Busbar Module

Abstract

To provide a busbar module that can absorb positional variations of mating connection devices while keeping the busbar module low profile.SOLUTION: A busbar module 1A has a circuit body 4A consisting of a flexible substrate on which circuit wiring (wiring 3A) is provided. The circuit body 4A has a strip-shaped body 11A extending along a predetermined direction and a plurality of busbar sections 12A spaced apart in the extension direction X of the body 11A. At least a portion of the busbar section 12A (second extending portion 22) is arranged to overlap the body 11A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a busbar module. [Background technology]

[0002] The busbar module is used by being assembled into a battery module (a battery pack in which a plurality of cells are stacked) that serves as a driving power source mounted on electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, etc. (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Generally, the cells that make up a battery pack expand and contract in the stacking direction of the cells due to operating heat generated by charging and discharging, the temperature of the external environment, and the like. As a result, the battery pack (battery module) also deforms by expanding and contracting in the stacking direction of the cells. Furthermore, due to assembly tolerances when stacking multiple cells, the size of the battery pack in the stacking direction generally varies in manufacturing, and can differ from one battery pack to another. Therefore, busbar modules are generally designed with a certain amount of leeway in the length of the busbar branch wires (busbars) connected to each battery pack to accommodate such deformation of the battery pack or positional variations due to manufacturing variations, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-205175 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, the busbar support wires connected to each cell are folded vertically in an S-shape to absorb positional variations in the battery pack. Because this is an absorption structure that utilizes height, there is a problem in that it is difficult to reduce the height of the busbar module.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the conventional technology, and an object of the present invention is to provide a bus bar module that can absorb positional variations in a mating connected device while achieving a low profile of the bus bar module. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A busbar module according to an aspect of the present invention includes a circuit body made of a flexible substrate on which circuit wiring is provided, and the circuit body has a strip-shaped main body portion extending along a predetermined direction and a plurality of busbar portions arranged at intervals in the extension direction of the main body portion, and at least a portion of the busbar portions is arranged so as to overlap the main body portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a bus bar module that can absorb positional variations of a mating connection device while achieving a low profile of the bus bar module. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing an example of a busbar module according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a busbar portion of the busbar module. [Figure 3] 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part showing a state in which the bus bar portion is folded back at a folding back portion. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is an enlarged plan view of a main part showing a state in which the bus bar portion is folded back at a folding portion. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an example of a busbar module according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bus bar portion formed separately from a main body portion. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the bus bar portion is connected to the main body portion. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a main part of the busbar module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The busbar module according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the sake of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0011] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a busbar module 1A according to the first embodiment, Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a busbar portion 12A of the busbar module 1A, Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion showing a state in which the busbar portion 12A is folded back at a fold-back portion 24, and Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a main portion showing a state in which the busbar portion 12A is folded back at a fold-back portion 24.

[0012] First, a description will be given of an assembled battery (battery module), which is an example of a counterpart device to which the busbar module 1A according to the first embodiment can be attached. This assembled battery is configured, for example, by connecting a plurality of electric cells (battery cells) in series. Each of these electric cells has a battery body formed in a rectangular parallelepiped, and terminals 2A (see FIGS. 3 and 4) such as positive and negative electrodes are provided on the upper surface (electrode surface) of the battery body.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the busbar module 1A is composed of a flexible substrate (flexible substrate) on which circuit wiring (wiring 3A) is provided, and includes a circuit body 4A on which a busbar (busbar portion 12A) is provided to be connected to the terminal portion 2A of the single battery.

[0014] The circuit body 4A has a strip-shaped main body portion 11A extending along the direction in which the cells are arranged (the stacking direction of the cells), and a plurality of bus bar portions 12A arranged at intervals in the extension direction X of the main body portion 11A.

[0015] The busbar portion 12A is configured to have arm-shaped first extending portion 21 and second extending portion 22 extending from the main body portion 11A.

[0016] The first extension portion 21 extends from one end 11a of the main body portion 11A in the width direction Y, and extends along the width direction Y of the main body portion 11A in a direction away from the main body portion 11A. That is, the base end 21a of the first extension portion 21 is connected to the one end 11a of the main body portion 11A in the width direction Y, and the tip end 21b of the first extension portion 21 is connected to the base end 22a of the second extension portion 22 (see FIG. 2).

[0017] On the other hand, the second extension portion 22 is arranged to overlap with the main body portion 11A in the height direction Z of the main body portion 11A. Specifically, the second extension portion 22 is arranged to straddle the main body portion 11A in a direction intersecting (perpendicular to in the illustrated example) the extension direction X of the main body portion 11A. Therefore, the second extension portion 22 extends along the width direction Y of the main body portion 11A so as to straddle from one end 11a side to the other end 11b side of the width direction Y of the main body portion 11A. That is, the base end 22a of the second extension portion 22 is connected to the tip 21b of the first extension portion 21, and the tip 22b of the second extension portion 22 is connected to the connecting portion 13A (see FIG. 2).

