Power Control Device

Abstract

To provide a power control device that can be miniaturized and reduce connection man-hours.SOLUTION: In a power control device 10 connected to a high-voltage battery 11 formed by connecting a plurality of cell units 14, an electrical connection unit 20 that connects the high-voltage battery 11 to a load, and a series-parallel switching unit 40 that is connected to the plurality of cell units 14 and the electrical connection unit 20 and switches the connection between the plurality of cell units 14 between series and parallel are integrally formed with a base member 10A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power control device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known power supply devices mounted on electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, etc. For example, the power supply device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-274830 (Patent Document 1 below) includes first and second power storage means electrically connected to an inverter, first switch means arranged in a circuit for connecting the first power storage means and the second power storage means in series to the inverter, and second switch means arranged in a circuit for connecting the first power storage means and the second power storage means in parallel to the inverter. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-274830 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a circuit for switching between series and parallel connection of the first and second storage means as described above is incorporated into a circuit connecting the inverter and the first and second storage means, the power supply device may become larger and the labor required for connecting the wiring may increase. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The power control device disclosed herein is a power control device connected to a high-voltage battery formed by connecting a plurality of cell units, and comprises: an electrical connection unit that connects the high-voltage battery to a load; a series-parallel switching unit that is connected to the plurality of cell units and the electrical connection unit and switches the connection between the plurality of cell units between series and parallel; and a base member made of insulating resin on which the electrical connection unit and the series-parallel switching unit are integrally formed, wherein the electrical connection unit comprises a load connection portion connected to a connector that can be attached and detached to the load, a total positive electrode connection portion that is connected to the total positive electrode of the high-voltage battery, and a total negative electrode connection portion that is connected to the total negative electrode of the high-voltage battery, and the series-parallel switching unit comprises a plurality of intermediate potential connection portions that are connected to the electrode terminals of the plurality of cell units other than the total positive electrode and the total negative electrode, and the base member has a load connection portion arranged at one end, and a total positive electrode connection portion, a total negative electrode connection portion, and an intermediate potential connection portion arranged at the other end opposite to the one end. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a power control device that can be made smaller and that can reduce the number of connection steps. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the power control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bus bar having an intermediate potential connection portion of a third conductive path. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bus bar having an intermediate potential connection portion of a fourth conductive path. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of the power control device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the power control device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the electrical connection unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the series-parallel switching unit. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the electrical connection unit and the series-parallel switching unit exploded in the stacking direction. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of the power control device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0009] (1) The power control device disclosed herein is a power control device connected to a high-voltage battery configured by connecting multiple cell units, and integrates an electrical connection unit that connects the high-voltage battery to a load, and a series-parallel switching unit that is connected to the multiple cell units and the electrical connection unit and switches the connection between the multiple cell units between series and parallel.

[0010] This configuration eliminates the need for wiring to connect the electrical connection unit and the series-parallel switching unit, reducing the number of steps required to connect the electrical connection unit and the series-parallel switching unit. In addition, the electrical connection unit and the series-parallel switching unit are integrated, making it easier to miniaturize the power control device.

[0011] (2) The power control device preferably includes a connection bus bar that connects the electrical connection unit and the series-parallel switching unit.

[0012] With this configuration, the electrical connection unit and the series-parallel switching unit can be connected more easily than when electric wires or the like are used.

[0013] (3) The power control device may include a base member made of insulating resin, and the electrical connection unit and the series-parallel switching unit may be integrally formed on the base member.

[0014] According to this configuration, the electrical connection unit and the series-parallel switching unit are integrally provided on the same base member, which makes it easy to reduce the height of the power control device.

[0015] (4) The electrical connection unit and the series-parallel switching unit may be formed separately and stackable.

[0016] This configuration reduces the area occupied by the power control device, i.e., the area of ​​the plane perpendicular to the axis extending in the stacking direction of the electrical connection unit and the series-parallel switching unit. Furthermore, not only can the electrical connection unit and the series-parallel switching unit be stacked and mounted on a vehicle, but the electrical connection unit can also be separated and mounted on a vehicle.

[0017] (5) The series-parallel switching unit is stacked on the electrical connection unit, and a base member made of insulating resin constituting the series-parallel switching unit has a cutout portion, and the electrical connection unit has a load connection portion connected to the load, a total positive electrode connection portion connected to the total positive electrode of the high-voltage battery, and a total negative electrode connection portion connected to the total negative electrode of the high-voltage battery, and it is preferable that the total positive electrode connection portion, the total negative electrode connection portion, and the load connection portion are arranged inside the cutout portion.

