Current-carrying parts, junction boxes, busbar modules, battery modules

Abstract

To provide an energizing component used in a new terminal-to-terminal connection structure, which can suppress the contact of workers, etc. with at least one of a terminal portion and a connection portion that can be a live power portion, a junction box with a terminal portion that is connected to the connection portion of the energizing component, a busbar module, and a battery module.SOLUTION: An energizing component 54 that electrically connects a plurality of terminal portions 32 includes an energizing member 56 having a plurality of connecting portions 60 to be fastened to a plurality of terminal portions 32 in a connected state, an insulating case 70 that accommodates the energizing member 56, and a connecting portion side relay portion 66 in which at least one of the plurality of terminal portions 32 is covered with an insulating terminal portion cover 48 having a terminal portion opening window 50, and that is provided at the connecting portion 60 fastened to the terminal portion 32 covered by the terminal portion cover 48, and is connected to the terminal portion 32 through the terminal portion opening window 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an inter-terminal connection structure that electrically connects terminal portions of a plurality of devices to each other via electrically conductive members such as wire harnesses or bus bars disposed between the terminal portions. [Background technology]

[0002] As a connection structure for electrically connecting devices mounted on an automobile, there is known an inter-terminal connection structure in which two connection parts provided on a current-carrying member such as a wire harness or a bus bar that is laid between the terminal parts of two devices are bolted together to electrically connect them. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which, in a battery module mounted on an electric vehicle, hybrid vehicle, etc., the terminal parts of the opposite electrodes of adjacent cell groups are electrically connected together by bolting together a pair of connection parts provided on a dedicated bus bar.

[0003] However, since the terminals of the cell group are live parts, if the busbar spanning between the terminals is left exposed, a bolt tightening tool or the like may come into contact with the busbar, causing a short circuit in the battery module. In view of this, Patent Document 1 proposes a structure in which the busbar is covered by a case having a main body that covers the busbar while exposing the connection parts of the busbar, and a lid that covers the upper surface of the connection parts in an openable and closable manner. This allows the busbar to be covered by the case, thereby improving insulation. In addition, when the busbar is bolted between the terminals, the bolt tightening work can be performed with the upper surface of the connection parts exposed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-37988 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, before the busbar is bolted, the terminal portion of each cell group, which serves as a live part, is exposed. At this time, measures to prevent workers, etc. from contacting the terminal portions may be desired. Even if measures to prevent contact with the terminal portions of the cell groups are not required, the other end of the busbar, one of whose connection portions is fastened to the terminal portion, serves as a live part. At this time, measures to prevent workers, etc. from contacting the connection portions may be desired.

[0006] So, Electric shock protection is required The objective is to provide a junction box, a bus bar module, and a battery module that are equipped with a terminal portion connected to a current-carrying component and a connection portion of the current-carrying component used in a new inter-terminal connection structure that can prevent a worker or the like from coming into contact with at least one of the terminal portion and the connection portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The current-carrying component of the present disclosure has a plurality of terminal portions. A terminal connection structure for electrically connecting terminals via a current-carrying component, wherein at least one of the terminals is covered with an insulating terminal cover having a terminal opening window, the terminal opening window has a size that prevents a test finger from being inserted therethrough, and the terminal is exposed through the terminal opening window. The current-carrying component includes a current-carrying member having a plurality of connection portions that are fastened to the plurality of terminal portions in a connected state, and an insulating case that houses the current-carrying member, The terminal portion is connected to the terminal portion covered by the terminal portion cover. The connection portion has a front Recording end This is an electrically conductive component, and includes a connection portion side relay portion that is inserted through a child portion opening window and connected to the terminal portion.

[0008] The current-carrying component of the present disclosure is a current-carrying component that electrically connects a plurality of terminal portions, and includes a current-carrying member having a plurality of connection portions that are fastened in a connected state to the plurality of terminal portions, and an insulating case that houses the current-carrying member; an insulating connection portion cover for covering at least one of the plurality of connection portions that requires protection against electric shock; and a connection portion opening window provided in the connection portion cover for partially exposing the connection portion covered by the connection portion cover; Including, The terminal portion to be fastened to the connection portion covered by the connection portion cover Including the terminal side relay part , before The terminal side relay portion is inserted through the connection portion opening window and connected to the connection portion. the connection portion opening window has a size that allows the terminal portion side relay portion to be inserted therethrough but prevents an operator's finger from being inserted therethrough. It is an electrical conducting part. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, a worker, etc. Electric shock protection is required It is possible to provide a junction box, a bus bar module, and a battery module that include a current-carrying component used in an inter-terminal connection structure that can prevent contact with at least one of the terminal portion and the connection portion, and a terminal portion that is connected to the connection portion of the current-carrying component. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which terminals of two groups of single cells are connected to each other via a bus bar fastened thereto, using the inter-terminal connection structure according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the inter-terminal connection structure in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal portion shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the current-carrying part shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of FIG. 6 and corresponds to FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a state in which the terminals of the unit cell group and the junction box are connected to each other via a bus bar fastened thereto, using the terminal connection structures according to the first and second modifications. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view showing a current-carrying member used in the terminal connection structure shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a current-carrying part used in the terminal connection structure according to the third modification. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged longitudinal (X-direction) sectional view of the current-carrying parts shown in FIG. 10 in an assembled state. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a current-carrying part used in the terminal connection structure according to the fourth modification. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is an enlarged longitudinal (X-direction) sectional view of the current-carrying parts shown in FIG. 12 in an assembled state. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a current-carrying part used in the terminal connection structure according to the fifth modification. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an enlarged longitudinal (X-direction) sectional view of the current-carrying parts shown in FIG. 14 in an assembled state. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a current-carrying part used in the terminal connection structure according to the sixth modification. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an enlarged longitudinal (X-direction) sectional view of the current-carrying parts shown in FIG. 16 in an assembled state. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view showing the inter-terminal connection structure according to the seventh modification. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an enlarged longitudinal (X-direction) sectional view of the assembled state of the terminal connection structure shown in FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view showing an inter-terminal connection structure according to the eighth modified example. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is an enlarged longitudinal (X-direction) sectional view of the assembled state of the terminal connection structure shown in FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view showing an inter-terminal connection structure according to the ninth modification. [Figure 23] 23 is an enlarged cross-sectional view in the width direction (Y direction) of the assembled state of the terminal connection structure shown in FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view showing the inter-terminal connection structure according to the tenth modification. [Diagram 25] 25 is an enlarged cross-sectional view in the width direction (Y direction) of the assembled state of the terminal connection structure shown in FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view showing an inter-terminal connection structure according to the eleventh modification. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is an enlarged longitudinal (X-direction) sectional view showing the terminal connection structure according to the twelfth modification. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is an overall perspective view showing an inter-terminal connection structure according to the thirteenth modification. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view of the inter-terminal connection structure shown in FIG. 28 disassembled into terminal portions and connection portions. [Diagram 30] FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view of the inter-terminal connection structure shown in FIG. [Diagram 31] FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the connection portion of the terminal-to-terminal connection structure shown in FIG. 28, as viewed from below. [Diagram 32] FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view seen from above when the connection portion of the terminal-to-terminal connection structure shown in FIG. 28 is cut in the horizontal direction. [Diagram 33] 33 is a cross-sectional view in the length direction (X direction) of the terminal connection structure shown in FIG. [Diagram 34] FIG. 34 is an overall perspective view showing an inter-terminal connection structure according to the fourteenth modification. [Diagram 35] FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view of the inter-terminal connection structure shown in FIG. 34 disassembled into terminal portions and connection portions. [Diagram 36] FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the terminal connection structure shown in FIG. 35 as viewed from below. [Figure 37] FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing a state in which the shutter is closed in the terminal connection structure shown in FIG. [Figure 38] FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view in the width direction (Y direction) of the terminal connection structure shown in FIG. [Figure 39] 39 is a cross-sectional view in the width direction (Y direction) of the terminal connection structure shown in FIG. [Figure 40A] FIG. 40A is a widthwise (Y-direction) cross-sectional view of the terminal connection structure according to Modification Example 15, showing a state in which the connection blocking portion is in the blocking position. [Figure 40B] FIG. 40B is a diagram showing a state in which the connection blocking portion is in the allowing position in the terminal connection structure shown in FIG. 40A. [Diagram 41] FIG. 41 is an overall perspective view showing an inter-terminal connection structure according to the sixteenth modification. [Diagram 42] 42 is a perspective view showing a fastening portion between one terminal portion and a connection portion in the terminal connection structure shown in FIG. [Diagram 43] FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XLIII-XLIII in FIG. [Diagram 44] 44 is a perspective view showing a fastening portion between the other terminal portion and the connection portion in the inter-terminal connection structure shown in FIG. [Diagram 45] FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XLV-XLV in FIG. [Diagram 46] FIG. 46 is a perspective view showing a unit on the connection portion side which constitutes a fastening portion between one terminal portion and the connection portion shown in FIG. [Figure 47] FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the unit on the connection portion side shown in FIG. 46, seen from below. [Figure 48] FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XLVIII-XLVIII in FIG. [Figure 49] FIG. 49 is a perspective view showing a terminal unit which constitutes a fastening portion between one terminal and a connecting portion shown in FIG. [Figure 50] FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional view taken along line LL in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] <Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure> First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The current-carrying component of the present disclosure comprises: (1) An electrically conductive component that electrically connects a plurality of terminal portions, the electrically conductive component having a plurality of connection portions that are respectively fastened in a connected state to the plurality of terminal portions, and an insulating case that houses the electrically conductive component; Including, A plurality of the terminal portions Our electric shock prevention measures are required. At least one of the terminals is covered with an insulating terminal cover having a terminal opening window, and the connection part is fastened to the terminal covered by the terminal cover. is before A connection portion side relay portion is connected to the terminal portion by inserting the terminal portion opening window. the terminal portion opening window has a size that allows the connection portion side relay portion to be inserted therethrough while preventing an operator's finger from being inserted therethrough. It is an electrical conducting part.

[0012] According to the current-carrying component of the present disclosure, a plurality of terminals Part Our Electric shock protection is requiredAt least one is insulating Terminal part It is covered with a cover Terminal part Installed on the cover Terminal part Terminal through the opening Part At least one of the terminals is exposed. Department Terminals that require protection against electric shock, such as when they may be live. Part At least one Terminal part By covering the terminals with a cover, workers etc. Department and This can prevent contact with the Terminal part Terminals covered by a cover To the department The connection to be made To the department teeth, Terminal part Installed on the cover Terminal part Insert the terminal through the opening To the department The terminal portion is provided with a connection portion-side relay portion to be connected, and therefore, even if the terminal portion is covered with a terminal portion cover, electrical connection between the terminal portion and the connection portion can be realized.

[0013] In the current-carrying component of the present disclosure, a terminal for which protection against electric shock is desired Department and Connections made to it To the department In contrast, Terminal part Cover and Connection side Since it is only necessary to provide a relay section, the degree of freedom in design can be improved. End Child is one 1 In the case of one Terminal part and it is concluded Connection Against Terminal part Cover and Connection side By providing a relay section, it is possible to implement a measure to prevent electric shock while suppressing costs. Also, for example, in the case where there are two terminal sections that can become live terminal sections, Terminal part A cover is provided and two connections are Connection side By providing a relay section, it is possible to realize excellent electric shock prevention measures. Terminal part The opening window is Connection side It is preferable that the size be such that it allows the relay portion to be inserted but prevents an operator's finger from being inserted therethrough. The current-carrying component includes a current-carrying member constituted by a bus bar, and a current-carrying component constituted by a wire harness provided with connection parts at both ends. When the current-carrying component is a wire harness, Terminal part A connection part provided on one end of a wire harness connected to a terminal part covered with a cover to prevent electric shock is covered with an insulating case. Connection side This includes a configuration in which the relay portion protrudes to the outside from the case.

[0014] At least one of the multiple terminals is covered with an insulating terminal cover, and the terminal is exposed through a terminal opening window provided in the insulating terminal cover. Therefore, when the terminal can be an active part, for example, by covering at least one of the multiple terminals for which a shock prevention measure is required with a terminal cover, contact between the terminal and an operator or the like can be suppressed. In addition, the connection part of the current-carrying member fastened to the terminal covered by the terminal cover is provided with a connection part side relay part that is connected to the terminal by passing through the terminal opening window provided in the terminal cover. Therefore, even if the terminal is covered with the terminal cover, an electrical connection between the terminal and the connection part can be realized.

[0015] (2) In the connection portion provided with the connection portion side relay portion, it is preferable that the connection portion is accommodated within and surrounded by the case. In the connection portion of the current-carrying member provided with the connection portion-side relay portion, as long as at least the connection portion-side relay portion protrudes outside the case, the connection between the terminal portion and the connection portion can be realized. Therefore, if the connection portion is surrounded by the case and is not exposed to the outside of the case, contact with the connection portion by workers, etc. can be advantageously suppressed compared to the conventional structure in which the entire lower surface of the connection portion is exposed from the case.

[0016] (3) It is preferable that the current-carrying member is constituted by a bus bar, the two connection portions are provided at both longitudinal ends of the bus bar, and a crank-shaped bent portion is provided bent in the thickness direction of the bus bar. As a result, the crank-shaped bent portion provided between the two connection portions can advantageously absorb the tolerance in the thickness direction of the busbar that occurs between the two terminal portions to which each connection portion is connected. Although at least one crank-shaped bent portion is required, if it is necessary to provide two connection portions at the same position in the thickness direction of the busbar, the two connection portions can be set at the same position by providing a pair of crank-shaped bent portions with opposite bending directions. Also, multiple crank-shaped bent portions or multiple pairs of crank-shaped bent portions with opposite bending directions can be provided.

[0017] (4) It is preferable that the terminal portion and the connection portion are fastened using a bolt, the bolt insertion holes provided in the connection portion and the connection portion side relay portion have a first space that allows displacement of the bolt in a predetermined direction, and the case has a second space that allows displacement of the bolt and the connection portion side relay portion in the predetermined direction. As a result, when the terminal portion and the connection portion are fastened with a bolt, the tolerance can be absorbed by the first space and the second space in a predetermined direction in which the tolerance of the separation distance between one terminal portion and the other terminal portion is accumulated. Note that the location where the first space and the second space are provided may be set in a predetermined direction in which tolerance absorption is required, and can be set arbitrarily depending on the location to which the inter-terminal connection structure is applied.

[0018] (5) In the above (4), it is preferable that the bolt is housed in the case, the upper surface of the case has an upper opening for exposing the insulating head of the bolt, and the lower surface of the case has a lower opening for exposing the threaded portion of the bolt and the connection side relay portion. Since the bolts for bolt fastening are housed inside the case of the current-carrying component, the components in the process of tightening the terminal and connection parts can be unitized, improving workability. Furthermore, since the heads of the bolts exposed from the top opening of the case are insulated, measures to prevent electric shock on the top side of the case are also achieved. Furthermore, since only the threaded part of the bolt and the connection part side relay part are exposed from the bottom opening of the case, contact between the worker and the connection part on the bottom side of the case is advantageously suppressed.

[0019] (6) In the above item (4), it is preferable that the bolt is housed in the case, the top surface of the case has a top opening for exposing the head of the bolt, and the top surface of the head of the bolt has a tool fitting hole formed therein into which the tip of a fastening tool fits, and that, in a plan view, the tool fitting hole is exposed to the outside through the top opening, and the outer periphery of the head is covered by the top surface of the case. By using a type of bolt with a tool fitting hole on the top surface of the bolt head, the opening area of ​​the top opening of the case can be reduced to a size large enough to allow the tip of a fastening tool to pass through, and the outer periphery of the head can be covered by the top surface of the case. This makes it possible to advantageously suppress or prevent contact with the live bolt without insulating the bolt head. The cross-sectional shape of the tool fitting hole can be circular or any non-circular shape, such as a polygon such as a hexagon, a star, or a + or - shape.

[0020] (7) In the above item (6), it is preferable that a portion of the upper surface of the case that covers the outer periphery of the head of the bolt is spaced upward from the head. By making the portion of the top surface of the case that covers the outer periphery of the bolt head higher than the head and increasing the distance between the top opening of the case and the bolt head, the possibility of contacting the bolt through the top opening can be further reduced. As a result, it is also possible to ensure a certain degree of size for the top opening in consideration of workability.

