circuit board

Abstract

To provide a wiring module that can suppress increase in a manufacturing cost for providing a fuse function.SOLUTION: A circuit board 50 is a circuit board 50 that is mounted on protector 70 of a wiring module 20, the circuit board 50 is wired with a conductive path 56, and the conductive path 56 has a connecting land 58 electrically connected to electrode terminals 12 of the plurality of power storage elements 11, a wire land 59 connected to one end 43 of the wire 40, and a fuse section 60 between connecting the connecting land 58 and the wire land 59.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to circuit boards. [Background technology]

[0002] High-voltage battery packs used in electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and the like typically have a large number of stacked battery cells electrically connected in series or parallel by a wiring module. A conventionally known wiring module is the busbar assembly described in JP-A-2019-500736 (Patent Document 1 below). The busbar assembly described in Patent Document 1 is a busbar assembly that has electrode leads protruding from at least one side and is attached to a plurality of stacked battery cells, and is configured with a busbar frame having lead slots through which the electrode leads pass, and busbars that electrically connect the electrode leads that have passed through the lead slots. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2019-500736 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above configuration, the bus bar assembly does not have a fuse function, which poses a safety problem. To provide the wiring module with a fuse function, it is possible to incorporate a circuit board with a fuse into the wiring module, but the use of a circuit board may increase the manufacturing cost of the wiring module. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The wiring module of the present disclosure is a wiring module that is attached to a plurality of energy storage elements, and includes a circuit board, electric wires, and a protector that holds the circuit board and the electric wires, and a conductive path is arranged on the circuit board, and the conductive path includes connection lands that are electrically connected to electrode terminals of the plurality of energy storage elements, electric wire lands that are connected to one end of the electric wires, and a fuse portion that is provided between the connection lands and the electric wire lands. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a wiring module that can suppress an increase in manufacturing costs associated with providing a fuse function. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a power storage module according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electricity storage module. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of the electricity storage module. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the energy storage element. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a plurality of energy storage elements. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view of the electricity storage module showing the circuit board. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the electricity storage module showing the sub-terminals. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged front view of the energy storage module showing the second wire-locked portion having an insulating coating. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a front view of the electricity storage module according to the second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a plurality of energy storage elements. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view of the electricity storage module showing the sub-terminals. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an enlarged front view of the electricity storage module showing the circuit board according to the third embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is an enlarged front view of the electricity storage module showing the circuit board according to the fourth embodiment. 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 wiring module of the present disclosure is a wiring module attached to a plurality of energy storage elements, and includes a circuit board, electric wires, and a protector that holds the circuit board and the electric wires. A conductive path is routed on the circuit board, and the conductive path includes connection lands electrically connected to electrode terminals of the plurality of energy storage elements, electric wire lands connected to one end of the electric wires, and a fuse portion provided between the connection lands and the electric wire lands.

[0010] According to this configuration, the wiring module is provided with a circuit board having a fuse portion, and the electric wire is used in conjunction with the circuit board, so that the amount of circuit board used can be reduced. Therefore, the fuse portion can be provided in the wiring module while suppressing an increase in manufacturing costs of the wiring module.

[0011] (2) It is preferable that the energy storage elements are laminated batteries, and that the plurality of energy storage elements are provided with joints that electrically connect the electrode terminals of adjacent laminated batteries to each other.

[0012] With this configuration, it is not necessary to provide the wiring module with a member for connecting adjacent electrode terminals of the plurality of energy storage elements.

[0013] (3) It is preferable that a sub-terminal be provided to electrically connect the electrode terminal and the connection land.

[0014] This configuration facilitates electrical connection between the electrode terminals and the connection lands, and also reduces the amount of circuit board used.

[0015] (4) It is preferable that two bus bars are provided at both ends of the plurality of energy storage elements, connecting the electrode terminals that do not constitute the joints to the connection lands.

[0016] With this configuration, the positive and negative electrodes of all of the plurality of energy storage elements can be configured by the bus bar.

[0017] (5) It is preferable that the protector has a wire locking portion that locks the wire.

[0018] With this configuration, the electric wire can be locked in the protector.

[0019] (6) It is preferable that two wire locking portions are provided for each wire land, and are arranged on both sides of the wire land.

[0020] This configuration makes it easy to electrically connect the electric wires to the electric wire lands.

[0021] (7) It is preferable that the circuit board has a locked portion, and the protector has a board locking portion that locks with the locked portion.

[0022] With this configuration, the circuit board can be locked to the protector.

[0023] (8) It is preferable that the device further includes a connector to which the other end of the electric wire is connected, and that the connector is held by the protector.

