Electrical Equipment

Abstract

An electric apparatus 1 comprises a relay 30 that has a relay terminal 32 and generates heat when energized, and an intermediate bus bar 50 connected to the relay terminal 32. The intermediate bus bar 50 comprises: a first bus bar strip 51 that comprises a first inner layered portion 52 connected to the relay terminal 32, and a first spaced-apart portion 53 continuous with the first inner layered portion 52; and a second bus bar strip 61 that comprises a first outer layered portion 54 layered on the first inner layered portion 52, and a second spaced-apart portion 63 continuous with the first outer layered portion 54 and spaced apart from the first spaced-apart portion 53.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to electrical equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in electrical devices having heat-generating components that generate heat when current is applied, there is known a technique for quickly dissipating heat from the heat-generating components. For example, in a relay unit having a relay and a bus bar that electrically connects the relay and a battery, a configuration has been proposed in which the bus bar connected to the relay terminal of the relay is in thermal contact with a metal case via an insulating heat-conductive sheet (see Patent Document 1). When current is applied, heat generated in the relay is transferred from the relay terminal to the bus bar, and from the bus bar to the case via the heat-conductive sheet, and dissipated to the outside. This prevents the relay from becoming locally hot. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-93711 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above configuration, a large current flows through the heat-generating components from the battery, so the amount of heat generated by the heat-generating components is accordingly relatively large. However, in recent years, there has been a demand for miniaturization of electrical equipment, so there is a demand for efficient heat dissipation by arranging heat dissipation members in a limited space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The electrical device disclosed in this specification comprises a heat-generating component having a terminal and generating heat when electricity is passed through it, and a busbar connected to the terminal, wherein the busbar includes one busbar piece having an inner laminate portion connected to the terminal and a spaced portion connected to the inner laminate portion, and another busbar piece having an outer laminate portion laminated on the inner laminate portion, and another spaced portion connected to the outer laminate portion and spaced away from the one spaced portion. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the electrical device disclosed in this specification, it is possible to achieve both miniaturization and improved heat dissipation efficiency. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electric device of the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the base member of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cover of the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the base member, the relay, the fuse, and the bus bar according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the intermediate bus bar of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the relay-side bus bar of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the base member, the relay, the fuse, and the bus bar according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the electric device of the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the intermediate bus bar of the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the electric device of the third embodiment. [Figure 12]FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the base member, the relay, the fuse, and the bus bar according to the third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an intermediate bus bar according to the third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the electric device of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the electric device of the fourth embodiment with the cover removed. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a plan view of the base member, the relay, the fuse, and the bus bar according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a plan view of the base member of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the cover of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken at a fastening position between the relay and the bus bar according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken at a position where the fuse and the bus bar are fastened to each other in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the base member, the relay, the fuse, and the bus bar according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the intermediate bus bar of the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] [Outline of the embodiment] (1) An electrical device disclosed in this specification includes a heat-generating component having a terminal and generating heat when electricity is passed through it, and a busbar connected to the terminal, wherein the busbar includes one busbar piece having an inner laminate portion connected to the terminal and a spaced portion connected to the inner laminate portion, and another busbar piece having an outer laminate portion laminated on the inner laminate portion, and another spaced portion connected to the outer laminate portion and spaced apart from the one spaced portion.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the surface area of ​​the bus bar can be increased to improve heat dissipation efficiency, while the bus bar can be arranged in a limited space, thereby achieving both miniaturization of the electrical device and improved heat dissipation efficiency.

[0010] (2) In the electric device described in (1) above, an area of ​​an inner surface of the one spaced portion facing the other spaced portion may be 30% or more of an area of ​​an entire inner surface of the one busbar piece facing the other busbar piece. With this configuration, it is possible to reliably improve heat dissipation efficiency.

[0011] (3) In the electric device according to (1) or (2) above, the one spaced apart portion and the other spaced apart portion may be disposed in a space adjacent to the heat-generating component. With this configuration, the space adjacent to the heat-generating component can be effectively utilized, thereby improving heat generation efficiency while preventing the electric device from becoming large.

[0012] (4) In the electric device according to any one of (1) to (3), the busbar may have a standing wall rising from the outer laminated portion or the inner laminated portion. With this configuration, the volume of the busbar can be increased near the connection portion with the terminal, which is likely to generate heat, and the temperature rise during short-term current application, in which a large current flows for a short period of time, can be suppressed. In addition, the surface area of ​​the busbar is increased, improving the heat dissipation efficiency.

[0013] (5) In the electric device described in any one of (1) to (4) above, a plurality of the heat-generating components may be provided, and the one busbar piece may have one of the inner laminate portions and one of the outer laminate portions connected to the one spaced portion, and the other busbar piece may have the other of the inner laminate portions and the other of the outer laminate portions connected to the other spaced portions, and the one of the inner laminate portions and the other of the outer laminate portions may be stacked in this order on the terminal provided on the one of the heat-generating components among the plurality of heat-generating components, and the other of the inner laminate portions and the one of the outer laminate portions may be stacked in this order on the terminal provided on the other of the heat-generating components among the plurality of heat-generating components.

[0014] In this way, the order in which one busbar piece overlaps the other busbar piece with respect to the terminals provided on each of the two heat-generating components is reversed on the one heat-generating component side and the other heat-generating component side, thereby making the path resistance values ​​of the two busbar pieces equal.

[0015] (6) In the electric device according to any one of (1) to (5) above, the bus bar may include a cylindrical ventilation tube portion formed by the one spaced portion and the other spaced portion. With such a configuration, a space through which air can pass can be secured between the one spaced portion and the other spaced portion, thereby improving heat dissipation efficiency.

[0016] (7) In the electric device according to any one of (1) to (5) above, the one spaced apart portion and the other spaced apart portion may be disposed perpendicular to each other. With this configuration, even if the space adjacent to the heat-generating component is narrow, the spaced apart portion can be disposed, and the electric device can be made compact.

[0017] (8) In the electric device described in (7) above, at least one of the first spaced portion and the second spaced portion may be disposed along an outer surface of the heat generating component. With this configuration, heat from the heat generating component is efficiently transferred to the bus bar, thereby improving heat dissipation efficiency.

[0018] (9) In the electric device according to any one of (1) to (8) above, a case may be provided for accommodating the heat generating component and the bus bar, and the case may have a case wall having an air vent. With this configuration, air can be circulated inside the case, improving heat dissipation efficiency.

[0019] (10) In the electric device described in (9) above, the case may include the case wall disposed along the one spaced apart portion or the other spaced apart portion. With this configuration, air flowing in from the ventilation hole is received by the spaced apart portion, thereby improving heat generation efficiency.

[0020] (11) In the electric device described in (10) above, a case may be provided for accommodating the heat generating component and the bus bar therein, the case having a case wall that has an air vent and is disposed perpendicular to the air vent tube. With this configuration, air flowing in through the air vent can smoothly pass through the inside of the air vent tube, improving the efficiency of heat dissipation from the air vent tube.

[0021] (12) In the electric device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, the other spaced portion may extend linearly from the outer laminated portion, the one spaced portion may include an intersection portion extending in a first direction intersecting the other spaced portion, and an inclined portion connecting the inner laminated portion and the one intersection portion, the one inclined portion may be inclined so as to move away from the other spaced portion as it approaches the one intersection portion. The first direction is preferably a direction that forms an angle of approximately 60° to 120° with respect to the other spaced portion, and may be, for example, a vertical direction that forms an angle of 90° with respect to the other spaced portion.

[0022] According to this configuration, the surface area of ​​the first intersection is reduced by providing the first inclined portion, but the increase in the surface area of ​​the first inclined portion is greater than the decrease in the surface area of ​​the first intersection, so the surface area of ​​the busbar is increased. Also, the surface area of ​​the other separated portion is increased by providing the first inclined portion, so the surface area of ​​the busbar is increased. In this way, the surface area of ​​the busbar can be increased in the vicinity of the connection portion with the terminal, which is prone to heat generation, and temperature increases can be suppressed, particularly during short-term current flow when a large current flows for a short period of time.

[0023] (13) The electric device according to (1) to (3) and (12) may further include a case that houses the heat-generating component and the busbar, the case integrally including an inner case wall disposed along the inner surface of the busbar and an outer case wall disposed along the outer surface of the busbar. With this configuration, heat is more easily transferred from the inner surface of the busbar to the inner case wall and from the outer surface of the busbar to the outer case wall, thereby improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the busbar compared to dissipating heat into the air.