[0018] The connection portion 13A is connected to the terminal portion 2A of the cell arranged on the other end 11b side in the width direction Y of the main body portion 11A (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0019] Although not shown in Fig. 2, wiring 3A such as a voltage detection line is provided in a predetermined pattern on the surface (top surface) of circuit body 4A shown in Fig. 2. For example, second extension portion 22 of busbar portion 12A is bent (folded back) at the location indicated by dashed line 23 in Fig. 2. Then, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, with second extension portion 22 of busbar portion 12A bent, connection portion 13A of busbar portion 12A is electrically connected to terminal portion 2A of the cell by soldering or the like.

[0020] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, when the connection portion 13A of the busbar portion 12A is connected to the terminal portion 2A of the single battery, a fold-back portion 24 is formed between the first extension portion 21 and the second extension portion 22, folding back from a direction away from the main body portion 11A to a direction toward the main body portion 11A.

[0021] The length of second extension portion 22 from folded portion 24 to connection portion 13A is set to be longer than the width of main body portion 11A. Therefore, when connection portion 13A of busbar portion 12A is connected to terminal portion 2A of the cell, second extension portion 22 has an arch shape (curved shape) that is convex upward when viewed from extension direction X of main body portion 11A.

[0022] 3 and 4, when the connection portion 13A of the busbar portion 12A is connected to the terminal portion 2A of the cell, the arm-shaped first extension portion 21 and second extension portion 22 extending from the main body portion 11A can be deformed (displaced) from their initial states. Therefore, the direction of the positional variation of the cell that is absorbed by the busbar portion 12A is not limited, and it becomes possible to absorb the positional variation of the cell in all directions (the extension direction X, width direction Y, and height direction Z of the main body portion 11A).

[0023] Furthermore, by connecting the connection portion 13A to the terminal portion 2A of the cell in a state where the second extension portion 22 of the busbar portion 12A is bent, it is possible to absorb positional variations in the cell without using an absorption structure that utilizes height. In particular, compared to conventional busbar branch wires (busbars) that are folded vertically in an S-shape, it is possible to prevent the busbar module 1A from becoming too tall. By preventing the busbar module 1A from becoming too tall and reducing its height, it is possible to arrange the busbar module 1A in a narrow space.

[0024] In this embodiment, the main body portion 11A and the busbar portion 12A of the busbar module 1A are integrally formed on a flexible substrate, which improves the yield of the flexible substrate and reduces the manufacturing cost of the busbar module 1A.

[0025] Furthermore, the entire busbar module 1A can be made of a single-sided flexible substrate (single-sided substrate), which reduces the manufacturing cost of the busbar module 1A compared to when the entire busbar module 1A is made of a double-sided flexible substrate (double-sided substrate).

[0026] Next, the effects of the bus bar module 1A will be described.

[0027] As described above, the busbar module 1A according to the first embodiment includes a circuit body 4A configured from a flexible substrate on which circuit wiring (wiring 3A) is provided. The circuit body 4A has a strip-shaped main body portion 11A extending in a predetermined direction and a plurality of busbar portions 12A arranged at intervals in the extension direction X of the main body portion 11A. At least a portion of the busbar portions 12A (second extension portions 22) is arranged to overlap the main body portion 11A.

[0028] According to the busbar module 1A, the second extension portion 22, which is arranged to overlap the main body portion 11A, can deform to absorb positional variations of the cells, and the height of the busbar module 1A can be prevented from increasing compared to when the busbar portion 12A is folded vertically in an S-shape. Therefore, by reducing the height of the busbar module 1A, it becomes possible to arrange the busbar module 1A in a narrow space.

[0029] As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide a bus bar module 1A that can absorb positional variations of a mating connection device (cell) while achieving a low profile of the bus bar module 1A.

[0030] In the busbar module 1A according to the first embodiment, a part of the busbar portion 12A (second extension portion 22) may be disposed so as to straddle the main body portion 11A in a direction intersecting with the extension direction X of the main body portion 11A.

[0031] By arranging the second extension portion 22 of the busbar portion 12A in this manner, it is possible to absorb positional variations in the cells in a direction intersecting (orthogonal in the illustrated example) the direction in which the cells are arranged (the stacking direction of the cells).

[0032] The busbar portion 12A may have a first extending portion 21 extending from one end side of the main body portion 11A in the width direction and extending in a direction away from the main body portion 11A, and a folded portion 24 connected to the first extending portion 21 and folded back from the direction away from the main body portion 11A in a direction toward the main body portion 11A. The busbar portion 12A may have a second extending portion 22 connected to the folded portion 24 and extending so as to straddle from one end 11a to the other end 11b in the width direction Y of the main body portion 11A. The busbar portion 12A may have a connection portion 13A connected to the second extending portion 22 and connected to a terminal portion 2A of a battery arranged on the other end 11b side in the width direction Y of the main body portion 11A.

