Wiring Module

Abstract

A wiring module 10 attached to a plurality of electricity storage elements 12 having electrodes is provided with an insulating protector 14 comprising an insulating synthetic resin, a bus bar which is held by the insulating protector 14 and which is connected to the electrodes, a bolt 32 having a shaft portion 43 which penetrates through the bus bar and a head portion 44 formed in an end portion of the shaft portion 43, and a nut 36 which screws together with the shaft portion 43 of the bolt 32, wherein: the bus bar includes an electrode connecting portion 34L which is connected to the electrodes and which extends in an extension direction, and a penetrated portion 30L which extends in a first direction intersecting the extension direction, and through which the shaft portion 43 of the bolt 32 penetrates; the insulating protector 14 includes a holding portion for holding the electrode connecting portion 34L in a positioned state, and an accommodating portion 41L which has an inner shape that is larger than an outer shape of the nut 36 or the head portion 44 and which accommodates the nut 36 or the head portion 44; and a first clearance P provided in the first direction between the nut 36 or the head portion 44 and the accommodating portion 41L when the nut 36 or the head portion 44 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 41L is set to be greater than a second clearance Q provided in a second direction that intersects the extension direction and that is different from the first direction, between the nut 36 or the head portion 44 and the accommodating portion 41L.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wiring module. [Background technology]

[0002] A wiring module that is attached to a plurality of energy storage elements is disclosed in JP 2019-192561 A (Patent Document 1). This wiring module includes a bus bar connected to an electrode and an insulating protector to which the bus bar is attached. A bolt and a nut are screwed to the bus bar. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-192561 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If the mounting position of the busbar with respect to the insulating protector is deviated from the normal position, the relative positions of the bolt and the nut may also deviate from the normal position. This may result in the bolt or the nut coming into contact with the insulating protector. Since a relatively large force is applied when the bolt and the nut are screwed together, a large force is also applied to the insulating protector, which may cause problems such as deformation of the insulating protector.

[0005] The present disclosure has been completed in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a wiring module in which deformation of an insulating protector is suppressed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a wiring module attached to a plurality of energy storage elements having electrodes, the wiring module comprising: an insulating protector made of insulating synthetic resin; a bus bar held by the insulating protector and connected to the electrodes; a bolt having a shaft portion penetrating the bus bar and a head formed at an end of the shaft portion; and a nut screwed onto the shaft portion of the bolt, the bus bar having an electrode connection portion connected to the electrodes and extending along an extension direction, and a penetrated portion extending along a first direction intersecting the extension direction and through which the shaft portion of the bolt penetrates; The insulating protector has a holding portion that holds the electrode connection portion in a positioned state, and a accommodating portion that has an inner shape larger than the outer shape of the nut or the head and accommodates the nut or the head, and when the nut or the head is accommodated in the accommodating portion, a first clearance provided between the nut or the head and the accommodating portion in the first direction is set to be larger than a second clearance provided between the nut or the head and the accommodating portion in a second direction that intersects the extension direction and is different from the first direction. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, deformation of the insulating protector can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the electricity storage module according to the first embodiment, taken along line II in FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the electricity storage module. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a front view showing the electricity storage module. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the left output bus bar. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the bolt fastening structure of the left output bus bar. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged front view showing the assembly structure of the left output bus bar and the connection bus bar to the insulating protector. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged exploded perspective view showing the left output bus bar and the insulating protector. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged plan view showing the electricity storage module. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged plan view showing a state in which the nut is accommodated in the accommodating portion. [Figure 10] 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the bolt fastening structure of the left output bus bar. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the bolt fastening structure of the left output bus bar in the comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0010] (1) The present disclosure provides a wiring module attached to a plurality of energy storage elements having electrodes, the wiring module comprising: an insulating protector made of insulating synthetic resin; a bus bar held by the insulating protector and connected to the electrodes; a bolt having a shaft portion penetrating the bus bar and a head formed at an end of the shaft portion; and a nut screwed onto the shank of the bolt, wherein the bus bar has an electrode connection portion connected to the electrodes and extending along an extension direction, a through portion extending along a first direction intersecting the extension direction and through which the shank of the bolt passes, the insulating protector has a holding portion that holds the electrode connection portion in a positioned state, and a accommodating portion that has an inner shape larger than an outer shape of the nut or the head and accommodates the nut or the head, and when the nut or the head is accommodated in the accommodating portion, a first clearance provided between the nut or the head and the accommodating portion in the first direction is set to be larger than a second clearance provided between the nut or the head and the accommodating portion in a second direction that intersects the extension direction and is different from the first direction.

[0011] Since the first clearance is set to be larger than the second clearance, it is possible to prevent the bolt head or the nut from coming into contact with the insulating protector when the nut is screwed onto the bolt shank, thereby preventing deformation of the insulating protector caused by force being applied to the insulating protector from the bolt head or the nut.