[0021] (8) It is preferable that the terminal portion and the connection portion are fastened using a bolt, the case is provided with a guide wall around the connection portion side relay portion and the threaded portion of the bolt, and the guide wall is a wall higher than the connection portion side relay portion. Since the guide wall is higher than the connection part side relay part, the worker is more effectively prevented from coming into contact with the connection part side relay part and the connection part. Furthermore, when the threaded part of the bolt housed in the case of the current-carrying component is screwed into the terminal part, the guide wall also effectively prevents the worker from coming into contact with the bolt, improving safety during the bolt fastening work. More preferably, the guide wall protrudes to a degree equal to or greater than the tip of the threaded part of the bolt.

[0022] (9) In the above item (8), it is preferable that the guide wall is provided in the vicinity of the connection portion, and that the guide wall abuts against a member provided on the terminal portion side to suppress displacement. It is now possible to give the guide wall a displacement suppression function, which makes it possible to achieve both safety and improved workability during bolt tightening work with a reduced number of parts.

[0023] (10) It is preferable that the connection portion side relay portion and the current-carrying member are integrally formed. By integrating the connection part side relay part and the current-carrying member, the connection part side relay part, which is relatively small, can be easily handled, and assembly workability can be improved. There is no limitation on the method for integrally forming the connection part side relay part with the current-carrying member, and any method can be adopted. For example, when the current-carrying member is formed of a metal plate, the connection part side relay part can be protruded by applying burring processing to the connection part. Also, the current-carrying member and the connection part side relay part, which are formed separately, may be integrated by welding or the like. The current-carrying member and the connection part side relay part may be integrally provided as a die-cast product of aluminum or the like.

[0024] (11) In any one of the above (1) to (9), it is preferable that the connection portion side relay portion and the current-carrying member are formed separately, and the connection portion side relay portion is held in the case. Separating the current-carrying member from the connection-side relay part improves the freedom of material selection. Moreover, since the connection-side relay part is held in the case, the connection-side relay part, which is relatively small, can be easily handled. Any structure can be used to hold the connection-side relay part in the case, such as a support structure using a concave-convex fit or a flange. The connection-side relay part may be held in the case by insert molding.

[0025] (12) In the above (11), it is preferable that the connection side relay part has a tubular portion protruding to the outside of the case and a flange portion protruding outward from one end of the tubular portion, the tubular portion of the connection side relay part is inserted into an opening hole formed through the case, and the flange portion of the connection side relay part engages with the periphery of the opening hole from the inside of the case, thereby holding the connection side relay part in the case. This is because the tubular portion of the connection side relay part can be protruded outside the case and the flange side can be contained and held within the case, making it possible to achieve, with a simple structure, that the connection side relay part can be protruded outside the case and held in the case.

[0026] (13) In the above item (11), it is preferable that the connection portion side relay portion is held in the case by being press-fitted into an opening hole that penetrates the case. By simply pressing the connection side relay part into the opening hole provided in the case, the connection side relay part can be protruded outside the case and held in the case, thereby simplifying the structure of the case and the connection side relay part.

[0027] (14) It is preferable that a plurality of the connection-portion-side relay portions are provided at a distance from one another and protrude from the connection portion. This is because the connection portion-side relay portion can be arranged separately in multiple locations, which improves the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the connection portion-side relay portion, the selection of materials, etc. The multiple connection portion-side relay portions may be provided integrally with the current-carrying member, or may be provided separately.

[0028] (15) It is preferable that the terminal portion and the connection portion are fastened using a bolt, the terminal portion opening window is formed in a ring shape around the bolt insertion hole of the terminal portion, and the connection portion side relay portion is arranged in a ring shape around the bolt insertion hole of the connection portion. The terminal portion and the connection portion are stably fastened and fixed by using a bolt. Furthermore, the terminal portion opening window and the connection portion side relay portion can be provided compactly by utilizing the bolt insertion hole required for bolt fastening, and the terminal connection structure can be made compact. In addition, the connection portion side relay portion can be configured in an annular shape, and the strength of the connection portion side relay portion can be ensured.

[0029] (16) It is preferable that the connector has an insulating connection part cover covering another one of the plurality of connection parts, and a connection part opening window provided in the connection part cover to partially expose the other one of the plurality of connection parts, and a terminal part side relay part is provided on the other one of the plurality of terminal parts fastened to the other one of the connection parts covered by the connection part cover, and the terminal part side relay part is inserted through the connection part opening window to be connected to the other one of the connection parts. Since one of the multiple terminals is covered with a terminal cover, for example, when applied to a terminal of a battery module that is an active part, contact with the terminal by a worker or the like can be suppressed, and the required electric shock countermeasures can be met. Furthermore, after one connection part of the current-carrying member is fastened to the terminal that is an active part, the other connection part of the current-carrying member becomes an active part, but in this embodiment, since the other connection part is covered with a connection part cover, contact with the other connection part that is an active part by a worker or the like can be suppressed. This makes it possible to perform the fastening work of the multiple terminals using the current-carrying member while providing excellent electric shock countermeasures. The connection portion opening window provided in the connection portion cover is preferably provided with a size that allows the terminal portion side relay portion to pass therethrough but prevents an operator's finger from passing therethrough.

[0030] (17) In the above (16), it is preferable that the other terminal portion and the other connection portion are fastened using a bolt and a nut, the nut is accommodated in the case on the side of the other connection portion, the nut and the tip of the bolt fastened to the nut are positioned in an insulating coated state in an upper opening provided on the upper surface of the case, the connection portion cover is formed by a bottom wall of the case, the connection portion opening window is provided through the bottom wall, and the bolt and the terminal portion side relay portion are arranged at the other terminal portion. A fastening nut is accommodated in the case on the side of the other connection part of the current-carrying component, and both a fastening bolt and a terminal part-side relay part are disposed on the other terminal part. This allows the other terminal part and the other connection part to be unitized including the fastening part, and the handling and workability of the parts can be further improved. Furthermore, since the nut located at the top opening of the case and the tip part of the bolt fastened to the nut are insulated, a shock prevention measure on the top side of the case is also achieved. In addition, a bolt and a terminal part-side relay part are disposed on the other terminal part. Therefore, by applying this to a terminal part that is not a live part, such as a terminal part of an electrical connection box connected to a battery module, no electric shock problem will occur. In addition, any configuration can be used to insulate the nut located at the top opening of the case and the tip of the bolt fastened to the nut, and for example, a bag-shaped nut cover can be used.

[0031] (18) It is preferable that the case is provided with a connection preventing portion that prevents connection between the connection portion and the terminal portion, and that the connection preventing portion is displaceable to an allowable position that allows connection between the connection portion and the terminal portion. Since the case of the current-carrying component is provided with a connection prevention part that prevents the connection between the connection part and the terminal part, for example, during the connection work between the terminal parts, a malfunction in which one connection part of the current-carrying component is connected to the terminal part due to an erroneous operation, and the other connection part of the current-carrying component unintentionally becomes a live part, can be prevented. Moreover, since the connection prevention part is displaceable to an allowable position that allows the connection between the connection part and the terminal part, the connection between the connection part and the terminal part can be controlled with one part. In addition, since the connection work involves the operation of displacing the connection prevention part to the allowable position, the worker can perform the connection between the connection part and the terminal part with a certain awareness, and the malfunction in which the other connection part of the current-carrying component unintentionally becomes a live part can be reliably prevented.

[0032] (19) In the above item (18), it is preferable that the connection preventing portion has a fitting portion that fits into the fitted portion on the terminal portion side when the connection preventing portion is displaced to the permitted position. Since the connection preventing portion has an engaging portion that engages with the engaging portion on the terminal portion side when the connection preventing portion is displaced to the permissible position, the connection preventing portion can also serve as the fixing structure between the terminal portion and the connection portion, and excellent connection stability between the terminal portion and the connection portion can also be ensured with a small number of parts.

[0033] (20) In the above item (19), it is preferable that the fitting portion and the fitted portion are fitted together at a normal fitting position of the terminal portion and the connection portion. This is because an operator can detect whether the terminal portion and the connection portion are properly fitted together by checking whether the fitting portion and the fitted portion are fitted together.

[0034] (21) In any of (18) to (20) above, it is preferable that the case accommodates a bolt for fastening the connection portion to the terminal portion, the top surface of the case has an upper opening exposing an insulating head of the bolt, and the bottom surface of the case has a lower opening exposing the threaded portion of the bolt and the connection portion side relay portion, and the connection preventing portion is displaceable between a preventing position which covers the lower opening and covers the threaded portion of the bolt and the connection portion side relay portion, and a allowing position which opens the lower opening and allows connection of the threaded portion of the bolt to the terminal portion of the connection portion side relay portion. This is because when in the blocking position, the connection blocking portion covers the lower opening, reliably preventing the threaded portion of the bolt and the connection portion side relay portion from being exposed, thereby providing better protection against electric shock.

[0035] (22) It is preferable that the case includes an insulating coating covering a longitudinal middle portion of the current-carrying member, and an end case provided at both longitudinal ends of the current-carrying member and covering at least one of the two connection portions exposed from the insulating coating, the end case is assembled to the current-carrying member so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction, the connection portion and the terminal portion are fastened using bolts and nuts, and a bolt insertion hole extending through the connection portion is provided with a displacement tolerance gap to allow displacement of the end case relative to the current-carrying member in the longitudinal direction. Since the insulating case that houses the current-carrying member includes an insulating coating that covers the longitudinal middle portion of the current-carrying member and an end case that covers at least one of the ends, the case can be provided more compactly and at lower cost. Moreover, the end case is assembled to the current-carrying member so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction. connection The bolt insertion holes formed through the terminals are also provided with a displacement tolerance gap that allows for displacement of the end case relative to the current-carrying member in the longitudinal direction. This allows the tolerance of the distance between the two terminals to be absorbed by the displacement of the end case relative to the current-carrying member on the current-carrying component side when the connection portion and the terminal portion are fastened together with a bolt and a nut.

[0036] In addition, the current-carrying component of the present disclosure is (23) An electrically conductive component that electrically connects a plurality of terminal portions, the electrically conductive component comprising: an electrically conductive member having a plurality of connection portions that are respectively fastened in a connected state to the plurality of terminal portions; and an insulating case that houses the electrically conductive member. an insulating connection portion cover for covering at least one of the plurality of connection portions that requires protection against electric shock; and a connection portion opening window provided in the connection portion cover for partially exposing the connection portion covered by the connection portion cover; Including, The terminal portion to be fastened to the connection portion covered by the connection portion cover Including the terminal side relay part , before The terminal side relay portion is inserted through the connection portion opening window and connected to the connection portion. the connection portion opening window has a size that allows the terminal portion side relay portion to be inserted therethrough but prevents an operator's finger from being inserted therethrough. It is an electrical conducting part. At least one connection part is covered with a connection part cover, and the connection part is partially exposed through a connection part opening window provided in the connection part cover. Therefore, when the connection part may be an active part, etc., by covering at least one of the connection parts for which electric shock protection is required with a connection part cover, contact between an operator and the connection part for which electric shock protection is required can be suppressed. In addition, the terminal part fastened to the connection part covered by the connection part cover is provided with a terminal part side relay part that is connected to the connection part by inserting it through the connection part opening window provided in the connection part cover. Therefore, even if the connection part is covered with the connection part cover, electrical connection between the connection part and the terminal part can be realized.

[0037] The junction box of the present disclosure comprises: (24) Items (1) to (2) above 2 A junction box including the terminal portion to which the connection portion of the current-carrying component according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is connected, Electric shock protection is required The terminal portion has The above Terminal cover - It is provided, The above Connection side relay Department The junction box is adapted to be connected to the connection portion of the provided current-carrying member. The junction box of the present disclosure comprises: (24') A junction box having a terminal portion to which the connection portion of the electrically conductive component described in (23) above is connected, and the terminal portion connected to the connection portion covered by the connection portion cover is provided with the terminal portion side relay portion. According to the present disclosure, a junction box can be provided that can enjoy the effects of any of the above-mentioned current-carrying components.

[0038] (25) In the above (24), it is preferable that the terminal portion and the connection portion are fastened using a bolt, and the terminal portion cover includes an inner peripheral portion covering an inner surface of a bolt insertion hole provided in the terminal portion. This is because the inner peripheral portion of the terminal cover covers the inner peripheral surfaces of the bolt insertion holes of the terminals, which advantageously prevents an operator or the like from coming into contact with the inner peripheral surfaces of the bolt insertion holes of the terminals. Note that the inner peripheral portion of the terminal cover may be integrated with other portions of the terminal cover, or may be provided separately and configured to constitute the terminal cover in a state where it is held in the bolt insertion holes of the terminals.

[0039] (26) In the above item (25), it is preferable that the inner periphery of the terminal cover is integrated with other portions of the terminal cover. This is because the inner periphery of the terminal cover, which is relatively small, becomes easier to handle.

[0040] (27) In the above (25) or (26), it is preferable that the terminal portion opening window is formed in a ring shape around the bolt insertion hole of the terminal portion, the connection portion side relay portion is arranged in a ring shape around the bolt insertion hole of the connection portion, the ring-shaped terminal portion opening window is partitioned between the inner peripheral portion of the terminal portion cover and an outer peripheral portion of the terminal portion cover provided radially outwardly from the inner peripheral portion, and the surface of the terminal portion around the bolt insertion hole is covered by the outer peripheral portion. Since the inner surface of the bolt insertion hole of the terminal part is covered by the inner portion of the terminal part cover which defines the annular terminal part opening window, contact by workers and the like with the inner surface of the bolt insertion hole of the terminal part can be advantageously prevented.

[0041] (28) In any of (24) to (27) above, it is preferable that the terminal portion and the connection portion are fastened using a bolt, the terminal portion opening window is opened to a size that exposes the bolt insertion hole of the terminal portion and its surrounding area, and a protrusion is provided on the peripheral portion of the terminal portion opening window, protruding toward the connection portion side relay portion. Even when the terminal portion opening window is opened to a size including the bolt insertion hole of the terminal portion and its surrounding area, a protrusion that protrudes toward the connection portion-side relay portion is provided on the peripheral portion of the terminal portion opening window, and the height of the protrusion can advantageously reduce the possibility of an operator or the like touching the inside of the terminal portion opening window, for example, the inner peripheral surface of the bolt insertion hole. Therefore, by adjusting the height of the protrusion, it is possible to suppress or prevent an operator or the like from touching the inner peripheral surface of the bolt insertion hole without using the inner peripheral portion of the terminal portion cover defined in the above mode (25), and the number of parts can also be reduced.

[0042] (29) In the above item (28), it is preferable that the protrusion is spaced apart from the current-carrying component when the terminal portion and the connection portion are fastened together by the bolt. When the terminal and the connection are fastened with the bolt, the protrusion comes into contact with one of the current-carrying components, preventing the axial force of the bolt from being dispersed to the terminal cover via the protrusion. This ensures a strong and stable connection between the terminal and the connection while preventing the protrusion from contacting the terminal.

[0043] (30) In any of the above (24) to (29), it is preferable that the peripheral portion of the terminal portion opening window is flexible and deformable, and that the connection portion side relay portion presses against the peripheral portion to expand the terminal portion opening window, thereby allowing the connection portion side relay portion to be inserted into the terminal portion opening window. Since the connection part-side relay part pushes open the peripheral part of the terminal part opening window, the connection part-side relay part is allowed to pass through the terminal part opening window, so that the opening area of ​​the terminal part opening window that exposes the terminal part to the outside can be reduced before connection with the connection part of the current-carrying component, which further advantageously reduces the possibility of an operator or the like coming into contact with the terminal part.

[0044] The bus bar module of the present disclosure includes: (31) Items (1) to (2) above 2 A bus bar module including the terminal portion to which the connection portion of the current-carrying component according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is connected, Electric shock protection is required The terminal portion has The above Terminal cover - It is provided, The above Connection side relay Department The bus bar module is adapted to be connected to the connection portion of the current-carrying member provided. The bus bar module of the present disclosure includes: (31') A busbar module having a terminal portion to which the connection portion of the electrically conductive component described in (23) above is connected, wherein the terminal portion connected to the connection portion covered by the connection portion cover is provided with the terminal portion side relay portion. According to the present disclosure, a busbar module can be provided that can enjoy the effects of any of the current-carrying components described above.

[0045] The battery module of the present disclosure includes: (32) Items (1) to (2) above 2 A battery module including the terminal portion to which the connection portion of the current-carrying component according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is connected, Electric shock protection is required The terminal portion has The above Terminal cover - It is provided, The above Connection side relay Department The battery module is adapted to be connected to the connection portion of the provided current-carrying member. The battery module of the present disclosure includes: (32') A battery module having a terminal portion to which the connection portion of the electrically conductive component described in (23) above is connected, and the terminal portion connected to the connection portion covered by the connection portion cover is provided with the terminal portion side relay portion. According to the present disclosure, a battery module capable of enjoying the effects of any of the current-carrying components described above can be provided.