[0033] By having second extension portion 22 of busbar portion 12A straddle main body portion 11A, it is possible to ensure a length in the direction that absorbs positional variations of the cells by the length of second extension portion 22, and also to ensure a long distance that can absorb positional variations in the direction in which the cells are lined up. Furthermore, by appropriately setting the position of fold-back portion 24 (see dashed line 23 in FIG. 2 ), it is possible to adjust the distance that can absorb positional variations of the cells in the direction in which the cells are lined up.

[0034] [Second embodiment] Fig. 5 is a plan view showing an example of a bus bar module 1B according to the second embodiment, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a bus bar portion 12B formed separately from a main body portion 11B, Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the bus bar portion 12B is connected to the main body portion 11B, and Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view of a main portion of the bus bar module 1B.

[0035] First, a description will be given of an assembled battery (battery module), which is an example of a counterpart device to which a busbar module 1B according to the second embodiment can be attached. This assembled battery is configured, for example, by connecting a plurality of electric cells (battery cells) in series. Each of these electric cells has a battery body formed in a rectangular parallelepiped, and terminals 2B (see FIG. 7) such as positive and negative electrodes are provided on the upper surface (electrode surface) of the battery body.

[0036] As shown in Figures 5 to 8, the busbar module 1B is made up of a flexible substrate (flexible substrate) on which circuit wiring (wiring 3B) is provided, and includes a circuit body 4B on which a busbar (busbar portion 12B) is provided to be connected to the terminal portion 2B of the single battery.

[0037] The circuit body 4B has a strip-shaped main body portion 11B extending along the direction in which the cells are arranged (the stacking direction of the cells), and a plurality of bus bar portions 12B arranged at intervals in the extension direction X of the main body portion 11B.

[0038] The busbar portion 12B is formed separately from the main body portion 11B and is later electrically connected to the main body portion 11B by soldering, etc. The busbar portion 12B is placed on top of the main body portion 11B and is joined to the main body portion 11B by soldering, etc. via joining portions 34a and 35a (see FIG. 7).

[0039] Moreover, busbar portion 12B is configured to have circuit divided body 31 and arm-shaped extension portion 32 extending from circuit divided body 31.

[0040] The circuit divided body 31 is electrically connected to the main body 11B via electrical connection portions 33 (see FIG. 7) by soldering or the like. The circuit divided body 31 has a first coupling portion 34 coupled to an end portion of the main body 11B on the side of one end 11a in the width direction Y, a second coupling portion 35 coupled to an end portion of the main body 11B on the side of the other end 11b in the width direction Y, and a pad 36 disposed between the first coupling portion 34 and the second coupling portion 35. In this embodiment, the length of the first coupling portion 34 in the extension direction X of the main body 11B is longer than the length of the second coupling portion 35 in the extension direction X of the main body 11B, and the circuit divided body 31 is formed in a substantially L-shape when viewed from the height direction Z of the main body 11B.

[0041] On the other hand, the extending portion 32 is arranged to overlap the main body portion 11B in the height direction Z of the main body portion 11B. Specifically, the extending portion 32 is arranged to straddle the main body portion 11B in a direction intersecting (orthogonal in the illustrated example) the extending direction X of the main body portion 11B. Therefore, the extending portion 32 extends along the width direction Y of the main body portion 11B so as to straddle from one end 11a to the other end 11b of the main body portion 11B in the width direction Y. That is, the base end 32a of the extending portion 32 is connected to one end (first coupling portion 34) of the circuit divided body 31, and the tip end 32b of the extending portion 32 is connected to the connecting portion 13B (see FIG. 6).

[0042] The connection portion 13B is connected to the terminal portion 2B of the cell arranged on the other end 11b side in the width direction Y of the main body portion 11B (see FIG. 7).

[0043] Wiring 3B such as a voltage detection line in a predetermined pattern is provided on the front surface (top surface) of main body 11B shown in Fig. 7, and wiring on the busbar portion 12B side is provided on the back surface (bottom surface) of busbar portion 12B. Wiring 3B on the main body portion 11B side and wiring on the busbar portion 12B side are connected by soldering or the like via the aforementioned electrical connection portion 33. Then, as shown in Fig. 7, with busbar portion 12B mounted on main body portion 11B, connection portion 13B of busbar portion 12B is electrically connected to terminal portion 2B of the cell by soldering or the like.