[0024] With this configuration, electrical signals from the plurality of power storage elements can be taken out to the outside by the connector.

[0025] (9) It is preferable that the fuse portion is configured as a chip fuse connected to the conductive path of the circuit board by soldering.

[0026] With this configuration, when an overcurrent flows through the conductive path, the chip fuse melts, thereby protecting the conductive path from the overcurrent.

[0027] (10) It is preferable that the circuit board is a flexible printed circuit board, and the fuse section is configured as a pattern fuse.

[0028] With this configuration, the fuse portion can be formed during the manufacturing process of the flexible printed circuit board.

[0029] (11) It is preferable that the circuit board is provided with a plurality of the connection lands, the electric wire lands, and the fuse portions.

[0030] According to this configuration, the number of circuit boards used in the wiring module can be reduced, and therefore the workability of assembling the wiring module can be improved.

[0031] (12) It is preferable that the wiring modules are attached to the front and rear sides of the plurality of energy storage elements that are long in the front-rear direction, and include the electric wires that are routed and extend in the front-rear direction.

[0032] According to this configuration, the wiring module includes electric wires that are routed and extend in the front-rear direction, so that the manufacturing cost of the wiring module can be reduced.

[0033] (13) The above-described wiring module is a wiring module for a vehicle that is mounted on a vehicle.

[0034] [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.

[0035] <Embodiment 1> A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 15. A power storage module 10 including a wiring module 20 of the present embodiment is applied to a power storage pack 2 mounted on a vehicle 1, for example, as shown in Fig. 1. The power storage pack 2 is mounted on the vehicle 1, such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, and is used as a drive source for the vehicle 1. In the following description, when multiple identical members are used, only some of the members may be designated by reference numerals, and the reference numerals for the other members may be omitted.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, an electricity storage pack 2 is disposed near the center of a vehicle 1. A PCU 3 (Power Control Unit) is disposed in the front of the vehicle 1. The electricity storage pack 2 and the PCU 3 are connected by a wire harness 4. The electricity storage pack 2 and the wire harness 4 are connected by a connector (not shown). The electricity storage pack 2 has an electricity storage module 10 including a plurality of electricity storage elements 11. The electricity storage module 10 (and the wiring module 20) can be mounted in any orientation, but in the following description, except for FIG. 1, the direction indicated by the arrow Z is assumed to be upward, the direction indicated by the arrow X is assumed to be forward, and the direction indicated by the arrow Y is assumed to be leftward.

[0037] [Multiple storage elements, electrode terminals] As shown in FIG. 2, the energy storage module 10 includes a plurality of energy storage elements 11 arranged in the left-right direction, and wiring modules 20 attached to the front and rear sides of the plurality of energy storage elements 11. As shown in FIG. 4, the energy storage elements 11 of this embodiment are laminated batteries. The energy storage elements 11 are long in the front-rear direction and flat in the left-right direction. An energy storage element (not shown) is housed inside the energy storage element 11. A pair of electrode terminals 12 are arranged on both sides of the energy storage element 11 in the front-rear direction, protruding in opposite directions. The pair of electrode terminals 12 are plate-shaped and have opposite polarities.

[0038] [Joint part] As shown in FIG. 5 , the plurality of energy storage elements 11 according to the first embodiment are provided with joints 12J at which adjacent electrode terminals 12 are electrically connected. That is, adjacent electrode terminals 12 are bent toward each other in advance, overlapped, and joined by laser welding. The joints 12J are arranged parallel to the left and right side surfaces of the plurality of energy storage elements 11. The electrode terminals 12 arranged at both ends of the plurality of energy storage elements 11 and not constituting the joints 12J are referred to as end electrode terminals 12E. The end electrode terminals 12E are arranged to protrude forward. The end electrode terminals 12E constitute the positive or negative electrodes of the plurality of energy storage elements 11 as a whole.

[0039] [Wiring module] As shown in FIG. 3 , the wiring module 20 of this embodiment includes a sub-terminal 35 connected to the joint 12J, a bus bar 30 connected to the end electrode terminal 12E, an electric wire 40, a circuit board 50 that connects the sub-terminal 35 or the bus bar 30 to one end 43 of the electric wire 40, and a protector 70 that holds the sub-terminal 35, the bus bar 30, the electric wire 40, and the circuit board 50. As shown in FIG. 2 , the wiring module 20 is attached to the front and rear sides of the multiple energy storage elements 11. The configuration of the wiring module 20 arranged on the front side of the multiple energy storage elements 11 will be described in detail below. Although not shown, the wiring module 20 arranged on the rear side of the multiple energy storage elements 11 has the same configuration as the wiring module 20 arranged on the front side of the multiple energy storage elements 11, except that it does not include a bus bar 30.

