Wiring Module

The wiring module with a bus bar, circuit board, and electric wires, including a fuse portion, addresses the lack of a fuse function and connection issues in busbar assemblies, reducing costs and maintaining electrical connections under temperature and mechanical stress.

JP7769875B2Active Publication Date: 2025-11-14AUTONETWORKS TECH LTD +2
View PDF 3 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2022072267
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-04-26
Publication Date
2025-11-14
Estimated Expiration
2042-04-26

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional busbar assemblies in high-voltage battery packs lack a fuse function, leading to increased manufacturing costs and potential damage to circuit boards due to temperature changes causing expansion and contraction of battery cells, which can impair electrical connections.

Method used

A wiring module with a bus bar connected to electrode terminals, a circuit board, a first electric wire, and a second electric wire, featuring a conductive path with a fuse portion between lands, and using terminals with crimping and press-fit connections to maintain electrical connections and reduce circuit board usage.

Benefits of technology

The solution provides a wiring module with a fuse function while reducing manufacturing costs and maintaining electrical connections despite temperature changes and mechanical stress, enhancing workability and strength.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 0007769875000001
    Figure 0007769875000001
  • Figure 0007769875000002
    Figure 0007769875000002
  • Figure 0007769875000003
    Figure 0007769875000003
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a wiring module that can suppress the increase in manufacturing costs associated with providing a fuse function and maintain electrical connection between a circuit board and a bus bar.SOLUTION: A wiring module 20 attached to a plurality of power storage elements 11 includes a bus bar 21 connected to electrode terminals 12A, 12B of the plurality of power storage elements 11, a circuit board 30, a first electric wire 22 that electrically connects the bus bar 21 and the circuit board 30, and a second electric wire 23. A conductive path 34 including a first land 36 electrically connected to the first electric wire 22, a second land 37 connected to the second electric wire 23, and a fuse portion 38 provided between the first land 36 and the second land 37 is formed on the circuit board 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wiring module. [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] In the above configuration, the bus bar assembly does not have a fuse function. To provide the wiring module with a fuse function, it is possible to incorporate a circuit board with a fuse into the wiring module. However, the use of a circuit board may increase the manufacturing cost of the wiring module.

[0005] Furthermore, temperature changes that occur during vehicle use cause battery cells to expand or contract, which can damage the circuit board, primarily at the connection between the bus bar and the circuit board, and can impair the electrical connection between the bus bar and the circuit board. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The wiring module of the present disclosure is a wiring module attached to a plurality of energy storage elements, and includes a bus bar connected to electrode terminals of the plurality of energy storage elements, a circuit board, a first electric wire electrically connecting the bus bar to the circuit board, and a second electric wire, wherein the circuit board has a conductive path formed thereon, the conductive path having a first land electrically connected to the first electric wire, a second land connected to the second electric wire, and a fuse portion provided between the first land and the second land. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] 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 and can maintain electrical connection between a circuit board and a bus bar. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [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 plan view of the electricity storage module. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged plan view of the electricity storage module showing the periphery of the circuit board. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the electricity storage module showing the periphery of the circuit board. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the circuit board. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged plan view of the electricity storage module showing the periphery of the circuit board according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged plan view of the electricity storage module showing the periphery of the circuit board according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0010] (1) The wiring module of the present disclosure is a wiring module attached to a plurality of energy storage elements, and includes: a bus bar connected to electrode terminals of the plurality of energy storage elements; a circuit board; a first electric wire electrically connecting the bus bar to the circuit board; and a second electric wire. The circuit board has a conductive path formed thereon, the conductive path having a first land electrically connected to the first electric wire, a second land connected to the second electric wire, and a fuse portion provided between the first land and the second land.

[0011] According to this configuration, the wiring module is provided with the first electric wire and the second electric wire in addition to the circuit board, so that the amount of circuit board used can be reduced compared to when the first electric wire and the second electric wire are not provided, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the wiring module.

[0012] (2) It is preferable that the first electric wire has a curved shape between the end on the bus bar side and the end on the circuit board side.

[0013] With this configuration, the first wire electrically connecting the circuit board and the bus bar is curved, allowing for displacement of the bus bar relative to the circuit board. Therefore, even if the energy storage element expands or contracts due to temperature changes or the bus bar is deformed due to external force applied to the wiring module, the circuit board is less likely to be damaged and the electrical connection between the bus bar and the circuit board can be maintained.