[0046] <Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure> Specific examples of the inter-terminal connection structure of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0047] <Embodiment 1> Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. FIGS. 1 to 7 show an example in which a terminal connection structure 10 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a battery module 12. The battery module 12 is used as a driving source for vehicles such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. As shown in FIG. 1, the battery module 12 includes a first battery module 12A and a second battery module 12B, which are connected to each other via the terminal connection structure 10 of the present disclosure. In FIG. 1, the first battery module 12A is shown on the left side, and the second battery module 12B is shown on the right side. In the following description, the Z direction is the upward direction, the Y direction is the forward direction, and the X direction is the right direction. In addition, for multiple identical members, only some of the members may be labeled with a reference symbol, and the reference symbols may be omitted for the other members.

[0048] <First Battery Module 12A and Second Battery Module 12B> As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the first battery module 12A and the second battery module 12B each house a plurality of chargeable single cells 16 in a housing 14A, 14B. The battery modules 12A, 12B connect the plurality of single cells 16 in series using a bus bar or the like (not shown), and the output voltage is, for example, 100V to 400V. The battery modules 12A, 12B can also increase the current capacity by connecting the plurality of single cells 16 in parallel. For such single cells 16, a lithium ion secondary battery, a lithium polymer secondary battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, or the like can be used. Instead of or in addition to the single cells 16, a capacitor such as an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) can also be used. In this specification, the term capacitor is also included.

[0049] The housings 14A, 14B are made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The housings 14A, 14B are in the shape of a generally rectangular box that opens upward, and have a bottom wall and a peripheral wall 18 that surrounds the bottom wall. The peripheral wall 18 on the front side of the housings 14A, 14B is thick. The entire upper end of the front peripheral wall 18 is cut out, so that the upper end 20 of the front peripheral wall 18 is located lower than the upper end 22 of the battery cell 16.

[0050] <Terminal connection structure 10> The first battery module 12A and the second battery module 12B each have electric cells 16 connected in series by a member such as a bus bar (not shown). Furthermore, the first battery module 12A and the second battery module 12B having the electric cells 16 connected in series are connected in series using an inter-terminal connection structure 10 that electrically connects the terminal portion 32 of the first terminal portion side unit 24 and the terminal portion 32 of the second terminal portion side unit 26 via an electric component 54.

[0051] <First terminal unit 24> As shown in FIG. 4, the first terminal unit 24 having one of the two terminals includes a connection terminal 28 connectable to an external terminal and a housing 30 that holds the connection terminal 28. The connection terminal 28 is made of a plate-shaped metal such as copper, copper alloy, aluminum, or aluminum alloy, and has a shape in which a middle part in the longitudinal direction is bent into an inverted U shape and both ends are bent into an L shape. A front end, which is one end in the longitudinal direction, is a terminal part 32 that is connected to a connection part 60 of a first connection part unit 86 of a current-carrying component 54 described later, and a rear end, which is the other end in the longitudinal direction, is a terminal fastening part 34 that is connected to a terminal of a cell 16 of the first battery module 12A. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal part 32 is provided on the first battery module 12A side with respect to the terminal fastening part 34. The terminal part 32 is also provided on the lower side with respect to the terminal fastening part 34. A through hole 36 is formed in the terminal fastening part 34 for connection to a terminal of a cell 16 of the first battery module 12A.

[0052] A bolt insertion hole 38 into which a threaded portion 84A of a bolt 84 of a current-carrying component 54 described later can be inserted is formed through the terminal portion 32. The bolt insertion hole 38 has a circular shape of a size such that a predetermined gap (a gap in which an inner periphery portion 48B described later is disposed) is formed between the threaded portion 84A of the bolt 84 and the inner wall of the bolt insertion hole 38.

[0053] The housing 30 is made of insulating synthetic resin, and holds the connection terminals 28 housed therein, as shown in Fig. 7. The housing 30 includes a terminal holding portion 40 that holds the connection terminals 28, and a terminal portion cover 48 as an insulating cover that covers the terminal portions 32. The terminal holding portion 40 has a generally rectangular block shape, as shown in Fig. 4, and an accommodating portion 42 that accommodates a nut 44 is formed in the center thereof. A screw hole 46 is formed through the center of the nut 44, into which a screw portion 84A of a bolt 84 of a current-carrying component 54, which will be described later, is screwed.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 4, the insulating terminal cover 48 has a generally rectangular box shape and includes an outer peripheral portion 48A constituting the outer peripheral portion of the terminal cover 48 and an inner peripheral portion 48B constituting the inner peripheral portion of the terminal cover 48. As shown in FIG. 7, the outer peripheral portion 48A covers the upper surface of the terminal portion 32 and is formed of an insulating synthetic resin with a thickness that can suppress or prevent electric shock to the terminal portion 32. A through hole 49 is formed in the center of the outer peripheral portion 48A. The inner peripheral portion 48B is coaxially arranged in the center portion of the through hole 49, and a terminal portion opening window 50 is provided between the radially opposing surfaces of the periphery of the through hole 49 and the inner peripheral portion 48B as an opening window that partially exposes the terminal portion 32 of the connection terminal 28. As shown in FIG. 7, the terminal portion opening window 50 is provided in a circular region around the through hole 49, and of the insulating terminal portion cover 48, the inside of the terminal portion opening window 50 is the inner peripheral portion 48B, and the outside of the terminal portion opening window 50 is the outer peripheral portion 48A.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 6, the inner peripheral portion 48B is formed to cover the inner wall of the bolt insertion hole 38 that penetrates the terminal portion 32. In this way, the inner peripheral portion 48B is provided in a cylindrical shape on the inner wall of the bolt insertion hole 38, and is formed with a thickness that can suppress or prevent electric shock to the inner wall of the bolt insertion hole 38. The inner surface of the inner peripheral portion 48B is the inner surface of an insertion hole 51 through which a threaded portion 84A of a bolt 84 described later is inserted. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, a circular protrusion 52 that protrudes outwardly and obliquely downward is provided at the lower end of the inner peripheral portion 48B. A tapered surface 53 that extends obliquely downward is provided at the lower end of the inner peripheral edge of the bolt insertion hole 38, and the inner peripheral portion 48B is inserted into the bolt insertion hole 38 of the terminal portion 32 and is fixed in a state of being pressed against the terminal portion 32.

[0056] <Second terminal unit 26> The second terminal unit 26 having the other of the two terminals has substantially the same structure as the first terminal unit 24 as shown in FIG. 2, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted in this embodiment.

[0057] <Electrically conductive parts 54> As shown in FIG. 5, the current-carrying component 54 includes a bus bar 56 and a connection-side relay portion 66 serving as a relay portion that constitute a current-carrying member, and an insulating case 70 that houses the current-carrying member.

[0058] <Busbar 56> The bus bar 56 constituting the current-carrying member is made of a plate-like metal such as copper, copper alloy, aluminum, or aluminum alloy, and has a pair of crank-shaped bent portions 58, 58 bent in the thickness direction of the bus bar 56 at any position in the longitudinal middle portion. The bus bar 56 has connection portions 60, 60 of the same shape at both longitudinal ends thereof, a substantially elliptical bolt insertion hole 62 with the longitudinal direction as its major axis is formed in the center thereof, and positioning recesses 64 are formed on both sides in the width direction thereof. The connection portions 60, 60 constitute a first connection portion side unit 86 and a second connection portion side unit 88, which will be described later. Here, the longitudinal middle portion refers to a portion between the longitudinal ends of the bus bar 56, that is, between the connection portions 60, 60 in the longitudinal direction.

[0059] <Connection side relay section 66> 5, the connection part side relay part 66 is made of an annular metal member, for example, copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, iron, or other metal. The connection part side relay part 66 includes a cylindrical tube part 66A and a flange part 66B that protrudes from the upper end part of the tube part 66A to the outer circumferential side in a flange-like shape, and the inside of the connection part side relay part 66 is a bolt insertion hole 68 through which the threaded part 84A of the bolt 84 is inserted. The bolt insertion hole 68 has a substantially elliptical shape with the longitudinal direction of the bus bar 56 as the major axis, similar to the bolt insertion hole 62 of the bus bar 56. The flange part 66B protrudes in a stepped shape of a constant dimension over the entire circumference of the outer wall of the connection part side relay part 66 on the upper side in the axial direction of the bolt insertion hole 68.

[0060] <Case 70> 5, the insulating case 70 that houses the bus bar 56 includes a case body 70A and a lid body 70B. The case body 70A and the lid body 70B are both made of insulating synthetic resin and formed as separate bodies. The case body 70A and the lid body 70B may be formed integrally.

[0061] The case body 70A has a generally rectangular box shape extending in the longitudinal direction, and the longitudinal middle portion is shallow in accordance with the shape of the bus bar 56 accommodated therein. At both longitudinal end portions of the bottom wall 72 constituting the lower surface of the case 70, a bottom surface opening hole 74 is provided through which the tubular portion 66A of the connection part side relay part 66 is inserted and which holds the flange portion 66B of the connection part side relay part 66 at the periphery. That is, the tubular portion 66A of the connection part side relay part 66 is inserted and arranged in the bottom surface opening hole 74 which is provided through the case body 70A, and the flange portion 66B of the connection part side relay part 66 engages with the periphery of the bottom surface opening hole 74 from the inside of the case body 70A, thereby holding the connection part side relay part 66 in the case 70. At both widthwise sides of the bottom wall 72, positioning protrusions 76 which engage with the positioning recesses 64 of the bus bar 56 are formed toward the inside. Further, guide walls 78 extend downward from both longitudinal ends of the bottom wall 72 over the entire width of the bottom wall 72 .

[0062] The lid 70B constituting the upper surface of the case 70 is shaped as a generally rectangular flat plate extending in the longitudinal direction as a whole, as shown in Fig. 5. At both longitudinal ends of the lid 70B, upper surface openings 80 are formed to expose the heads of bolts 84 that are coated with insulating paint. The insulating paint is applied, for example, by coating with fluororesin or by powdering with nylon.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 7, the tubular portion 66A of the connection portion side relay portion 66 is held in the bottom surface opening hole 74 of the case main body 70A configured as described above. The bus bar 56 is placed above the flange portion 66B of the connection portion side relay portion 66. The bus bar 56 is positioned by fitting the positioning recess 64 of the bus bar 56 into the positioning protrusion 76 of the case main body 70A. The bolt 84 is held in the connection portion 60 of the bus bar 56 with the threaded portion 84A of the bolt 84, which is coated with insulating paint, inserted into the bolt insertion hole 62 of the connection portion 60 of the bus bar 56. The case main body 70A in which the connection portion side relay portion 66, the bus bar 56, and the bolt 84 are thus housed is covered with the lid 70B to configure the current-carrying component 54.

[0064] 2, the current-carrying component 54 has a first connection part side unit 86 provided at its longitudinal end on the first battery module 12A side, and a second connection part side unit 88 provided at its longitudinal end on the second battery module 12B side. Both the first connection part side unit 86 and the second connection part side unit 88 have a connection part side relay part 66 housed in an insulating case 70, connections 60, 60 of the bus bar 56, and bolts 84.

[0065] In the current-carrying component 54 configured in this manner, as shown in FIG. 7, the tubular portion 66A of the connection portion side relay portion 66 penetrates the lower surface opening hole 74 of the bottom wall 72 of the case main body 70A constituting the lower surface of the case 70 and protrudes to the outside. Also, the threaded portion 84A of the bolt 84 penetrates the lower surface opening hole 74 and protrudes to the outside. In addition, the tubular portion 66A of the connection portion side relay portion 66 and the threaded portion 84A of the bolt 84 are surrounded by a guide wall 78 as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. That is, the portions other than the tubular portion 66A of the connection portion side relay portion 66 constituting the first connection portion side unit 86 and the second connection portion side unit 88, and the bus bar 56 including the connection portions 60, 60 are all housed in the insulating case 70, are not exposed to the outside of the case 70, and are surrounded by the case 70. Moreover, a guide wall 78 is formed around the tubular portion 66A of the connection portion-side relay portion 66 and the threaded portion 84A of the bolt 84, beyond the tip of the connection portion-side relay portion 66, with approximately the same dimensions as the tip of the threaded portion 84A. That is, the guide wall 78 is a wall higher than the connection portion-side relay portion 66. Furthermore, the guide wall 78 is provided in the vicinity of the connection portion 60, and the pair of guide walls 78, 78 abut against the connection terminals 28 provided on the terminal portion-side units 24, 26, as shown in FIG. 6 and other figures, thereby suppressing displacement of the current-carrying part 54 with respect to the terminal portion-side units 24, 26.

[0066] The bolt insertion holes of each of the connection part side units 86, 88 are configured to include the bolt insertion hole 62 provided in the connection parts 60, 60 of the bus bar 56 and the bolt insertion hole 68 provided in the connection part side relay part 66, which configure the first connection part side unit 86 and the second connection part side unit 88. These bolt insertion holes 62, 68 have a substantially elliptical shape with the longitudinal direction of the bus bar 56 as the major axis. Therefore, in the case of the first connection part side unit 86 shown in FIG. 7 as an example, in a state in which the threaded portion 84A of the bolt 84 is coaxially arranged in the bolt insertion holes 62, 68, first spaces: a1, a2 that allow displacement of the bolt 84 in the longitudinal direction of the bus bar 56 are provided on both sides in a radial direction of the threaded portion 84A, which is the longitudinal direction of the bus bar 56. On the other hand, the case body 70A and the cover body 70B that constitute the conductive component 54 are provided with second spaces: b1, b2, and b3 that allow for displacement of the bolt 84 and the connection portion side relay portion 66 in the longitudinal direction of the bus bar 56, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0067] <Connection between live parts and terminals> The current-carrying component 54 thus configured is assembled to the first terminal portion side unit 24 and the second terminal portion side unit 26, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. As a result, the connection portion 60 of the first connection portion side unit 86 is bolted to the terminal portion 32 of the first terminal portion side unit 24 in a connected state, and the connection portion 60 of the second connection portion side unit 88 is bolted to the terminal portion 32 of the second terminal portion side unit 26 in a connected state via the connection portion side relay portion 66. The bolting is performed by tightening the bolt 84 and the nut 44. The assembly process of the first connection portion side unit 86 to the first terminal portion side unit 24 can be assembled in substantially the same process as the assembly process of the second connection portion side unit 88 to the second terminal portion side unit 26. Therefore, only the assembly process of the first connection portion side unit 86 to the first terminal portion side unit 24 will be described here.

[0068] First, the terminal fastening portions 34 of the connection terminals 28 of the first terminal unit 24 and the second terminal unit 26 shown in Fig. 2 are fastened to the terminals of the frontmost cells 16 of the first battery module 12A and the second battery module 12B using fastening members (not shown). In this state, the upper portions of the cells 16 are covered over substantially the entire surfaces by an upper case (not shown).

[0069] In this state, as shown in FIG. 7, the terminals 32 (terminals 32) of the connection terminals 28 of the first terminal unit 24 (second terminal unit 26) are all covered by the outer periphery 48A and inner periphery 48B constituting the insulating terminal cover 48. Although there is a terminal opening window 50 through which the terminals 32 of the connection terminals 28 are partially exposed, it is small relative to the fingertips of an operator, and therefore contact with the terminals 32 of the connection terminals 28 by an operator or foreign objects through the terminal opening window 50 is suppressed. Since the connection terminals 28 are high voltage, particularly high safety requirements are set. For example, the standards of the German Verband der Elektrotechnik (VDE), such as VDE0470, and European standards, such as IEC / EN61032, provide protection from contact with human fingers. For the corresponding tests, a so-called test finger F shown in FIG. 7 is provided. In this embodiment, the terminal portion opening window 50 is opened to a size that prevents the test finger F from being inserted therethrough.