[0024] (14) In the electrical devices described in (1) to (3), (12) and (13) above, the busbar may further include at least one of an extension portion extending from the one spaced portion toward a first lateral region located to the side of the heat-generating component, and another extension portion extending from the other spaced portion toward a second lateral region located on the opposite side of the heat-generating component from the first lateral region.

[0025] With this configuration, the surface area of ​​the busbar is increased by at least one of the extensions, improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the busbar. Also, the first and second lateral regions of the heat-generating component are low-temperature regions away from the terminals that are likely to be heat sources, improving the heat dissipation efficiency of at least one of the extensions.

[0026] [Details of the embodiment] Specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention 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.

[0027] <Embodiment 1> A first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 8. An electric device 1 of the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, and is disposed in a power supply path from a power source such as a battery to a load such as a motor.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the electrical device 1 includes a relay 30 (an example of a heat-generating component), a fuse 40 (an example of a heat-generating component), an intermediate bus bar 50 (an example of a bus bar), a relay side bus bar 70 (an example of a bus bar), a fuse side bus bar 90, and a case 10 that houses these components.

[0029] [Case 10] The case 10 is made of synthetic resin and, as shown in FIG. 2, includes a base member 11 to which the relay 30 and the fuse 40 are fixed, and a cover 21 attached to the base member 11 to cover the relay 30, the fuse 40, and the bus bars 50, 70, 90.

[0030] 3, the base member 11 includes a rectangular plate-like base plate 12 (an example of a case wall), two partition walls 13 rising from two long sides of the base plate 12, and two connection bases 14 rising from two short sides of the base plate 12. A relay seat 15 for mounting the relay 30 and two mounting posts 18 for mounting the fuse 40 are arranged on one surface of the base plate 12. The relay seat 15 includes a seat body 16 for supporting the relay 30 and two mounting protrusions 17 protruding from the seat body 16. The two mounting posts 18 are shaped like rectangular columns. Nuts (not shown) are arranged on the mounting protrusions 17 and the mounting posts 18 by known methods such as insert molding and press fitting.

[0031] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the cover 21 has a rectangular plate shape and includes a top wall 22 (an example of a case wall) arranged opposite the base plate 12, two first side walls 23 (an example of a case wall) extending from each of the two long sides of the top wall 22 and arranged along each of the two partitions 13, and two second side walls 24 extending from each of the two short sides of the top wall 22.

[0032] 3 and 4, the base plate 12, the top wall 22, and the two first side walls 23 have a plurality of slits S (one example of an air hole) for circulating air inside the case 10. It is preferable that the slits S are as large as possible without causing an operator's fingers to get inside the slits S.

[0033] [Relay 30 and Fuse 40] The relay 30 is a mechanical relay through which a relatively large current is passed from the vehicle battery, and includes a relay body 31, two relay terminals 32 (an example of a terminal) and a partition wall 33 arranged on one of the multiple outer surfaces (terminal surface 31F1) of the relay body 31, and two mounting pieces 34 protruding from the relay body 31, as shown in Fig. 5. The two relay terminals 32 are shaped like nuts to which a bolt serving as a fastening member is fastened. The partition wall 33 is arranged between the two relay terminals 32, and the partition wall 33 sets the creepage distance between the two relay terminals 32.

[0034] 5, the fuse 40 includes a fuse body 41 and two fuse terminals 42 (an example of a terminal) protruding from the fuse body 41. The fuse terminals 42 are made of metal and have a plate shape.

[0035] [Busbar 50, 70, 90] The intermediate busbar 50 is a busbar that connects the relay 30 and the fuse 40, and as shown in Figures 5 and 6, includes a first busbar piece 51 (an example of one busbar piece) and a second busbar piece 61 (an example of the other busbar piece).

[0036] The first busbar piece 51 is a member obtained by punching and bending a metal plate material, and as shown in FIG. 6, includes a first inner laminated portion 52 (an inner laminated portion, an example of one inner laminated portion) connected to the relay terminal 32, a first spaced portion 53 (an example of one spaced portion) connected to the first inner laminated portion 52, and a first outer laminated portion 54 (an outer laminated portion, an example of one outer laminated portion) connected to the first spaced portion 53 and connected to the fuse terminal 42. The first inner laminated portion 52 is flat. The first spaced portion 53 is L-shaped and includes a flat first vertical plate portion 53A extending vertically from the first inner laminated portion 52 and a flat first horizontal plate portion 53B extending vertically from the first vertical plate portion 53A. The first outer laminated portion 54 is flat and extends from the first horizontal plate portion 53B in the same plane.

[0037] The second busbar piece 61 is a member obtained by punching and bending a metal plate material, and includes a second outer laminated portion 62 (an outer laminated portion, an example of another outer laminated portion) connected to the relay terminal 32, a second spaced portion 63 (an example of another spaced portion) connected to the second outer laminated portion 62, a second inner laminated portion 64 (an inner laminated portion, an example of another inner laminated portion) connected to the second spaced portion 63 and connected to the fuse terminal 42, and a standing wall 65 extending from the second outer laminated portion 62. The second outer laminated portion 62 is flat. The second spaced portion 63 is L-shaped and includes a flat second horizontal plate portion 63A extending from the second outer laminated portion 62 in the same plane and a flat second vertical plate portion 63B extending perpendicularly from the second horizontal plate portion 63A. The second inner laminate portion 64 has a flat plate shape and extends vertically from the second vertical plate portion 63B. The standing wall 65 is disposed adjacent to the second outer laminate portion 62 and extends vertically from the edge of the second outer laminate portion 62 opposite to the second spaced portion 63.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, the first inner laminated portion 52 and the second outer laminated portion 62 are overlapped, the first outer laminated portion 54 and the second inner laminated portion 64 are overlapped, and the first spaced portion 53 and the second spaced portion 63 are spaced from each other. The first spaced portion 53 and the second spaced portion 63 are preferably spaced from each other by a distance that does not allow heat to be transferred between them. The first vertical plate portion 53A and the second vertical plate portion 63B are arranged parallel to each other, the first horizontal plate portion 53B and the second horizontal plate portion 63A are arranged parallel to each other, and the first spaced portion 53 and the second spaced portion 63 form a cylindrical ventilation cylinder portion T1. The area of ​​the inner surface of the first spaced portion 53 facing the second spaced portion 63 accounts for 30% or more of the area of ​​the entire inner surface of the first busbar piece 51 facing the second busbar piece 61. Similarly, the area of ​​the inner surface of the second spaced portion 63 facing the first spaced portion 53 accounts for 30% or more of the entire area of ​​the inner surface of the second busbar piece 61 facing the first busbar piece 51.

[0039] The relay side busbar 70 is a busbar for external connection connected to the relay 30, and as shown in Figures 5 and 7, includes a third busbar piece 71 (an example of one busbar piece) and a fourth busbar piece 81 (an example of the other busbar piece).

[0040] 7, the third busbar piece 71 is a member obtained by punching and bending a metal plate, and includes a third inner laminated portion 72 (an example of an inner laminated portion) connected to the relay terminal 32, a third separated portion 73 (an example of a first separated portion) continuing to the third inner laminated portion 72, and a first external connection portion 74 for external connection continuing to the third separated portion 73. The third inner laminated portion 72 is flat plate-shaped. The third separated portion 73 is flat plate-shaped and extends vertically from the third inner laminated portion 72. The first external connection portion 74 is flat plate-shaped and extends vertically from the third separated portion 73.

[0041] The fourth busbar piece 81 is a member obtained by punching and bending a metal plate, and includes a fourth outer laminated portion 82 (an example of an outer laminated portion) connected to the relay terminal 32, a fourth separated portion 83 (an example of another separated portion) continuing to the fourth outer laminated portion 82, and a second external connection portion 84 for external connection continuing to the fourth separated portion 83. The fourth outer laminated portion 82 is flat plate-shaped. The fourth separated portion 83 is flat plate-shaped and extends perpendicularly from the fourth outer laminated portion 82. The second external connection portion 84 is flat plate-shaped and extends from the fourth separated portion 83 in the same plane.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, the third inner laminated portion 72 and the fourth outer laminated portion 82 are overlapped, the first external connection portion 74 and the second external connection portion 84 are overlapped, and the third separated portion 73 and the fourth separated portion 83 are spaced apart from each other. The third separated portion 73 and the fourth separated portion 83 are disposed perpendicular to each other. It is preferable that the third separated portion 73 and the fourth separated portion 83 are spaced apart from each other by a distance that does not allow heat to be transferred between them. The area of ​​the inner surface of the third separated portion 73 facing the fourth separated portion 83 accounts for 30% or more of the area of ​​the entire inner surface of the third busbar piece 71 facing the fourth busbar piece 81. Similarly, the area of ​​the inner surface of the fourth separated portion 83 facing the third separated portion 73 accounts for 30% or more of the area of ​​the entire inner surface of the fourth busbar piece 81 facing the third busbar piece 71.