[0014] (3) Preferably, the wiring module further includes a terminal, and the terminal includes a crimping portion that is crimped to the end of the first electric wire on the circuit board side, and a connection portion that is connected to the first land.

[0015] According to this configuration, the use of the terminal may facilitate electrical connection between the first wire and the first land.

[0016] (4) It is preferable that the terminal has a press-fit portion different from the connection portion, and the circuit board has a press-fit hole into which the press-fit portion is press-fitted.

[0017] According to this configuration, the press-fit portion is press-fitted into the press-fit hole, thereby fixing the terminal to the circuit board.

[0018] (5) It is preferable that at least one of the circuit boards has a plurality of the conductive paths formed thereon.

[0019] 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.

[0020] (6) The circuit board is preferably a rigid board.

[0021] This configuration makes it easier to improve the strength of the circuit board, and also reduces the manufacturing costs of the wiring module compared to when a flexible substrate is used as the circuit board.

[0022] (7) It is preferable that the fuse portion is configured as a chip fuse connected to the conductive path by soldering.

[0023] With this configuration, when an overcurrent flows through the conductive path, the chip fuse melts, thereby protecting the conductive path from the overcurrent.

[0024] (8) The circuit board is preferably a flexible board.

[0025] With this configuration, the circuit board can be made flexible.

[0026] (9) It is preferable that the fuse portion is composed of a pattern fuse.

[0027] With this configuration, the fuse portion can be formed during the manufacturing process of the flexible substrate.

[0028] (10) It is preferable that a reinforcing plate is attached to the flexible substrate.

[0029] With this configuration, the strength of the flexible substrate can be improved.

[0030] (11) The above-described wiring module is a wiring module for a vehicle that is electrically attached to the plurality of power storage devices mounted on the vehicle.

[0031] [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.

[0032] <Embodiment 1> A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7. 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, reference numerals may be assigned to only some of the members, and the reference numerals for the other members may be omitted.

[0033] 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.

[0034] [Electricity storage element, electrode terminal] As shown in FIG. 2, the energy storage module 10 includes a plurality of energy storage elements 11 arranged in a line in the left-right direction, and a wiring module 20 attached to the upper surfaces of the plurality of energy storage elements 11 (the left side of the energy storage module 10 is not shown). The energy storage elements 11 are in the shape of a flat rectangular parallelepiped. An energy storage element (not shown) is housed inside the energy storage element 11. The energy storage elements 11 have positive and negative electrode terminals 12A, 12B on their upper surfaces. There are no particular limitations on the energy storage elements 11, and they may be secondary batteries or capacitors. The energy storage elements 11 in this embodiment are secondary batteries.

[0035] [Wiring module] The wiring module 20 includes a bus bar 21 connected to the electrode terminals 12A, 12B, a circuit board 30, a first electric wire 22 electrically connecting the bus bar 21 and the circuit board 30, a second electric wire 23 connected to the circuit board 30, and a protector 50 that holds the bus bar 21, the circuit board 30, and the second electric wire 23. The wiring module 20 is configured to be attached to the front and rear sides of the multiple energy storage elements 11. The configuration of the wiring module 20 arranged on the rear side will be described in detail below. Note that the wiring module 20 arranged on the front side is reversed in both the front-to-back and left-to-right directions, but in other respects, there is no difference in configuration between the wiring module 20 arranged on the front side and the wiring module 20 arranged on the rear side.

[0036] Protector 50 is made of insulating synthetic resin and has a plate shape. Protector 50 includes busbar accommodating section 51 that accommodates busbar 21, board holding section 52 that holds circuit board 30, and electric wire routing section 53 in which second electric wire 23 is routed. Busbar accommodating section 51 has a frame shape. Connection holes 51A are formed in the lower part of busbar accommodating section 51 for connecting electrode terminals 12A, 12B to busbar 21. As shown in FIG. 3, a peripheral wall of busbar accommodating section 51 is provided with locking sections 51B that hold busbar 21 within busbar accommodating section 51. As shown in FIG. 4, a side wall of busbar accommodating section 51 has a recess 51C that is partially recessed downward. First electric wire 22 is arranged in recess 51C.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4 , the electric wire routing portion 53 has a groove shape extending in the left-right direction. The board holding portion 52 is arranged between the bus bar accommodating portion 51 and the electric wire routing portion 53. A wire insertion portion 53A is formed in a recessed shape on the groove wall of the electric wire routing portion 53 on the board holding portion 52 side. The second electric wire 23 inserted into the wire insertion portion 53A is connected to the circuit board 30. The board holding portion 52 has a protrusion 52A that is inserted into the insertion hole 31 of the circuit board 30. The protrusion 52A has a cylindrical shape extending in the up-down direction.