[0070] Next, as shown in Fig. 7, the first connection portion side unit 86 of the current-carrying part 54 is overlapped from above on the first terminal portion side unit 24. In this state, the guide wall 78 restricts access to the threaded portion 84A of the bolt 84, the tubular portion 66A of the connection portion side relay portion 66, and the terminal portion 32 exposed through the terminal portion opening window 50, ensuring the safety of the worker. The threaded portion 84A of the bolt 84 is inserted through the insertion hole 51 of the inner peripheral portion 48B of the first terminal portion side unit 24 and screwed into the threaded hole 46 of the nut 44. At this time, the bolt 84 can be fastened to the nut 44 by inserting a tool (not shown) from the upper surface opening 80 of the cover body 70B of the current-carrying part 54. 6, the tubular portion 66A of the connection portion side relay portion 66 is inserted through the terminal portion opening window 50 of the first terminal portion side unit 24, and the tubular portion 66A of the connection portion side relay portion 66 is in contact with the terminal portion 32 of the first terminal portion side unit 24. Then, the bolt 84 is fastened with the terminal portion 32 of the connection terminal 28, the connection portion side relay portion 66, and the connection portion 60 of the bus bar 56 sandwiched between the head of the bolt 84 and the nut 44.

[0071] As a result, the terminal portion 32 of the first terminal portion side unit 24 and the connection portion 60 of the first connection portion side unit 86 of the current-carrying component 54 are electrically connected via the connection portion side relay portion 66. Similarly, the terminal portion 32 of the second terminal portion side unit 26 and the connection portion 60 of the second connection portion side unit 88 of the current-carrying component 54 are electrically connected via the connection portion side relay portion 66. As a result, the terminal-to-terminal connection structure 10 is completed.

[0072] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. According to this embodiment, the terminals 32 of the connection terminals 28 of the first terminal unit 24 and the second terminal unit 26 are covered by the outer periphery 48A and the inner periphery 48B constituting the insulating terminal cover 48. Therefore, even if a terminal opening window 50 is provided to partially expose the terminals 32, it is small relative to the fingertips of an operator, so that it is possible to prevent the operator or foreign objects from contacting the terminals 32 through the terminal opening window 50. In addition, the connection portions 60 of the bus bars 56 of the connection side units 86 and 88 can be conductively connected to the terminals 32 of the terminal side units 24 and 26 via the connection side relay portions 66 that are inserted through the terminal opening window 50 and connected to the terminals 32 of the terminal side units 24 and 26. Therefore, the terminals 32 and the connection portions 60 can be electrically connected to each other.

[0073] Moreover, by providing all the terminals 32 with insulating terminal covers 48, excellent measures against electric shock can be realized. When connecting the terminals of the opposite electrodes of adjacent cells 16 of two battery modules 12A, 12B as in this embodiment, both the terminals 32 of the first terminal unit 24 and the second terminal unit 26 become live parts. Therefore, by covering both the terminals 32 of the first terminal unit 24 and the second terminal unit 26 with the insulating terminal covers 48, it is possible to prevent workers and the like from coming into contact with the live parts, thereby improving safety.

[0074] By fixing the terminal portion 32 and the connection portion 60 by fastening the bolts, the terminal portion 32 and the connection portion 60 can be stably tightened and fixed. Furthermore, the terminal portion opening window 50 is formed in an annular shape around the bolt insertion hole 68, the inner hole of the connection portion side relay portion 66 is the bolt insertion hole 68, and the connection portion side relay portion 66 is made of an annular metal member. Therefore, the terminal portion opening window 50 and the connection portion side relay portion 66 can be formed compactly, and the terminal connection structure 10 can be made smaller. Moreover, by making the connection portion side relay portion 66 of an annular metal member, the strength of the connection portion side relay portion 66 can be ensured.

[0075] 6 and 7, the lower end of the tubular portion 66A of the connection portion side relay portion 66 that connects to the connection portion 60 is surrounded by a guide wall 78 and is not exposed to the outside of the case 70. Therefore, compared to the conventional structure in which the entire lower surface of the connection portion 60 is exposed from the case, contact with the connection portion 60 by workers or the like can be advantageously suppressed.

[0076] The current-carrying member is constituted by a busbar 56, and a pair of crank-shaped bent portions 58 bent in the thickness direction of the busbar 56 is provided at a longitudinal intermediate portion of the busbar 56. This advantageously absorbs the tolerance in the thickness direction of the busbar 56 occurring between the terminal portion 32 of the first terminal portion side unit 24 and the terminal portion 32 of the second terminal portion side unit 26 to which the connection portions 60 provided at both longitudinal ends of the busbar 56 are connected. Furthermore, by providing a pair of crank-shaped bent portions 58 facing in opposite directions, the connection portions 60 can be provided at the same position in the thickness direction of the busbar 56. In addition, since the bolt insertion hole 62 of the connection portion 60 of the busbar 56 is formed into an elliptical shape extending in the longitudinal direction, the tolerance in the longitudinal direction of the busbar 56 occurring between the terminal portion 32 to which the connection portion 60 of the busbar 56 is connected can be advantageously absorbed.

[0077] As shown in Fig. 7, the bolt insertion hole 62 of the connection part 60 and the bolt insertion hole 68 of the connection part side relay part 66 are provided with first spaces a1 and a2 that allow the bolt 84 to be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the busbar 56, while the case body 70A and the cover body 70B of the current-carrying part 54 are provided with second spaces b1, b2, and b3 that allow the bolt 84 and the connection part side relay part 66 to be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the busbar 56. As a result, when fastening the connection parts 60, 60 of the current-carrying part 54 to the terminal parts 32 with bolts, the first spaces a1 and a2 and the second spaces b1, b2, and b3 can advantageously absorb the variation in the distance between the terminal parts 32 of the first terminal part side unit 24 and the terminal parts 32 of the second terminal part side unit 26 caused by the accumulation of dimensional tolerances in the longitudinal direction of the busbar 56. The first space a2 also serves as a space for accommodating the inner periphery part 48B.

[0078] The upper surface of the case 70 constituting the current-carrying component 54 is provided with an upper surface opening 80 exposing the head of the bolt 84 coated with insulating paint, and the lower surface of the case 70 is provided with a lower surface opening hole 74 exposing the threaded portion 84A of the bolt 84 and the connection portion side relay portion 66. Since the bolt 84 is accommodated in the case 70 in advance, the workability during bolt tightening can be improved. In addition, since the head of the bolt 84 is coated with insulating paint, a measure to prevent electric shock on the upper surface side of the case is also achieved. Furthermore, since only the threaded portion 84A of the bolt 84 and the connection portion side relay portion 66 are exposed from the lower surface opening hole 74 provided in the case 70, contact between the worker and the connection portion 60 on the lower surface side of the case 70 is advantageously suppressed.

[0079] Because the guide wall 78 is a wall higher than the connection portion-side relay portion 66, it is possible to more effectively prevent the worker from coming into contact with the connection portion-side relay portion 66. Furthermore, the guide wall 78 protrudes by approximately the same dimension as the tip end of the threaded portion 84A of the bolt 84. Therefore, contact between the worker and the threaded portion 84A of the bolt 84 during bolt tightening is also advantageously prevented, and safety during the bolt tightening operation can be improved.

[0080] The pair of guide walls 78 come into contact with the connection terminals 28 of the terminal portion side units 24, 26, respectively, thereby suppressing or limiting displacement of the current-carrying part 54. This suppresses or prevents, for example, the current-carrying part 54 from being displaced after the first connection portion side unit 86 is bolted to the first terminal portion side unit 24, exposing the connection portion 60 of the second connection portion side unit 88, which serves as a live part, in an area accessible to an operator or the like.

[0081] In addition, by making the connection part side relay part 66 and the bus bar 56, which is a conductive member, separate bodies, the freedom of selection of their materials can be improved. Moreover, since the connection part side relay part 66 is held in the case 70, the connection part side relay part 66, which is relatively small, can be easily handled. Note that, since the flange part 66B side of the connection part side relay part 66 is engaged with the periphery of the lower surface opening hole 74 from inside the case 70, the connection part side relay part 66 is housed and held within the case 70, so that the connection part side relay part 66 can be protruded outside the case 70 and held in the case 70 with a simple structure.

[0082] Although the first embodiment has been described above as a specific example of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited by this specific description. Modifications, improvements, etc. within the scope of achieving the object of the present disclosure are included in the present disclosure. For example, the following modified embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure. In the following modified examples 3 to 12, the second terminal side unit 26 and the second connection side unit 88 are illustrated and described, but these modified examples are similarly applicable to the first terminal side unit 24 and the first connection side unit 86, and may be applied to either the first terminal side unit 24 and the first connection side unit 86 or the second terminal side unit 26 and the second connection side unit 88, or may be applied to both.

[0083] <Variation 1> In the inter-terminal connection structure 10 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the first battery module 12A and the second battery module 12B are connected, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as in the inter-terminal connection structure 90 of the first modified example shown in Fig. 8, the battery module 12 and the junction box 92 may be connected, and it is possible to connect the terminals of two arbitrary devices. In addition, although the current-carrying part 54 is formed to extend linearly, for example, as in the inter-terminal connection structure 90 of the first modified example shown in FIG. 8, the current-carrying part 94 may be L-shaped, and any shape may be adopted. Note that the shape of the two bolt insertion holes 62 of the connection parts 60, 60 of the bus bar 96 constituting the current-carrying part 94 is, as shown in FIG. 99. The bolt insertion hole 68 of the connection side relay part 66 has a similar elliptical shape, and first spaces a1 and a2 are provided to allow for displacement of the bolt 84. Furthermore, second spaces b1, b2 and b3 are provided in the case 70 to allow for displacement of the bolt 84 and the connection side relay part 66, so that tolerance can be absorbed in two orthogonal directions.

[0084] <Variation 2> In addition, both terminals 32, 32 are covered by the insulating terminal cover 48, but as in the inter-terminal connection structure 100 of Modification 2 that connects the junction box 92 and the external terminal 98, only the terminal 32 of the second terminal unit 26 on the junction box 92 side may be covered by the insulating terminal cover 48. That is, it is also possible to cover only at least one of the terminals that can be live parts with the insulating terminal cover 48, making it possible to prevent electric shock while keeping costs down.

[0085] <Modification 3> In the terminal connection structure 10 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the head of the bolt 84 is coated with an insulating coating, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in the terminal connection structure 102 of the third modified example shown in Figs. 10 to 11, a hexagonal socket bolt 104 whose head is not coated with an insulating coating can be used as a bolt for use in the current-carrying component 54. The hexagonal socket bolt 104 has a cylindrical head 104A and a slightly small-diameter screw portion 104B extending downward from the head 104A, and a tool fitting hole 104C with a hexagonal cross section into which the tip of a fastening tool (not shown) is fitted is formed in the center of the upper surface of the head 104A and opens upward. In addition, of the case body 106A and the lid body 106B of the case 106 that houses and holds the hexagonal socket bolt 104, a cylindrical protrusion 108 with a bottom that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the lid body 106B and opens downward is provided at the end of the lid body 106B in the longitudinal direction (X direction). An upper surface opening 80 having a circular cross section is formed in the center of the upper wall 108A of the protrusion 108. As a result, in a plan view, the tool fitting hole 104C is exposed to the outside through the upper surface opening 80, and the outer periphery of the head 104A is covered by the upper wall 108A of the protrusion 108 formed on the lid 106B which constitutes the upper surface of the case 106. Note that, as shown in FIG. 11, in the lid 106B which constitutes the upper surface of the case 106, the upper wall 108A of the protrusion 108 which is a portion covering the outer periphery of the head 104A of the hexagon socket bolt 104 is configured to be spaced upward from the head 104A. The tip of a tool (not shown) used to fasten the hexagon socket bolt 104 is large enough to be inserted into the tool fitting hole 104C. The tip of a tool (not shown) used to fasten the bolt 84 used in the above-described inter-terminal connection structure 10 is larger than the head of the bolt 84 because of the need to hold the head of the bolt 84. Therefore, in the inter-terminal connection structure 102 of the third modification, the diameter of the top opening 80 of the cover 106B in the case 106 of the current-carrying component 54 can be made smaller than the diameter of the top opening 80 of the cover 70B of the above-described inter-terminal connection structure 10. Furthermore, in the inter-terminal connection structure 102 of the third modification, the upper wall 108A of the protrusion 108 covering the outer periphery of the head 104A of the hexagon socket bolt 104 is spaced upward from the head 104A of the hexagon socket bolt 104. This makes it possible to advantageously suppress or prevent contact of fingers with the head of bolt 84, which is a live part, while ensuring a certain size of upper opening 80, even without insulating the head of bolt 84 used in the above-described terminal connection structure 10. Note that, although a hexagonal cross-sectional shape has been exemplified in the above description as the cross-sectional shape of tool fitting hole 104C, any shape such as a non-circular cross-section, a polygon other than a hexagon, a star shape, a + or - shape, or a circular cross-section can be used.

[0086] <Modification 4> In the terminal connection structure 10 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the connection part side relay part 66 and the bus bar 56, which is a conductive member, are formed separately, but this is not limited thereto. For example, as in the terminal connection structure 110 of the fourth modified example shown in Figs. 12 to 13, the connection part side relay part 112 may be formed integrally with the bus bar 56. This makes it easier to handle the connection part side relay part 112, which is a relatively small part. Therefore, it is possible to improve the assembly workability. The connection part side relay part 112 can be formed, for example, by burring. As a result, the upper opening of the bolt insertion hole 68 of the connection part side relay part 112 is tapered so as to expand outward toward the upper side. Therefore, it is possible to easily insert the threaded part 84A of the bolt 84 into the bolt insertion hole 68. There is no limitation on the method of forming the connection part side relay part 112 integrally with the bus bar 56, and any method can be adopted. For example, bus bar 56 and connection side relay portion 112 may be integrally formed as a die-cast product made of aluminum or the like.

[0087] <Variation 5> 14 and 15, a flat bus bar 56 and a cylindrical connection portion-side relay portion 116, each of which is formed separately, may be integrated by a known method such as welding. In this case, the connection portion-side relay portion 116, which is a relatively small component, can be easily handled. Therefore, the ease of assembly can be improved.

[0088] <Variation 6> In the terminal connection structure 10 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the connection part side relay part 66 includes a cylindrical tube part 66A and a flange part 66B protruding outward from the tube part 66A, and the flange part 66B is engaged with the periphery of the bottom surface opening hole 74 from inside the case 70 to be held in the case 70, but is not limited thereto. For example, as in a terminal connection structure 118 according to a sixth modified example shown in Figs. 16 and 17, the connection part side relay part 120 may have a cylindrical shape as a whole, and a narrowed part 120A having a rectangular cross section and extending annularly may be formed in the axial center part of the connection part side relay part 120 so as to open on the outer circumferential surface. As a result, when the connection part side relay part 120 is press-fitted into the bottom surface opening hole 74 provided through the case main body 70A, the outer circumferential edge part of the bottom surface opening hole 74 is elastically deformed downward, and the connection part side relay part 120 is allowed to be inserted into the bottom surface opening hole 74. When the constricted portion 120A of the connection part side relay part 120 reaches the bottom opening hole 74, the outer peripheral edge of the bottom opening hole 74 elastically returns and enters the constricted portion 120A. As a result, the connection part side relay part 120 can be protruded out of the case main body 70A and held in the case main body 70A simply by press-fitting the connection part side relay part 120 into the bottom opening hole 74 provided through the case main body 70A, and the structure of the case main body 70A and the connection part side relay part 120 can be simplified. Note that the connection part side relay part 66 of the inter-terminal connection structure 10 may be insert-molded into the case main body 70A and held in the case 70. This makes it easier to handle the connection part side relay part 66, which is a relatively small part. Therefore, the assembly workability can be improved.

[0089] <Variation 7> In the inter-terminal connection structure 10 of embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, the terminal cover 48 includes an outer peripheral portion 48A that constitutes the outer peripheral portion of the terminal cover 48 and an inner peripheral portion 48B that constitutes the inner peripheral portion of the terminal cover 48, and the outer peripheral portion 48A and the inner peripheral portion 48B define a terminal opening window 50 that is annular in plan view, but the shape of the terminal opening window 50 is not limited to this. For example, in the terminal connection structure 122 of the seventh modified example shown in Figs. 18 and 19, the terminal cover 124 is made of insulating synthetic resin having a flat plate shape, and a terminal opening window 50 that is circular in plan view is formed. The terminal opening window 50 is opened to a size that exposes the bolt insertion hole 38 of the terminal 32 and its surroundings. A cylindrical protrusion 124A that protrudes toward the connection side relay part 66 is provided on the periphery of the terminal opening window 50. Since the protrusion 124A has a height and protrudes in a direction away from the connection terminal 28, the contact of the connection terminal 28 inserted through the terminal opening window 50 with a finger or the like is less likely to occur by the height of the protrusion 124A. Therefore, by providing the protrusion 124A, it is possible to omit the inner periphery 48B used in the terminal connection structure 10, and the number of parts can be reduced. In addition, when the terminal connection structure 122 is assembled, the protruding tip of the protrusion 124A is configured not to abut against the bottom wall 72 of the case body 70A. This prevents the axial force caused by the bolt fastening from being dispersed to the terminal cover 124 via the protrusion 124A.