[0043] The fuse-side bus bar 90 is a bus bar for external connection that is connected to the fuse 40. The fuse-side bus bar 90 is a member formed by punching and bending a metal plate, and includes a flat first fuse connection portion 91 that is connected to the fuse terminal 42, a flat third external connection portion 93 for external connection that is also flat, and a flat first coupling portion 92 that connects the first fuse connection portion 91 and the third external connection portion 93, as shown in FIG.

[0044] [Electrical device 1 assembly process] An example of a process for assembling the electrical device 1 having the above configuration will be described below.

[0045] First, the relay body 31 is placed on the relay seat 15 with the terminal surface 31F1 oriented perpendicular to the base plate 12. The two mounting pieces 34 are screwed to the two mounting protrusions 17, respectively, thereby fixing the relay 30 to the base member 11.

[0046] Next, the intermediate bus bar 50 is disposed so that the first inner laminate portion 52 overlaps one of the relay terminals 32 disposed on the terminal surface 31F1, and the second outer laminate portion 62 overlaps the first inner laminate portion 52. The first inner laminate portion 52 and the second outer laminate portion 62 are fixed to the relay terminal 32 by screws. In this state, the erected wall 65 is disposed adjacent to the partition wall 33.

[0047] In addition, the relay side busbar 70 is positioned so that the third inner laminate portion 72 overlaps the other relay terminal 32 arranged on the terminal surface 31F1, and so that the fourth outer laminate portion 82 overlaps the third inner laminate portion 72, and the third inner laminate portion 72 and the fourth outer laminate portion 82 are fixed to the relay terminal 32 by screwing.

[0048] When the intermediate bus bar 50 is fixed to the relay 30, the first outer laminate portion 54 overlaps a side surface of one of the mounting posts 18, and the second inner laminate portion 64 overlaps the first outer laminate portion 54. In this state, one of the fuse terminals 42 is overlapped on the second inner laminate portion 64, and the first outer laminate portion 54, the second inner laminate portion 64, and the fuse terminal 42 are fixed to one of the mounting posts 18 by screws.

[0049] In addition, the first fuse connection portion 91 is placed on the other mounting pillar 18, the other fuse terminal 42 is placed on the first fuse connection portion 91, and the first fuse connection portion 91 and the fuse terminal 42 are fixed to the other mounting pillar 18 by screwing.

[0050] In this manner, the relay 30, the fuse 40, and the bus bars 50, 70, 90 are fixed to the base member 11. Finally, the cover 21 is attached to the base member 11, thereby completing the assembly of the electric device 1. When the assembly of the electric device 1 is complete, the relay 30 is disposed with the terminal surface 31F1 perpendicular to the base plate 12, and the fuse 40 is disposed with the two fuse terminals 42 perpendicular to the base plate 12.

[0051] [Power supply to electrical device 1] When electricity is applied to the electric device 1 having the above configuration, heat is generated in the relay 30 and the fuse 40. The heat from the relay 30 and the fuse 40 is dissipated to the outside via the bus bars 50, 70, and 90.

[0052] 8, intermediate busbar 50 is composed of two busbar pieces 51, 61, and has a first spaced portion 53 and a second spaced portion 63 that are spaced apart from each other. This configuration increases the surface area of ​​intermediate busbar 50 to improve heat dissipation efficiency, while allowing intermediate busbar 50 to be arranged in a limited space.

[0053] Moreover, the ventilation cylinder T1 constituted by the first spaced portion 53 and the second spaced portion 63 is disposed in a relatively wide space between the relay 30 and the fuse 40 in a vertical position relative to the base plate 12. In this manner, by disposing the first spaced portion 53 and the second spaced portion 63 between the relay 30 and the fuse 40, the heat generation efficiency can be improved while preventing the electric device 1 from becoming large. Furthermore, since the cylindrical ventilation cylinder T1 is constituted by the first spaced portion 53 and the second spaced portion 63, a space through which air can pass is secured between the first spaced portion 53 and the second spaced portion 63, and the heat dissipation efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, by disposing the first spaced portion 53 and the second spaced portion 63 perpendicular to the base plate 12, air convection can be efficiently caused, improving the heat generation efficiency.

[0054] At the connection portion between the intermediate busbar 50 and the relay terminal 32, the first inner laminate portion 52 and the second outer laminate portion 62 are laminated in this order on the relay terminal 32, and at the connection portion between the intermediate busbar 50 and the fuse terminal 42, the second inner laminate portion 64 and the first outer laminate portion 54 are laminated in this order on the fuse terminal 42. That is, the order of lamination of the first busbar piece 51 and the second busbar piece 61 on the relay terminal 32 and the fuse terminal 42 is opposite between the relay 30 side and the fuse 40 side. Here, at the relay 30 side, contact resistance occurs at the interface between the first inner laminate portion 52 and the second outer laminate portion 62, and the resistance of the second outer laminate portion 62 arranged on the outside becomes large. On the other hand, at the fuse 40 side, contact resistance occurs at the interface between the second inner laminate portion 64 and the first outer laminate portion 54, and the resistance of the first outer laminate portion 54 arranged on the outside becomes large. Therefore, by reversing the order of overlap of the first busbar piece 51 and the second busbar piece 61 with respect to the relay terminal 32 and the fuse terminal 42 on the relay 30 side and the fuse 40 side, the path resistance values ​​(resistance value per busbar piece) of the two busbar pieces 51, 61 can be made equal.

[0055] Also, the second busbar piece 61 has a standing wall 65. Here, the relay 30 of this embodiment is a mechanical relay, and includes a fixed contact, a movable piece that can be brought into contact with and separated from the fixed contact, and an excitation coil that switches the connection state between the movable piece and the fixed contact. In such a relay 30, heat is likely to be generated near the internal fixed contact, and this fixed contact is connected to the relay terminal 32. Therefore, by disposing the standing wall 65 in the second busbar piece 61 adjacent to the second outer laminated portion 62 connected to the relay terminal 32, the volume of the intermediate busbar 50 can be increased near the connection portion with the relay terminal 32 that is likely to generate heat, and the temperature rise during short-term current application in which a large current flows for a short period of time can be suppressed in particular. In addition, since the surface area of ​​the intermediate busbar 50 is increased, heat from the relay 30 can be efficiently dissipated.

[0056] The relay-side busbar 70 is also composed of two busbar pieces 71, 81, and has a third spaced portion 73 and a fourth spaced portion 83 that are spaced apart from each other. This configuration increases the surface area of ​​the relay-side busbar 70 to improve heat dissipation efficiency, while allowing the relay-side busbar 70 to be arranged in a limited space.

[0057] Moreover, the third spaced portion 73 and the fourth spaced portion 83 are disposed perpendicular to each other and are disposed in the space between the relay 30 and the case 10. With this configuration, even if the space adjacent to the relay 30 is relatively narrow, the third spaced portion 73 and the fourth spaced portion 83 can be disposed. Moreover, the fourth spaced portion 83 is disposed along the outer surface 31F2 of the relay 30 that is different from the terminal surface 31F1. This makes it easier for heat from the relay 30 to be transferred to the relay-side bus bar 70, and allows for efficient heat dissipation.

[0058] Moreover, the base plate 12, the top wall 22, and the two first side walls 23 each have a plurality of slits S. This allows air to circulate inside the case 10, improving the heat dissipation efficiency from the bus bars 50, 70, and 90. In particular, since the first horizontal plate portion 53B and the second horizontal plate portion 63A are arranged along the two first side walls 23, respectively, the air flowing in from the slits S of the first side walls 23 is received by the first horizontal plate portion 53B and the second horizontal plate portion 63A, improving the heat dissipation efficiency from the intermediate bus bar 50. Furthermore, since the third separation portion 73 is arranged along the top wall 22, the air flowing in from the slits S of the top wall 22 is received by the third separation portion 73, improving the heat dissipation efficiency from the relay-side bus bar 70. Furthermore, the base plate 12 and the top wall 22 arranged perpendicular to the ventilation cylinder portion T1 have the slits S. This allows the air flowing in through the slits S to pass smoothly through the inside of the ventilation cylinder portion T1, improving the efficiency of heat dissipation from the ventilation cylinder portion T1.