[0018] With this configuration, after the electrical connection unit and the series-parallel switching unit are stacked, the power control device can be connected to the high-voltage battery and the power control device can be connected to the load.

[0019] (6) The electrical connection unit comprises a load connection portion connected to the load, a total positive electrode connection portion connected to the total positive electrode of the high-voltage battery, and a total negative electrode connection portion connected to the total negative electrode of the high-voltage battery, and the series-parallel switching unit comprises a plurality of intermediate potential connection portions connected to electrode terminals of the plurality of cell units other than the total positive electrode and the total negative electrode, and the load connection portion is preferably arranged at an end opposite to the total positive electrode connection portion, the total negative electrode connection portion, and the plurality of intermediate potential connection portions, and the plurality of intermediate potential connection portions are preferably arranged between the total positive electrode connection portion and the total negative electrode connection portion.

[0020] This configuration makes it easy to arrange the power control device between the high-voltage battery and the load, and also makes it possible to prevent incorrect assembly of the power control device and the high-voltage battery, or the power control device and the load.

[0021] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] The present disclosure will be described below with reference to exemplary 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.

[0022] <Embodiment 1> A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. In the following description, except for Figure 4, the direction indicated by arrow X will be the forward direction, the direction indicated by arrow Y will be the leftward direction, and the direction indicated by arrow Z will be the upward direction. Furthermore, after describing the power control device 10 using the circuit diagram in Figure 4, the specific configuration may be described using Figures 1 to 3. For multiple identical components, only some of the components may be assigned reference numerals, and the reference numerals for the other components may be omitted.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, a power control device 10 according to this embodiment is disposed inside a battery pack 1 mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, and connects a high-voltage battery 11 to a load (not shown).

[0024] As shown in Fig. 4, the battery pack 1 is provided with a power control device 10, a high-voltage battery 11, a power connector 12, a quick-charge connector 13, etc. The high-voltage battery 11 is connected to the power connector 12 via the power control device 10. The power connector 12 is adapted to be connected to loads such as various electronic devices. The quick-charge connector 13 is provided branching off from a conductive path connecting the power control device 10 and the power connector 12. Quick-charge relays 13A and 13B are provided on the conductive path connecting the quick-charge connector 13 and the power control device 10. The quick-charge relays 13A and 13B are switched between a conductive (ON) state and an open (OFF) state by a signal from a power supply control unit (not shown).

[0025] [High-voltage battery, cell unit] As shown in FIG. 4, the battery pack 1 has a high-voltage battery 11 including multiple cell units 14. In this embodiment, the multiple cell units 14 are composed of a cell unit 14A and a cell unit 14B. Of the pair of electrode terminals provided at both ends of the cell unit 14A, the positive terminal located on the upper side in the figure serves as the common positive electrode of the high-voltage battery 11. Of the pair of electrode terminals provided at both ends of the cell unit 14B, the negative terminal located on the lower side in the figure serves as the common negative electrode of the high-voltage battery 11. Here, the common positive electrode and common negative electrode refer to the positive and negative external connection terminals of the high-voltage battery 11. Each of the cell units 14A and 14B is composed of the same number of storage elements 15 connected in series. As the storage elements 15, for example, lithium-ion batteries can be used.

[0026] The high-voltage battery 11 is used as a drive source for the vehicle and outputs a high voltage. For example, in this embodiment, the voltage of the cell units 14A and 14B is 400 V, and the voltage of the high-voltage battery 11 is 800 V when multiple cell units 14 are connected in series, and 400 V when multiple cell units 14 are connected in parallel.

[0027] [Power control device] As shown in FIG. 4, the power control device 10 includes an electrical connection unit 20 that connects the high-voltage battery 11 and the load, and a series-parallel switching unit 40 that switches the connection between multiple cell units 14 between series and parallel. As shown in FIG. 1, in the power control device 10 according to this embodiment, the electrical connection unit 20 and the series-parallel switching unit 40 are integrally formed on the same base member 10A. The base member 10A is a plate-shaped member made of insulating synthetic resin. Although not shown in detail, the base member 10A has bolt fastening portions into which bolts can be fastened and mounting grooves into which electronic components (relays, fuses, etc.) and bus bars that constitute the power control device 10 are mounted. The electronic components and bus bars are electrically connected and fixed to the base member 10A by bolt fastening. In FIG. 1, the outline of the bus bars arranged below the electronic components is indicated by dashed lines.