[0090] <Variation 8> 20 to 21, the terminal cover 128 is provided with a terminal opening window 130 having a rectangular cross section, and a slit 130A is formed obliquely outward from the apex of the terminal opening window 130. As a result, the peripheral portion of the terminal opening window 130 is formed of four elastic bending pieces 128A that can be elastically deformed in the vertical direction, and in the assembled state of the terminal connection structure 126, the four elastic bending pieces 128A are pressed downward by the tubular portion 66A of the connection side relay portion 66 and elastically deformed, so that the terminal opening window 130 is expanded, and the tip portion of the tubular portion 66A of the connection side relay portion 66 can be electrically connected to the terminal portion 32. In addition, in FIGS. 20 to 21, the terminal cover 128 before elastic deformation is shown by imaginary lines, and the terminal cover 128 after elastic deformation is shown by solid lines. 21, housing 14A is shown by virtual lines. Before terminal connection structure 126 is assembled, elastic bending piece 128A of terminal cover 128 is not elastically deformed, and the opening area of ​​terminal opening window 130 can be reduced. Therefore, with a small number of parts, contact with terminal 32 by fingers is suppressed or prevented.

[0091] <Variation 9> In the inter-terminal connection structure 10 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure, a single connection part side relay part 66 having a substantially cylindrical shape is used, but the shape and number of the connection part side relay parts are not limited thereto. For example, in the inter-terminal connection structure 132 of the ninth modification shown in Figs. 22 and 23, two connection part side relay parts 138 protruding with a rectangular cross section are formed to protrude apart from each other in the second connection part side unit 88 of the bus bar 56. Two through holes 140 through which the two connection part side relay parts 138 are inserted are provided apart from each other in the bottom wall 72 of the case main body 70A, and two rectangular terminal opening windows 136 through which the two connection part side relay parts 138 are inserted are provided apart from each other in the terminal cover 134. Note that in Fig. 22, in order to facilitate understanding, only the bus bar 56 is rotated so that the back side is displayed. Since the multiple connection side relay parts 138 can be arranged at a distance from each other in this manner, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the connection side relay parts 138, the selection of materials, and the like is improved. The multiple connection side relay parts 138 may be provided integrally with the bus bar 56 or may be provided separately. In the inter-terminal connection structure 10 in which the terminal opening window 50 is provided in an annular shape, the inner peripheral part 48B of the terminal cover 48 covering the inner peripheral surface of the bolt insertion hole 38 of the connection terminal 28 needs to be provided separately from other parts of the terminal cover 48. In the inter-terminal connection structure 132 of the ninth modification, the terminal opening windows 136 provided in the terminal cover 134 are two rectangular shapes provided at a distance from each other, so that the inner peripheral part 134B covering the inner peripheral surface of the bolt insertion hole 38 of the connection terminal 28 from above can be provided integrally with other parts of the terminal cover 134. This improves the handleability of the inner peripheral part 134B, which is relatively small in size.

[0092] <Modification 10> In the terminal connection structure 142 of the tenth modification shown in Figs. 24 and 25, five connection part side relay parts 148 protruding with a circular cross section are provided at a distance from each other in the circumferential direction of the bolt insertion hole 62 in the second connection part side unit 88 of the bus bar 56. Five through holes 150 through which the five connection part side relay parts 148 are inserted are provided at a distance from each other in the bottom wall 72 of the case main body 70A, and five circular terminal part opening windows 146 through which the five connection part side relay parts 148 are inserted are provided at a distance from each other in the terminal cover 144. Note that in Fig. 24, for ease of understanding, only the back side of the bus bar 56 is shown rotated. In the terminal connection structure 142, the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the connection part side relay parts 148, the material selection, and the like is improved. The multiple connection part side relay parts 148 may be provided integrally with the bus bar 56 or may be provided separately. In addition, in the terminal portion cover 144, the inner peripheral portion 144B that covers the inner peripheral surface of the bolt insertion hole 38 of the connection terminal 28 from above can be formed integrally with other portions of the terminal portion cover 144, thereby making it possible to reduce the number of parts and improve handleability.

[0093] <Modification 11> In the terminal connection structure 10 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure, a first terminal side unit 24 and a second terminal side unit 26 formed separately are attached to the first battery module 12A and the second battery module 12B, respectively, to configure the terminal connection structure 10. However, as in the terminal connection structure 152 of the eleventh modification of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 26, the first terminal side unit 24 and the second terminal side unit 26 may be provided to a bus bar module 156 mounted on a battery module 154. The battery module 154 accommodates a plurality of chargeable single cells 16 (five in FIG. 26) in a housing not shown. The bus bar module 156 has a lattice-like rectangular frame shape, and rectangular flat bus bar support projections 156B projecting inward from lower ends facing each other in the front-rear direction are provided in each rectangular frame 156A. A rectangular flat bus bar 156C is disposed in each frame 156A, and after being attached to the battery module 154, it is electrically connected to the electrode 154A of the electric cell 16. In this way, the electric cells 16 are connected in series. Among the electrodes 154A of the electric cells 16, the upper left electrode 154A has the lowest voltage (for example, 0V), and the lower right electrode 154A has the highest positive voltage. The upper left electrode 154A is electrically connected to, for example, an external ground voltage by a member not shown. The lower right electrode 154A has a first terminal side unit 24 attached thereto, as shown in FIG. 26, for example. In this way, the first connection side unit 86 of the current-carrying component 54 may be connected to the first terminal side unit 24 provided on the bus bar module 156.

[0094] <Modification 12> In the above-mentioned first embodiment and its first to eleventh modifications, the bus bar 56, which is a conductive member, is housed in the case 70, 106. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the present disclosure is also applicable to a terminal connection structure in which the current-carrying component is constituted by a wire harness 160 having connection portions at both ends, as in the case of a terminal-to-terminal connection structure 158 of a twelfth modification of the present disclosure shown in Fig. 27, and the wire harness 160 electrically connects two devices, for example, the first terminal unit 24 of a battery module 154 and a terminal of an external device (not shown). In the terminal connection structure 158 of the twelfth modification of the present disclosure shown in Fig. 27, the terminal connection structure 158 of the present disclosure is used for the terminal connection structure in which the wire harness 160 connects the terminal portion 32 of the first terminal portion side unit 24 of the battery module 154, which is the live part, to the terminal portion of an external device (not shown). That is, the first terminal portion side unit 24 holds the terminal portion 32 in a housed state therein, and the terminal portion 32 is covered by an insulating terminal portion cover 48, and the terminal portion cover 48 provides a terminal portion opening window 50 for partially exposing the terminal portion 32. In addition, the connection portion 60 of the first connection portion side unit 86 at one end side of the wire harness 160 connected to the first terminal portion side unit 24 is covered by an insulating case 70, and the connection portion side relay portion 66 provided in the first connection portion side unit 86 protrudes from the case 70 to the outside. Then, the first connection portion side unit 86 provided at one end of the wire harness 160 is bolted to the first terminal portion side unit 24 of the battery module 154, whereby the connection portion side relay portion 66 provided on the first connection portion side unit 86 is inserted through the terminal portion opening window 50 provided in the first terminal portion side unit 24, and the tubular portion 66A of the connection portion side relay portion 66 is held in contact with the terminal portion 32 of the first terminal portion side unit 24. As a result, the first terminal portion side unit 24 and the connection portion 60 of the first connection portion side unit 86 of the wire harness 160 are electrically connected via the connection portion side relay portion 66. In the 12th modification as well, the terminal cover 48 can suppress or prevent contact with the terminal portion 32 of the first terminal portion side unit 24 of the battery module 154, which is an active part. Furthermore, since the connection portion side relay portion 66 is provided in the first connection portion side unit 86 of the wire harness 160 connected to the first terminal portion side unit 24 of the battery module 154, electrical connection between the terminal portion 32 and the connection portion 60 can be achieved without any problems.

[0095] <Modification 13> In the above-described inter-terminal connection structures shown in the first embodiment and its first to 12 variations, the terminals 32, 32 of the first and / or second terminal unit 24, 26 are covered with the insulating terminal cover 48 to provide protection against electric shock to the terminals 32, 32, but it is also possible to provide protection against electric shock to the connection parts by covering the connection parts 60, 60 of the current-carrying parts with a connection cover. Specifically, for example, the inter-terminal connection structure 90 (variation 1) shown in Fig. 8 connects the terminal part 32 of the first terminal unit 24 of the first battery module 12A to the terminal part of the junction box 92, but when the connection part 60 of the second connection part unit 88 of the current-carrying part 94 is connected to the terminal part 32 of the first terminal unit 24, the connection part 60 of the first connection part unit 86 before being connected to the terminal part of the junction box 92 becomes a live part. Therefore, a thirteenth modification in which a shock resistant measure is applied to the connection portion 60 of the first connection portion side unit 86 of the current-carrying part 94 shown in FIG. 8, which is connected to the terminal portion 32 of the junction box 92 that may be a live part, will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 28 to 33. In the inter-terminal connection structure 162 of the thirteenth modification, the connection portion 60 of the first connection portion side unit 164 of the current-carrying part 163 is covered with the bottom wall 72 of the case body 174A of the end case 174 constituting a connection portion cover as an insulating cover described later, thereby providing a shock resistant measure for the connection portion 60. More specifically, the connection portion 60 of the first connection portion side unit 164 of the current-carrying part 163 is connected to the terminal portion 187 provided on the first terminal portion side unit 168 of the junction box 92, and becomes a live part when the connection portion 60 of the second connection portion side unit (not shown) of the current-carrying part 163 is connected to the terminal portion 32 of the battery module 12 or the like shown in FIG. 8. The current-carrying part 163 includes a bus bar 170 constituting a current-carrying member, and an end case 174 covering the connection portions 60, 60 provided on the bus bar 170, and the end case 174 accommodates a nut 172 with an insulating coating 171.

[0096] <Busbar 170> The bus bar 170 constituting the current-carrying member is made of a plate-shaped metal such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy. Both ends of the bus bar 170 in the longitudinal direction are formed with connection parts 60, 60 of the same shape, a substantially elliptical bolt insertion hole 62 with the longitudinal direction as the major axis is provided in the center, and positioning recesses 64 are formed on both sides in the width direction. In addition, in the thirteenth modification of the present disclosure, the insulating case that houses the bus bar 170 includes an insulating coating 175 that covers the longitudinal middle part of the bus bar 170, and an end case 174 that covers the connection parts 60. Therefore, the insulating case that houses the bus bar 170 can be provided more compactly and at a lower cost than a case that covers the entire bus bar 170. Also, it is necessary to attach the end case 174 only to the end of the bus bar 170, and workability is improved compared to a case in which the bus bar 170 is housed in a long case.

[0097] <End Case 174> Insulating end case 174 that houses connection portion 60 of bus bar 170 includes case body 174A and lid body 174B, as shown in FIG. 30, for example. Case body 174A and lid body 174B are both made of insulating synthetic resin and formed as separate bodies. Case body 174A and lid body 174B may be formed integrally. In Modification 13, a case in which end case 174 is provided in first connection portion side unit 164 will be described, but it is also possible to provide end case 174 as described in Modifications 14 and 15 below in second connection portion side unit 88.

[0098] Case body 174A has a generally rectangular box shape extending in the longitudinal direction, and one end in the longitudinal direction (left end in FIG. 30) is shallow according to the shape of bus bar 170 accommodated therein. In the longitudinal center of bottom wall 72 of case body 174A, connection portion opening windows 176 are formed at four positions spaced apart in the circumferential direction as opening windows provided for inserting tubular portion 188A of terminal portion side relay portion 188 described later to connect with bus bar 170 (see FIG. 31). Positioning protrusions 76a, 76b that engage with positioning recess 64 of bus bar 170 are formed protruding inward on both sides in the width direction of bottom wall 72 of case body 174A. In addition, two positioning protrusions 178 that are spaced apart in the width direction and extend toward the other longitudinal side (left side in FIG. 32) are formed on one longitudinal side (right side in FIG. 32) of bottom wall 72. Since gaps c1 and c2 are formed between positioning recess 64 and positioning protrusions 76a and 76b of busbar 170 in the longitudinal direction, displacement of case body 174A relative to busbar 170 in the longitudinal direction of busbar 170 is permitted. That is, the displacement end of case body 174A relative to busbar 170 in the left direction, which is one side of the longitudinal direction of busbar 170, is determined by abutment of positioning recess 64 with positioning protrusion 76 provided on case body 174A. Moreover, the displacement end of case body 174A relative to busbar 170 in the right direction, which is the other side of the longitudinal direction of busbar 170, is determined by abutment of an edge portion of busbar 170 with positioning protrusion 178 provided on case body 174A. In this manner, case body 174A is assembled to busbar 170 so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction of busbar 170. Furthermore, the bolt insertion hole 62 provided through the connection portion 60 of the bus bar 170 has an elongated hole shape that is long in the longitudinal direction of the bus bar 170, and displacement allowance gaps c3, c4 that allow longitudinal displacement of the end case 174 relative to the bus bar 170 are provided on both sides of the bolt 195 inserted through the bolt insertion hole 62. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 33, the nut 172 is housed in a held state in the end case 174. As a result, the nut 172 can be displaced longitudinally together with the end case 174 relative to the bus bar 170.Therefore, by displacing the end case 174 in the longitudinal direction of the bus bar 170 and aligning the bolt 195 and the terminal portion side relay portion 188 with the bolt insertion hole 62 and the connection portion opening window 176 with respect to the bolt 195 and the terminal portion side relay portion 188 protruding from the first terminal portion side unit 168 described later, it is possible to advantageously absorb the tolerance of the distance between the first and second terminal portion side units 168, 26 and easily connect the terminal portions 187, 32. In addition, a notch 180 opening upward is formed at both ends in the width direction of the longitudinal center of the case main body 174A, and an engagement protrusion 182 protruding outward is provided at the lower end of the notch 180.

[0099] The lid 174B constituting the upper surface of the end case 174 is, as shown in FIG. 30, a rectangular box shape that extends in the longitudinal direction as a whole and opens downward. At the longitudinal center of the lid 174B, an upper opening 80 is formed where the nut 172 and the tip of the bolt 195 fastened to the nut 172 are located. In this modification, the nut 172 is made bag-shaped with a wall that covers the tip of the bolt 195, and the surface of the nut 172 is covered with an insulating coating as shown in FIG. 33. The insulating coating 171 is formed, for example, by coating with fluororesin or by powder processing with nylon. In addition, an engagement frame 184 extending downward is formed at both ends in the width direction of the longitudinal center of the lid 174B, and is engaged with an engagement protrusion 182 of the case body 174A, so that the lid 174B is fixed in an assembled state to the case body 174A.

[0100] <First terminal unit 168> 30, the first terminal portion side unit 168 includes a bolt 195, a holder 186 that holds the head of the bolt 195, a terminal portion 187 that is connected to a downstream circuit, a terminal portion side relay portion 188 as a relay portion, and an insulating cover 190 that covers the terminal portion 187 and the terminal portion side relay portion 188. The terminal portion 187 is made of a plate-like metal such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or the like, and has a shape in which the middle portion in the width direction is bent into an L shape, with a bolt insertion hole 38 provided therethrough.

[0101] <Terminal side relay portion 188> As shown in FIG. 30, the terminal side relay part 188 is made of an annular metal member, and is made of metal such as copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, and iron. The terminal side relay part 188 includes a substantially cylindrical tube part 188A and a flange part 188B that protrudes from the lower end of the tube part 188A to the outer circumferential side in a flange-like shape. The inside of the terminal side relay part 188 is the bolt insertion hole 68 through which the threaded part of the bolt 195 is inserted. The tube part 188A is divided into four parts in the circumferential direction by slits formed in the axial direction. The flange part 188B protrudes in a stepped shape of a constant dimension from the entire circumference of the outer wall of the terminal side relay part 188 on the axial lower side of the bolt insertion hole 68. The flange part 188B abuts against the peripheral part of the through hole of the insulating cover 190 described later, thereby preventing the terminal side relay part 188 from being separated from the insulating cover 190.