[0012] (2) In a state in which the shank of the bolt and the nut are screwed together, it is preferable that a direction in which an axis of the shank extends intersects with the extension direction of the electrode connection portion.

[0013] In the case where the axis of the bolt shaft intersects with the direction in which the electrode connection portion of the bus bar extends, it is possible to reliably prevent the bolt head or nut from coming into contact with the insulating protector, thereby reliably preventing deformation of the insulating protector.

[0014] (3) It is preferable that the dimension of the first clearance is set to twice the dimension of the second clearance.

[0015] Since the head or the nut can be further prevented from coming into contact with the insulating protector, deformation of the insulating protector can be more effectively prevented.

[0016] (4) When the nut is screwed onto the shank of the bolt, it is preferable that the pierced portion and an output terminal electrically connected to an external circuit are sandwiched between the head of the bolt and the nut.

[0017] The bus bar and the output terminal are sandwiched between the head of the bolt and the nut, so that the bus bar and an external circuit can be electrically connected via the output terminal.

[0018] (5) It is preferable that the insulating protector is provided with a flexible substrate having a flexible film and a conductive path formed on the film, the bus bar has a substrate connection portion connected to the conductive path of the flexible substrate, and the substrate connection portion is positioned and held in the insulating protector.

[0019] When the board connection portion and the insulating protector are positioned and held, the positioning accuracy between the bus bar and the insulating protector is further required. Even in such a case, it is possible to prevent the bolt head or the nut from coming into contact with the insulating protector when the nut is screwed onto the bolt shaft. This makes it possible to prevent deformation of the insulating protector caused by the force applied to the insulating protector from the bolt head or the nut.

[0020] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] The present disclosure will be described below with reference to the embodiments. 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.

[0021] <Embodiment 1> A first embodiment in which a wiring module 10 according to the present disclosure is applied to an electricity storage module 11 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 11. The electricity storage module 11 is mounted on a vehicle (not shown) such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle and used as a drive source. As shown in Fig. 1, the electricity storage module 11 according to the present embodiment includes a case 13, a plurality of electricity storage elements 12 housed in the case 13, and a wiring module 10 attached to the plurality of electricity storage elements 12. The wiring module 10 includes a connection bus bar 26C, a left output bus bar 26L (an example of a bus bar), and a right output bus bar 26R (an example of a bus bar) connected to lead terminals 24 (an example of electrodes) of the plurality of electricity storage elements 12, and an insulating protector 14 that holds the connection bus bar 26C, the left output bus bar 26L, and the right output bus bar 26R.

[0022] In the following description, the direction indicated by the arrow Z is the upward direction, the direction indicated by the arrow Y is the forward direction, and the direction indicated by the arrow X is the leftward direction. For multiple identical components, only some of the components may be labeled with a reference number, and the reference numbers may be omitted for the other components. The up-down direction, the left-right direction, and the front-rear direction are mutually perpendicular.

[0023] [Overall structure] As shown in Fig. 2, the energy storage module 11 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape that is elongated in the front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 1, the energy storage module 11 is configured by accommodating a plurality of energy storage elements 12 lined up in the front-rear direction in a metal case 13. The case 13 is generally shaped like a square tube having openings 20 that open to the front and rear. The metal that constitutes the case 13 can be appropriately selected from any metal, such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or stainless steel.

[0024] [Electric storage element 12] As shown in Fig. 1, the energy storage element 12 has a power generating element (not shown) housed inside a laminate film exterior body 23. The edges of the laminate film that constitutes the laminate film exterior body 23 are heat welded. A lead terminal 24 protrudes forward from the front end of the laminate film exterior body 23. Although not shown in detail, a lead terminal (not shown) protrudes rearward from the rear end of the laminate film exterior body 23. The front lead terminal 24 and the rear lead terminal have different polarities, one is a positive terminal and the other is a negative terminal.

[0025] The energy storage element 12 is generally formed in a plate shape that is elongated in the front-rear direction. A plurality of energy storage elements 12 (eight in this embodiment) are arranged in the left-right direction. The plurality of energy storage elements 12 are arranged such that adjacent lead terminals 24 in the left-right direction have different polarities.

[0026] [Insulating protector 14] As shown in Fig. 2, an insulating protector 14 is attached to the front end of the case 13 to close the opening 20 from the front. The insulating protector 14 is formed by injection molding an insulating synthetic resin material. The insulating protector 14 is formed as a rectangular plate as a whole when viewed from the front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 1, the insulating protector 14 has a plurality of slits 25 (eight in this embodiment) extending in the up-down direction and spaced apart in the left-right direction. The lead terminals 24 of the energy storage element 12 are inserted into the slits 25 from rear to front.