[0028] [Electrical connection unit] As shown in Figure 4, the electrical connection unit 20 includes a first conductive path 21 that connects the common positive electrode of the high-voltage battery 11 to a load, and a second conductive path 22 that connects the common negative electrode of the high-voltage battery 11 to the load. The end of the first conductive path 21 that is connected to the common positive electrode of the high-voltage battery 11 is designated as a common positive electrode connection part 23. The end of the first conductive path 21 that is connected to the load is designated as a load connection part 24A. The end of the second conductive path 22 that is connected to the common negative electrode of the high-voltage battery 11 is designated as a common negative electrode connection part 25. The end of the second conductive path 22 that is connected to the load is designated as a load connection part 24B.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 4, a first system main relay 26 and a main fuse 27 are connected in series to the first conductive path 21. When an overcurrent flows through the first conductive path 21, the main fuse 27 opens the first conductive path 21 to cut off the overcurrent. The first system main relay 26 is switched between an on state and an off state by a signal from a power supply control unit (not shown). The first conductive path 21 branches between the first system main relay 26 and the common positive electrode connector 23 and is connected to a third conductive path 41 (described later).

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4 , the second conductive path 22 is provided with a second system main relay 28. A precharge circuit 29 is connected in parallel to the second system main relay 28. The precharge circuit 29 includes a precharge relay 30 and a precharge resistor 31 connected in series. The second system main relay 28 and the precharge relay 30 are switched between an on state and an off state by a signal from a power supply control unit (not shown). When charging the high-voltage battery 11, the precharge relay 30 is turned on, and then the second system main relay 28 is turned on, thereby preventing an inrush current from flowing to the second system main relay 28. The second conductive path 22 branches between the second system main relay 28 and the common negative electrode connector 25 and is connected to a fourth conductive path 42 (described later).

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the first conductive path 21 is provided on the front side (upper side in the figure) of the base member 10A and includes a first system main relay 26 and a main fuse 27. The first system main relay 26 is disposed on the front right side of the base member 10A, and the main fuse 27 is disposed on the front left side of the base member 10A. A common positive electrode connection portion 23 disposed at the right end of the first conductive path 21 protrudes rightward from the outer edge of the right front of the base member 10A. A load connection portion 24A disposed at the left end of the first conductive path 21 protrudes leftward from the outer edge near the center of the base member 10A in the front-to-rear direction.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the second conductive path 22 is provided on the rear side (bottom side in the figure) of the base member 10A and includes a second system main relay 28 and a precharge circuit 29. The precharge circuit 29 includes a precharge relay 30 and a precharge resistor 31. The second system main relay 28 is disposed on the rear left side of the base member 10A, and the precharge circuit 29 is disposed on the rear right side of the base member 10A. A common negative electrode connection portion 25 disposed at the right end of the second conductive path 22 protrudes rightward from the outer edge of the right rear of the base member 10A. A load connection portion 24B disposed at the left end of the second conductive path 22 protrudes leftward from the outer edge near the center of the base member 10A in the front-to-rear direction.

[0033] [Series / parallel switching unit] 4, the series-parallel switching unit 40 includes a third conductive path 41 connecting the first conductive path 21 and the cell unit 14B, a fourth conductive path 42 connecting the second conductive path 22 and the cell unit 14A, and a fifth conductive path 43 connecting the third conductive path 41 and the fourth conductive path 42. The end of the third conductive path 41 connected to the cell unit 14B is an intermediate potential connection part 44B. The end of the fourth conductive path 42 connected to the cell unit 14A is an intermediate potential connection part 44A.