[0102] The shape of the terminal portion side relay portion 188 is not limited to the illustrated one, and any shape can be adopted. For example, the terminal portion side relay portion 188 and the connection terminal 28 may be integrally formed. Alternatively, the terminal portion side relay portion 188 may be held by the insulating cover 190 by being pressed into a through hole provided through the insulating cover 190. Furthermore, a plurality of terminal portion side relay portions 188 may be formed on the connection terminal 28 so as to protrude apart from each other.

[0103] <Insulating cover 190> As shown in FIG. 30, the insulating cover 190 has an approximately rectangular box shape as a whole, and a through hole is formed in the center of the upper surface of the insulating cover 190. The peripheral portion of the through hole protrudes upward and then extends inward to form a cylindrical tube portion 192 having an opening window 194 in the center. The flange portion 188B of the terminal side relay portion 188 is accommodated and stably held in the tube portion 192, and the tube portion 188A is inserted through the opening window 194 of the tube portion 192 and exposed upward. A fixing bolt 195 is disposed below the terminal side relay portion 188, and the threaded portion of the bolt 195 protrudes upward through the inner hole of the terminal side relay portion 188. In addition, an engagement protrusion 196 protrudes outward from the lower end of the outer wall on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the insulating cover 190, and engages with the engaged portion 198 of the holder 186 to hold the first terminal side unit 168 in an assembled state. The holder 186 is shaped like a generally band-like flat plate extending in the longitudinal direction, with an accommodating recess 200 in the central portion that opens upwards for holding the head of the bolt 84, and fixing portions 202 for fixing the holder 186 are provided at both longitudinal ends.

[0104] <Assembly of the inter-terminal connection structure 162 according to the thirteenth modification of the present disclosure> First, connection portion 60 of busbar 170 is housed in case body 174A, positioning protrusion 76 of case body 174A is disposed in positioning recess 64 of busbar 170, and the longitudinal end of busbar 170 is disposed to be located forward of positioning protrusion 178 of case body 174A. Next, with the screw hole of nut 172 aligned with the center of bolt insertion hole 62 of busbar 170, case body 174A is covered with lid 174B, thereby holding nut 172 in a stably disposed state within upper opening 80 of lid 174B. This completes first connection portion side unit 164 of current-carrying component 163. Next, the holder 186 is prepared, and the head of the bolt 195 is held in the accommodation recess 200 of the holder 186. The bolt insertion hole 38 of the terminal portion 187 is inserted into the threaded portion of the bolt 195, and the terminal portion 187 is placed on the head of the bolt 195. Next, the bolt insertion hole 68 of the terminal portion side relay portion 188 is aligned and positioned on the bolt insertion hole 38, and the insulating cover 190 is placed thereon to cover these members stably between the insulating cover 190 and the holder 186. This completes the first terminal portion side unit 168. Finally, the first connection portion side unit 164 is assembled to the first terminal portion side unit 168, and the connection portion 60 of the current-carrying component 163 and the terminal portion 187 are electrically connected via the terminal portion side relay portion 188, completing one connection of the inter-terminal connection structure 162. Note that the other connection is omitted since it is the same as the above-mentioned embodiment 1 and its modified examples 1 to 12. As a result, the connection portion 60 of the first connection portion side unit 164, which is the other of the two connection portions, is covered by the bottom wall of the case body 174A of the end case 174, which is an insulating connection portion cover, and the connection portion 60 is partially exposed through a connection portion opening window 176 provided in the bottom wall. A terminal portion side relay portion 188 connected to the terminal portion 187 is provided in the first terminal portion side unit 168, which is provided with a terminal portion 187 fastened to the connection portion 60 covered by the bottom wall of the case body 174A, and the terminal portion side relay portion 188 is connected to the connection portion 60 by inserting it through the connection portion opening window 176.

[0105] Next, the effects of the present modification 13 will be described. According to the present modification 13, it is assumed that the connection portion 60 of the second connection portion side unit (not shown) of the current-carrying component 163 is connected to the terminal portion 32 of the first terminal portion side unit 24 of the first battery module 12A shown in FIG. 8. However, since the terminal portion 32 of the first terminal portion side unit 24 of the first battery module 12A, which is the live portion, is covered with the terminal portion cover 48 as shown in the first embodiment, contact with the terminal portion 32 by an operator or the like can be suppressed, and the required electric shock countermeasure can be satisfied. The connection portion 60 of the first connection portion side unit 164 of the current-carrying component 163 becomes a live portion after the connection portion 60 of the second connection portion side unit (not shown) is fastened to the terminal portion 32 of the first terminal portion side unit 24 of the first battery module 12A. In the present modification, since the connection portion 60 of the first connection portion side unit 164 is covered with a connection portion cover formed by the bottom wall of the case main body 174A, contact with the connection portion 60 by an operator or the like, which is the live portion, can be suppressed. This allows the fastening operation of the two terminal portions 187, 32 by the current-carrying part 163 to be performed with better protection against electric shock.

[0106] In addition, in first connection portion side unit 164 of current-carrying component 163, fastening nut 172 is accommodated in end case 174. In first terminal portion side unit 168, fastening bolt 195 and terminal portion side relay portion 188 are both arranged and accommodated below opening window 194 of insulating cover 190. This allows first terminal portion side unit 168 and first connection portion side unit 164 to be unitized including the fastening parts, advantageously improving the handling and workability of the parts. In particular, end case 174 is assembled to busbar 170 so as to be displaceable relative to busbar 170 in the longitudinal direction of busbar 170, and bolt insertion hole 62 provided through connection portion 60 of busbar 170 is provided with displacement allowance gaps c3 and c4 that allow longitudinal displacement of end case 174 and nut 172 accommodated therein relative to busbar 170. Therefore, when the connection portion 60 and the terminal portion 187 are fastened using the bolt 195 and the nut 172, the tolerance of the separation distance between the two terminal portions 32, 187 can be easily absorbed by the displacement of the end case 174 relative to the bus bar 170. Furthermore, since the nut 172 located at the upper opening 80 of the end case 174 is insulated, a countermeasure against electric shock on the upper side of the end case 174 is also achieved. In addition, the terminal portion 187 is covered with an insulating cover 190, and the tip portion of the bolt 195 and the tip portion of the terminal portion side relay portion 188 protrude through the opening window 194 of the insulating cover 190, but are provided on the terminal portion of the electric connection box connected to the battery module 12, which is not a live part, to prevent electric shock.

[0107] <Modification 14> Next, in the inter-terminal connection structure of the present disclosure shown in the above-mentioned embodiment 1 and its modifications 1 to 13, a modification 14 in which a connection blocking portion 210 described later for blocking connection between the terminal portion and the case of the current-carrying component is provided will be described with reference to Figs. 34 to 39. In the following description, an example in which the connection blocking portion 210 is provided on one connection portion side of the current-carrying component is shown, but a similar connection blocking portion 210 may be provided on the other connection portion side of the current-carrying component. That is, in the inter-terminal connection structure 204 of the modification 14, the connection blocking portion 210 is provided on a connection portion side unit 208 including a connection portion 60 which is one connection portion of the current-carrying component 206. Note that, in the current-carrying component 206 of the modification 14, as in the modification 13, the case of the current-carrying component 206 includes an insulating coating 175 that covers a longitudinal middle portion of the bus bar 170 constituting the current-carrying member, and an end case 174 that covers the connection portion 60 provided at one end of the bus bar 170. Moreover, the terminal portion side unit 212 to which the connection portion side unit 208 of the current-carrying part 206 is attached also has a structure similar to that of the first terminal portion side unit 168 shown in Modification 13. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings to denote structures similar to those in the first embodiment and Modifications 1 to 13, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0108] <Connection side unit 208> The end case 174 that houses the connection part 60 of the current-carrying component 206 is displaceable relative to the bus bar 170 in the longitudinal direction of the bus bar 170, as in the case of the modification 13. However, the modification 14 differs in that the bolt 214 and the connection part side relay part 216 as a relay part are housed and held inside the end case 174. The bolt 214 and the connection part side relay part 216 are displaceable relative to the bus bar 170 in the longitudinal direction together with the end case 174. The bottom wall of the case body 174A is provided with a lower surface opening hole 74 penetrating in the plate thickness direction. The connection part side relay part 216 is made of an annular metal member and includes a substantially cylindrical tube part 216A and a flange part 216B that protrudes from the upper end part of the tube part 216A in a flange-like shape toward the outer periphery. The inside of the connection part side relay part 216 is a bolt insertion hole 218 through which the threaded part 214A of the bolt 214 is inserted. The cylindrical portion 216A is divided into four in the circumferential direction by slits formed in the axial direction. As a result, the tip of the connection side relay portion 216 and the tip of the bolt 214 housed and held in the end case 174 protrude to the outside through the bottom surface opening hole 74 and the bolt insertion hole 218, respectively. The head of the bolt 214, which is insulated, is exposed through the top surface opening 80 provided in the cover 174B of the end case 174, and a tool for fastening the bolt can be connected to the head of the bolt 214.

[0109] 36 and 38, the case body 174A of the end case 174 has a peripheral wall portion 220 that protrudes downward beyond the bottom wall through which the lower surface opening hole 74 is formed, beyond the tip of the bolt 214. A flat connection preventing portion 210 is supported rotatably about a rotation shaft 222 at the protruding end portion of the side wall 220a on one side (the left side in FIG. 38) of a pair of side walls 220a, 220b constituting the peripheral wall portion 220. The connection preventing portion 210 is rotatable between an allowable position shown in FIG. 36 that allows the connection of the connection portion side unit 208 and the terminal portion side unit 212, and a blocking position shown in FIG. 37 that blocks the connection of the connection portion side unit 208 and the terminal portion side unit 212. 36, the connection preventing portion 210 extends further downward from the protruding end of the side wall 220a, and the tip of the tubular portion 216A of the connection portion side relay portion 216 protruding from the bottom opening hole 74 in the bottom wall of the case main body 174A and the tip of the bolt 214 are exposed through the bottom opening 224 of the end case 174 defined by the protruding end of the peripheral wall portion 220. In the blocking position of Fig. 37, the connection preventing portion 210 covers the bottom opening 224 of the end case 174, covering the tip of the tubular portion 216A of the connection portion side relay portion 216 protruding from the bottom opening hole 74 in the bottom wall of the case main body 174A and the tip of the bolt 214. The connection preventing portion 210 is biased by a spring member 226 to a blocking position shown in Fig. 37, and by rotating and displacing the connection preventing portion 210 against the biasing force of the spring member 226 toward the allowing position shown in Fig. 36, the connection preventing portion 210 can be displaced to an allowing position that allows connection between the connection portion side unit 208 and the terminal portion side unit 212. Fitting portions 228, 228 that fit into fitted portions 252, 252 provided on the connection portion side unit 208, which will be described later, are provided on an end edge portion of the connection preventing portion 210 separated from the side wall 220a.

[0110] <Terminal side unit 212> The terminal unit 212 includes a nut 230, a terminal 232 formed of a metal plate bent into an L-shape, and a holder 186 for holding them. An insulating cover 190 that covers the nut 230 and the terminal 232 arranged on the nut 230 is attached to the holder 186, and the nut 230 and the terminal 232 are stably accommodated between the insulating cover 190 and the holder 186. The upper surface of the insulating cover 190 constitutes a terminal cover as an insulating cover that covers the terminal 232, and the insulating cover 190 has four terminal opening windows 234 formed at four positions spaced apart in the circumferential direction in the center thereof, through which the tubular portion 216A of the connection side relay portion 216 is inserted to connect to the terminal 232 (see FIG. 35). Furthermore, an inner tubular portion 238 having a bolt insertion hole 236 is formed protruding from the inner circumferential side of the terminal opening window 234. A gutter-shaped accommodation portion 242 that accommodates and holds the connection preventing portion 210 is provided to protrude downward on the side wall 240 of the insulating cover 190. As shown in Fig. 38, a gap 248 capable of accommodating the connection preventing portion 210 is provided between the opposing surfaces of an inner wall portion 244 and an outer wall portion 246 that constitute the accommodation portion 242 and opens upward. A guide surface 250 that abuts against the fitting portion 228 of the connection preventing portion 210 and guides the connection preventing portion 210 into the gap 248 is provided on the upper end of the inner wall portion 244. A recessed fitted portion 252 that opens toward the gap is provided on the lower side of the inner wall portion 244, and the fitting portion 228 of the connection preventing portion 210 is fitted into the gap.

[0111] <Assembly of the inter-terminal connection structure 204 according to the fourteenth modification of the present disclosure> First, the connection part side relay part 216 is accommodated in the case body 174A, and the tip part of the connection part side relay part 216 is inserted through the annular bottom surface opening hole 74 to protrude from the bottom wall of the case body 174A. Next, the bolt insertion hole 62 of the connection part 60 of the bus bar 170 is aligned with the bolt insertion hole 218 of the connection part side relay part 216, and the bus bar 170 is placed on the connection part side relay part 216. After that, the threaded part 214A of the bolt 214 is inserted through the bolt insertion holes 62, 218, and the head of the bolt 214 is placed on the connection part 60 of the bus bar 170. In this state, the case body 174A is covered with the cover body 174B, so that the connection part 60, the connection part side relay part 216, and the bolt 214 are stably held in the end case 174. This completes the connection part side unit 208 of the current-carrying component 206. At this time, the connection blocking portion 210 is located at the blocking position shown in FIG. 37 due to the biasing force of the spring member 226. Next, the holder 186 is prepared, the nut 230 is held in the accommodation recess 200 of the holder 186, the terminal portion 232 is placed on the upper surface of the nut 230, and the bolt insertion hole 254 of the nut 230 and the bolt insertion hole 256 of the terminal portion 232 are aligned. After that, when the insulating cover 190 is attached to the holder 186 from above, the bolt insertion hole 236 of the inner peripheral cylindrical portion 238 provided on the upper surface of the insulating cover 190 is aligned with the bolt insertion hole 254 of the nut 230 and the bolt insertion hole 256 of the terminal portion 232. In this state, the nut 230 and the terminal portion 232 are stably held between the holder 186 and the insulating cover 190. This completes the terminal portion side unit 212.

[0112] Finally, the connection portion side unit 208 is assembled to the terminal portion side unit 212. In this case, first, in the connection portion side unit 208, the connection prevention portion 210 is displaced to an allowable position against the biasing force of the spring member 226 as shown in Fig. 38. Next, the connection prevention portion 210 is inserted from above into the gap 248 of the accommodation portion 242 provided in the insulating cover 190. At this time, the fitting portion 228 provided on the connection preventing portion 210 comes into contact with a guide surface 250 provided on the inner wall portion 244 of the accommodating portion 242, so that the connection preventing portion 210 is smoothly guided into the gap 248 of the accommodating portion 242, and the threaded portion 214A of the bolt 214 of the connection portion side unit 208 is pre-aligned with the respective bolt insertion holes 236, 254, 256 on the terminal portion side unit 212 side, so that the threaded portion 214A of the bolt 214 is smoothly inserted into the respective bolt insertion holes 236, 254, 256. Thereafter, the bolt 214 is screwed into the nut 230 by a tool (not shown), so that the connection preventing portion 210 is further pushed into the gap 248 of the accommodating portion 242, and the fitting portion 228 of the connection preventing portion 210 is fitted into the fitted portion 252 provided in the accommodating portion 242 of the terminal portion side unit 212, as shown in FIG. In the fourteenth modification, the fitting portion 228 and the fitted portion 252 are fitted together at the correct fitting position of the connection portion 60 and the terminal portion 232 of the current-carrying part 206, so that an operator can easily confirm that the connection portion 60 and the terminal portion 232 of the current-carrying part 206 are properly fitted together by detecting the fitting portion 228 and the fitted portion 252. As a result, the connection portion 60 and the terminal portion 232 of the current-carrying part 206 are electrically connected together via the connection portion-side relay portion 216, and one of the connections of the terminal-to-terminal connection structure 204 is completed.

[0113] Next, the effect of the present modified example 14 will be described. According to the present modified example 14, the connection blocking portion 210 is provided on the end case 174 constituting the case of the current-carrying part 206 and is biased to the blocking position shown in FIG. 37, and the bolt 214 and the connection part side relay part 216 are covered by the connection blocking portion 210. Therefore, even if the connection part side unit 208 of the current-carrying part 206 falls onto the terminal part side unit 212 due to an erroneous operation during the connection work between the terminal parts, the connection part 60 is reliably prevented from being connected to the terminal part 232 by mistake. As a result, it is possible to prevent a malfunction in which the other connection part of the current-carrying part 206 unintentionally becomes a live part. Moreover, the connection blocking portion 210 is displaceable to an allowable position that allows the connection of the connection part 60 and the terminal part 232, and when actually connecting the connection part 60 and the terminal part 232, the operation of displacing the connection blocking portion 210 to the allowable position shown in FIGS. 36 and 38 is accompanied. This makes it possible to call the worker's attention when performing the operation of connecting the connection portion 60 and the terminal portion 232, and reliably prevents the other connection portion of the current-carrying part 206 from unintentionally becoming a live part.