[0027] 1, a connection bus bar 26C, a left output bus bar 26L, and a right output bus bar 26R made of a metal plate are attached to insulating protector 14 in positions near slits 25. Attached to insulating protector 14 are: left output bus bar 26L provided at the left end of insulating protector 14; right output bus bar 26R provided at the right end of insulating protector 14; and a plurality of (three in this embodiment) connection bus bars 26C arranged between left output bus bar 26L and right output bus bar 26R.

[0028] The left output bus bar 26L and the right output bus bar 26R are adapted to be electrically connected to an external circuit, and are used as terminal fittings for supplying electric power from the power storage module 11 to the external circuit.

[0029] [Left output busbar 26L] As shown in Fig. 4, the left output bus bar 26L has a plate shape that is elongated in the vertical direction (one example of an extension direction) as a whole. The left output bus bar 26L has an electrode connection portion 34L that has a plate shape that is elongated in the vertical direction. The lead terminal 24 that is inserted into the slit 25 from the rear is electrically connected to the electrode connection portion 34L in a region in front of the insulating protector 14. The electrode connection portion 34L and the lead terminal 24 are connected by a known method such as welding, soldering, brazing, etc. In this embodiment, the electrode connection portion 34L and the lead terminal 24 are connected by laser welding.

[0030] At the upper end of the electrode connection portion 34L, a bent portion 35L is formed that is bent to the right in a semicircular arc shape. At the right end of the bent portion 35L, a pierced portion 30L that extends to the right is formed. The pierced portion 30L and the electrode connection portion 34L are substantially orthogonal. "Substantially orthogonal" includes a case where the pierced portion 30L and the electrode connection portion 34L are orthogonal, and also includes a case where the pierced portion 30L and the electrode connection portion 34L are not orthogonal but can be recognized as being substantially orthogonal.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 5, an output terminal 33L electrically connected to an external circuit is connected to the pierced portion 30L. The output terminal 33L is a metal plate. An insertion hole 21L is formed in the output terminal 33L penetrating in the vertical direction. In addition, a through hole 31L is formed in the pierced portion 30L penetrating in the vertical direction. A bolt 32 is inserted into the through hole 31L, and the bolt 32 is screwed into a nut 36, so that the left output bus bar 26L and the output terminal 33L are electrically connected.

[0032] 6, the insulating protector 14 is provided with protective walls 37L extending in the up-down direction on the left and right sides of the penetrating portion 30L. The upper ends of the protective walls 37L are bent so as to approach each other in the left-right direction, and then extend upward. The upper ends of the two protective walls 37L are open upward.

[0033] 4, a board connection portion 28L that protrudes rearward is formed at the lower end of the electrode connection portion 34L. This board connection portion 28L is positioned and held relative to the insulating protector 14 by being inserted from the front into a fixing hole 29 provided in the insulating protector 14.

[0034] 6, a pair of upper clamping portions 38L that protrude forward and clamp a position below the bent portion 35L from the left and right direction are provided on the insulating protector 14 near the upper end portion of the electrode connection portion 34L. The distance between the pair of upper clamping portions 38L in the left and right direction is formed to be the same as or slightly smaller than the left and right width dimension of the electrode connection portion 34L.

[0035] 6, a pair of lower clamping portions 39L that protrude forward and clamp a position above the board connection portion 28L from the left and right direction are provided on the insulating protector 14 near the lower end of the electrode connection portion 34L. The distance between the pair of lower clamping portions 39L in the left and right direction is formed to be the same as or slightly smaller than the left and right width dimension of the electrode connection portion 34L.

[0036] The electrode connection portion 34L is clamped by the pair of upper clamping portions 38L and the pair of lower clamping portions 39L, so that the electrode connection portion 34L is positioned and held relative to the insulating protector 14.

[0037] [Right output busbar 26R] As shown in Fig. 3, the right output bus bar 26R is generally in the form of a plate that is elongated in the vertical direction. The right output bus bar 26R has an electrode connection portion 34R that is in the form of a plate that is elongated in the vertical direction. As shown in Fig. 1, the lead terminal 24 that is inserted into the slit 25 from the rear is electrically connected to the electrode connection portion 34R in the front region of the insulating protector 14. The electrode connection portion 34R and the lead terminal 24 are connected by a known method such as welding, soldering, brazing, etc. In this embodiment, the electrode connection portion 34R and the lead terminal 24 are connected by laser welding.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 3, a bent portion 35R is formed at the upper end of the electrode connection portion 34R, bending to the left in a semicircular arc shape. A pierced portion 30R extending to the left is formed at the left end of the bent portion 35R. The pierced portion 30R and the electrode connection portion 34R are substantially orthogonal. "Substantially orthogonal" includes a case where the pierced portion 30R and the electrode connection portion 34R are orthogonal, and also includes a case where the pierced portion 30R and the electrode connection portion 34R are not orthogonal but can be recognized as being substantially orthogonal.