[0034] As shown in Figure 4, the intermediate potential connection portion 44B of the third conductive path 41 is connected to the positive electrode terminal of the cell unit 14B arranged on the upper side in the figure. Here, the positive electrode terminal of the cell unit 14B is an example of an electrode terminal of the multiple cell units 14 other than the common positive electrode and common negative electrode of the high-voltage battery 11. In other words, the negative electrode terminal paired with the positive electrode terminal of the cell unit 14B is the common negative electrode of the high-voltage battery 11. The end of the third conductive path 41 opposite the intermediate potential connection portion 44B is connected between the first system main relay 26 and the common positive electrode connection portion 23 of the first conductive path 21. A second relay 45B is provided in the third conductive path 41.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 4, the intermediate potential connection portion 44A of the fourth conductive path 42 is connected to the negative electrode terminal of the cell unit 14A, which is disposed on the lower side of the cell unit 14A. Here, the negative electrode terminal of the cell unit 14A is an example of an electrode terminal of the multiple cell units 14 other than the common positive electrode and common negative electrode of the high-voltage battery 11. In other words, the positive electrode terminal paired with the negative electrode terminal of the cell unit 14A is the common positive electrode of the high-voltage battery 11. The end of the fourth conductive path 42 opposite the intermediate potential connection portion 44A is connected between the second system main relay 28 and the common negative electrode connection portion 25 of the second conductive path 22. A second relay 45A is provided in the fourth conductive path 42.

[0036] 4, the fifth conductive path 43 connects the intermediate potential connectors 44A and 44B in series. More specifically, the fifth conductive path 43 is provided branching off from the third conductive path 41 between the second relay 45B and the intermediate potential connector 44B and the fourth conductive path 42 between the second relay 45A and the intermediate potential connector 44A. The fifth conductive path 43 is provided with a first relay 46 and a first fuse 47. The first fuse 47 opens the fifth conductive path 43 when an overcurrent flows through the fifth conductive path 43, thereby interrupting the overcurrent.

[0037] The first relay 46 and the second relays 45A, 45B are switched between an on state and an off state by a signal from a power supply control unit (not shown). As shown in Fig. 4, when the first relay 46 is turned on and the second relays 45A, 45B are turned off, multiple cell units 14 can be connected in series to the electrical connection unit 20. On the other hand, when the first relay 46 is turned off and the second relays 45A, 45B are turned on, multiple cell units 14 can be connected in parallel to the electrical connection unit 20.

[0038] Therefore, the series / parallel connection of the multiple cell units 14 can be switched to appropriately change the voltage of the high-voltage battery 11 depending on the voltage of a quick charger (not shown) connected to the quick-charge connector 13 and the voltage required by the load connected to the power connector 12. For example, since the voltage of each of the cell units 14A, 14B in this embodiment is 400V, when charging the high-voltage battery 11 using a 400V quick charger, the multiple cell units 14 can be connected in parallel, and when charging the high-voltage battery 11 using an 800V quick charger, the multiple cell units 14 can be connected in series.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1 , the series-parallel switching unit 40 (the third conductive path 41, the fourth conductive path 42, and the fifth conductive path 43) is disposed between the first conductive path 21 and the second conductive path 22 in the front-rear direction. The third conductive path 41 includes a second relay 45B disposed behind the main fuse 27. The bus bar extending to the right from the second relay 45B is a connection bus bar 48B. The connection bus bar 48B connects the second relay 45B to a bus bar having the total positive electrode connection portion 23 of the first conductive path 21. The end of the third conductive path 41 opposite the relay 48B is an intermediate potential connection 44B. The intermediate potential connection 44B protrudes rightward from the outer edge of the base member 10A near the center in the front-to-rear direction. The third conductive path 41 between the intermediate potential connection 44B and the second relay 45B is indicated by a roughly shaded area. As shown in FIG. 2, this roughly shaded area is composed of a gate-shaped first bus bar 49 having the intermediate potential connection 44B and a second bus bar 50 connected to the upper left end of the first bus bar 49.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1 , the fourth conductive path 42 includes a second relay 45A disposed behind the second relay 45B. The bus bar extending rearward from the second relay 45A is a connection bus bar 48A. The connection bus bar 48A connects the second relay 45A to a bus bar having the total negative electrode connection portion 25 of the second conductive path 22. The end of the fourth conductive path 42 opposite the connection bus bar 48A is an intermediate potential connection portion 44A. The intermediate potential connection portion 44A protrudes rightward from the outer edge of the base member 10A near the center in the front-rear direction. The fourth conductive path 42 between the second relay 45A and the intermediate potential connection portion 44A is indicated by a thinly shaded area. As shown in FIG. 3 , this thinly shaded area is composed of a third bus bar 51 having the intermediate potential connection portion 44A and a fourth bus bar 52 connected to the left end of the third bus bar 51. As shown in FIG. 1, the fourth bus bar 52 is arranged below the second bus bar 50 of the third conductive path 41.