[0040] [Protector] As shown in FIG. 2, the wiring module 20 of this embodiment is provided with two protectors 70, one in front of the other in rear of the multiple energy storage elements 11. The protectors 70 are made of insulating synthetic resin and have a plate shape. As shown in FIG. 3, electrode receiving portions 71 are provided in the vertical center of the protector 70, side by side in the left-right direction. The electrode receiving portions 71 penetrate the protector 70 in the front-to-back direction and have a rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction. Grooves 72 that hold the busbars 30 are provided on the upper sides of both left and right ends of the protector 70. Sub-terminal holding portions 72S that hold the sub-terminals 35 are provided below the electrode receiving portions 71 on the protector 70 other than the left and right ends. As shown in FIG. 11, positioning holes 73 that receive the protrusions 37 of the sub-terminals 35 or the ends of the busbar-side connecting portions 32 of the busbars 30 are provided on the lower side of the protector 70.

[0041] 2 and 3, a connector holding portion 74 is provided on the upper side of the protector 70 at a central position in the left-right direction, protruding forward. The connector holding portion 74 is a member that holds a connector 75, which will be described later, and is provided only on the protector 70 that is disposed in front of the multiple energy storage devices 11. As shown in FIG. 9, the connector holding portion 74 includes a pair of elastic pieces 76 that are vertically deformable and a connector locking portion 76A that is provided on the elastic pieces 76. As shown in FIG. 10, the connector holding portion 74 further includes a connector mounting recess 77 for mounting the connector 75.

[0042] [Wire locking part] As shown in FIG. 3 , a wiring recess 78 extending in the vertical direction is provided slightly to the left (right in the figure) of the center position of the protector 70 in the horizontal direction. The wiring recess 78 is recessed toward the plurality of energy storage devices 11 (see FIG. 2 ), allowing multiple electric wires 40 to be routed together in the vertical direction. Below the wiring recess 78, electric wire locking portions 79 for locking each electric wire 40 are provided in parallel in the horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 6 , two electric wire locking portions 79 are provided for each electric wire land 59 of the circuit board 50 (described later), and are arranged on both sides of the electric wire land 59 in the horizontal direction. Of the electric wire locking portions 79 located on both sides of the electric wire land 59, one is a first electric wire locking portion 80, and the other is a second electric wire locking portion 81. As shown in FIG. 14 , the first electric wire locking portion 80 has a pair of locking claws 80A arranged opposite each other in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 15, the second wire locking portion 81 has an insertion hole 81A formed to penetrate in the left-right direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing).

[0043] As shown in Fig. 3, below the electric wire locking portion 79, wiring locking portions 82 for routing the electric wires 40 are provided in parallel in the left-right direction. The wiring locking portions 82 have the same shape as the first electric wire locking portion 80. As shown in Fig. 6, above the intermediate position between the first electric wire locking portion 80 and the second electric wire locking portion 81, a board locking portion 83 that protrudes forward is provided. As shown in Fig. 13, the board locking portion 83 is formed in a protruding shape, and the outer diameter of an umbrella portion 83A at the tip is larger than the outer diameter of a shaft portion 83B on the base end side.

[0044] [Sub-terminal] As shown in FIG. 7, the sub-terminal 35 is a metal plate-like member. The sub-terminal 35 is L-shaped when viewed in the thickness direction, and has a sub-terminal main body 36 extending in the vertical direction and a protrusion 37 protruding rearward. The sub-terminal 35 is held by the sub-terminal holding portion 72S of the protector 70 so that the thickness direction is the left-right direction. The upper end of the sub-terminal main body 36 is overlapped with the joint portion 12J and connected by laser welding. The protrusion 37 is inserted into the connection hole 53 of the circuit board 50 and soldered to the connection land 58 (see FIG. 11).

[0045] 7, the sub-terminal 35 is arranged so as not to be sandwiched between the two electrode terminals 12 that constitute the joint 12J, but is connected to the joint 12J or a portion of the electrode terminal 12 that constitutes the joint 12J. In other words, the sub-terminal 35 is not a member for connecting adjacent electrode terminals 12, but a member for connecting a pre-connected electrode terminal 12 (joint 12J) to the circuit board 50. For this reason, the sub-terminal 35 does not need to be connected to the joint 12J (electrode terminal 12) over the entire width of the electrode terminal 12 in the vertical direction.