[0039] Although not shown in detail, an output terminal (not shown) that is electrically connected to an external circuit is connected to the pierced portion 30R. The output terminal is a metal plate. An insertion hole (not shown) that penetrates the output terminal in the vertical direction is formed. Furthermore, a through hole 31R that penetrates the pierced portion 30R in the vertical direction is formed. A bolt 32 is inserted into the through hole 31R, and the bolt 32 is screwed into a nut 36, so that the right output bus bar 26R and the output terminal are electrically connected.

[0040] 3, the insulating protector 14 is provided with protective walls 37R extending in the up-down direction on the left and right sides of the penetrating portion 30R. The upper ends of the protective walls 37R are bent so as to approach each other in the left-right direction, and then extend upward. The upper ends of the two protective walls 37R are open upward.

[0041] 3, a substrate connection portion 28R that protrudes rearward is formed at the lower end of the electrode connection portion 34R. This substrate connection portion 28R is positioned and held relative to the insulating protector 14 by being inserted from the front into a fixing hole (not shown) provided in the insulating protector 14.

[0042] 3, a pair of upper clamping portions 38R are provided protruding forward from the insulating protector 14, which are located near the upper end of the electrode connection portion 34R and clamp a position below the bent portion 35R from the left and right direction. The distance between the pair of upper clamping portions 38R in the left and right direction is set to be the same as or slightly smaller than the left and right width dimension of the electrode connection portion 34R.

[0043] 3, a pair of lower clamping portions 39R that protrude forward and clamp an upper position of the board connection portion 28R from the left and right direction are provided on the insulating protector 14 near the lower end of the electrode connection portion 34R. The distance between the pair of lower clamping portions 39R in the left and right direction is set to be the same as or slightly smaller than the left and right width dimension of the electrode connection portion 34R.

[0044] The electrode connecting portion 34R is clamped by a pair of upper clamping portions 38R and a pair of lower clamping portions 39R, so that the electrode connecting portion 34R is positioned and held relative to the insulating protector 14.

[0045] [Connection busbar 26C] As shown in Fig. 3, the connection bus bar 26C is generally in the form of a plate that is elongated in the vertical direction. The left output bus bar 26L has an electrode connection portion 34C that is in the form of a plate that is elongated in the vertical direction. As shown in Fig. 1, the lead terminal 24 inserted into the slit 25 from the rear is electrically connected to the electrode connection portion 34C in the front region of the insulating protector 14. The electrode connection portion 34C and the lead terminal 24 are connected by a known method such as welding, soldering, brazing, etc. In this embodiment, the electrode connection portion 34C and the lead terminal 24 are connected by laser welding.

[0046] A board connection portion 28C that protrudes rearward is formed at the lower end of the electrode connection portion 34C. This board connection portion 28C is positioned and held relative to the insulating protector 14 by being inserted from the front into a fixing hole 29 provided in the insulating protector 14 (see FIG. 5).

[0047] 6, insulating protector 14 is provided with upper clamping portions 38C that clamp the upper end portion of electrode connecting portion 34C from the left and right direction. Upper clamping portion 38C is formed in a groove shape on the front surface of insulating protector 14. The left and right spacing of groove-shaped upper clamping portion 38C is formed to be the same as or slightly smaller than the left and right width dimension of electrode connecting portion 34C.

[0048] 6, a pair of lower clamping portions 39C are provided protruding forward from insulating protector 14, which are located near the lower end of electrode connection portion 34C and clamp a position above board connection portion 28C from the left and right direction. The distance between the pair of lower clamping portions 39C in the left and right direction is set to be the same as or slightly smaller than the left and right width dimension of electrode connection portion 34C.

[0049] The electrode connection portion 34C is clamped by the upper clamping portion 38C and the pair of lower clamping portions 39C, so that the electrode connection portion 34C is positioned and held relative to the insulating protector 14.

[0050] [Flexible Printed Circuit Board 60] As shown in Fig. 3, a flexible printed circuit board 60 (an example of a flexible board) is disposed on the front surface of the insulating protector 14. The flexible printed circuit board 60 is formed by forming a plurality of conductive paths 63 on one or both sides of a base film 62 (an example of a film) made of insulating synthetic resin. Although not shown in detail, the base film 62 and the conductive paths 63 are covered with a coverlay film made of insulating synthetic resin. The plurality of conductive paths 63 are formed of a metal foil such as copper or a copper alloy (see Fig. 5).

[0051] 3, the flexible printed circuit board 60 has a horizontal portion 64 extending in the left-right direction, and an upward portion 65 extending upward from a position slightly left of the center of the horizontal portion 64. In other words, the flexible printed circuit board 60 has an upside-down T-shape.