[0059] [Effects] As described above, according to this embodiment, the electric device 1 includes the relay 30 that includes the relay terminal 32 and generates heat when energized, and the intermediate bus bar 50 and the relay-side bus bar 70 connected to the relay terminal 32. The intermediate bus bar 50 includes a first busbar piece 51 including a first inner laminate portion 52 connected to the relay terminal 32 and a first separating portion 53 continuing to the first inner laminate portion 52, a first outer laminate portion 54 laminated on the first inner laminate portion 52, and a second busbar piece 61 including a second separating portion 63 continuing to the first outer laminate portion 54 and disposed spaced apart from the first separating portion 53. The relay side busbar 70 comprises a third busbar piece 71 having a third inner laminate portion 72 connected to the relay terminal 32 and a third separation portion 73 connected to the third inner laminate portion 72, and a fourth busbar piece 81 having a fourth outer laminate portion 82 laminated on the third inner laminate portion 72 and a fourth separation portion 83 connected to the fourth outer laminate portion 82 and spaced apart from the third separation portion 73.

[0060] According to the above configuration, the surface area of ​​the busbars 50, 70 can be increased to improve heat dissipation efficiency, while the busbars 50, 70 can be arranged in a limited space, thereby achieving both miniaturization of the electric device 1 and improved heat dissipation efficiency.

[0061] Moreover, the area of ​​the inner surface of the first spaced portion 53 of the intermediate busbar 50 facing the second spaced portion 63 accounts for 30% or more of the total area of ​​the inner surface of the first busbar piece 51 facing the second busbar piece 61. Similarly, the area of ​​the inner surface of the second spaced portion 63 facing the first spaced portion 53 accounts for 30% or more of the total area of ​​the inner surface of the second busbar piece 61 facing the first busbar piece 51. Moreover, the area of ​​the inner surface of the third spaced portion 73 facing the fourth spaced portion 83 accounts for 30% or more of the total area of ​​the inner surface of the third busbar piece 71 facing the fourth busbar piece 81. Similarly, the area of ​​the inner surface of the fourth spaced portion 83 facing the third spaced portion 73 accounts for 30% or more of the total area of ​​the inner surface of the fourth busbar piece 81 facing the third busbar piece 71. With such a configuration, it is possible to reliably improve the heat dissipation efficiency.

[0062] Moreover, the first spaced portion 53 and the second spaced portion 63 are arranged in the space adjacent to the relay 30 and the fuse 40. Moreover, the third spaced portion 73 and the fourth spaced portion 83 are arranged in the space adjacent to the relay 30. With this configuration, the space adjacent to the relay 30 and the fuse 40 is effectively utilized, thereby improving heat generation efficiency while preventing the electric device 1 from becoming larger.

[0063] Moreover, the intermediate busbar 50 has an upright wall 65 rising from the second outer laminated portion 62. With this configuration, the volume of the intermediate busbar 50 can be increased near the connection portion with the relay terminal 32 which is particularly prone to heat generation, and the temperature rise during short-term current application in which a large current flows for a short period of time can be suppressed. Furthermore, the surface area of ​​the intermediate busbar 50 is increased, improving the heat dissipation efficiency.

[0064] In addition, the electrical device 1 is provided with a relay 30 and a fuse 40, and the first busbar piece 51 has a first inner laminate portion 52 and a first outer laminate portion 54 connected to the first separation portion 53, and the second busbar piece 61 has a second inner laminate portion 64 and a second outer laminate portion 62 connected to the second separation portion 63, and the first inner laminate portion 52 and the second outer laminate portion 62 are stacked in this order on the relay terminal 32 provided in the relay 30, and the second inner laminate portion 64 and the first outer laminate portion 54 are stacked in this order on the fuse terminal 42 provided in the fuse 40.

[0065] In this way, the order of overlap of the first busbar piece 51 and the second busbar piece 61 with respect to the relay terminal 32 and the fuse terminal 42 provided on the relay 30 and the fuse 40, respectively, is reversed on the relay 30 side and the fuse 40 side, thereby making it possible to equalize the path resistance values ​​of the two busbar pieces 51, 61.

[0066] Moreover, the third spaced portion 73 and the fourth spaced portion 83 are disposed perpendicular to each other. With this configuration, even if the space adjacent to the relay 30 is narrow, the spaced portions 73 and 83 can be disposed, and the electric device 1 can be made compact.

[0067] Moreover, the fourth spaced portion 83 is disposed along the outer surface 31F2 of the relay 30. With this configuration, heat from the relay 30 is efficiently transferred to the relay-side bus bar 70, improving the heat dissipation efficiency.

[0068] Moreover, the electric device 1 includes a case 10 that houses the relay 30, the fuse 40, and the bus bars 50, 70, and the case 10 includes a base plate 12 having a slit S, a top wall 22, and two first side walls 23. With this configuration, air can be circulated inside the case 10, improving the heat dissipation efficiency.

[0069] Moreover, the two first side walls 23 are disposed along the first horizontal plate portion 53B of the first spaced portion 53 and the second horizontal plate portion 63A of the second spaced portion 63, respectively, and the top wall 22 is disposed along the fourth spaced portion 83. With this configuration, the air flowing in from the slits S is received by the first horizontal plate portion 53B, the second horizontal plate portion 63A, and the fourth spaced portion 83, thereby improving heat generation efficiency.

[0070] Moreover, the intermediate bus bar 50 includes a cylindrical ventilation cylinder portion T1 configured with the first spaced portion 53 and the second spaced portion 63. With such a configuration, a space through which air can pass can be secured between the first spaced portion 53 and the second spaced portion 63, thereby improving heat dissipation efficiency.

[0071] In addition, the base plate 12 and the top wall 22 are disposed perpendicular to the ventilation cylinder portion T1. With this configuration, the air flowing in from the slit S can smoothly pass through the inside of the ventilation cylinder portion T1, improving the efficiency of heat dissipation from the ventilation cylinder portion T1.

[0072] <Embodiment 2> A second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. An electric device 100 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of an intermediate bus bar 110. In this embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described.

[0073] 10, the intermediate busbar 110 includes a first busbar piece 51 (an example of one busbar piece), a fifth busbar piece 111 (an example of the other busbar piece), and a sixth busbar piece 121. The first busbar piece 51 has a similar configuration to that of the first embodiment, and the fifth busbar piece 111 has a similar configuration to the second busbar piece 61 of the first embodiment except that it does not have the standing wall 65.

[0074] The sixth busbar piece 121 (an example of another busbar piece) includes a flat fifth spaced portion 122 (an example of another spaced portion) and two flat intermediate laminated portions 123, 124 (examples of outer laminated portions) extending obliquely from both ends of the fifth spaced portion 122.

[0075] 9, at the connection portion between the intermediate bus bar 110 and the relay terminal 32, the first inner laminate portion 52, one intermediate laminate portion 123, and the second outer laminate portion 62 are stacked in this order on the relay terminal 32 arranged on the terminal surface 31F1. At the connection portion between the intermediate bus bar 110 and the fuse terminal 42, the second inner laminate portion 64, the other intermediate laminate portion 124, and the first outer laminate portion 54 are stacked in this order on the fuse terminal 42. The first separation portion 53, the second separation portion 63, and the fifth separation portion 122 are separated from each other. The first separation portion 53 and the second separation portion 63 form a cylindrical ventilation cylinder portion T1, and the fifth separation portion 122 is disposed obliquely between the first separation portion 53 and the second separation portion 63.

[0076] Even with this configuration, the same effects as those of embodiment 1 can be achieved. Furthermore, the presence of fifth separated portion 122 can further increase the surface area of ​​intermediate bus bar 110, thereby further improving the heat dissipation efficiency.

[0077] <Embodiment 3> A third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11 to Fig. 13. As shown in Fig. 11, an electric device 200 of the third embodiment includes a relay 30, a fuse 40, an intermediate bus bar 220 (an example of a bus bar), a relay-side bus bar 240 (an example of a bus bar), a fuse-side bus bar 250, and a case 210 that houses these components therein.

[0078] The case 210 is made of synthetic resin, and includes a base member 211 and a cover 217 .

[0079] 12, the base member 211 includes a base plate 212 (an example of a case wall), two partition walls 13, and two connection bases 14. The base plate 212 is a rectangular plate having a plurality of slits S, as in the first embodiment. A base 213 for mounting the relay 30 and two mounting ribs 216 for mounting the fuse 40 are provided on one surface of the base plate 212. The base 213 includes a base body 214 for supporting the relay 30, and two mounting protrusions 215 protruding from the base body 214. The two mounting ribs 216 are rectangular parallelepiped shaped. Nuts (not shown) are provided on the mounting protrusions 215 and the mounting ribs 216 by known techniques such as insert molding and press fitting.

