an abnormality in the connection object (batteries 50) using a voltage value, the following actions and effects can be achieved. First, when the difference in the amount of current flowing through a plurality of connection objects (batteries 50) is too small to be detected with respect to the voltage value detected by the voltage sensor, the voltage value of each conductive part can be adjusted by adjusting the shape and number of the current bypass parts 40 to change the resistance value. In addition, if the voltage value of each conductive part is set to a voltage value similar to that of the part detected by the voltage sensor, the voltage value of each conductive part will be the same as the voltage value read by the voltage sensor, making it easier to determine the threshold value of the voltage sensor. In this way, the accuracy of abnormality determination by the voltage sensor can be further improved.

[0098] Furthermore, if the resistance value of each conductive portion is made uniform, there is an advantage that voltage changes become easier to understand when sensing is performed based on a voltage drop.

[0099] Furthermore, the resonance frequency also changes if slits are formed in the conductive part 12. Therefore, in a case where a fixed configuration is required due to dimensional constraints or the like, and the length of the conductive part 12 becomes a length that resonates with external vibrations, forming slits in the conductive part 12 makes it possible to obtain a shape that avoids the resonance point.

[0100] [others] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0101] For example, it is possible to appropriately combine the configurations described in the above embodiments and their modified examples.

[0102] In addition, in the above-described embodiments and the modified examples, a busbar that does not have a portion that melts when an overcurrent flows is shown as an example, but it is also possible to provide a portion that melts when an overcurrent flows, thereby making the busbar have a fuse function. In this case, it is preferable to provide each busbar portion with a fuse function.

[0103] In the above-described embodiments and the modified examples, the current bypass portion is formed only in the first busbar portion out of the first and second busbar portions, but the current bypass portion may be formed in both the first and second busbar portions. In this case, it is preferable that the increase in the resistance value of the first busbar portion is greater than the increase in the resistance value of the second busbar portion.

[0104] In addition, while the above-described embodiments and their modified examples have been described as including two types of busbar portions, a busbar including three or more types of busbar portions is also possible. In this case, it is preferable to appropriately set the shape and number of current bypass portions provided in each busbar portion so that the resistance value of each busbar portion becomes more uniform.

[0105] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments and the modified examples, the connection object is exemplified as a battery, but the connection object may be something other than a battery. The connection object other than a battery may be, for example, a member whose life span is shortened by the amount of heat transferred. Examples of such members include electronic components such as LEDs, ICs, and transistors, and plastics. In addition, the connection object may be a bus bar connected to two or more types of connection objects selected from a plurality of types of connection objects including a battery.

[0106] Furthermore, the specifications of the first and second connecting portions, the first and second conductive portions, and other details (shape, size, layout, etc.) can also be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 1,1A,1B,1D,1F Busbar 15 Connecting part 20 First busbar section 21 First connection part 22 First conductive part 30 Second busbar section 31 Second connection part 32 Second conductive part 40 Current bypass section 41 Slit 50 Battery (connection object)

Claims

1. a first busbar portion including a first connection portion connected to a battery and a first conductive portion connected to the first connection portion; a second busbar portion including a second connection portion connected to a battery other than the battery connected to the first connection portion and a second conductive portion provided continuously to the second connection portion; Equipped with A slit is formed in the first conductive portion to increase a resistance value of the first conductive portion, so that a resistance value of the first conductive portion and a resistance value of the second conductive portion are substantially the same. Busbar.

2. Further comprising a connecting portion connecting the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion. The busbar of claim 1 .

3. a battery connected to the first connection portion and a battery connected to the second connection portion are connected in parallel; The bus bar of claim 2 .

4. The first conductive portion and the second conductive portion have substantially the same width and thickness, and the length of the first conductive portion is shorter than the length of the second conductive portion. The bus bar according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. a first busbar portion including a first connection portion to be connected to a connection object and a first conductive portion connected to the first connection portion; a second busbar portion including a second connection portion connected to a connection object other than the connection object connected to the first connection portion, and a second conductive portion provided continuously to the second connection portion; Equipped with A slit is formed in the first conductive portion to increase a resistance value of the first conductive portion, so that a resistance value of the first conductive portion and a resistance value of the second conductive portion are substantially the same. Busbar.

6. Further comprising a connecting portion connecting the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion. The bus bar according to claim 5.

7. The first conductive portion and the second conductive portion have substantially the same width and thickness, and the length of the first conductive portion is shorter than the length of the second conductive portion. The bus bar according to claim 5 or 6.

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