[0052] 3, a plurality of lands 66 (five in this embodiment) are formed at intervals in the left-right direction on the horizontal portion 64. The lands 66 are connected to the conductive paths 63 (see FIG. 5). The portions of the coverlay film corresponding to the lands 66 are opened, so that the lands 66 are exposed to the outside.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 6, the land 66 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the front. The land 66 has a through hole 67 penetrating the land 66 and the base film 62. The edge of the through hole 67 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front. The inner shape of the through hole 67 is formed larger than the outer shape of the board connection parts 28L, 28R, and 28C. This allows the board connection parts 28L, 28R, and 28C to be inserted into the through hole 67. With the board connection parts 28L, 28R, and 28C inserted into each through hole 67, each land 66 and each board connection part 28L, 28R, and 28C are soldered by a known method.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 3, an output connector 90 is attached to the upper end of the upper row portion 65 of the flexible printed circuit board 60. A plurality of terminals 91 are arranged on the output connector 90. The plurality of terminals 91 are electrically connected to the plurality of conductive paths 63 by a known method such as soldering. Each conductive path 63 is electrically connected to an external ECU (Electronic Control Unit) (not shown) by the output connector 90. The ECU is equipped with a microcomputer, elements, etc., and has a known configuration having functions for detecting the voltage, current, temperature, etc. of the storage elements 12, controlling the charging and discharging of each storage element 12, etc.

[0055] [Fastening structure of bolt 32 and nut 36] As shown in Fig. 5, the insulating protector 14 is provided with a pedestal portion 40L below the pierced portion 30L. The pedestal portion 40L has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from above (see Fig. 7). As shown in Fig. 8, the length dimension in the left-right direction of the pedestal portion 40L is set to be smaller than the span dimension between the upper ends of the two protective walls 37L. The pierced portion 30L is arranged above the pedestal portion 40L.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 9, a storage section 41L for storing a nut 36 is formed on the upper surface of the base section 40L and recessed downward. When viewed from above, the rim of the storage section 41L has a substantially rectangular shape. A metal nut 36 is stored inside the storage section 41L. When viewed from above, the nut 36 has a rectangular shape. A screw hole 42 is formed penetrating the nut 36 in the vertical direction. The inner diameter of the screw hole 42 is set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole 31L (see FIG. 5).

[0057] 5, the nut 36 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 41L of the base portion 40L, the pierced portion 30L is disposed above the base portion 40L, and the output terminal 33L is placed on the upper surface of the pierced portion 30L, in a state in which the bolt 32 is screwed into the nut 36. The bolt 32 has a shaft portion 43 that extends in the vertical direction and has a thread formed on its outer surface, and a head portion 44 formed at the upper end of the shaft portion 43.

[0058] With the shaft portion 43 of the bolt 32 penetrating the output terminal 33L and the pierced portion 30L, the nut 36 is screwed onto the bolt 32, whereby the output terminal 33L and the pierced portion 30L are sandwiched between the head portion 44 of the bolt 32 and the nut 36. This electrically connects the output terminal 33L and the left output bus bar 26L.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 9, the rim of the storage section 41L formed in the base section 40L is substantially rectangular. The storage section 41L has a rear edge section 45 located on the rear side and extending in the left-right direction, a front edge section 46 located on the front side and extending in the left-right direction, a right edge section 47 connecting the right end of the rear edge section 45 and the right end of the front edge section 46 in the front-rear direction (an example of the second direction), and a left edge section 48 connecting the left end of the rear edge section 45 and the left end of the front edge section 46 in the front-rear direction. A rear recess 49 recessed in a semicircular shape toward the rear is formed at each of the left and right ends of the rear edge section 45. A front recess 50 recessed in a semicircular shape toward the front is formed at each of the left and right ends of the front edge section 46.

[0060] 9, when the nut 36 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 41L, a first clearance P is set between the outer shape of the nut 36 and the inner shape of the accommodation portion 41L in the left-right direction, and a second clearance Q is set in the front-rear direction. The first clearance P is defined as the sum of a distance P1 between the left edge of the nut 36 and a left edge portion 48 of the accommodation portion 41L, and a distance P2 between the right edge of the nut 36 and a right edge portion 47 of the accommodation portion 41L. The second clearance Q is defined as the sum of a distance Q1 between the front edge of the nut 36 and a front edge portion 46 of the accommodation portion 41L, and a distance Q2 between the rear edge of the nut 36 and a rear edge portion 45 of the accommodation portion 41L.

[0061] The first clearance P is set to be larger than the second clearance Q. Although the relative difference in size between the first clearance P and the second clearance Q is not limited, in this embodiment, the first clearance P is set to be substantially twice as large as the second clearance Q. "Substantially twice" includes the case where the first clearance P is twice as large as the second clearance Q, and also includes the case where the first clearance P is not twice as large as the second clearance Q but can be recognized as being substantially twice as large. The nut 36 accommodated in the accommodation portion 41L is movable in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction within the range of the first clearance P and the second clearance Q set in the accommodation portion 41L and the nut 36.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 3, the insulating protector 14 is provided with a pedestal portion 40R below the pierced portion 30R. The pedestal portion 40R has a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The length dimension in the left-right direction of the pedestal portion 40R is set to be smaller than the span dimension between the upper ends of the two protective walls 37R. The pierced portion 30R is arranged above the pedestal portion 40R.