[0038] [Busbar] The busbar 21 is made of a conductive metal plate. Examples of metals that form the busbar 21 include copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, and stainless steel (SUS). As shown in FIG. 2, the busbar 21 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The busbar 21 and the electrode terminals 12A and 12B are electrically connected by welding. There are busbars 21 that connect the electrode terminals 12A and 12B of adjacent energy storage elements 11, and busbars 21 that are connected to the total positive electrode or total negative electrode of multiple energy storage elements 11, but hereinafter, no particular distinction will be made between them. As shown in FIG. 4, the busbar 21 has a crimping portion 21A that crimps the first electric wire 22. The crimping portion 21A is formed by cutting and raising the vicinity of the side edge of the busbar 21. The busbar 21 and the first electric wire 22 are electrically connected by welding.

[0039] [First Wire] The first electric wire 22 has a core wire 22A and an insulating coating 22B that covers the core wire 22A. One end of the first electric wire 22 is connected to the bus bar 21 by welding. In this embodiment, the core wire 22A of the first electric wire 22 is made of the same type of metal as the bus bar 21. This can improve the strength of the welded portion between the core wire 22A of the first electric wire 22 and the bus bar 21.

[0040] The other end of the first electric wire 22 is crimped to the crimping portion 62 of the terminal 60, thereby being electrically connected to the terminal 60. The terminal 60 is connected to the circuit board 30 by soldering. The first electric wire 22 has a curved shape from the end on the bus bar 21 side to the end on the circuit board 30 (terminal 60) side.

[0041] The first electric wires 22 electrically connect the busbars 21 and the circuit board 30 while being curved. That is, the first electric wires 22 have an excess length relative to the linear distance between the busbars 21 and the circuit board 30. As the first electric wires 22 deform, the busbars 21 can be displaced to some extent in all of the arrangement direction of the busbars 21 (left-right direction), the direction in which the busbars 21 move away from or approach the circuit board 30 (front-rear direction), and the thickness direction of the circuit board 30 (up-down direction). Therefore, even if the temperature changes during use of the vehicle 1 in which the energy storage module 10 is mounted, causing the energy storage elements 11 (and the busbars 21) to expand or contract, or even if an external force is applied to the wiring module 20 and the busbars 21 are deformed, the connection portions between the first electric wires 22 and the busbars 21 and the connection portions between the first electric wires 22 and the circuit board 30 are less likely to be damaged, and the electrical connection between the busbars 21 and the circuit board 30 via the first electric wires 22 is more likely to be maintained.

[0042] Terminal The terminal 60 is formed by processing a conductive metal plate. Examples of metals that constitute the terminal 60 include copper, copper alloy, aluminum, and aluminum alloy. The terminal 60 of this embodiment is made of a copper alloy. As shown in FIG. 4 , the terminal 60 is connected to the first land 36 of the circuit board 30 by soldering. For example, if the metal that constitutes the core wire 22A of the first electric wire 22 has poor wettability with molten solder, it is difficult to directly connect the first electric wire 22 and the circuit board 30 by soldering. In this embodiment, the terminal 60 is provided between the first electric wire 22 and the circuit board 30. Therefore, even if it is difficult to directly solder the first electric wire 22 and the circuit board 30, the first electric wire 22 and the circuit board 30 can be electrically connected.