[0041] 1, the fifth conductive path 43 has a first relay 46 and a first fuse 47 arranged behind the first relay 46. The first relay 46 and the first fuse 47 are arranged so as to be surrounded by a first bus bar 49 and a second bus bar 50 indicated by coarsely shaded areas, and a third bus bar 51 and a fourth bus bar 52 indicated by finely shaded areas.

[0042] In the past, when using a power control device in which the electrical connection unit and the series-parallel switching unit were not integrated, it was necessary to separately arrange the electrical connection unit and the series-parallel switching unit in a battery pack and connect the electrical connection unit and the series-parallel switching unit with a wire harness. However, in the power control device 10 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the electrical connection unit 20 and the series-parallel switching unit 40 are integrated and pre-connected by connection bus bars 48A, 48B. This reduces the number of steps required to connect the power control device 10 to the high-voltage battery 11 and the load, and makes it possible to miniaturize the power control device 10.

[0043] 1, the electronic components and bus bars that make up the electrical connection unit 20 and the series-parallel switching unit 40 are fixed to the same base member 10A by bolting, and the power control device 10 is integrally formed. Therefore, the dimensions of the power control device 10, particularly in the vertical direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing), can be reduced, leading to a lower height of the power control device 10.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1 , the right end of the power control device 10 is provided with a positive electrode connector 23, a negative electrode connector 25, and intermediate potential connectors 44A and 44B, which are connected to the high-voltage battery 11. The intermediate potential connectors 44A and 44B are located between the positive electrode connector 23 and the negative electrode connector 25. The left end of the power control device 10 is provided with load connectors 24A and 24B, which are connected to a load. This makes it easy to position the power control device 10 between the high-voltage battery 11 and the load. Furthermore, incorrect assembly of the power control device 10 and the high-voltage battery 11, or the power control device 10 and the load, can be prevented.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 1 , the second bus bar 50 of the third conductive path 41 and the fourth bus bar 52 of the fourth conductive path 42 are arranged offset in the vertical direction and cross each other without contacting each other. That is, the second bus bar 50 and the fourth bus bar 52 cross each other at an intersection. By arranging the third conductive path 41 and the fourth conductive path 42 in this manner, as shown in FIG. 4 , the wiring between the cell unit 14A and the intermediate potential connection part 44A and the wiring between the cell unit 14B and the intermediate potential connection part 44B do not need to cross each other. This facilitates the connection between the multiple cell units 14 and the intermediate potential connection parts 44A and 44B. On the other hand, if the third conductive path and the fourth conductive path do not cross each other at an intersection in the series-parallel switching unit, the wiring between the multiple cell units and the intermediate potential connection part would need to cross each other, which would complicate the connection between the multiple cell units and the intermediate potential connection part.

[0046] [Effects of the First Embodiment] According to the first embodiment, the following actions and effects are achieved. The power control device 10 of embodiment 1 is a power control device 10 connected to a high-voltage battery 11 formed by connecting multiple cell units 14, and integrates an electrical connection unit 20 that connects the high-voltage battery 11 to a load, and a series-parallel switching unit 40 that is connected to the multiple cell units 14 and the electrical connection unit 20 and switches the connection between the multiple cell units 14 between series and parallel.

[0047] According to the above configuration, there is no need for wiring to connect the electrical connection unit 20 and the series-parallel switching unit 40, which reduces the number of steps required to connect the electrical connection unit 20 and the series-parallel switching unit 40. Furthermore, since the electrical connection unit 20 and the series-parallel switching unit 40 are integrated, it is easy to make the power control device 10 smaller.

[0048] The power control device 10 according to the first embodiment includes connection bus bars 48A and 48B that connect the electrical connection unit 20 and the series-parallel switching unit 40.

[0049] According to the above configuration, the electrical connection unit 20 and the series-parallel switching unit 40 can be connected more easily than when electric wires or the like are used.

[0050] The power control device 10 according to the first embodiment includes a base member 10A made of insulating resin, and the electrical connection unit 20 and the series-parallel switching unit 40 are integrally formed on the base member 10A.

[0051] According to the above configuration, the electrical connection unit 20 and the series-parallel switching unit 40 are integrally provided on the same base member 10A, so that the height of the power control device 10 can be easily reduced.