[0080] The configuration of the cover 217 is similar to that of the first embodiment except for the detailed shape of the top wall 218, and therefore the same components as those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0081] The relay 30 and the fuse 40 have the same configuration as in the first embodiment, but are attached in different orientations to the base plate 212. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 11, the relay 30 is disposed with the terminal surface 31F1 oriented parallel to the base plate 212, and the fuse 40 is disposed with the fuse terminal 42 oriented parallel to the base plate 212. Accordingly, the shapes of the bus bars 220, 240, and 250 are also different from those in the first embodiment.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 13, the intermediate busbar 220 includes a seventh busbar piece 221 (an example of one busbar piece) and an eighth busbar piece 231 (an example of the other busbar piece).

[0083] The seventh busbar piece 221 is a member obtained by punching and bending a metal plate material, and includes a seventh inner laminate portion 222 (an inner laminate portion, an example of one inner laminate portion) connected to the relay terminal 32, a seventh separated portion 223 (an example of one separated portion) continuing to the seventh inner laminate portion 222, and a seventh outer laminate portion 224 (an outer laminate portion, an example of one outer laminate portion) continuing to the seventh separated portion 223 and connected to the fuse terminal 42. The seventh inner laminate portion 222 includes a flat seventh inner connection piece 222A and a seventh inner extension portion 222B extending perpendicularly from the seventh inner connection piece 222A. The seventh separation portion 223 is L-shaped and includes a flat seventh vertical plate portion 223A extending vertically from the seventh inner extension portion 222B and a flat seventh horizontal plate portion 223B extending vertically from the seventh vertical plate portion 223A. The seventh outer laminate portion 224 is flat and includes a seventh outer extension portion 224A extending from the seventh horizontal plate portion 223B in the opposite direction to the seventh vertical plate portion 223A, and a seventh outer connection piece 224B extending vertically from the seventh outer extension portion 224A.

[0084] The eighth busbar piece 231 includes an eighth outer laminated portion 232 (an outer laminated portion, an example of another outer laminated portion) connected to the relay terminal 32, an eighth separated portion 233 (an example of another separated portion) connected to the eighth outer laminated portion 232, and an eighth inner laminated portion 234 (an inner laminated portion, an example of another inner laminated portion) connected to the eighth separated portion 233 and connected to the fuse terminal 42. The eighth outer laminated portion 232 includes an eighth outer connection piece 232A having a flat plate shape and an eighth outer extension portion 232B extending vertically from the eighth outer connection piece 232A. The eighth separated portion 233 is L-shaped and includes an eighth horizontal plate portion 233A having a flat plate shape extended from the eighth outer extension portion 232B in the same plane, and an eighth vertical plate portion 233B having a flat plate shape extending vertically from the eighth horizontal plate portion 233A. The eighth inner stack portion 234 is flat and includes an eighth inner extension portion 234A extending vertically from the eighth vertical plate portion 233B in the opposite direction to the eighth horizontal plate portion 233A, and an eighth inner connecting piece 234B extending vertically from the eighth inner extension portion 234A.

[0085] 12, the seventh inner laminate portion 222 and the eighth outer laminate portion 232 are overlapped, the seventh outer laminate portion 224 and the eighth inner laminate portion 234 are overlapped, and the seventh separated portion 223 and the eighth separated portion 233 are separated from each other. The seventh separated portion 223 and the eighth separated portion 233 form a cylindrical ventilation cylinder portion T2.

[0086] 11, at the connection portion between the intermediate bus bar 220 and the relay terminal 32, the seventh inner connection piece 222A of the seventh inner laminate portion 222 and the eighth outer connection piece 232A of the eighth outer laminate portion 232 are overlapped in this order on the relay terminal 32 arranged on the terminal surface 31F1. At the connection portion between the intermediate bus bar 220 and the fuse terminal 42, the eighth inner connection piece 234B of the eighth inner laminate portion 234 and the seventh outer connection piece 224B of the seventh outer laminate portion 224 are overlapped in this order on the fuse terminal 42.

[0087] The relay side busbar 240 is a member formed by punching and bending a metal plate, and as shown in FIG. 12, includes a flat relay connection portion 241 connected to the relay terminal 32, a flat fourth external connection portion 243 for external connection, and an L-shaped plate-shaped second connecting portion 242 connecting the relay connection portion 241 and the fourth external connection portion 243.

[0088] The fuse side busbar 250 is a member formed by punching and bending a metal plate, and as shown in FIG. 12, includes a flat second fuse connection portion 251 connected to the fuse terminal 42, a flat fifth external connection portion 253 for external connection, and an L-shaped plate-shaped third connecting portion 252 connecting the second fuse connection portion 251 and the fifth external connection portion 253.

[0089] This embodiment also provides the same advantageous effects as the first embodiment.

[0090] <Embodiment 4> A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14 to Fig. 22. As shown in Fig. 15, electric device 300 of the fourth embodiment includes relay 330 (an example of a heat generating component), fuse 340 (an example of a heat generating component), intermediate bus bar 350 (an example of a bus bar), relay side bus bar 370 (an example of a bus bar), fuse side bus bar 390, and case 310 that houses these components therein, as shown in Fig. 14 and Fig. 15.

[0091] [Case 310] Case 310 is made of synthetic resin and, as shown in FIG. 15, includes a base member 311 to which relay 330 and fuse 340 are fixed, and a cover 321 attached to base member 311 to cover relay 330, fuse 340, and bus bars 350, 370, 390.

[0092] 17, the base member 311 includes a rectangular base plate 312, two partition walls 313 rising from two long sides of the base plate 312, and two mounting seats 314 rising from two short sides of the base plate 312. On one surface of the base plate 312, a relay mounting portion 315 for mounting a relay 330 and a fuse mounting portion 316 for mounting a fuse 340 are provided.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 15 , the cover 321 is in the form of a rectangular plate and includes a top wall 322 arranged opposite the base plate 312, two first side walls 323 extending from each of the two long sides of the top wall 322 and arranged along each of the two partition walls 313, two second side walls 324 extending from each of the two short sides of the top wall 322, and a bus bar accommodating wall 325 that accommodates the relay side bus bar 370 and the intermediate bus bar 350 therein.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 17 , a busbar accommodating wall 318 similar to busbar accommodating wall 325 is also provided on base member 311, but busbar accommodating wall 325 on the cover 321 side is formed to be longer in the vertical direction than busbar accommodating wall 318 on the base member 311 side.

[0095] 18, a plurality of ventilation holes H for circulating air inside the case 310 are formed in a portion of the top wall 322. It is preferable that the ventilation holes H are as large as possible but not so large that an operator's fingers can get stuck therein.

[0096] [Relay 330 and Fuse 340] The relay 330 is a mechanical relay through which a relatively large current is applied from the vehicle battery, and includes a relay body 331, two relay terminals 332 (an example of a terminal) arranged on one surface (terminal surface 331F1) of the multiple outer surfaces of the relay body 331, and a partition wall 333, as shown in Fig. 21. The two relay terminals 332 are shaped like nuts to which a bolt serving as a fastening member is fastened. The partition wall 333 is arranged between the two relay terminals 332, and the partition wall 333 sets the creepage distance between the two relay terminals 332.

[0097] 21, the fuse 340 includes a fuse body 341 and two fuse terminals 342 (an example of a terminal) protruding from the fuse body 341. The fuse terminals 342 are made of metal and have a plate shape.

[0098] [Busbar 350, 370, 390] The intermediate busbar 350 is a busbar that connects the relay 330 and the fuse 340, and as shown in Figures 21 and 22, includes a first busbar piece 351 (an example of one busbar piece) and a second busbar piece 361 (an example of the other busbar piece).

[0099] The first busbar piece 351 is a member formed by punching and bending a metal sheet, and as shown in Figures 19 and 22, includes a first inner laminate portion 352 (an example of an inner laminate portion) connected to the relay terminal 332, a first separating portion 353 (an example of one separating portion) connected to the first inner laminate portion 352, a first inner laminate portion 354 (an example of an inner laminate portion) connected to the first separating portion 353 and connected to the fuse terminal 342, and a first extension portion 355 (an example of one extension portion) connected to the first separating portion 353 and extending to a first lateral region R1 located to the side of the fuse 340.