[0043] A plating layer may be formed on the surface of the terminal 60. Examples of metals that form the plating layer include tin and nickel. The terminal 60 of this embodiment has a plating layer made of tin. Forming such a plating layer can improve the wettability of the terminal 60 with molten solder. This allows the terminal 60 and the first land 36 of the circuit board 30 to be firmly connected by soldering.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 7 , the terminal 60 includes a terminal body 61, a crimping portion 62 connected to the terminal body 61, a connecting portion 63 disposed at the end of the terminal body 61 opposite the crimping portion 62, and a press-fit portion 64 extending downward from the terminal body 61. Note that in FIG. 7 , the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are defined based on the orientation of the terminal 60 disposed on the left side of FIG. 3 . The terminal body 61 is elongated in the left-right direction and flattened in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 4 , the crimping portion 62 includes a wire barrel 62A crimped to the core wire 22A of the first electric wire 22 and an insulation barrel 62B crimped to the insulating coating 22B of the first electric wire 22. The connecting portion 63 is connected to the first land 36 of the circuit board 30 by soldering.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 7, the press-fit portion 64 is disposed between the connection portion 63 and the crimping portion 62. The press-fit portion 64 extends downward from the terminal body 61 and is then bent upward. The press-fit portion 64 includes a base portion 64A extending downward from the terminal body 61, an opposing plate portion 64B facing the base portion 64A in the front-rear direction, and a bent portion 64C connecting the base portion 64A and the opposing plate portion 64B. The press-fit portion 64 has a leaf spring shape. The opposing plate portion 64B is inclined so that it is positioned further away from the base portion 64A in the front-rear direction as it extends upward. As shown in FIG. 4, the press-fit portion 64 is configured to be press-fitted into the press-fit hole 32 of the circuit board 30.

[0046] As shown in Figure 7, the terminal 60 has an extending portion 65 extending upward from the upper end of the opposing plate portion 64B of the press-fit portion 64, and a pressing portion 66 extending forward from the upper end of the extending portion 65. The terminal 60 has a pressure-receiving portion 67 recessed downward from the upper surface of the terminal body 61. The pressing portion 66 is arranged inside the pressure-receiving portion 67. Pressing the pressing portion 66 makes it easier to press the press-fit portion 64 into the press-fit hole 32 (see Figure 4).

[0047] As shown in FIG. 7, the terminal 60 has a positioning protrusion 68 on the crimping portion 62 side of the terminal body 61. The positioning protrusion 68 extends downward from the terminal body 61 and further extends closer to the press-fit portion 64. The positioning protrusion 68 faces the press-fit portion 64 in the left-right direction. After the press-fit portion 64 is press-fitted into the press-fit hole 32, the positioning protrusion 68 is brought into contact with the end surface of the circuit board 30, thereby positioning the terminal 60 with respect to the circuit board 30 (see FIG. 4). More specifically, the connection portion 63 and the first land 36 can be positioned.

[0048] [Second wire] As shown in Fig. 4, the second electric wire 23 has a core wire 23A and an insulating coating 23B that covers the core wire 23A. The core wire 23A exposed at one end of the second electric wire 23 is connected to the second land 37 by soldering. The insulating coating 23B at one end of the second electric wire 23 is inserted into and fixed in the electric wire insertion portion 53A. Although not shown, the other end of the second electric wire 23 is connected to an external ECU (Electronic Control Unit) or the like via a connector. The ECU is equipped with a microcomputer, elements, etc., and has a well-known configuration that has functions for detecting the voltage, current, temperature, etc. of each storage element 11 and controlling the charging and discharging of each storage element 11.

[0049] [Circuit board] The circuit board 30 of this embodiment is a rigid board that is not flexible. As shown in FIG. 5 , the circuit board 30 has a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction in a plan view. The circuit board 30 has an insertion hole 31 and a press-fit hole 32 that penetrate the circuit board 30 in the up-down direction. One insertion hole 31 is provided at the left end and one at the right end of the circuit board 30. One insertion hole 31 is a first insertion hole 31A that is substantially circular in a plan view. The other insertion hole 31 is a second insertion hole 31B that is elongated in the left-right direction in a plan view. One press-fit hole 32 is provided at the left end and one at the right end of the circuit board 30. The press-fit hole 32 is located adjacent to the first land 36 in the left-right direction. The press-fit hole 32 is elongated in the left-right direction in a plan view.

[0050] 3, the protrusion 52A of the protector 50 is inserted into the insertion hole 31, thereby restricting movement of the circuit board 30 in the left-right and front-rear directions relative to the protector 50. The second insertion hole 31B is elongated, and therefore has an internal shape that is larger in the left-right direction than the cylindrical protrusion 52A. This makes it possible to accommodate manufacturing tolerances in the left-right direction of the insertion hole 31 and the protrusion 52A.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4 , the press-fit portion 64 of the terminal 60 is press-fit into the press-fit hole 32. The diameter of the press-fit hole 32 in the left-right direction is set to be larger than the dimension of the press-fit portion 64 in the left-right direction. The diameter of the press-fit hole 32 in the front-rear direction is set to be slightly smaller than the dimension of the press-fit portion 64 in the front-rear direction in its natural state. Therefore, the press-fit portion 64 disposed in the press-fit hole 32 comes into contact with the inner wall of the press-fit hole 32 and is elastically deformed. This prevents the press-fit portion 64 from slipping out of the press-fit hole 32, and fixes the terminal 60 to the circuit board 30. Fixing the terminal 60 to the circuit board 30 facilitates soldering between the connection portion 63 of the terminal 60 and the circuit board 30.