[0063] As shown in Fig. 3, a storage section 41R for storing a nut 36 is formed on the upper surface of the base section 40R, recessed downward. When viewed from above, the rim of the storage section 41R is substantially rectangular. A metal nut 36 is stored in the storage section 41R. When viewed from above, the nut 36 is rectangular. A screw hole 42 is formed penetrating the nut 36 in the vertical direction. The inner diameter of the screw hole 42 is set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole 31R.

[0064] The nut 36 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 41R of the base portion 40R, the pierced portion 30R is disposed above the base portion 40R, and the output terminal 33R is placed on the upper surface of the pierced portion 30R, in a state in which the bolt 32 is screwed into the nut 36. The bolt 32 has a shaft portion 43 that extends in the vertical direction and has a thread formed on its outer surface, and a head portion 44 formed at the upper end of the shaft portion 43.

[0065] Although not shown in detail, when the shaft portion 43 of the bolt 32 is inserted through the output terminal and the pierced portion 30R, the nut 36 is screwed onto the bolt 32, whereby the output terminal and the pierced portion 30R are sandwiched between the head portion 44 of the bolt 32 and the nut 36. This electrically connects the output terminal and the left output bus bar 26L.

[0066] The first clearance P and the second clearance Q between the accommodating portion 41R and the nut 36 have the same configuration as the first clearance P and the second clearance Q between the accommodating portion 41L and the nut 36, so duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0067] [Effects of the embodiment] Next, the effects of the first embodiment will be described. First, a case where the pierced portion 30L and the electrode connection portion 34L are perpendicular to each other will be described. The electrode connection portion 34L is held in a positioned state with respect to the insulating protector 14 by the upper clamping portion 38L and the lower clamping portion 39L. The lead terminal 24 of the energy storage element 12 is connected to the electrode connection portion 34L. Therefore, the electrode connection portion 34L and the insulating protector 14 are positioned with a relatively high degree of accuracy.

[0068] When the pierced portion 30L is perpendicular to the electrode connection portion 34L, as shown in FIG. 5, the pierced portion 30L is arranged parallel to the upper surface of the base portion 40L. The through hole 31L formed in the pierced portion 30L is arranged at a position that aligns with the screw hole 42 of the nut 36 accommodated in the accommodation portion 41L of the base portion 40L. The output terminal 33L is placed on the upper surface of the pierced portion 30L so that the insertion hole 21L of the output terminal 33L and the through hole 31L of the pierced portion 30L are aligned. After that, the shaft portion 43 of the bolt 32 is inserted from above through the insertion hole 21L of the output terminal 33L and the pierced portion 30L, and screwed into the screw hole 42 of the nut 36. Then, the nut 36 is pulled upward from the accommodation portion 41L. Furthermore, when the bolt 32 and the nut 36 are screwed together, the output terminal 33L and the pierced portion 30L are sandwiched between the head 44 of the bolt 32 and the nut 36. This electrically connects the output terminal 33L, the left output bus bar 26L, and the lead terminal 24 of the energy storage element 12.

[0069] Next, as shown in FIG. 10, a case where the penetrated portion 30L and the electrode connection portion 34L are not perpendicular to each other will be described. The penetrated portion 30L and the electrode connection portion 34L are connected by a bent portion 35L. When the bent portion 35L is bent, the angle between the penetrated portion 30L and the electrode connection portion 34L is determined by the processing accuracy. Since a relatively large current output from the power storage module 11 flows through the left output bus bar 26L, the plate thickness dimension of the left output bus bar 26L is set to be relatively large in order to reduce the electrical resistance value. For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult to bend the bent portion 35L with high accuracy. As a result, the angle between the penetrated portion 30L and the electrode connection portion 34L may differ from a right angle.

[0070] Fig. 10 illustrates a case where the angle between the pierced portion 30L and the electrode connection portion 34L is greater than 90°. Note that, for ease of explanation, the angle between the pierced portion 30L and the electrode connection portion 34L is exaggerated in Fig. 10.

[0071] When the electrode connection portion 34L is held by the upper clamping portion 38L and the lower clamping portion 39L against the insulating protector 14, the pierced portion 30L intersects with the upper surface of the base portion 40L. Therefore, while the axis of the screw hole 42 of the nut 36 extends in the vertical direction, the axis of the through hole 31L of the pierced portion 30L extends at an angle to the vertical direction. When the output terminal 33L is placed on the upper surface of the pierced portion 30L, the axis of the through hole 31L of the pierced portion 30L and the axis of the insertion hole 21L of the output terminal 33L are aligned with each other.