[0100] The second busbar piece 361 is a member obtained by punching and bending a metal plate, and includes a second outer laminated portion 362 (an example of an outer laminated portion) connected to the relay terminal 332, a second separated portion 363 (an example of another separated portion) continuing to the second outer laminated portion 362, a second outer laminated portion 364 (an example of an outer laminated portion) continuing to the second separated portion 363 and connected to the fuse terminal 342, and a second extension portion 365 (an example of another extension portion) continuing to the second separated portion 363 and extending to a second side region R2 located on the opposite side to the first side region R1 with respect to the fuse 340. The second separated portion 363 extends linearly from the second outer laminated portion 362.

[0101] The first inner stacked portion 352 has a flat plate shape. As shown in FIG. 16, the first separated portion 353 includes a first vertical portion (one example of an intersection portion) 353A arranged perpendicular to the second separated portion 363, a first inclined portion 353B connecting the first inner stacked portion 352 and the first vertical portion 353A, and a first parallel portion 353C connected to the first vertical portion 353A and arranged parallel to the second separated portion 363. The first inclined portion 353B is arranged to be inclined so as to move away from the second separated portion 363 as it approaches the first vertical portion 353A, and extends linearly. In this embodiment, the direction in which the first vertical portion 353A extends relative to the second separated portion 363 is one example of a first direction.

[0102] The first parallel portion 353C and the first extending portion 355 are shaped like a flat plate. The first extending portion 355 extends in the same plane from the first parallel portion 353C.

[0103] The second outer laminated portion 362, the second spaced portion 363, and the second expanding portion 365 are flat. The second spaced portion 363 extends in the same plane from the second outer laminated portion 362. The second expanding portion 365 extends in the same plane from the second spaced portion 363.

[0104] The first inner laminate portion 354 has a flat plate shape. As shown in Fig. 20, the first inner laminate portion 354 extends horizontally from the lower edge of the first parallel portion 353C toward the second separated portion 363. The second outer laminate portion 364 has a flat plate shape. The second outer laminate portion 364 extends horizontally from the lower edge of the second separated portion 363 toward the first parallel portion 353C.

[0105] The first inner laminate portion 354 is laminated to the fuse terminal 342 of the fuse 340, and the second outer laminate portion 364 is laminated to the first inner laminate portion 354. The second outer laminate portion 364, the first inner laminate portion 354, and the fuse terminal 342 are fixed to one another by screwing.

[0106] The area of ​​the inner surface of the first spaced portion 353 facing the second spaced portion 363 represents 30% or more of the total area of ​​the inner surface of the first busbar piece 351 facing the second busbar piece 361. Similarly, the area of ​​the inner surface of the second spaced portion 363 facing the first spaced portion 353 accounts for 30% or more of the total area of ​​the inner surface of the second busbar piece 361 facing the first busbar piece 351.

[0107] 21, relay-side bus bar 370 is a bus bar for external connection connected to relay 330, and is a member formed by stamping and bending a metal plate. Relay-side bus bar 370 includes relay terminal connection portion 371 connected to relay terminal 332, and external connection portion 372 for external connection. Relay terminal connection portion 371 is flat. External connection portion 372 is flat and includes vertical portion 372A extending vertically from a side edge of relay terminal connection portion 371, and horizontal portion 372B extending horizontally from a lower edge of vertical portion 372A.

[0108] 16, fuse-side bus bar 390 is a bus bar for external connection that is connected to fuse 340. Fuse-side bus bar 390 is a flat member that is formed by punching and bending a metal plate material, and is connected to fuse terminal 342.

[0109] [Busbar housing wall 325] 15 and 18, busbar accommodating wall 325 includes first busbar accommodating wall 326 that accommodates intermediate busbar 350, and second busbar accommodating wall 327 that accommodates relay-side busbar 370. First busbar accommodating wall 326 and second busbar accommodating wall 327 have the same configuration, and therefore first busbar accommodating wall 326 will be described below as an example. Busbar accommodating wall 318 on the base member 311 side is a shorter version of busbar accommodating wall 325 on the cover 321 side in the vertical direction, and has the same basic configuration as busbar accommodating wall 325, and therefore busbar accommodating wall 325 on the cover 321 side will be described below as a representative.

[0110] Busbar accommodating wall 325 (first busbar accommodating wall 326) is formed in a groove shape to match the outer shape of intermediate busbar 350. As shown in Fig. 20, busbar accommodating wall 325 includes inner case wall 325A arranged along the inner surface of first parallel portion 353C of first spaced portion 353, outer case wall 325B arranged along the outer surface of first parallel portion 353C of first spaced portion 353, and connecting wall 325C arranged along the upper end of first parallel portion 353C of first spaced portion 353.

[0111] The upper end of the inner case wall 326A and the upper end of the outer case wall 326B are connected to each other by the connecting wall 326C. As a result, the inner case wall 326A and the outer case wall 326B are formed integrally. The lower end of the inner case wall 326A is connected to the top wall 322. The lower end of the outer case wall 326B is connected to the upper end of the first side wall 323.

[0112] The partition wall 313 of the base member 311 is disposed along the outer surface of the first parallel portion 353C of the first spaced portion 353. The partition wall 313 is accommodated between the first parallel portion 353C of the first spaced portion 353 and the first side wall 323. The top wall 322 is disposed along the upper surface of the second outer stack portion 364 of the second spaced portion 363.

[0113] 15, a plurality of cover-side ribs 328 are formed on the outer surface of outer case wall 325B. Also, a plurality of base-side ribs 317 are formed on the outer surface of partition wall 313. These ribs 328, 317 are provided to reinforce bus bar accommodating wall 325 and partition wall 313, and also function as cooling fins that contribute to improving heat dissipation efficiency.

[0114] 20 , first busbar accommodating wall 326 and top wall 322 are disposed in close proximity to intermediate busbar 350, so that heat is easily transferred from intermediate busbar 350 to first busbar accommodating wall 326 and top wall 322. Similarly, second busbar accommodating wall 327 is disposed in close proximity to relay-side busbar 370, so that heat is easily transferred from relay-side busbar 370 to second busbar accommodating wall 327. Therefore, the heat dissipation efficiency can be improved compared to dissipating heat from intermediate busbar 350 and relay-side busbar 370 into the air.

[0115] [Assembly process of the electrical device 300] An example of an assembly process for electrical device 300 having the above configuration will be described below. First, the relay body 331 is placed on the relay attachment part 315 with the terminal surface 331F1 oriented perpendicular to the base plate 312, and is screwed to the base plate 312, whereby the relay 330 is fixed to the base member 311.

[0116] Next, the first inner laminate portion 352 of the intermediate busbar 350 is arranged so as to overlap one of the relay terminals 332 arranged on the terminal surface 331F1, and the second outer laminate portion 362 is arranged so as to overlap the first inner laminate portion 352, and the first inner laminate portion 352 and the second outer laminate portion 362 are fixed to the one of the relay terminals 332 by screwing.

[0117] Furthermore, relay terminal connection portion 371 of relay side bus bar 370 is disposed so as to overlap the other relay terminal 332 disposed on terminal surface 331F1, and relay terminal connection portion 371 is fixed to the other relay terminal 332 by screwing.

[0118] When the intermediate bus bar 350 is fixed to the relay 330, the first inner laminate portion 354 of the intermediate bus bar 350 overlaps one of the fuse terminals 342, and the second outer laminate portion 364 overlaps the first inner laminate portion 354. In this state, the second outer laminate portion 364, the first inner laminate portion 354, and the one of the fuse terminals 342 are fixed by screws.

[0119] Next, fuse side bus bar 390 is arranged so as to overlap the other fuse terminal 342, and fuse side bus bar 390 is fixed to the other fuse terminal 342 by screwing. Note that an additional component C such as a relay may be arranged in the space surrounded by first vertical portion 353A, first parallel portion 353C, fuse body 341, and second spaced portion 363.

[0120] In this manner, the fixing of relay 330, fuse 340, and bus bars 350, 370, and 390 to base member 311 is completed. Finally, cover 321 is attached to base member 311, thereby completing the assembly of electric device 300. When the assembly of electric device 300 is complete, relay 330 is disposed with terminal surface 331F1 perpendicular to base plate 312, and fuse 340 is disposed with two fuse terminals 342 parallel to base plate 312.

[0121] [Power supply to electrical device 300] When electricity is applied to electric device 300 having the above configuration, heat is generated by relay 330 and fuse 340. The heat from relay 330 and fuse 340 is dissipated through bus bars 350, 370, and 390 to bus bar accommodating wall 325, and is then dissipated from bus bar accommodating wall 325 into the air.

[0122] 16 , intermediate bus bar 350 is made up of two hasp bar pieces 351, 361, and has a first spaced portion 353 and a second spaced portion 363 that are spaced apart from each other. This configuration increases the surface area of ​​intermediate bus bar 350 to improve heat dissipation efficiency, while allowing intermediate bus bar 350 to be arranged in a limited space.