[0052] Furthermore, since the press-fit portion 64 is arranged between the crimping portion 62 and the connection portion 63, even if stress is applied to the first electric wire 22, this stress is received by the press-fit portion 64 and the inner wall of the press-fit hole 32, thereby preventing stress from being applied to the connection portion between the connection portion 63 and the circuit board 30.

[0053] [Conductive path] As shown in FIG. 6, the circuit board 30 includes an insulating plate 33 and a conductive path 34 arranged on the insulating plate 33. The insulating plate 33 is formed, for example, by impregnating glass fiber cloth with epoxy resin and then curing the resin. The conductive path 34 is made of a metal such as copper or a copper alloy and is conductive. The conductive path 34 is covered with an insulating layer 35 except for the portion to be soldered to other components. The insulating layer 35 is made of solder resist or the like. As shown in FIG. 5, the conductive path 34 includes a first land 36 arranged at one end of the conductive path 34, a second land 37 arranged at the other end of the conductive path 34, and a fuse portion 38 provided between the first land 36 and the second land 37.

[0054] [Land 1, Land 2] The first lands 36 are arranged one on each of the right and left sides of the circuit board 30. Two second lands 37 are arranged near the center of the left and right sides of the circuit board 30. As shown in FIG. 3 , the first lands 36 are soldered to the connection portions 63 of the terminals 60. The first lands 36 are electrically connected to the bus bar 21 via the terminals 60 and the first electric wires 22. The second lands 37 are connected to the core wires 23A of the second electric wires 23 by soldering.

[0055] [Fuse section] 5, a fuse portion 38 is provided in the conductive path 34 in a portion midway between the first land 36 and the second land 37. As shown in Fig. 6, the fuse portion 38 of this embodiment has a chip fuse 39, and the chip fuse 39 and the conductive path 34 are connected by solder S1. In detail, one of a pair of electrodes 40 of the chip fuse 39 is connected to the conductive path 34A on the first land 36 side, and the other is connected to the conductive path 34B on the second land 37 side.

[0056] By providing the fuse section 38, even if a malfunction occurs in the external circuit to which the storage module 10 is connected, causing the conductive paths 34 to short-circuit and generate an overcurrent, the chip fuse 39 will melt, thereby limiting the flow of overcurrent from the storage element 11 to the conductive path 34.

[0057] 6, in this embodiment, the connection portion between the chip fuse 39 and the conductive path 34 is covered with a sealing portion 41. Here, the connection portion between the chip fuse 39 and the conductive path 34 includes at least the entire chip fuse 39, the solder S1, and the end of the conductive path 34 connected to the electrode 40 of the chip fuse 39 that is not covered with the insulating layer 35. The sealing portion 41 is made of a curable insulating resin. Because the sealing portion 41 covers the connection portion between the chip fuse 39 and the conductive path 34, it is possible to prevent a short circuit in the conductive path 34 even if water droplets or the like form on the circuit board 30 due to condensation.

[0058] 3, in this embodiment, the circuit board 30 is formed with the minimum dimensions required to form the first land 36, the fuse portion 38, and the second land 37. In addition, the inexpensive second electric wire 23 is used as a conductor that connects the circuit board 30 to a connector on the ECU side (not shown). Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the manufacturing cost of the wiring module 20 that would be required to provide the fuse function.

[0059] The wiring module 20 of the present embodiment includes a circuit board 30 configured with two conductive paths 34. This allows the number of circuit boards 30 in the wiring module 20 to be reduced compared to when only one conductive path 34 is formed on one circuit board 30, thereby making it possible to efficiently arrange the circuit boards 30 in the protector 50.

[0060] 3, in the circuit board 30, two first lands 36 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the circuit board 30, and two second lands 37 are arranged in the middle between them in the left-right direction. This configuration makes it easy to arrange the circuit board 30 in the middle in the left-right direction between two adjacent bus bars 21. It is also easy to make the circuit board 30 smaller in size to match the spacing between the bus bars 21 in the left-right direction.