[0114] In addition, according to the present modification 14, the fitting portion 228 provided on the connection preventing portion 210 of the connection portion side unit 208 fits into the fitted portion 252 provided in the accommodation portion 242 of the terminal portion side unit 212, thereby also serving as a fixing structure for the connection portion side unit 208 and the terminal portion side unit 212. Therefore, excellent connection stability between the connection portion 60 and the terminal portion 232 can be ensured with a small number of parts.

[0115] <Variation 15> Next, Figs. 40A and 40B show an inter-terminal connection structure 259 as a modified example 15 of the present disclosure, which includes a connection blocking portion 258 that is another aspect of the connection blocking portion shown in the above modified example 14. The same structures as those in modified example 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings and will not be described. The connection blocking portion 258 of modified example 15 includes a pair of elastic lock pieces 260, 260 formed to protrude from the outer surfaces of the side walls 220a, 220b of the case body 174A of the end case 174. A pair of lock frames 262, 262 are formed to protrude from the outer surfaces of the side walls 240a, 240b of the insulating cover 190. The elastic locking piece 260 extends a predetermined length in the up-down direction of the side walls 220a, 220b, has a fitting portion 264 at its lower end that protrudes toward the side walls 220a, 220b, and has a pressing portion 266 at its upper end that protrudes in a direction away from the side walls 220a, 220b. The elastic locking pieces 260, 260 are connected to the side walls 220a, 220b via a connecting portion 268 at a position closer to the lower end. Therefore, in an initial state where no load is applied, the fitting portion 264 approaches the side walls 220a, 220b, and the pressing portion 266 is separated from the side walls 220a, 220b. The lock frame body 262 is provided with a hole-shaped fitted portion 270 into which the fitting portion 264 fits.

[0116] In the blocking position of the elastic lock piece 260 constituting the connection blocking portion 258 shown in FIG. 40A, the fitting portion 264 of the elastic lock piece 260 abuts against the upper end surface of the lock frame body 262, preventing the connection portion side unit 208 from approaching the terminal portion side unit 212. In this state, the threaded portion 214A of the bolt 214 does not reach the terminal portion 232, and the connection portion side relay portion 216 is separated from the terminal portion opening window 234. Therefore, the connection between the connection portion 60 and the terminal portion 232 is reliably prevented. Next, when connecting the connection portion 60 and the terminal portion 232, the worker presses the pressing portion 266 of the elastic lock piece 260 to displace the fitting portion 264 to an allowable position where it can move downward over the upper end surface of the lock frame body 262. In this state, by screwing bolt 214 into nut 230 with a tool (not shown), fitting portion 264 moves further downward, and as shown in Fig. 40B, fitting portion 264 of elastic lock piece 260 fits into fitted portion 270 provided on lock frame body 262 of terminal portion side unit 212, and it can be detected that connection portion 60 and terminal portion 232 are properly connected. In this way, in modification 15 as well, elastic lock piece 260 constituting connection prevention portion 258 can be displaced by an operator from a blocking position that blocks connection portion 60 and terminal portion 232 from being connected to a permitting position that permits connection of connection portion 60 and terminal portion 232, so that the same effect as modification 14 can be achieved.

[0117] <Modification 16> Hereinafter, a sixteenth modification of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 41 to Fig. 50. In the first embodiment and the first to fifteenth modifications described above, an insulating cover (terminal cover) is provided on at least one of the terminals, and a relay portion (connection portion side relay portion) is provided on the connection portion fastened to the terminal, but in the inter-terminal connection structure 280 of the sixteenth modification, insulating covers are not provided on both terminals. That is, in the inter-terminal connection structure 280 of the sixteenth modification, a connection portion cover 284 as an insulating cover is provided on one of the connection portions (first connection portion 282), and a terminal portion side relay portion 288 as a relay portion is provided on one of the terminal portions (first terminal portion 286) fastened to the first connection portion 282.

[0118] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 41, the inter-terminal connection structure 280 of the sixteenth modification is a structure that electrically connects a terminal portion (first terminal portion 286) in a junction box 290 and a terminal portion (second terminal portion 294) in a battery module 292 via a current-carrying part 296. The current-carrying part 296 includes a bus bar 298 as a current-carrying member, and both longitudinal ends of the bus bar 298 are first and second connecting portions 282, 300 that are fastened to the first and second terminal portions 286, 294. The structure of the fastening portion between the first connecting portion 282 and the first terminal portion 286 is shown in Figs. 42 and 43, and the structure of the fastening portion between the second connecting portion 300 and the second terminal portion 294 is shown in Figs. 44 and 45.

[0119] 42 to 45, a fastening portion between the first connecting portion 282 and the first terminal portion 286 (a connection portion between one end of the current-carrying part 296 and the junction box 290) is provided with a countermeasure against electric shock. Also, a fastening portion between the second connecting portion 300 and the second terminal portion 294 (a connection portion between the other end of the current-carrying part 296 and the battery module 292) is fastened with a bolt 302. The battery module 292 in the sixteenth modification has a structure similar to that of the first or second battery module 12A, 12B in the first embodiment, and therefore, the same reference numerals as those of the first or second battery module 12A, 12B are used in the drawings to denote substantially the same members and parts, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0120] The battery module 292 includes a housing 14, and a plurality of electric cells 16 are housed in the housing 14 and connected in series. A connection terminal 28 is fastened to the frontmost electric cell 16, and the connection terminal 28 includes a second terminal portion 294 as a terminal portion. A nut holding portion 304 is provided integrally or separately on the housing 14 of the battery module 292, and a nut 306 is disposed in the nut holding portion 304.

[0121] A fastening portion between first connecting portion 282 and first terminal portion 286 (a connection portion between one end of current-carrying part 296 and junction box 290) is provided with an electric shock prevention structure similar to that of modification example 13. That is, a first connecting portion side unit 308 including first connecting portion 282 is provided at one end of current-carrying part 296, and a first terminal portion side unit 310 including first terminal portion 286 is provided at junction box 290. First connecting portion side unit 308 is shown in Figures 46 to 48, and first terminal portion side unit 310 is shown in Figures 49 and 50.

[0122] <First connection portion side unit 308> First connection portion side unit 308 includes an insulating end case 312 that houses first connection portion 282, which is one end of bus bar 298. That is, the insulating case that houses bus bar 298 is configured to include insulating coating 314 that covers a longitudinal middle portion of bus bar 298, and end case 312 that houses first connection portion 282, which is one end in the longitudinal direction. End case 312 also includes a case body 316 and a lid 318.

[0123] The case body 316 includes a bottom wall 72 covering the lower side of the first connecting portion 282, and a peripheral wall 320 protruding upward from the outer periphery of the bottom wall 72. The peripheral wall 320 covers the three outer sides of the first connecting portion 282, and is provided at the rear of the first connecting portion 282 (to the right in FIG. 48) and on both left and right sides. The peripheral wall 320 is provided with a plurality of engagement protrusions 182 protruding outward on both left and right sides. Incidentally, the peripheral wall 320 is provided with unevenness on both left and right sides, which facilitates positioning when assembling a first connecting portion side unit 308 and a first terminal portion side unit 310, which will be described later.

[0124] Furthermore, a circular bottom surface opening hole 74 is provided in the bottom wall 72 at a position corresponding to the bolt insertion hole 62 provided in the first connecting portion 282. The inner diameter dimension of this bottom surface opening hole 74 is larger than the inner diameter dimension of the bolt insertion hole 62 in the first connecting portion 282, so that the bottom surface of the first connecting portion 282 (bus bar 298) is exposed through the bottom surface opening hole 74 when the end case 312 is assembled to the first connecting portion 282. Note that the bottom wall 72 is provided with positioning protrusions such as the positioning protrusion 76 shown in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment and the positioning protrusions 76a, 76b shown in FIG. 32 of the thirteenth modification. Furthermore, positioning recesses corresponding to the positioning protrusions provided in the bottom wall 72 are provided at both left and right ends of the first connecting portion 282. These positioning protrusions and positioning recesses are engaged with each other, so that the relative displacement between the first connecting portion 282 and the end case 312 is limited to a certain extent when the first connecting portion 282 and the end case 312 are assembled.

[0125] The lid 318 also has a flat upper bottom wall 322. A cylindrical portion 324 extending in the vertical direction is provided in the upper bottom wall 322 at a position corresponding to the bolt insertion hole 62 of the first connecting portion 282 and the lower surface opening hole 74 of the bottom wall 72, and penetrates the upper bottom wall 322 in the vertical direction. The upper opening of the cylindrical portion 324 forms an upper surface opening 80 that opens on the upper surface of the end case 312. Furthermore, a pressing protrusion 326 protruding downward is provided in the upper bottom wall 322 at a position outside the cylindrical portion 324, and when the first connecting portion 282 and the end case 312 are assembled, the pressing protrusion 326 prevents the first connecting portion 282 from being displaced upward relative to the bottom wall 72. An engagement frame 184 protruding downward from the upper bottom wall 322 is provided in a position corresponding to the engagement protrusion 182 of the case main body 316 on the outer circumferential edge of the lid 318.

[0126] Further, the first connection unit 308 includes an inner tubular portion 328 and a nut 330. The inner tubular portion 328 has a cylindrical shape as a whole, is made of synthetic resin, and has insulating properties. The inner tubular portion 328 is inserted into the bolt insertion hole 62 of the first connection unit 282 and assembled. Specifically, the outer diameter dimension of the upper end of the inner tubular portion 328 is made larger than the other portions, and the inner tubular portion 328 is inserted from above the bolt insertion hole 62, and the upper end of the inner tubular portion 328 abuts against the opening periphery above the bolt insertion hole 62, thereby preventing the inner tubular portion 328 from falling off downward from the first connection unit 282. The inner tubular portion 328 may be fixed to the first connection unit 282 by an adhesive or the like, or may not be fixed thereto.

[0127] By assembling the inner peripheral cylinder portion 328 to the first connecting portion 282, the lower end of the inner peripheral cylinder portion 328 protrudes outward (downward) from the end case 312 through the lower surface opening hole 74. Therefore, in the sixteenth modification, the connecting portion cover 284 covering the first connecting portion 282 is configured to include the bottom wall 72 of the case body 316 and the inner peripheral cylinder portion 328. In addition, the lower surface opening hole 74 of the bottom wall 72 and the inner peripheral cylinder portion 328 form a connecting portion opening window 332 as an annular opening window. As a result, the lower surface of the first connecting portion 282 is exposed in an annular shape through the connecting portion opening window 332, but since the inner peripheral cylinder portion 328 protrudes outward (downward) from the end case 312, an operator is prevented from touching the first connecting portion 282.

[0128] Furthermore, the nut 330 is disposed on the inner periphery side of the cylindrical portion 324 of the lid 318. Specifically, an insulating coating 334 is fixed to the nut 330 from above. The lower end of the insulating coating 334 has a larger outer diameter, and is inserted into a portion of the lower end of the cylindrical portion 324 with a larger inner diameter, thereby preventing the nut 330 and the insulating coating 334 from being pulled out upward. The nut 330 and the insulating coating 334 are exposed to the outside through an upper opening 80 provided in the lid 318, and the nut 330 can be tightened from the outside using a tool or the like.

[0129] <First terminal unit 310> Junction box 290 includes an upper case 336 and a lower case (not shown), and a first terminal portion side unit 310 is provided on an upper bottom wall 338 of upper case 336. First terminal portion side unit 310 includes first terminal portion 286, terminal portion side relay portion 288, insulating cover 340, and bolts 342.

[0130] The insulating cover 340 includes a flat bottom wall 344 and a peripheral wall 346 that protrudes upward from the outer periphery of the bottom wall 344. The peripheral wall 346 is provided on three sides, namely the rear and both left and right sides of the bottom wall 344. In other words, the peripheral wall 346 opens forward. In addition, the inner surface on both left and right sides of the peripheral wall 346 is provided with unevenness that corresponds to the outer surface on both left and right sides of the end case 312 of the first connection unit 308. Furthermore, a through hole 348 that penetrates in the vertical direction is formed in the approximately central part of the bottom wall 344. In addition, a convex part (not shown) that protrudes outward is provided on both left and right sides of the lower end of the peripheral wall 346, and a concave part (not shown) is provided on the upper bottom wall 338 of the upper case 336. The insulating cover 340 is fixed to the upper bottom wall 338 of the upper case 336 by the unevenness fitting of these uneven parts. The method of fixing the insulating cover 340 to the upper bottom wall 338 is not limited to recess-projection fitting.

[0131] An electric circuit (not shown) is housed inside junction box 290, and bus bar 350 electrically connected to this electric circuit is fixed inside junction box 290 by fixing means (not shown). An end of this bus bar 350 is first terminal 286, and first terminal 286 has bolt insertion hole 38 passing therethrough in the vertical direction. This first terminal 286 is located below bottom wall 344 of insulating cover 340, and through hole 348 provided in bottom wall 344 and bolt insertion hole 38 provided in first terminal 286 are aligned with each other in the vertical direction.

[0132] The terminal side relay portion 288 is provided between the bottom wall 344 of the insulating cover 340 and the bus bar 350 (first terminal portion 286). Specifically, the terminal side relay portion 288 is an annular member as a whole, and is formed of metal. The terminal side relay portion 288 includes an upper tubular portion 352 and a lower flange portion 354, and the annular flange portion 354 protrudes from the lower end of the tubular portion 352 to the outer periphery. The tubular portion 352 of the terminal side relay portion 288 is inserted into the through hole 348 of the bottom wall 344, and the flange portion 354 is sandwiched between the bottom wall 344 and the bus bar 350 in the up-down direction. As a result, the terminal side relay portion 288 and the first terminal portion 286 are in contact with each other.

[0133] The bolt insertion hole 68 penetrating the center of the terminal side relay part 288 in the vertical direction is aligned with the bolt insertion hole 38 of the first terminal part 286, and the bolt 342 is inserted into both bolt insertion holes 68, 38 from below and protrudes upward. The bolt 342 may be fixed to the bus bar 350 by an adhesive or the like, or may be fixed to the bus bar 350, the junction box 290, or the like by a fixing means not shown. The outer diameter dimension of the bolt 342 is set to be larger than the inner diameter dimension of the bolt insertion hole 68 of the terminal side relay part 288, and an annular space having a predetermined radial width dimension is formed between the terminal side relay part 288 and the bolt 342. In the sixteenth modification, the upper end of the bolt 342 does not protrude above the insulating cover 340, reducing the risk of unintended contact with the bolt 342 or damage to the bolt 342.

[0134] <Assembly of the inter-terminal connection structure 280 according to the sixteenth modification of the present disclosure> Hereinafter, there will be described a specific example of a process for assembling the terminal connection structure 280, that is, a process for connecting the junction box 290 and the battery module 292 with the current-carrying part 296. Note that the process for assembling the terminal connection structure 280 is not limited to the following description.

[0135] First, the bus bar 298 provided with the insulating coating 314, the inner cylindrical portion 328, the nut 330 provided with the insulating coating 334, the case body 316, and the lid 318 are prepared. Then, the first connecting portion 282, which is one end of the bus bar 298, is inserted into the case body 316 from above, and the positioning protrusion (76) provided on the bottom wall 72 is engaged with the positioning recess (64) provided on the first connecting portion 282. Thereafter, the inner cylindrical portion 328 is inserted into the bolt insertion hole 62 of the first connecting portion 282. Next, the nut 330 provided with the insulating coating 334 is placed from above the inner cylindrical portion 328 (first connecting portion 282) so that the inner hole of the inner cylindrical portion 328 and the inner hole of the nut 330 are in communication with each other. In this state, the lid 318 is placed from above the case body 316 to engage the engaging protrusion 182 with the engaging frame 184. In this way, the end case 312 is assembled to the first connecting portion 282, and the first connecting portion side unit 308 is completed.

[0136] Furthermore, with the electric circuit (not shown) and bus bar 350 fixed to upper case 336, terminal portion side relay portion 288 is placed above first terminal portion 286 with the bolt insertion holes 38, 68 aligned. Thereafter, insulating cover 340 is placed over terminal portion side relay portion 288 and fixed to upper case 336. Then, bolt 342 is inserted from below first terminal portion 286 to secure it, and a lower case (not shown) is attached to upper case 336, completing junction box 290 equipped with first terminal portion side unit 310.