[0052] In embodiment 1, the electrical connection unit 20 comprises load connection portions 24A, 24B connected to a load, a total positive electrode connection portion 23 connected to the total positive electrode of the high-voltage battery 11, and a total negative electrode connection portion 25 connected to the total negative electrode of the high-voltage battery 11, and the series-parallel switching unit 40 comprises a plurality of intermediate potential connection portions 44A, 44B connected to the electrode terminals of a plurality of cell units 14 other than the total positive electrode and total negative electrode, and the load connection portions 24A, 24B are arranged at the end opposite to the total positive electrode connection portion 23, the total negative electrode connection portion 25, and the plurality of intermediate potential connection portions 44A, 44B, and the plurality of intermediate potential connection portions 44A, 44B are arranged between the total positive electrode connection portion 23 and the total negative electrode connection portion 25.

[0053] This configuration makes it easy to arrange the power control device 10 between the high-voltage battery 11 and the load. It also makes it possible to prevent incorrect assembly of the power control device 10 and the high-voltage battery 11, or the power control device 10 and the load.

[0054] <Embodiment 2> A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10. In the following description, except for FIG. 10, the direction indicated by the arrow X is the forward direction, the direction indicated by the arrow Y is the leftward direction, and the direction indicated by the arrow Z is the upward direction. After describing the power control device 110 using the circuit diagram in FIG. 10, the specific configuration may be described using FIGS. 5 to 9. For multiple identical components, only some of the components may be designated with reference numerals, and the reference numerals for the other components may be omitted. The configuration of the power control device 110 according to the second embodiment is substantially similar to that of the first embodiment, except that the electrical connection unit 120 and the series-parallel switching unit 140 are provided separately. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be designated with the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and descriptions of the same configurations, functions, and effects as those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0055] 8, the electrical connection unit 120 and the series-parallel switching unit 140 of this embodiment are formed separately, and the series-parallel switching unit 140 can be stacked on top of the electrical connection unit 120. By employing such a stacked structure, it is possible to reduce the area occupied by the power control device 110 in the battery pack 1. Here, the area occupied by the power control device 110 refers to the area of ​​a plane (a plane extending in the front-rear and left-right directions) perpendicular to an axis extending in the direction in which the electrical connection unit 120 and the series-parallel switching unit 140 are stacked (the up-down direction).

[0056] 8, the connection bus bars 48A, 48B of the series-parallel switching unit 140 are connected to the connection portions 61A, 61B of the electrical connection unit 120, respectively, as will be described in detail later. In other words, when the connection bus bars 48A, 48B and the connection portions 61A, 61B are not connected, the series-parallel switching unit 140 and the electrical connection unit 120 are separated. Note that the electrical connection unit 120 in the separated state can also be mounted alone in a vehicle or the like as, for example, a junction box.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 10, the circuit diagram of the power control device 110 of the second embodiment is substantially the same as the circuit diagram of the power control device 10 of the first embodiment (see Fig. 4), but current sensors 60A, 60B, and 60C are provided in the first conductive path 21, the third conductive path 41, and the fourth conductive path 42 of the second embodiment, respectively. The current sensors 60A, 60B, and 60C output current values ​​in the respective conductive paths 21, 41, and 42, and these current values ​​are transmitted to a power control unit (not shown). The electrical connection unit 120 and the series-parallel switching unit 140 are connected at a connection portion 61A (connection bus bar 48A) and a connection portion 61B (connection bus bar 48B).