[0046] [Busbar] The busbar 30 has a plate-like shape and is formed by processing a conductive metal plate. As shown in FIG. 3 , the busbar 30 is held in a groove 72 of the protector 70 so that the thickness direction of the busbar 30 is the left-right direction. The central portion of the busbar 30 forms a busbar main body 31 to which the end electrode terminal 12E is connected. A busbar-side connection portion 32 is provided at the bottom of the busbar 30. As shown in FIG. 6 , the busbar-side connection portion 32 is inserted into a connection hole 53 of the circuit board 50 and connected to a connection land 58 with solder S1. The tip of the busbar-side connection portion 32 inserted into the connection hole 53 is received in a positioning hole 73 and positioned relative to the protector 70, similar to the protrusion 37 of the sub-terminal 35 shown in FIG. 11 .

[0047] 2 , when the wiring module 20 is attached to the front side of the plurality of energy storage elements 11, the end electrode terminal 12E and the joint portion 12J are inserted into the electrode receiving portion 71 of the protector 70. When the end electrode terminal 12E and the busbar main body 31 are connected, the end electrode terminal 12E is bent appropriately so as to abut against the busbar main body 31.

[0048] [Circuit board, locking hole] As shown in FIG. 6 , the circuit board 50 has a rectangular main body 51 and a protrusion 52 extending downward from the main body 51. The main body 51 is provided with connection holes 53 through which the busbar-side connection portions 32 of the busbars 30 or the protrusions 37 of the sub-terminals 35 are inserted, and locking holes 54 through which the board locking portions 83 of the protector 70 are inserted. Here, the inner walls of the locking holes 54 are an example of a locked portion. That is, the inner walls of the locking holes 54 and the board locking portions 83 are locked together, so that the circuit board 50 is assembled to the protector 70. The connection holes 53 are located near the outer edge of the main body 51, and the locking holes 54 are located in the center of the main body 51. In this embodiment, the number of circuit boards 50 provided is the same as the total number of busbars 30 and sub-terminals 35.

[0049] [Conductive path] The circuit board 50 of this embodiment is a flexible printed circuit board having flexibility, and as shown in FIG. 12 , includes a base film 55, a conductive path 56 arranged on the surface of the base film 55, and a coverlay film 57 that covers the conductive path 56. The base film 55 and the coverlay film 57 are made of synthetic resin such as polyimide that has insulating properties and flexibility. The conductive path 56 is made of metal foil such as copper or a copper alloy. As shown in FIG. 6 , the conductive path 56 includes a connection land 58 connected to the bus bar 30 or the sub-terminal 35, an electric wire land 59 connected to the electric wire 40, and a fuse portion 60 provided between the connection land 58 and the electric wire land 59.

[0050] [Connection land, wire land] 6 and 11, the connection land 58 is formed around the connection hole 53 and disposed at one end of the conductive path 56. The connection land 58 is electrically connected by solder S1 to the busbar-side connection portion 32 of the busbar 30 or the protrusion 37 of the sub-terminal 35 inserted into the connection hole 53. As shown in FIG. 6, the electric wire land 59 is formed in the center of the protrusion 52 and disposed at the other end of the conductive path 56. The electric wire land 59 is electrically connected by solder S2 to the core wire 41 of the electric wire 40 disposed so as to cross the protrusion 52 in the left-right direction.

[0051] [Fuse part, chip fuse, insulating resin] As shown in Fig. 6, a fuse portion 60 is provided in the conductive path 56 in a portion midway between the connection land 58 and the electric wire land 59. As shown in Fig. 12, the fuse portion 60 of this embodiment has a chip fuse 61, and the chip fuse 61 and the conductive path 56 are connected by solder S3. In detail, one of a pair of electrodes 62 of the chip fuse 61 is connected to the conductive path 56A on the connection land 58 side, and the other is connected to the conductive path 56B on the electric wire land 59 side (see Fig. 6).

[0052] By providing the fuse section 60, even if a malfunction occurs in the external circuit to which the storage module 10 is connected, causing the conductive paths 56 to short-circuit and generate an overcurrent, the chip fuse 61 will melt, thereby limiting the flow of overcurrent from the storage element 11 to the conductive path 56.

[0053] 12 , in this embodiment, the connection portion between the chip fuse 61 and the conductive path 56 is covered with insulating resin 63. Here, the connection portion between the chip fuse 61 and the conductive path 56 includes at least the entire chip fuse 61, the solder S3, and the end of the conductive path 56 that is connected to the electrode 62 of the chip fuse 61 and is not covered with the coverlay film 57. Because the insulating resin 63 covers the connection portion between the chip fuse 61 and the conductive path 56, even if water droplets or the like form on the circuit board 50 due to condensation, a short circuit of the conductive path 56 can be suppressed.