[0137] Next, the battery module 292 is prepared, and the second terminal portion 294 and the second connection portion 300, which is the other end of the bus bar 298, are overlapped with each other to align the bolt insertion holes 38, 62. Then, the bolt 302 is inserted into the bolt insertion holes 38, 62 and fastened to the nut 306. This fastens the second terminal portion 294 and the second connection portion 300, i.e., electrically connects the battery module 292 and the current-carrying component 296.

[0138] Next, the end case 312 of the first connection unit 308 is inserted into the insulating cover 340 of the first terminal unit 310, and the bolt 342 of the first terminal unit 310 is brought into contact with the opening of the nut 330 through the inner circumferential cylindrical portion 328 of the first connection unit 308. Thereafter, the bolt 342 is fastened to the nut 330 by tightening the nut 330 from the outside through the upper surface opening 80 of the end case 312 with a jig (not shown). As a result, as shown in FIG. 43, the cylindrical portion 352 of the terminal side relay portion 288 is inserted into the connection portion opening window 332 provided on the lower surface of the end case 312, and is brought into contact with and connected to the first connection portion 282. That is, by fastening the first terminal portion 286 and the first connection portion 282, the junction box 290 and the current-carrying component 296 are electrically connected. As a result, the junction box 290 and the battery module 292 are electrically connected by the current-carrying part 296, and the terminal-to-terminal connection structure 280 is completed.

[0139] In the inter-terminal connection structure 280 of the sixteenth modification, when the battery module 292 and the other end of the current-carrying part 296 are fastened with a bolt, the first connection part 282, which is one end of the current-carrying part 296, becomes a live part. Here, the first connection part 282 is provided with a connection part cover 284, which reduces the possibility that an operator will unintentionally touch the first connection part 282. In addition, the connection part cover 284 is provided with a connection part opening window 332, which partially exposes the first connection part 282. Then, when the first connection part 282 and the first terminal part 286 are fastened, the terminal part side relay part 288 that contacts the first terminal part 286 contacts the first connection part 282 through the connection part opening window 332, so that the electrical connection between the first connection part 282 and the first terminal part 286 is also ensured.

[0140] Therefore, in the inter-terminal connection structure of the present disclosure, two fastening parts are provided by the two connection parts and two terminal parts, but the structure for preventing electric shock according to the present disclosure only needs to be provided in at least one fastening part, and there may be a fastening part where no electric shock protection is provided. In other words, the insulating cover only needs to be provided in any one of the two connection parts and two terminal parts, a total of four, and the relay part only needs to be provided in the terminal part or connection part that is fastened to the connection part or terminal part provided with the insulating cover.

[0141] <Other> (1) In the terminal-to-terminal connection structure 10 of embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, the fastening members are bolts 84 and nuts 44. However, the threaded portion may be screwed in using only a bolt, or any known fastening member may be used. (2) In addition, in the terminal connection structure 10 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure, a pair of crank-shaped bent portions 58, 58 are provided, but as in the terminal connection structures 90, 100 of the first and second modifications shown in Fig. 8, there may be only one crank-shaped bent portion 58. Alternatively, any number of crank-shaped bent portions 58 may be provided so as to bend in the same or opposite plate thickness directions. This makes it possible to accommodate terminal connection structures of various shapes. (3) Furthermore, in the terminal-to-terminal connection structure 10 of embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, the guide wall 78 is formed to protrude with approximately the same dimensions as the tip end of the threaded portion 84A of the bolt 84. However, a dimension according to the shape, etc. of the battery module side can also be adopted. (4) In addition, in the inter-terminal connection structure 10 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the connection side relay portion 66 has a cylindrical tube portion 66A protruding from the flange portion 66B, and the terminal portion opening window 50 has a circular ring shape corresponding to the tube portion 66A, but this is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of protrusions may be provided on one connection side relay portion 66, and a plurality of terminal portion opening windows through which the respective protrusions are inserted may be formed. Specifically, in the connection side relay portion 66, the protruding end portion of the tube portion 66A protruding from the flange portion 66B may be divided into a plurality of arc-shaped protrusions in the circumferential direction by slits, and the terminal portion opening window 50 may have a shape corresponding to each arc-shaped protrusion. In addition, the planar shape of the flange portion 66B is not limited to a circular ring shape, and any shape can be adopted, and the shape of one or more protrusions protruding from the flange portion 66B and the terminal portion opening window through which the protrusions are inserted may also be any shape, such as a rectangular shape. (5) The connection opening window 176 provided in the end case 174 constituting the connection cover is preferably provided with a size that allows the insertion of the terminal side relay part 188 while preventing the insertion of an operator's finger. In addition, any configuration can be used for insulating the nut 172 located in the top opening 80 of the end case 174 and the bolt 195 fastened to the nut 172, and in addition to the insulating covering shown as an example, for example, a bag-shaped nut cover or the like can be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0142] 10. Terminal connection structure (embodiment 1) 12 Battery module 12A First Battery Module 12B Second battery module 14. Chassis 14A Housing 14B Case 16 D cell 18 Peripheral wall 20 Upper end 22 Upper end 24 First terminal side unit 26 Second terminal side unit 28 Connection terminal 30 Housing 32 Terminal section 34 Terminal fastening part 36 Through hole 38 Bolt insertion hole (terminal side) 40 Terminal holding part 42 Storage unit 44 Nut 46 screw holes 48 Terminal cover (insulating cover) 48A outer periphery 48B Inner circumference 49 Through hole 50 Terminal opening window (opening window) 51 Insertion hole 52 Protrusion 53 Tapered surface 54 Current-carrying parts 56 Busbar (electrically conductive member) 58 Crank-shaped bend 60 Connection 62 Bolt insertion hole 64 Positioning recess 66 Connection side relay part (relay part) 66A Cylinder 66B Flange 68 Bolt insertion hole 70 cases 70A Case Body 70B Lid body 72 Bottom wall 74 Bottom opening hole (opening hole) 76 Positioning protrusion 78 Guide Wall 80 Top opening 84 Volts 84A Threaded Part 86 First connection side unit 88 Second connection side unit 90 Terminal connection structure (variation 1) 92 Junction Box 94 Current-carrying parts 96 Busbar 98 External terminal 100 Terminal connection structure (variation 2) 102 Terminal connection structure (variation 3) 104 Hexagon socket head bolt 104A Head 104B Threaded part 104C Tool fitting hole 106 cases 106A Case body 106B Lid body 108 Protrusion 108A Upper wall 110 Terminal connection structure (variation 4) 112 Connection side relay part 114 Terminal connection structure (variation 5) 116 Connection side relay part 118 Terminal connection structure (variation 6) 120 Connection side relay part 120A Neck 122 Terminal connection structure (variation 7) 124 Terminal cover 124A Protrusion 126 Terminal connection structure (variation 8) 128 Terminal cover 128A Elastic flexure 130 Terminal opening window 130A Slit 132 Terminal connection structure (variation 9) 134 Terminal cover 134B Inner circumference 136 Terminal opening window 138 Connection side relay part 140 Through hole 142 Terminal connection structure (variation 10) 144 Terminal cover 144B Inner circumference 146 Terminal opening window 148 Connection side relay part 150 Through hole 152 Terminal connection structure (variation 11) 154 Battery Module 154A electrode 156 Busbar Module 156A frame 156B Busbar support protrusion 156C Busbar 158 Terminal connection structure (variation 12) 160 Wire Harness 162 Terminal connection structure (variation 13) 163 Current-carrying parts 164 First connection side unit 168 First terminal side unit 170 Busbar (electrically conductive member) 171 Insulating coating 172 Nut 174 End case (insulating cover, connection cover) 174A Case body (insulating cover, connection cover) 174B Lid body 175 Insulation coating 176 Connection opening window (opening window) 178 Positioning protrusion 180 Notch 182 Engagement protrusion 184 Engagement frame 186 Holder 187 Terminal section 188 Terminal side relay part (relay part) 188A Cylinder part 188B Flange 190 Insulating cover 192 Cylinder part 194 Opening Window 195 volts 196 Engagement protrusion 198 Engaged part 200 Storage Recess 202 Fixed part 204 Terminal connection structure (variation 14) 206 Electrically-Conducting Parts 208 Connection side unit 210 Connection blocking part 212 Terminal side unit 214 Volts 214A Threaded part 216 Connection side relay section (relay section) 216A Cylinder part 216B Flange 218 Bolt insertion hole 220 Peripheral wall section 220a Sidewall 220b side wall 222 Rotational axis 224 Bottom opening 226 Spring parts 228 Fitting part 230 Nut 232 Terminal section 234 Terminal opening window (opening window) 236 Bolt insertion hole 238 Inner cylindrical part 240 Side wall 240a side wall 240b side wall 242 Storage unit 244 Inner wall 246 Exterior wall 248 Gap 250 Guideway 252 Fitted part 254 Bolt insertion hole (nut 230) 256 Bolt insertion hole 258 Connection Block 259 Terminal connection structure (variation 15) 260 Lock Piece 262 Lock frame body 264 Fitting part 266 Pressing part 268 Connecting part 270 Fitted part 280 Terminal connection structure (variation 16) 282 First connection part (connection part) 284 Connection cover (insulating cover) 286 First terminal part (terminal part) 288 Terminal side relay part (relay part) 290 Junction Box 292 Battery Module 294 Second terminal section (terminal section) 296 Electrically-Conducting Parts 298 Busbar (electrically conductive material) 300 Second connection part (connection part) 302 Volts 304 Nut holder 306 Nut 308 First connection side unit 310 First terminal side unit 312 End Case 314 Insulating coating 316 Case body 318 Lid 320 Peripheral wall 322 Upper bottom wall 324 Cylindrical section 326 Presser protrusion 328 Inner cylindrical part 330 Nut 332 Connection opening window 334 Insulating coating 336 Upper Case 338 Upper bottom wall 340 Insulating cover 342 Volts 344 Bottom wall 346 Peripheral wall 348 Through hole 350 Busbar 352 Cylinder part 354 Flange part a1,a2 first space b1, b2, b3 Second space c1,c2 gap c3, c4 Displacement allowable gap

Claims

1. A terminal connection structure electrically connecting a plurality of terminals via a current-carrying component, at least one of the terminals being covered with an insulating terminal cover having a terminal opening window, the terminal opening window being large enough that a test finger cannot be inserted therethrough, and the terminals being exposed through the terminal opening window, the current-carrying component being used in the terminal connection structure, a current-carrying member having a plurality of connection portions fastened to the plurality of terminal portions in a connected state, an insulating case that houses the current-carrying member; An electrically conductive component, wherein the connection portion connected to the terminal portion covered by the terminal portion cover is provided with a connection portion side relay portion connected to the terminal portion by inserting it through the terminal portion opening window.

2. The current-carrying component according to claim 1 , wherein the connection portion including the connection-portion-side relay portion is accommodated in and surrounded by the case.

3. 3. The current-carrying component according to claim 1, wherein the current-carrying member is a bus bar, the two connection portions are provided at both longitudinal ends of the bus bar, and the bus bar is provided with a crank-shaped bent portion bent in a thickness direction of the bus bar.

4. The terminal portion and the connection portion are fastened together using a bolt, a bolt insertion hole provided in the connection portion and the connection portion side relay portion has a first space that allows displacement of the bolt in a predetermined direction, The current-carrying component according to claim 1 , wherein the case has a second space that allows displacement of the bolt and the connection portion side relay portion in the predetermined direction.

5. The bolt is housed in the case, the upper surface of the case has an upper opening for exposing the insulating head of the bolt, and the lower surface of the case has a lower opening for exposing the threaded portion of the bolt and the connection portion side relay portion.

6. The bolt is housed in the case, and an upper surface of the case is provided with an upper surface opening through which a head of the bolt is exposed, A tool fitting hole into which a tip end of a fastening tool is fitted is formed and opened on an upper surface of the head of the bolt, The current-carrying part according to claim 4 , wherein, in a plan view, the tool fitting hole is exposed to the outside through the top surface opening, and an outer periphery of the head is covered by the top surface of the case.

7. 7. The current-carrying component according to claim 6, wherein a portion of the upper surface of the case that covers the outer periphery of the head of the bolt is spaced upward from the head.

8. The terminal portion and the connection portion are fastened together using a bolt, An electrically conductive component as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the case has a guide wall around the connection portion side relay portion and the threaded portion of the bolt, the guide wall being a wall higher than the connection portion side relay portion.

9. 9. The current-carrying component according to claim 8, wherein the guide wall is provided in the vicinity of the connection portion, and the guide wall abuts against a member provided on the terminal portion side to suppress displacement.

10. The current-carrying component according to claim 1 , wherein the connection-portion-side relay portion and the current-carrying member are integrally formed.

11. The current-carrying component according to claim 1 , wherein the connection portion side relay portion and the current-carrying member are formed separately, and the connection portion side relay portion is held by the case.

12. the connection portion side relay portion has a cylindrical portion protruding to the outside of the case and a flange portion protruding from one end of the cylindrical portion toward an outer periphery, An electrically conductive component as described in claim 11, wherein the tubular portion of the connection side relay portion is inserted into an opening hole formed through the case, and the flange portion of the connection side relay portion engages with the periphery of the opening hole from the inside of the case, thereby holding the connection side relay portion in the case.

13. The current-carrying component according to claim 11 , wherein the connection-side relay portion is press-fitted into an opening formed through the case, and thereby held by the case.

14. The current-carrying component according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the connection-portion-side relay portions are provided at a distance from each other and protrude from the connection portion.

15. The terminal portion and the connection portion are fastened together using a bolt, The terminal portion opening window is formed in an annular shape around the bolt insertion hole of the terminal portion, The current-carrying component according to claim 1 , wherein the connection portion side relay portion is annularly disposed around the bolt insertion hole of the connection portion.

16. an insulating connection portion cover covering another one of the plurality of connection portions; a connection portion opening window provided in the connection portion cover to partially expose the other one connection portion; An electrically conductive component as described in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein a terminal portion side relay portion is provided on another one of the plurality of terminal portions that is fastened to the other one of the connection portions covered by the connection portion cover, and the terminal portion side relay portion is inserted through the connection portion opening window to be connected to the other one of the connection portions.

17. The other terminal portion and the other connection portion are fastened together using a bolt and a nut, On the side of the other connection portion, the nut is housed in the case, and the nut and the tip of the bolt fastened to the nut are located in an insulating coated state in an upper surface opening provided on the upper surface of the case, the connection portion cover is formed by a bottom wall of the case, and the connection portion opening window is provided through the bottom wall, The current-carrying component according to claim 16 , wherein the bolt and the terminal portion-side relay portion are disposed at the other one of the terminal portions.

18. An electrically conductive component as described in any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the case is provided with a connection prevention portion that prevents connection between the connection portion and the terminal portion, and the connection prevention portion is displaceable to an allowable position that allows connection between the connection portion and the terminal portion.

19. The current-carrying component according to claim 18 , wherein the connection preventing portion has a fitting portion that fits into the fitted portion on the terminal portion side when the connection preventing portion is displaced to the permitted position.

20. 20. The current-carrying component according to claim 19, wherein the fitting portion and the fitted portion are fitted together at a normal fitting position between the terminal portion and the connection portion.

21. the case accommodates a bolt for fastening the connection portion to the terminal portion, an upper surface of the case has an upper surface opening for exposing an insulating-coated head of the bolt, and a lower surface of the case has a lower surface opening for exposing a threaded portion of the bolt and the connection portion-side relay portion, An electrically conductive component as described in any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the connection preventing portion is displaceable between a preventing position in which it covers the bottom opening and covers the threaded portion of the bolt and the connection portion side relay portion, and an allowing position in which it opens the bottom opening and allows connection of the threaded portion of the bolt to the terminal portion of the connection portion side relay portion.

22. the case includes an insulating coating that covers a longitudinal intermediate portion of the current-carrying member, and end cases that are provided at both longitudinal ends of the current-carrying member and cover at least one of the two connection portions exposed from the insulating coating, the end case is assembled to the current-carrying member so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction, An electrically conductive component as described in any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the connection portion and the terminal portion are fastened using a bolt and a nut, and a bolt insertion hole formed through the connection portion is provided with a displacement tolerance gap that allows displacement of the end case relative to the electrically conductive member in the longitudinal direction.

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