[0058] As shown in Fig. 6, the electrical connection unit 120 is configured by arranging electronic components and bus bars on a base member 110A. A first conductive path 21 is provided on the front side of the base member 110A, extending in the left-right direction. The first conductive path 21 includes a first system main relay 26, a main fuse 27, and a current sensor 60A. The right end of the first conductive path 21 is provided with a total positive electrode connection part 23 and a connection part 61B located behind the total positive electrode connection part 23. The left end of the first conductive path 21 is provided with a load connection part 24A.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 6, a second conductive path 22 is provided on the rear side of the base member 110A, extending in the left-right direction. The second conductive path 22 includes a second system main relay 28 and a precharge circuit 29 (a precharge relay 30 and a precharge resistor 31). The right end of the second conductive path 22 is provided with a total negative electrode connection part 25 and a connection part 61A located on the rear side of the total negative electrode connection part 25. The left end of the second conductive path 22 is provided with a load connection part 24B.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 6, four fixing holes 62A are formed penetrating in the vertical direction at the outer edges of the front right, front left, rear right, and rear left of the base member 110A. As shown in Fig. 9, a protrusion receiving portion 63 is provided at the hole edge of the fixing holes 62A and recessed downward from the upper surface of the base member 110A.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 7, the series-parallel switching unit 140 is configured by arranging electronic components and bus bars on a base member 110B. The third conductive path 41 includes a second relay 45B and a current sensor 60B and is disposed on the front right side of the base member 110B. The bus bar connected to the second relay 45B and disposed below the second relay 45B is designated as the fifth bus bar 64. An intermediate potential connection portion 44B is provided at the right end of the fifth bus bar 64. The bus bar connected to the current sensor 60B and extending to the right is designated as the connection bus bar 48B. As shown in FIG. 8, the connection bus bar 48B extends significantly downward and is connected to the connection portion 61B of the electrical connection unit 120 by bolting.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 7 , the fourth conductive path 42 includes a second relay 45A and a current sensor 60C and is disposed on the rear and right side of the base member 110B. The bus bar connected to and disposed below the second relay 45A is the sixth bus bar 65. An intermediate potential connection portion 44A is provided at the right end of the sixth bus bar 65. As shown in FIG. 8 , the sixth bus bar 65 is disposed below the fifth bus bar 64 and intersects with the fifth bus bar 64 without contacting each other. That is, the sixth bus bar 65 and the fifth bus bar 64 intersect at an intersection similar to the second bus bar 50 and the fourth bus bar 52 in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7 , the bus bar connected to the current sensor 60C and extending to the right is the connection bus bar 48A. As shown in FIG. 8 , the connection bus bar 48A extends significantly downward and is connected to the connection portion 61A of the electrical connection unit 120 by bolting.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 7, the fifth conductive path 43 includes a first relay 46 and a first fuse 47, and is disposed on the left side of the base member 110B.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 7, four fixing holes 62B are formed penetrating the outer edges of the right front, left front, right rear, and left rear of the base member 110B in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 9, the fixing holes 62B are provided at positions corresponding to the fixing holes 62A of the base member 110A, and when the base members 110A and 110B are stacked, the fixing holes 62A and 62B are communicated. A protrusion 66 protruding downward from the underside of the base member 110B is provided at the edge of the fixing holes 62B. The protrusion 66 is adapted to fit into the protrusion receiving portion 63, allowing the base members 110A and 110B to be aligned. Although not shown, bolts are inserted into the fixing holes 62A and 62B and are fastened to bolt fastening portions within the battery pack 1.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 7, the base member 110B has four cutouts 67, 68, 69, and 70 recessed inward from the outer edge of the base member 110B. Cutout 67 is located in front of the connection bus bar 48B. Cutout 68 is located in front of the connection bus bar 48A. Cutout 69 is located to the left of the first relay 46. Cutout 70 is located behind cutout 69. As shown in FIG. 5, when the electrical connection unit 120 and the series-parallel switching unit 140 are stacked, the total positive electrode connecting portion 23, the total negative electrode connecting portion 25, and the load connecting portions 24A and 24B are located inside the cutouts 67, 68, 69, and 70, respectively. Therefore, after stacking the electrical connection unit 120 and the series-parallel switching unit 140, it is easy to connect the total positive electrode connection part 23 to the total positive electrode, the total negative electrode connection part 25 to the total negative electrode, and the load connection parts 24A, 24B to the load by tightening the bolts.

[0066] [Effects of Embodiment 2] According to the second embodiment, the following actions and effects are achieved. In the second embodiment, the electrical connection unit 120 and the series-parallel switching unit 140 are formed as separate units and can be stacked.

[0067] The above configuration makes it possible to reduce the area occupied by the power control device 110, i.e., the area of ​​the plane perpendicular to the axis extending in the stacking direction of the electrical connection unit 120 and the series-parallel switching unit 140. Furthermore, not only can the electrical connection unit 120 and the series-parallel switching unit 140 be stacked and mounted on a vehicle or the like, but also the electrical connection unit 120 alone can be separated and mounted on a vehicle or the like.