[0123] In addition, in the first separated portion 353, unlike the first vertical plate portion 53A of the first embodiment, the first vertical portion 353A is formed short so as not to reach the second separated portion 363. Instead, in the first separated portion 353, a first inclined portion 353B is formed, which extends obliquely so as to connect the first vertical portion 353A and the first inner stacked portion 352. In this way, the increase in the surface area of ​​the first inclined portion 353B is greater than the decrease in the surface area of ​​the first vertical portion 353A, so that the surface area of ​​the first separated portion 353 can be increased. In addition, since the second separated portion 363 is increased by providing the first inclined portion 353B, the surface area of ​​the second separated portion 363 can also be increased.

[0124] [Effects] The second spacing portion 363 extends linearly from the second outer stacked portion 362, and the first spacing portion 353 includes a first vertical portion 353A arranged perpendicular to the second spacing portion 363, and a first inclined portion 353B connecting the first inner stacked portion 352 and the first vertical portion 353A, and the first inclined portion 353B is arranged at an angle so as to move away from the second spacing portion 363 as it approaches the first vertical portion 353A.

[0125] According to this configuration, the provision of first inclined portion 353B reduces the surface area of ​​first vertical portion 353A, but the increase in the surface area of ​​first inclined portion 353B is greater than the decrease in the surface area of ​​first vertical portion 353A, thereby increasing the surface area of ​​intermediate bus bar 350. Furthermore, the provision of first inclined portion 353B increases the surface area of ​​second separating portion 363, thereby increasing the surface area of ​​intermediate bus bar 350. In this way, the surface area of ​​intermediate bus bar 350 can be increased in the vicinity of the connection portion with relay terminal 332 which is prone to generating heat, and a rise in temperature can be suppressed particularly during short-term energization when a large current flows for a short period of time.

[0126] The device includes case 310 that houses relay 330, fuse 340, intermediate bus bar 350, relay-side bus bar 370, and fuse-side bus bar 390, and case 310 integrally includes inner case wall 325A arranged along the inner surface of the bus bar (intermediate bus bar 350 and relay-side bus bar 370) and outer case wall 325B arranged along the outer surface of the bus bar. With this configuration, heat is easily transferred from the inner surface of the bus bar to inner case wall 325A and from the outer surface of the bus bar to outer case wall 325B, so that the heat dissipation efficiency of the bus bar can be improved compared to dissipating heat into the air.

[0127] The electric device 300 includes a plurality of heat generating components (relays 330 and fuses 340), and the relays 330 are located near the first inclined portion 353B and near the first inner laminated portion 352 connected to the first inclined portion 353B. The first busbar piece 351 further includes a first extension portion 355 extending, for example, in the same plane from the first parallel portion 353C toward the first side region R1 located to the side of the fuse 340, and the second busbar piece 361 further includes a second extension portion 365 extending, for example, in the same plane from the second separation portion 363 toward the second side region R2 located on the opposite side to the first side region R1 with the fuse 340 as the center. The fuses 340 are located farther away from the first inner laminated portion 352 than the relays 330.

[0128] According to this configuration, the surface area of ​​intermediate bus bar 350 is increased by first extension portion 355 and second extension portion 365, thereby improving the heat dissipation efficiency of intermediate bus bar 350. Generally, the vicinity of fuse body 341 is less likely to become hot than the vicinity of fuse terminal 342. First side region R1 and second side region R2 of fuse 340 are regions on both sides of fuse body 341 and are low-temperature regions away from fuse terminal 342, which is likely to be a heat source, so that the heat dissipation efficiency of first extension portion 355 and second extension portion 365 can be improved.

[0129] <Other embodiments> (1) In the first embodiment, the standing wall 65 extends from the first outer laminated portion 54, but the standing wall may extend from the inner laminated portion. Also, the standing wall may extend from both the outer laminated portion and the inner laminated portion.

[0130] (2) In the first to third embodiments, the base plate 12, the top wall 22, and the two first side walls 23 of the case 10 each have a plurality of slits S, but as long as at least one ventilation hole H is provided in the case as in the fourth embodiment, a certain level of effect can be achieved. Also, the case does not necessarily have to have a ventilation hole.

[0131] (3) The orientation of the relay and fuse on the base member is arbitrary, and for example, the relay may be arranged with its terminal surface oriented perpendicular to the base member and the fuse with its fuse terminals oriented parallel to the base member, or the relay may be arranged with its terminal surface oriented parallel to the base member and the fuse with its fuse terminals oriented perpendicular to the base member.

[0132] (4) In the first to third embodiments, the ventilation holes are slits. However, the ventilation holes may have any shape. For example, the ventilation holes may have circular, elliptical, or polygonal edge shapes.

[0133] (5) In the above embodiment, the bus bars 50, 70, 90, 110, 220, 240, 250, 350, 370, 390 were screwed to the relay terminals 32, 332 and the fuse terminals 42, 342. However, the method of connecting the bus bars to the terminals of the heat-generating components may be arbitrary, and for example, the bus bars may be connected by welding.

[0134] (6) In the above embodiment, the mechanical relays 30, 330 and fuses 40, 340 are exemplified as heat generating components. However, the types of heat generating components are not limited to those in the above embodiment and may be, for example, semiconductor switching elements, capacitors, diodes, etc.

[0135] (7) In the first embodiment, the fourth spaced portion 83 is disposed along the outer surface 31F2 of the relay 30. However, both of the two spaced portions may be disposed along the heat-generating component.

[0136] (8) In the fourth embodiment, the first inclined portion 353B extends linearly. However, the first inclined portion may extend in an arc.

[0137] (9) In the fourth embodiment, busbar accommodating walls 318, 325 are provided on both base member 311 and cover 321. However, busbar accommodating walls may be provided on only one of base member 311 and cover 321.

[0138] (10) In embodiment 4, the first extension portion 355 extends toward the first side region R1 of the fuse 340. However, the first extension portion may extend from the connecting portion between the first vertical portion 353A and the first parallel portion 353C toward the side region of the relay 330.

[0139] (11) In embodiment 4, an intermediate bus bar 350 having both the first extension portion 355 and the second extension portion 365 is exemplified, but an intermediate bus bar having only the first extension portion 355 or an intermediate bus bar having only the second extension portion 365 may also be used.

[0140] (12) In the fourth embodiment, the extensions 355, 365 are disposed in the side regions R1, R2, but the extensions may be disposed in any portion close to a heat source such as a terminal where no current flows through the bus bar, and may be disposed, for example, in an upper region or a lower region of the fuse body 341. In addition, in the fourth embodiment, the extensions 355, 356 extend in the same plane from the separation portions 353, 363, but they do not necessarily have to extend in the same plane, and the extensions may extend in an arrangement that intersects with the separation portions 353, 363.

[0141] (13) In the first to third embodiments, cases 10 and 210 that do not include busbar accommodating walls 325 of the fourth embodiment are illustrated. However, cases that include busbar accommodating walls may also be used in the first to third embodiments.