[0061] [Manufacturing method of wiring module] The configuration of the wiring module 20 has been described above. An example of a method for manufacturing the wiring module 20 will now be described. First, the crimping portion 62 of the terminal 60 is crimped to the first electric wire 22. The end of the first electric wire 22 opposite to the terminal 60 is crimped and fixed to the crimping portion 21A of the bus bar 21, and the core wire 22A of the first electric wire 22 and the bus bar 21 are welded together.

[0062] The circuit board 30 is manufactured using printed wiring technology. The chip fuse 39 is soldered to the circuit board 30. A sealing portion 41 is formed to seal the chip fuse 39. Liquid insulating resin before hardening is dropped onto the connection portion between the chip fuse 39 and the conductive path 34 on the circuit board 30 using a dispenser or the like, and is applied in a dome shape. The applied insulating resin is hardened using a known method. Any method can be appropriately selected to harden the insulating resin, such as cooling, mixing a hardener, or irradiating with light.

[0063] While pressing the pressing portion 66 of the terminal 60 from above, the press-fit portion 64 of the terminal 60 is press-fit into the press-fit hole 32 of the circuit board 30. By arranging the press-fit portion 64 in the press-fit hole 32, the terminal 60 is fixed to the circuit board 30. By abutting the positioning protrusion 68 against the end face of the circuit board 30, the terminal 60 is positioned relative to the circuit board 30. The connection portion 63 of the terminal 60 and the first land 36 of the circuit board 30 are connected by soldering.

[0064] The integrated bus bar 21, circuit board 30, and first electric wire 22 are assembled to protector 50. Bus bar 21 is accommodated in bus bar accommodating portion 51 of protector 50. Bus bar 21 is held in bus bar accommodating portion 51 by locking portion 51B. Circuit board 30 is placed in board holding portion 52 of protector 50. Protrusion 52A is inserted into insertion hole 31.

[0065] The second electric wire 23 is routed in the electric wire routing portion 53, and the end of the second electric wire 23 with the core wire 23A exposed is inserted into the electric wire insertion portion 53A. The core wire 23A of the second electric wire 23 is connected to the second land 37 by soldering. This completes the manufacture of the wiring module 20.

[0066] The above is just one example of a method for manufacturing the wiring module 20, and the order of the steps may be changed. For example, the second electric wire 23 may be soldered in the step of soldering the chip fuse 39, etc. to the circuit board 30. Furthermore, the bus bar 21 may be welded to the electrode terminals 12A and 12B, and then the bus bar 21 and the first electric wire 22 may be welded to each other.

[0067] [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 includes a bus bar 21 connected to electrode terminals 12A, 12B of the plurality of energy storage elements 11, a circuit board 30, a first electric wire 22 electrically connecting the bus bar 21 to the circuit board 30, and a second electric wire 23, and the circuit board 30 is formed with a conductive path 34 having a first land 36 electrically connected to the first electric wire 22, a second land 37 connected to the second electric wire 23, and a fuse portion 38 provided between the first land 36 and the second land 37.

[0068] According to this configuration, the wiring module 20 is provided with the first electric wire 22 and the second electric wire 23 in addition to the circuit board 30, and therefore the amount of circuit board 30 used can be reduced compared to a case where the first electric wire 22 and the second electric wire 23 are not provided, and therefore the manufacturing cost of the wiring module 20 can be reduced.

[0069] In the first embodiment, the first electric wire 22 has a curved shape between the end on the bus bar 21 side and the end on the circuit board 30 side.

[0070] With this configuration, first wires 22 electrically connecting circuit board 30 and bus bar 21 are curved, which allows for displacement of bus bar 21 relative to circuit board 30. Therefore, even if energy storage elements 11 expand or contract due to a temperature change or if external force is applied to wiring module 20 and bus bar 21 deforms, circuit board 30 is less likely to be damaged, and the electrical connection between bus bar 21 and circuit board 30 can be maintained.

[0071] The wiring module 20 of embodiment 1 further includes a terminal 60, which includes a crimping portion 62 that is crimped to the end of the first wire 22 on the circuit board 30 side, and a connecting portion 63 that is connected to the first land 36.

[0072] With this configuration, the use of the terminal 60 may make it easier to electrically connect the first wire 22 and the first land 36.

[0073] In the first embodiment, the terminal 60 has a press-fit portion 64 that is different from the connection portion 63, and the circuit board 30 has a press-fit hole 32 into which the press-fit portion 64 is press-fitted.