[0068] In embodiment 2, the series-parallel switching unit 140 is stacked on top of the electrical connection unit 120, and the base member 110B made of insulating resin that constitutes the series-parallel switching unit 140 has cutout portions 67, 68, 69, and 70, and the electrical connection unit 120 has load connection portions 24A and 24B that are connected to a load, a total positive electrode connection portion 23 that is connected to the total positive electrode of the high-voltage battery 11, and a total negative electrode connection portion 25 that is connected to the total negative electrode of the high-voltage battery 11, and the total positive electrode connection portion 23, the total negative electrode connection portion 25, and the load connection portions 24A and 24B are arranged inside the cutout portions 67, 68, 69, and 70.

[0069] According to the above configuration, after the electrical connection unit 120 and the series-parallel switching unit 140 are stacked, the power control device 110 can be connected to the high-voltage battery 11 and the power control device 110 can be connected to the load.

[0070] <Other embodiments> (1) In the above embodiment, the bus bars are connected to each other and the electronic components are connected to the bus bars by bolts. However, this is not limited to this and the bus bars may be connected by welding or the like. (2) In the above embodiment, the high-voltage battery 11 is composed of two cell units 14A, 14B, but this is not limitative, and the high-voltage battery may be composed of three or more cell units. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1: Battery pack 10,110: Power control device 10A, 110A, 110B: Base material 11: High-voltage battery 12: Power connector 13: Fast charging connector 13A, 13B: Quick charge relay 14: Multiple cell units 14A, 14B: Cell unit 15: Energy storage element 20,120: Electrical connection unit 21: First conductive path 22: Second conductive path 23: Total positive terminal connection 24A, 24B: Load connection 25: Total negative terminal connection 26: 1st system main relay 27: Main fuse 28: Second system main relay 29: Precharge circuit 30: Precharge relay 31: Precharge resistor 40,140: Series / parallel switching unit 41: Third conductive path 42: Fourth conductive path 43: 5th conductive path 44A, 44B: Intermediate potential connection 45A, 45B: Second relay 46: First Relay 47: First Fuse 48A, 48B: Connection busbars 49: First bus bar 50: Second busbar 51: 3rd busbar 52: 4th busbar 60A, 60B, 60C: Current sensor 61A, 61B: Connection part 62A,62B: Fixed hole 63: Protrusion receiving part 64: 5th busbar 65: 6th busbar 66: Protrusion 67, 68, 69, 70: Cutouts

Claims

1. A power control device connected to a high-voltage battery configured by connecting a plurality of cell units, an electrical connection unit that connects the high-voltage battery to a load; a series-parallel switching unit connected to the plurality of cell units and the electrical connection unit, for switching the connection between the plurality of cell units between series and parallel; a base member made of insulating resin on which the electrical connection unit and the series-parallel switching unit are integrally formed, The electrical connection unit comprises: a load connection portion connected to a detachable connector of the load; a common positive electrode connection part connected to a common positive electrode of the high-voltage battery, and a common negative electrode connection part connected to a common negative electrode of the high-voltage battery, The series-parallel switching unit a plurality of intermediate potential connection parts connected to electrode terminals of the plurality of cell units other than the total positive electrode and the total negative electrode; A power control device in which the base member has the load connection portion arranged at one end, and the total positive electrode connection portion, the total negative electrode connection portion, and the intermediate potential connection portion arranged at the other end opposite the one end.

2. The electrical connection unit comprises: a first conductive path extending in a direction from the one end to the other end of the base member and connecting the load connection portion and the general positive electrode connection portion; a second conductive path extending in a direction from the one end to the other end of the base member and connecting the load connection portion and the general negative electrode connection portion; The power control device according to claim 1 , wherein the series-parallel switching unit is disposed on the base member between the first conductive path and the second conductive path.

3. the intermediate potential connection portion includes a first intermediate potential connection portion connected to the cell unit together with the total positive electrode connection portion, and a second intermediate potential connection portion connected to the cell unit together with the total negative electrode connection portion, The series-parallel switching unit a first relay that switches between connection and non-connection between the first intermediate potential connecting portion and the second intermediate potential connecting portion; a second relay that switches between connection and disconnection between the first conductive path and the second intermediate potential connecting portion, and between connection and disconnection between the second conductive path and the first intermediate potential connecting portion, The power control device according to claim 2 , wherein the first relay and the second relay are arranged side by side in a direction from the one end to the other end of the base member.

4. The series-parallel switching unit When the plurality of cell units in the high-voltage battery are connected in series, the first relay is turned on and the second relay is turned off; The power control device according to claim 3 , wherein when the plurality of cell units of the high-voltage battery are connected in parallel, the first relay is turned off and the second relay is turned on.

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