[0142] (14) In the first to third embodiments, intermediate bus bars 50, 110, and 220 that do not include extensions 355 and 365 of the fourth embodiment are illustrated. However, intermediate bus bars that include extensions may also be used in the first to third embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0143] 1: Electrical equipment 10: Case 11: Base material 12: Base plate (case wall) 13: Bulkhead 14: Connection stand 15: Relay stand 16: Base body 17: Mounting protrusion 18: Mounting pole 21: Cover 22: Top wall (case wall) 23: First side wall (case wall) 24: Second side wall 30: Relay (heat generating component) 31: Relay body 31F1: Terminal surface 31F2: External surface 32: Relay terminal (terminal) 33: Partition wall 34: Mounting piece 40: Fuse (heat generating component) 41: Fuse body 42: Fuse terminal (terminal) 50: Intermediate busbar (busbar) 51: First busbar piece 52: First inner laminate portion (inner laminate portion, one inner laminate portion) 53: First separation section 53A: 1st vertical plate part 53B: 1st horizontal plate part 54: First outer laminated part (outer laminated part, first outer laminated part) 61: Second busbar piece (other busbar piece) 62: Second outer laminated part (outer laminated part, other outer laminated parts) 63: Second spaced portion (another spaced portion) 63A: 2nd horizontal plate part 63B: 2nd vertical plate part 64: Second inner laminate (inner laminate, other inner laminate) 65: Standing wall 70: Relay side busbar (busbar) 71: Third busbar piece (first busbar piece) 72: Third inner laminate (inner laminate) 73: Third separation section (first separation section) 74: First external connection part 81: 4th busbar piece (other busbar piece) 82: 4th outer laminated part (outer laminated part) 83: 4th separation section (other separation section) 84: Second external connection part 90: Fuse side busbar 91: First fuse connection 92: 1st connection part 93: Third external connection part 100: Electrical equipment 110: Intermediate busbar (busbar) 111: 5th busbar piece (other busbar piece) 121: 6th busbar piece (other busbar piece) 122: Fifth separation section (another separation section) 123, 124: Middle laminated part (outer laminated part) 200: Electrical equipment 210: Case 211: Base material 212: Base plate 213: Pedestal 214: Base body 215: Mounting protrusion 216: Mounting rib 217: Cover 218: Ceiling wall 220: Intermediate busbar (busbar) 221: 7th busbar piece (first busbar piece) 222: 7th inner laminate portion (inner laminate portion, one inner laminate portion) 222A: 7th inner connection piece 222B: 7th inner extension 223: Seventh separation section (first separation section) 223A: 7th vertical plate part 223B: 7th horizontal plate part 224: Seventh outer laminated part (outer laminated part, first outer laminated part) 224A: 7th outer extension 224B: 7th outer connection piece 231: 8th busbar piece (other busbar piece) 232: 8th outer laminated part (outer laminated part, other outer laminated parts) 232A: No. 8 outer connection piece 232B: 8th outer extension 233: 8th separation section (other separation section) 233A: 8th horizontal plate section 233B: 8th vertical plate section 234: 8th inner laminate (inner laminate, other inner laminate) 234A: 8th inner extension 234B: 8th inner connection piece 240: Relay side busbar 241: Relay connection 242:Second connection part 243: 4th external connection part 250: Fuse side busbar 251: Second fuse connection 252:3 connection part 253: 5th external connection part 300: Electrical equipment 310: Case 311: Base material 312: Base plate 313: Bulkhead 314: Mounting seat 315: Relay mounting part 316: Fuse mounting section 317: Base side rib 318: Busbar housing wall 321: Cover 322: Ceiling wall 323: First side wall 324: Second side wall 325: Busbar housing wall 325A: Inner case wall 325B: Outer case wall 325C: Connecting wall 326: First busbar housing wall 327: Second busbar housing wall 328: Cover side rib 330: Relay 331: Relay body 331F1: Terminal surface 332: Relay terminal 333: Partition wall 340: Fuse 341: Fuse body 342: Fuse terminal 350: Intermediate busbar 351: First busbar piece 352: First inner laminated portion (inner laminated portion) 353:First separation part 353A: First vertical section (first intersection) 353B: 1st slope 353C: 1st parallel part 354: First inner laminated part (inner laminated part) 355: First extension 361: Second busbar piece 362: Second outer laminated part (outer laminated part) 363:Second separation part 364: Second outer laminated part (outer laminated part) 365: 2nd extension (other extension) 370: Relay side busbar 371: Relay terminal connection 372: External connection part 372A: Vertical section 372B:Horizontal part 390: Fuse side busbar C: Additional parts H: Ventilation hole R1: 1st lateral area R2: 2nd lateral area S: Slit (ventilation hole) T1, T2: Ventilation tube section

Claims

1. A heat generating component that has a terminal and generates heat when electricity is applied; a bus bar connected to the terminal; The bus bar is a busbar piece including an inner laminate portion connected to the terminal and a separation portion continuous with the inner laminate portion; another busbar piece including an outer laminate portion laminated on the inner laminate portion, and another spaced portion connected to the outer laminate portion and spaced apart from the one spaced portion, The bus bar includes an upstanding wall rising from the outer laminated portion or the inner laminated portion.

2. A heat generating component that has a terminal and generates heat when electricity is applied; a bus bar connected to the terminal; The bus bar is a busbar piece including an inner laminate portion connected to the terminal and a separation portion continuous with the inner laminate portion; another busbar piece including an outer laminate portion laminated on the inner laminate portion, and another spaced portion connected to the outer laminate portion and spaced apart from the one spaced portion, A plurality of the heat generating components are provided, the one busbar piece includes one of the inner laminated portions and one of the outer laminated portions connected to the one spaced portion, and the other busbar piece includes another of the inner laminated portions and another of the outer laminated portions connected to the other spaced portion, an electrical device in which one of the inner laminate portions and another of the outer laminate portions are stacked in this order on a terminal provided on one of the plurality of heat-generating components, and another of the inner laminate portions and one of the outer laminate portions are stacked in this order on a terminal provided on another of the plurality of heat-generating components.

3. A heat generating component that has a terminal and generates heat when electricity is applied; a bus bar connected to the terminal; The bus bar is a busbar piece including an inner laminate portion connected to the terminal and a separation portion continuous with the inner laminate portion; another busbar piece including an outer laminate portion laminated on the inner laminate portion, and another spaced portion connected to the outer laminate portion and spaced apart from the one spaced portion, the bus bar includes a cylindrical ventilation portion configured by the one spaced portion and the other spaced portion.

4. A heat generating component having a terminal and generating heat when electricity is applied; a bus bar connected to the terminal; The bus bar is a busbar piece including an inner laminate portion connected to the terminal and a separation portion continuous with the inner laminate portion; another busbar piece including an outer laminate portion laminated on the inner laminate portion, and another spaced portion connected to the outer laminate portion and spaced apart from the one spaced portion, The electrical device, wherein the one spaced portion and the other spaced portion are disposed perpendicular to each other.

5. The electric device according to claim 4 , wherein at least one of the first spaced portion and the second spaced portion is disposed along an outer surface of the heat generating component.

6. The electric device according to claim 1 , further comprising a case that houses the heat generating component and the bus bar therein, the case having a case wall having an air hole.

7. A heat generating component having a terminal and generating heat when current is applied; a bus bar connected to the terminal; The bus bar is a busbar piece including an inner laminate portion connected to the terminal and a separation portion continuous with the inner laminate portion; another busbar piece including an outer laminate portion laminated on the inner laminate portion, and another spaced portion connected to the outer laminate portion and spaced apart from the one spaced portion, a case that houses the heat generating component and the bus bar, the case having a case wall having an air hole; An electric device, wherein the case includes the case wall arranged along the one spaced portion or the other spaced portion.

8. The electric device according to claim 3 , further comprising a case that houses the heat generating component and the bus bar therein, the case further comprising a case wall that has an air vent and is disposed perpendicular to the air vent cylinder portion.

9. A heat generating component having a terminal and generating heat when current is applied; a bus bar connected to the terminal; The bus bar is a busbar piece including an inner laminate portion connected to the terminal and a separation portion continuous with the inner laminate portion; another busbar piece including an outer laminate portion laminated on the inner laminate portion, and another spaced portion connected to the outer laminate portion and spaced apart from the one spaced portion, The other spaced portion extends linearly from the outer laminate portion, The one spaced portion includes an intersection portion extending in a first direction intersecting the other spaced portion, and an inclined portion connecting the inner stack portion and the one intersection portion, The one inclined portion is disposed so as to incline so as to move away from the other spaced portion as it approaches the one intersecting portion.

10. A heat generating component having a terminal and generating heat when current is applied; a bus bar connected to the terminal; The bus bar is a busbar piece including an inner laminate portion connected to the terminal and a separation portion continuous with the inner laminate portion; another busbar piece including an outer laminate portion laminated on the inner laminate portion, and another spaced portion connected to the outer laminate portion and spaced apart from the one spaced portion, an electrical device comprising a case that houses the heat-generating component and the bus bar, the case integrally comprising an inner case wall arranged along an inner surface of the bus bar and an outer case wall arranged along an outer surface of the bus bar.

11. A heat generating component having a terminal and generating heat when current is applied; a bus bar connected to the terminal; The bus bar is a busbar piece including an inner laminate portion connected to the terminal and a separation portion continuous with the inner laminate portion; another busbar piece including an outer laminate portion laminated on the inner laminate portion, and another spaced portion connected to the outer laminate portion and spaced apart from the one spaced portion, the busbar further includes at least one of an extension portion extending from the first spaced portion toward a first lateral region located to the side of the heat-generating component, and another extension portion extending from the other spaced portion toward a second lateral region located on the opposite side to the first lateral region with the heat-generating component as the center.

12. 12. The electric device according to claim 1, wherein an area of ​​an inner surface of the one spaced portion facing the other spaced portion is 30% or more of an area of ​​an entire inner surface of the one busbar piece facing the other busbar piece.

13. The electrical device according to claim 1 , wherein the one spaced portion and the another spaced portion are disposed in a space adjacent to the heat generating component.

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