[0054] [Electric wire, one end of the electric wire, the other end of the electric wire] As shown in FIG. 14 , the electric wire 40 has a core wire 41 and an insulating coating 42 that covers the core wire 41. As shown in FIG. 3 , the end of the electric wire 40 arranged below the protector 70 is one end 43 of the electric wire 40. The end of the electric wire 40 opposite the one end 43 is the other end 47 of the electric wire 40, which is connected to the connector 75. As shown in FIG. 6 , the one end 43 of the electric wire 40 is connected to an electric wire land 59 of the circuit board 50. At the one end 43 of the electric wire 40, electric wire locked portions 44 that are locked by electric wire locking portions 79 of the protector 70 are provided on both sides of the core wire 41 connected to the electric wire land 59. Of the electric wire locked portions 44, the one arranged on the other end 47 side of the electric wire 40 (i.e., the connector 75 side) is a first electric wire locked portion 45, and the other is a second electric wire locked portion 46. 14, the first wire locked portion 45 is locked by a locking claw 80A of the first wire locking portion 80. The first wire locked portion 45 has an insulating coating 42, which prevents the locking claw 80A from damaging the core wire 41 of the first wire locked portion 45. This prevents the electrical connection between the connector 75 and the wire land 59 from being impaired.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 15, the second wire locked portion 46 can be made up of only a core wire 41, and is locked by being inserted into an insertion hole 81A of the second wire locking portion 81. If the core wire 41 is made up of multiple strands, it is preferable to coat the core wires 41 of the second wire locked portion 46 with solder or the like. This prevents the strands from becoming loose and spreading, making it easier to lock the second wire locked portion 46 to the second wire locking portion 81. Furthermore, the same effect can be achieved even if the second wire locked portion 46 has an insulating coating 42, as shown in Fig. 8.

[0056] 3, the electric wire 40 is arranged at a predetermined position in the protector 70 by the routing recess 78 and the routing locking portion 82. This makes it difficult for other electric wires 40 to interfere with the connection between one end 43 of the electric wire 40 and the circuit board 50.

[0057] 2 and 3 , some of the electric wires 40 drawn out from the connector 75 are routed rearward on the upper surfaces of the plurality of energy storage elements 11, and are connected to the circuit board 50 arranged behind the plurality of energy storage elements 11, as described above. In this manner, in the present embodiment, the wiring module 20 is configured to be attached to the front and rear of the plurality of energy storage elements 11 by routing the long electric wires 40 in the front-to-rear direction, and therefore the manufacturing cost of the wiring module 20 can be reduced compared to, for example, configuring a similar wiring module using a circuit board without using electric wires.

[0058] [connector] The connector 75 is made of insulating synthetic resin and has a block shape as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 10, the connector 75 is attached to a connector attachment recess 77 and is prevented from moving laterally. As shown in FIG. 9, the connector 75 is held in the protector 70 by being locked from above by a connector locking portion 76A. A female terminal (not shown) is accommodated inside the connector 75. As shown in FIG. 3, an electric wire 40 connected to the female terminal is drawn out from the left side of the connector 75. A mating connector (not shown) having a male terminal is fitted to the right side of the connector 75. The mating connector is connected to an external ECU (Electronic Control Unit) or the like via an electric wire (not shown). The ECU is equipped with a microcomputer, elements, etc., and has a well-known configuration having functions for detecting the voltage, current, temperature, etc. of each energy storage element 11 and controlling the charging and discharging of each energy storage element 11.

[0059] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, the circuit board 50 is formed with the minimum dimensions required to form the connection lands 58, the fuse portion 60, and the electric wire lands 59. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, an inexpensive electric wire 40 is used as a conductor that is routed on the protector 70 and connects the connector 75 and the circuit board 50. With this configuration, the amount of circuit board 50 used in the wiring module 20 can be reduced while the electrical connection of the bus bar 30 and the formation of the fuse portion 60 can be performed satisfactorily by the circuit board 50. Therefore, an increase in the manufacturing cost of the wiring module 20 due to the addition of the fuse function can be suppressed.

[0060] This embodiment has the above-described configuration, and an example of assembling the wiring module 20 will be described below. First, the circuit board 50, on which the fuse portion 60 has been previously provided, is assembled to the protector 70. The umbrella portion 83A of the board engaging portion 83 is inserted into the engaging hole 54 of the circuit board 50, and the circuit board 50 is pivotally supported by the shaft portion 83B (see FIG. 13). The protrusions 52 are disposed between the electric wire engaging portions 79, and the connection holes 53 are aligned with the positioning holes 73, thereby placing the circuit board 50 in a predetermined position in the protector 70 (see FIG. 6). Because a flexible printed circuit board having flexibility is used as the circuit board 50, assembly of the circuit board 50 to the protector 70 can be easily performed.