[0072] When the shaft portion 43 of the bolt 32 is inserted from above into the insertion hole 21L of the output terminal 33L and the through hole 31L of the pierced portion 30L, the axis of the shaft portion 43 of the bolt 32 is aligned with the axis of the insertion hole 21L of the output terminal 33L and the axis of the through hole 31L of the pierced portion 30L.

[0073] The nut 36 accommodated in the accommodation portion 41L moves in the front-rear and left-right directions within the ranges of a first clearance P and a second clearance Q set in the accommodation portion 41L and the nut 36. Therefore, even if the axis of the shaft portion 43 of the bolt 32 and the axis of the screw hole 42 of the nut 36 are misaligned, the lower end of the shaft portion 43 of the bolt 32 can be screwed into the screw hole 42 of the nut 36 by the nut 36 moving inside the accommodation portion 41L.

[0074] When the lower end of the shaft 43 of the bolt 32 is screwed into the screw hole 42 of the nut 36, the nut 36 is pulled upward. At this time, the axis of the screw hole 42 of the nut 36 is aligned with the axis of the shaft 43 of the bolt 32. As a result, the nut 36 is inclined in the housing portion 41L with the upper end toward the right and the lower end toward the left in the vertical direction.

[0075] In this embodiment, the nut 36 is provided between the accommodating portion 41L and the nut 36 in the left-right direction. 1st Clearance P is set between the receiving portion 41L and the nut 36 in the front-rear direction. 2nd Clearance Q 3. This makes it possible for the upper end of the nut 36 to not come into contact with the right edge 47 of the accommodating portion 41L, and for the lower end of the nut 36 to not come into contact with the left edge 48 of the accommodating portion 41L, even if the nut 36 is in an inclined position in the up-down direction within the accommodating portion 41L, with the upper end toward the right and the lower end toward the left. This makes it possible to suppress defects such as deformation of the insulating protector 14 caused by the force being applied from the nut 36 to the insulating protector 14.

[0076] In addition, in FIG. 11, as a comparative example, a nut 36 is provided between the accommodating portion 41L and the nut 36 in the left-right direction. 1st Clearance P is set between the receiving portion 41L and the nut 36 in the front-rear direction. 2nd Clearance Q In other words, FIG. 10 shows the case where the value is set to the same value as in FIG. 11. 1st Clearance P However, in Fig. 10 1st Clearance P11, the angle between the pierced portion 30L and the electrode connection portion 34L is exaggerated for ease of explanation.

[0077] In the comparative example, when the nut 36 is tilted in the vertical direction in the housing portion 41L with the upper end toward the right and the lower end toward the left, the upper end of the nut 36 contacts the right edge 47 of the housing portion 41L and the lower end of the nut 36 contacts the left edge 48 of the housing portion 41L. This causes a force to be applied from the nut 36 to the housing portion 41L, which may cause a defect such as deformation of the insulating protector 14.

[0078] In addition, in this embodiment, when the bolt shaft and the nut are screwed together, the direction in which the axis of the shaft extends intersects with the direction in which the electrode connection portion extends.

[0079] In a case where the axial direction of the shaft portion 43 of the bolt 32 intersects with the extension direction of the electrode connection portion 34L of the left output bus bar 26L or the electrode connection portion 34R of the right output bus bar 26R, the nut 36 can be reliably prevented from coming into contact with the insulating protector 14, thereby reliably preventing deformation of the insulating protector 14.

[0080] In this embodiment, the dimension of the first clearance P is set to be twice the dimension of the second clearance Q.

[0081] Since the nut 36 is further prevented from coming into contact with the insulating protector 14, deformation of the insulating protector 14 can be further prevented.

[0082] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the nut 36 is screwed onto the shaft portion 43 of the bolt 32, the pierced portion 30L and the output terminal 33L electrically connected to an external circuit are sandwiched between the head 44 of the bolt 32 and the nut 36, and the pierced portion 30R and the output terminal electrically connected to an external circuit are sandwiched between the head 44 of the bolt 32 and the nut 36.

[0083] The through-pierced portion 30L of the left output bus bar 26L and the output terminal 33L are sandwiched between the head 44 of the bolt 32 and the nut 36, thereby electrically connecting the left output bus bar 26L to an external circuit via the output terminal 33L. Also, the through-pierced portion 30R of the right output bus bar 26R and the output terminal 33R are sandwiched between the head 44 of the bolt 32 and the nut 36, thereby electrically connecting the right output bus bar 26R to an external circuit via the output terminal.

[0084] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a flexible printed circuit board 60 having a conductive path 63 formed on a flexible base film 62 is arranged in the insulating protector 14, and the left output bus bar 26L has a board connection portion 28L that is connected to the conductive path 63 of the flexible printed circuit board 60, and the board connection portion 28L is positioned and held in the insulating protector 14, and the right output bus bar 26R has a board connection portion 28R that is connected to the conductive path 63 of the flexible printed circuit board 60, and the board connection portion 28R is positioned and held in the insulating protector 14.