[0074] With this configuration, the press-fit portion 64 is press-fitted into the press-fit hole 32 , thereby fixing the terminal 60 to the circuit board 30 .

[0075] In the first embodiment, at least one circuit board 30 has a plurality of (two) conductive paths 34 formed thereon.

[0076] According to this configuration, the number of circuit boards 30 used in the wiring module 20 can be reduced, and therefore the workability of assembling the wiring module 20 can be improved.

[0077] In the first embodiment, the circuit board 30 is a rigid board.

[0078] This configuration makes it easy to improve the strength of the circuit board 30. Furthermore, compared to when a flexible board is used as the circuit board 30, the manufacturing cost of the wiring module 20 can be reduced.

[0079] In the first embodiment, the fuse portion 38 is configured as a chip fuse 39 connected to the conductive path 34 by solder S1.

[0080] With this configuration, when an overcurrent flows through the conductive path 34, the chip fuse 39 melts, thereby protecting the conductive path 34 from the overcurrent.

[0081] The wiring module 20 of the first embodiment is a wiring module 20 for a vehicle that is electrically attached to a plurality of energy storage devices 11 mounted on a vehicle 1.

[0082] <Embodiment 2> A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, except that it includes a circuit board 130. 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.

[0083] The wiring module 120 (power storage module 110) according to the second embodiment includes a circuit board 130. Only one conductive path 34 is formed on the circuit board 130. When such a circuit board 130 is used, for example, when the circuit board 130 is disposed at the left and right ends of the wiring module 120, it may be possible to eliminate the extra conductive path 34 and reduce the size of the circuit board 130. Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described.

[0084] <Embodiment 3> A third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 9. The configuration of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, except that it includes a circuit board 230. 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.

[0085] The wiring module 220 (power storage module 210) according to the third embodiment includes a circuit board 230. The circuit board 230 is a flexible board having flexibility. The flexible board of this embodiment is a flexible printed circuit board. The circuit board 230 includes a base film (not shown), conductive paths 234 arranged on the surface of the base film, and a coverlay film (not shown) that covers the conductive paths 234. The base film and the coverlay film are made of synthetic resin such as polyimide that has insulating properties and flexibility. The coverlay film has an opening that exposes a portion of the conductive paths 234 that will be soldered to another member.

[0086] A reinforcing plate 242 for reinforcing the flexible circuit board 230 is attached to the lower surface of the circuit board 230. In this embodiment, the reinforcing plate 242 is an insulating member. For example, the reinforcing plate 242 is formed by impregnating glass fiber cloth with epoxy resin and curing it. The reinforcing plate 242 is attached to an area including at least the first lands 36, the second lands 37, and the edge portions of the press-fit holes 32. In this embodiment, the reinforcing plate 242 is attached to substantially the entire circuit board 230. The reinforcing plate 242 has insertion holes 243 and press-fit holes 244 of the same shape at positions corresponding to the insertion holes 31 and press-fit holes 32 of the circuit board 230, respectively. In addition, a through-hole 245 is formed in the reinforcing plate 242 at a position corresponding to the fuse portion 238 of the circuit board 230.

[0087] Circuit board 230 includes fuse portion 238. Fuse portion 238 is configured as pattern fuse 239 provided by forming conductive path 234 thin. Circuit board 230 is a thin flexible board, and heat is less likely to escape in the thickness direction of circuit board 230 than when a thick rigid board or the like is used. Furthermore, reinforcing plate 242 has through-hole 245 disposed at a position corresponding to fuse portion 238, thereby preventing heat from escaping from fuse portion 238 to reinforcing plate 242. Because pattern fuse 239 is formed thin, it generates heat and melts when an overcurrent flows, thereby limiting the flow of overcurrent through conductive path 234.

[0088] In this embodiment, the pattern fuse 239 (fuse portion 238) can be formed when forming the conductive path 234 in the normal manufacturing process of the circuit board 230. Therefore, the step of forming the fuse portion 38 in the first embodiment, i.e., the step of connecting the chip fuse 39 to the end of the conductive path 34, can be omitted.

[0089] In this embodiment, a reinforcing plate 242 is attached to the flexible substrate, and press-fit holes 244 are provided at positions corresponding to the press-fit holes 32. This makes it easier to press-fit and hold the press-fit portions 64 of the terminals 60 into the circuit substrate 230.

[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 230 is a flexible board.

[0091] With this configuration, the circuit board 230 can be made flexible.