[0061] The sub-terminal 35 is assembled to the protector 70. While inserting the sub-terminal 35 into the sub-terminal holding portion 72S (see FIG. 7), the protrusion 37 is inserted into the connection hole 53 and then into the positioning hole 73 (see FIG. 11). Next, the protrusion 37 is soldered to the connection land 58. Similarly, the bus bar 30 is inserted into the groove 72, and the bus bar side connection portion 32 is inserted into the connection hole 53 and the positioning hole 73, and then the bus bar side connection portion 32 is soldered to the connection land 58.

[0062] Next, the connector 75 connected to the electric wire 40 is attached to the connector holding portion 74 of the protector 70. When the left side of the connector 75 is pressed from the front to the rear against the connector holding portion 74, the elastic piece 76 is bent, the connector 75 is accommodated in the connector mounting recess 77, and the connector 75 is locked from above by the connector locking portion 76A (see FIGS. 9 and 10). Then, the electric wire 40 is routed to a predetermined position in the protector 70 (see FIG. 3). Finally, the electric wire locked portion 44 of the electric wire 40 is locked to the electric wire locking portion 79, and the core wire 41 is soldered to the electric wire land 59, thereby completing the assembly of the wiring module 20 (see FIG. 6).

[0063] It should be noted that the process of routing the electric wires 40 on the protector 70 and the process of soldering the electric wires 40 to the electric wire lands 59 may be performed after the protectors 70 are attached to the front and rear of the plurality of energy storage elements 11 and the electrode terminals 12 are connected to the bus bars 30 or the sub-terminals 35. This is because, for example, when the energy storage elements 11 are very long, the handling of the fully assembled wiring module 20 may be difficult.

[0064] [Effects of the First Embodiment] According to the first embodiment, the following actions and effects are achieved. The wiring module 20 of embodiment 1 is a wiring module 20 attached to a plurality of energy storage elements 11, and comprises a circuit board 50, electric wires 40, and a protector 70 that holds the circuit board 50 and the electric wires 40. A conductive path 56 is arranged on the circuit board 50, and the conductive path 56 comprises a connection land 58 electrically connected to the electrode terminals 12 of the plurality of energy storage elements 11, an electric wire land 59 connected to one end 43 of the electric wire 40, and a fuse portion 60 provided between the connection land 58 and the electric wire land 59.

[0065] According to the above configuration, the wiring module 20 is provided with the circuit board 50 including the fuse portion 60, and the electric wire 40 is used in conjunction with the circuit board 50, thereby reducing the amount of the circuit board 50 used. Therefore, the fuse portion 60 can be provided in the wiring module 20 while suppressing an increase in the manufacturing cost of the wiring module 20.

[0066] In the first embodiment, the energy storage elements 11 are laminated batteries, and the energy storage elements 11 are provided with joints 12J that electrically connect the electrode terminals 12 of adjacent laminated batteries.

[0067] According to the above configuration, wiring module 20 does not need to be provided with a member for connecting adjacent electrode terminals 12 of a plurality of energy storage elements 11 to each other.

[0068] The wiring module 20 according to the first embodiment includes a sub-terminal 35 that electrically connects the electrode terminal 12 and the connection land 58.

[0069] The above configuration facilitates electrical connection between the electrode terminals 12 and the connection lands 58. Furthermore, the amount of circuit board 50 used can be reduced.

[0070] The wiring module 20 according to the first embodiment includes two bus bars 30 that are arranged at both ends of a plurality of energy storage elements 11 and connect the connection lands 58 to the electrode terminals 12 that do not form the joints 12J.

[0071] According to the above configuration, the positive and negative electrodes of all of the plurality of energy storage elements 11 can be configured by bus bars 30 .

[0072] In the first embodiment, the protector 70 includes a wire locking portion 79 that locks the wire 40.

[0073] According to the above configuration, the electric wire 40 can be locked in the protector 70.

[0074] In the first embodiment, two wire locking portions 79 are provided for each wire land 59, and are arranged on both sides of the wire land 59.

[0075] According to the above configuration, the electric wire 40 and the electric wire land 59 can be easily electrically connected.

[0076] In the first embodiment, the circuit board 50 has a locking hole 54, and the protector 70 has a board locking portion 83 that locks with the inner wall of the locking hole 54.

[0077] According to the above configuration, the circuit board 50 can be locked to the protector 70.

[0078] The wiring module 20 according to the first embodiment includes a connector 75 to which the other end 47 of the electric wire 40 is connected, and the connector 75 is held by a protector 70.

[0079] According to the above configuration, electrical signals from a plurality of energy storage elements 11 can be taken out by connector 75 to the outside.