[0085] When the board connections 28L, 28R and the insulating protector 14 are positioned and held, even greater positioning accuracy is required between the left output bus bar 26L and the right output bus bar 26R and the insulating protector 14. Even in such a case, it is possible to prevent the nut 36 from coming into contact with the insulating protector 14 when the nut 36 is screwed onto the shaft portion 43 of the bolt 32. This makes it possible to prevent deformation of the insulating protector 14 caused by the force applied to the insulating protector 14 from the nut 36.

[0086] <Other embodiments> (1) A plurality of energy storage elements 12 may be connected in series or in parallel.

[0087] (2) The head 44 of the bolt 32 may be accommodated in an accommodating portion, and the nut 36 may be screwed on from above. Also, one insulating protector 14 may be configured to have both an accommodating portion for accommodating the nut 36 and an accommodating portion for accommodating the head 44 of the bolt 32.

[0088] (3) The flexible substrate connected to the left output bus bar 26L and the right output bus bar 26R may be a so-called flexible flat cable. Also, a configuration may be adopted in which electric wires are connected to the left output bus bar 26L and the right output bus bar 26R.

[0089] (4) The structure for positioning and holding the electrode connectors 34L and 34R is not limited, and any method can be used, such as adhesion, screw fastening, heat fusion, a locking structure using a locking claw, insert molding, or the like.

[0090] (5) A washer, a terminal for voltage detection, or any other member may be sandwiched between head 44 of bolt 32 and nut 36. In addition, both or one of left output bus bar 26L and right output bus bar 26R may be omitted.

[0091] (6) The insulating protector 14 may be configured to have one, two, or four or more connection bus bars 26C.

[0092] (7) The angle formed between the pierced portions 30L, 30R and the electrode connection portions 34L, 34R may be smaller than a right angle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 10: Wiring module 11: Energy storage module 12: Energy storage element 13: Case 14: Insulation protector 20: Opening 21L: Through hole 23: Laminated film exterior 24: Lead terminal 25: Slit 26C: Connection busbar 26R: Right output busbar 26L: Left output busbar 28C, 28R, 28L: PCB connection parts 29: Fixing hole 30R, 30L: Penetrated part 31R, 31L: Through hole 32: Bolt 33L: Output terminal 34C, 34R, 34L: Electrode connection part 35: Nat 35R, 35L: Bend 36: Nat 37R, 37L: Protective wall 38C, 38R, 38L: Upper clamping part 39C, 39R, 39L: Lower clamping part 40R, 40L: Base 41R, 41L: Storage area 42: Screw hole 43: Shaft 44: Head 45: Trailing edge 46: Leading edge 47: Right edge 48: Left edge 49: Rear recess 50: Front recess 60: Flexible printed circuit board 62: Base film 63: Conductive Path 64: Transverse section 65: Ascending part 66: Land 67: Through hole 90: Output connector 91: Terminal P1, P2: Interval P: First Clearance Q1, Q2: Interval Q: Second Clearance

Claims

1. A wiring module that is attached to a plurality of energy storage elements having electrodes, an insulating protector made of insulating synthetic resin; a bus bar held by the insulating protector and connected to the electrode; a bolt having a shaft portion that penetrates the bus bar and a head portion formed at an end of the shaft portion; a nut screwed onto the shaft portion of the bolt, the bus bar has a plate shape, and includes an electrode connection portion connected to the electrode and extending along an extension direction, and a through portion connected to the electrode connection portion by a bent portion, extending along a first direction intersecting the extension direction, and through which the shank of the bolt passes, the insulating protector has a holding portion that holds the electrode connection portion in a positioned state, and a housing portion that has an inner shape larger than an outer shape of the nut or the head and houses the nut or the head, A wiring module in which, when the nut or the head is accommodated in the accommodating portion, a first clearance provided between the nut or the head and the accommodating portion in the first direction is set to be larger than a second clearance provided between the nut or the head and the accommodating portion in a second direction that intersects the extension direction and is different from the first direction.

2. The wiring module according to claim 1 , wherein, in a state in which the shaft portion of the bolt and the nut are screwed together, an axis of the shaft portion extends in a direction intersecting with the extension direction of the electrode connection portion.

3. 3. The wiring module according to claim 1, wherein the dimension of the first clearance is set to twice the dimension of the second clearance.

4. 4. The wiring module according to claim 1, wherein when the nut is screwed onto the shaft portion of the bolt, the pierced portion and an output terminal electrically connected to an external circuit are sandwiched between the head of the bolt and the nut.

5. The insulating protector is provided with a flexible substrate having a flexible film and a conductive path formed on the film, the bus bar has a board connection portion connected to the conductive path of the flexible board, The wiring module according to claim 1 , wherein the board connection portion is positioned and held by the insulating protector.

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