[0092] In the third embodiment, the fuse portion 238 is composed of a pattern fuse 239 .

[0093] With this configuration, the fuse portion 238 can be formed during the manufacturing process of the flexible substrate.

[0094] In the third embodiment, a reinforcing plate 242 is attached to the flexible substrate.

[0095] With this configuration, the strength of the flexible substrate can be improved.

[0096] <Other embodiments> (1) In the first and third embodiments, one circuit board 30, 230 has two conductive paths 34, and in the second embodiment, one circuit board 130 has one conductive path 34, but this is not limited to this, and one circuit board may have three or more conductive paths. (2) In the first and second embodiments, the connection portion between the chip fuse 39 and the conductive path 34 is configured to be sealed in the sealing portion 41, but this is not limited to this, and the chip fuse may be configured not to be sealed in the sealing portion. (3) In the above-described embodiments, the wiring modules 20, 120, and 220 are provided with the protector 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the wiring modules do not necessarily have to be provided with a protector. (4) In the above-described embodiments, the wiring modules 20, 120, and 220 include the terminals 60. However, this is not limitative. The wiring modules may not include terminals, and the first wires may be directly connected to the circuit board. (5) In the third embodiment, the fuse portion 238 is configured as a pattern fuse 239, but this is not limitative, and the fuse portion may be configured as a chip fuse. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1: Vehicle 2: Energy storage pack 3: PCU 4: Wire harness 10,110,210: Energy storage module 11: Energy storage element 12A,12B: Electrode terminal 20,120,220: Wiring module 21: Busbar 21A: Crimping part 22: First Wire 22A: Core wire 22B: Insulation coating 23: Second wire 23A: Core wire 23B: Insulation coating 30,130,230: Circuit board 31: Insertion hole 31A: First insertion hole 31B: Second insertion hole 32: Press-fit hole 33: Insulating board 34,234: Conductive path 34A: Conductive path on the first land side 34B: Conductive path on the second land side 35: Insulating layer 36: First Land 37: Second Land 38,238: Fuse section 39: Chip fuse 40: Electrode 41: Sealing part 50: Protector 51: Busbar housing 51A: Connection hole 51B: Locking part 51C: Recess 52: Board holder 52A: Protrusion 53: Wire routing section 53A: Wire insertion part 60: Terminal 61: Terminal body 62: Crimping part 62A: Wire barrel 62B: Insulated barrel 63: Connection 64: Press-fit part 64A: Base 64B: Opposing plate part 64C: Bending section 65: Extension part 66: Pressing part 67: Pressure receiving part 68: Positioning protrusion 239: Pattern Fuse 242: Reinforcement Plate 243: Through hole 244: Press-fit hole 245: Through hole S1: Solder

Claims

1. A wiring module attached to a plurality of energy storage elements, a bus bar connected to the electrode terminals of the plurality of energy storage elements; A circuit board; a first electric wire electrically connecting the bus bar and the circuit board; a second electric wire; a conductive path is formed on the circuit board, the conductive path including a first land electrically connected to the first electric wire, a second land connected to the second electric wire, and a fuse portion provided between the first land and the second land; Further comprising a terminal, The terminal is a crimping portion that is crimped to an end of the first electric wire on the circuit board side; a connection portion connected to the first land; a press-fit portion different from the connection portion, The circuit board has a press-fit hole into which the press-fit portion is press-fitted.

2. The wiring module according to claim 1 , wherein the first electric wire has a curved shape between an end portion on the bus bar side and an end portion on the circuit board side.

3. The wiring module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of the conductive paths are formed on at least one of the circuit boards.

4. The wiring module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the circuit board is a rigid board.

5. 3. The wiring module according to claim 1, wherein the fuse portion is configured as a chip fuse connected to the conductive path by soldering.

6. 3. The wiring module according to claim 1, wherein the circuit board is a flexible board.

7. The wiring module according to claim 6 , wherein the fuse portion is formed of a pattern fuse.

8. The wiring module according to claim 6 , wherein a reinforcing plate is attached to the flexible substrate.

9. 3. The wiring module for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the wiring module is electrically attached to the plurality of power storage elements mounted on the vehicle.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Battery module, battery pack including said battery module, and automobile including said battery pack

    JP2019500736A

  • Flexible flat cable with mounted protective element, battery module, and method for manufacturing flexible flat cable with mounted protective element

    WO2020013121A1

  • Overcurrent protection element and battery system

    WO2020194967A1