[0080] In the first embodiment, the fuse portion 60 is configured as a chip fuse 61 connected to the conductive path 56 of the circuit board 50 by solder S3.

[0081] According to the above configuration, when an overcurrent flows through the conductive path 56, the chip fuse 61 melts, thereby protecting the conductive path 56 from the overcurrent.

[0082] The wiring module 20 according to the first embodiment is attached to the front and rear sides of a plurality of energy storage elements 11 that are long in the front-rear direction, and includes electric wires 40 that are routed and extend in the front-rear direction.

[0083] According to the above configuration, the wiring module 20 includes the electric wires 40 that are routed and extend in the front-rear direction, and therefore the manufacturing cost of the wiring module 20 can be reduced.

[0084] <Embodiment 2> A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 16 to 18. A wiring module 120 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the wiring module 20 according to the first embodiment, except for the configuration of the joints 112J of the multiple energy storage elements 11 and the sub-terminals 135. Hereinafter, the same members as those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and a description of the same configurations, functions, and effects as those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0085] As shown in Fig. 17, the plurality of energy storage elements 11 of this embodiment are configured as laminated batteries similar to those of the first embodiment, and have joints 112J. The joints 112J are configured by bending adjacent electrode terminals 12 at right angles to the left or right, overlapping them, and joining them by laser welding. In other words, the joints 112J are arranged perpendicular to the left and right side surfaces of the plurality of energy storage elements 11. As shown in Fig. 16, the electrode receiving portions 71 into which the joints 112J are inserted are formed larger in the left and right direction than those of the first embodiment.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 18 , the sub-terminal 135 is a metal plate-like member that is elongated in the vertical direction. The sub-terminal 135 is held by the sub-terminal holding portion 172S of the protector 170 so that the plate thickness direction is the front-rear direction. The sub-terminal 135 is arranged in surface contact with the protector 170, making it easy to hold by the protector 170. The upper end of the sub-terminal 135 is connected to the joint portion 112J by laser welding. The lower end of the sub-terminal 135 is soldered to the connection land 58 of the circuit board 50. Note that in this embodiment, the sub-terminal 135 and the connection land 58 are arranged in surface contact via solder, and therefore the connection hole 53 and the positioning hole 73 (see FIG. 11 ) that overlap the sub-terminal 135 may not be provided.

[0087] <Embodiment 3> A third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 19. The configuration of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, except for the fuse portion 260. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and a description of the same configurations, functions, and effects as those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0088] 19, the circuit board 250 according to the third embodiment includes a fuse portion 260. The fuse portion 260 is configured with a pattern fuse 261 that is provided by forming the conductive path 56 thin. The circuit board 250 is a thin flexible printed circuit board, which makes it difficult for heat to escape in the thickness direction of the circuit board 250 compared to when a thick hard board or the like is used. Because the pattern fuse 261 is formed thin, it generates heat and melts when an overcurrent flows, thereby making it possible to limit the flow of overcurrent in the conductive path 56.

[0089] In this embodiment, in the manufacturing process of a normal flexible printed circuit board, the pattern fuse 261 (fuse portion 260) can be formed when forming the conductive path 56. Therefore, the step of forming the fuse portion 60 in the first embodiment, i.e., the step of connecting the chip fuse 61 to the end of the conductive path 56, can be omitted.

[0090] [Effects of the Third Embodiment] According to the third embodiment, the following actions and effects are achieved. In the third embodiment, the circuit board 250 is a flexible printed circuit board, and the fuse section 260 is composed of a pattern fuse 261.

[0091] According to the above configuration, the fuse portion 260 can be formed during the manufacturing process of the flexible printed circuit board.

[0092] <Embodiment 4> A fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 20. The configuration of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, except that it includes a circuit board 350. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and a description of the same configurations, functions, and effects as those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0093] As shown in Fig. 20, the wiring module 320 according to the fourth embodiment includes a circuit board 350. The circuit board 350 has a configuration in which two circuit boards 50 according to the first embodiment (see Fig. 6) are connected together. That is, the circuit board 350 has two connection holes 53, two connection lands 58, two electric wire lands 59, and two fuse portions 60, and is connected to the bus bar 30, the sub-terminal 35, and two electric wires 40. Here, the circuit board 350 formed by connecting two circuit boards 50 in particular has been described, but a circuit board formed by connecting three or more circuit boards 50 can also be used depending on the arrangement, size, manufacturing cost, etc. of the components of the wiring module 320.

[0094] [Effects of the fourth embodiment] According to the fourth embodiment, the following actions and effects are achieved. The wiring module 320 according to the fourth embodiment includes a circuit board 350 on which a plurality of connection lands 58, electric wire lands 59, and fuse portions 60 are provided.

[0095] According to the above configuration, the number of circuit boards 350 used in the line module 320 can be reduced, and therefore the workability of assembling the line module 320 can be improved.

[0096] <Other embodiments> (1) In the above embodiments, flexible printed circuit boards are used as the circuit boards 50, 250, and 350. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a rigid printed circuit board, a flexible flat cable (FFC), or the like may also be used as the circuit board. (2) In the above embodiment, a laminated battery is used as the energy storage element 11, but this is not limitative and various energy storage elements can be used. (3) In the above embodiment, the joints 12J, 112J and the connection lands 58 are connected via the sub-terminals 35, 135, but this is not limiting. For example, either the electrode terminal or the circuit board that constitutes the joint may have a shape that extends toward the other, and the two may be electrically connected directly by soldering or the like. (4) In the first, third, and fourth embodiments, the busbar side connection portion 32 and the protrusion 37 are inserted into the connection hole 53 and connected to the connection land 58, but this is not limited to this, and the circuit board may be configured without a connection hole.

[0097] (5) In embodiments 1, 2, and 4, the connection portion between the chip fuse 61 and the conductive path 56 is configured to be covered with insulating resin 63, but this is not limited to this, and the chip fuse may be configured not to be covered with insulating resin. (6) In the above embodiment, the wire locking portion 79 is configured to have a first wire locking portion 80 and a second wire locking portion 81, but this is not limited to this, and the wire locking portion may be configured to have only the first wire locking portion or only the second wire locking portion. (7) In the above embodiment, the engaging portion to which the board engaging portion 83 engages is the inner wall of the engaging hole 54, but this is not limited to this. For example, the engaging portion may be the outer edge of the circuit board, and the claw-shaped board engaging portion may engage with the outer edge of the circuit board. (8) In the above embodiment, the circuit boards 50, 250, 350 are configured to be locked by the board locking portion 83, but this is not limited to this, and the circuit boards may be held in the protector by heat crimping, adhesive, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1: Vehicle 2: Energy storage pack 3: PCU 4: Wire harness 10: Energy storage module 11: Energy storage element 12: Electrode terminal 12E: End electrode terminal 12J,112J: Joint 20,120,320: Wiring module 30: Busbar 31: Busbar body 32: Busbar side connection 35,135: Sub terminal 36: Sub-terminal body 37: Protrusion 40: Electric wire 41: Core wire 42: Insulation coating 43: One end of an electric wire 44: Electric wire locked part 45: 1st electric wire locked part 46: Second electric wire locked part 47: Other end of the wire 50,250,350: Circuit board 51: Main body 52: Convex 53: Connection hole 54: Locking hole 55: Base film 56: Conductive Path 56A: Conductive path on the connection land side 56B: Conductive path on the wire land side 57: Coverlay film 58: Connection Land 59: Electric Wire Land 60,260: Fuse section 61: Chip fuse 62: Electrode 63: Insulating resin 70,170: Protector 71: Electrode holder 72: Groove 72S, 172S: Sub-terminal holding part 73: Positioning hole 74: Connector holder 75: Connector 76: Elastic piece 76A: Connector locking part 77: Connector mounting recess 78: Routing recess 79: Wire retaining part 80: First wire retaining part 80A: Locking claw 81: Second wire retaining part 81A: Insertion hole 82: Wiring locking part 83: Circuit board locking part 83A: Umbrella section 83B: Shaft 261: Pattern Fuse S1, S2, S3: Solder

Claims

1. A circuit board mounted on a protector of a wiring module, a conductive path is arranged on the circuit board, and a locking hole is formed in the circuit board, through which a board locking portion provided on the protector is inserted; a bus bar is electrically connected to one end of the conductive path, and an electric wire is electrically connected to the other end of the conductive path, and the conductive path includes a fuse portion midway between the bus bar and the electric wire, a portion of the conductive path extending from the bus bar to the electric wire is formed in an annular shape such that the locking hole is disposed on the inner side of the conductive path; The inner wall of the locking hole is locked to the board locking portion, thereby assembling the circuit board to the protector.

2. the bus bar is electrically connected to electrode terminals of a plurality of energy storage elements; The circuit board according to claim 1 , wherein the conductive path comprises a connection land connected to the bus bar and a wire land connected to one end of the electric wire.

3. The fuse portion is configured as a chip fuse connected to the conductive path by soldering. The circuit board according to claim 1 .

4. the circuit board is a flexible printed circuit board, The circuit board according to claim 1 , wherein the fuse portion is formed of a pattern fuse.

Images