[0044] 7, when the connection portion 13B of the busbar portion 12B is connected to the terminal portion 2B of the cell, the extension portion 32 is arranged to overlap the main body portion 11B in the height direction Z of the main body portion 11B. Furthermore, when the connection portion 13B of the busbar portion 12B is connected to the terminal portion 2B of the cell, the extension portion 32 has an arch shape (curved shape) that is convex upward when viewed from the extension direction X of the main body portion 11B.

[0045] 7, when connection portion 13B of busbar portion 12B is connected to terminal portion 2B of the cell, arm-shaped extension portion 32 extending from circuit divided body 31 can deform (displace) from its initial state. Therefore, the direction of the positional variation of the cell that is absorbed by busbar portion 12B is not limited, and it becomes possible to absorb the positional variation of the cell in all directions (extension direction X, width direction Y, and height direction Z of main body portion 11B).

[0046] Furthermore, by connecting the connecting portion 13B to the terminal portion 2B of the cell while the extension portion 32 of the busbar portion 12B is deformed into an arch shape, it is possible to absorb positional variations in the cell without using an absorption structure that utilizes height. In particular, compared to conventional busbar branch wires (busbars) that are folded vertically into an S-shape, it is possible to prevent the busbar module 1B from becoming too tall. By preventing the busbar module 1B from becoming too tall and reducing its height, it is possible to arrange the busbar module 1B in a narrow space.

[0047] Furthermore, the main body 11B and the busbar portion 12B of the busbar module 1B can each be configured using a single-sided flexible substrate (single-sided substrate), which reduces the manufacturing cost of the busbar module 1B compared to when the entire or part of the busbar module 1B is configured using a double-sided flexible substrate (double-sided substrate).

[0048] Next, the effects of the bus bar module 1B will be described.

[0049] As described above, the busbar module 1B according to the second embodiment includes a circuit body 4B configured from a flexible substrate on which circuit wiring (wiring 3B) is provided. The circuit body 4B has a strip-shaped main body portion 11B extending in a predetermined direction and a plurality of busbar portions 12B arranged at intervals in the extension direction X of the main body portion 11B. At least a portion (extension portion 32) of the busbar portions 12B is arranged to overlap the main body portion 11B.

[0050] According to the busbar module 1B, the extension portion 32 arranged to overlap the main body portion 11B can deform to absorb positional variations of the cells, and the height of the busbar module 1B can be prevented from increasing compared to when the busbar portion 12B is folded vertically in an S-shape. Therefore, by reducing the height of the busbar module 1B, it becomes possible to arrange the busbar module 1B in a narrow space.

[0051] As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to provide a bus bar module 1B that can absorb positional variations of a mating connection device (cell) while achieving a low profile of the bus bar module 1B.

[0052] In the busbar module 1B according to the second embodiment, a part (extension portion 32) of the busbar portion 12B may be disposed so as to straddle the main body portion 11B in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the main body portion 11B.

[0053] By arranging the extension portion 32 of the busbar portion 12B in this manner, it is possible to absorb variations in the position of the cells in a direction intersecting (orthogonal in the illustrated example) the direction in which the cells are lined up (the stacking direction of the cells).

[0054] In the bus bar module 1B according to the second embodiment, the bus bar portion 12B may be formed separately from the main body portion 11B and may be later attached and electrically connected to the main body portion 11B.

[0055] Since busbar portion 12B is formed separately from main body portion 11B, it is possible to design the circuit wiring of busbar portion 12B without being bound by the design of the circuit wiring of main body portion 11B.

[0056] The busbar portion 12B may also have a circuit divided body 31 electrically connected to the main body portion 11B, and an extension portion 32 extending from one end of the circuit divided body 31 in the width direction Y of the main body portion 11B and extending so as to straddle from the one end 11a to the other end 11b of the main body portion 11B in the width direction Y. The busbar portion 12B may also have a connection portion 13B connected to the extension portion 32 and connected to a terminal portion 2B of a connection counterpart device (cell) arranged on the other end 11b side in the width direction Y of the main body portion 11B.

[0057] By having the extension portion 32 of the busbar portion 12B straddle the main body portion 11B, the length in the direction that absorbs the positional variation of the single cells can be secured by the length of the extension portion 32, and also a long distance can be secured that can absorb the positional variation in the direction in which the single cells are arranged.

[0058] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1A, 1B busbar module 2A,2B terminal section 3A,3B wiring 4A, 4B circuit body 11A,11B Main body 12A, 12B bus bar section 13A, 13B connection part 21 1st extension part 22 Second extension part 24 Turning section 31 Circuit division body 32 Extension

Claims

1. a circuit body formed of a flexible substrate on which circuit wiring is provided; The circuit body is a strip-shaped main body portion extending in a predetermined direction; a plurality of busbar portions arranged at intervals in an extension direction of the main body portion, At least a part of the busbar portion is disposed so as to straddle the main body portion in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the main body portion, and is disposed in a deformed state so as to be convex upward when viewed in the extending direction of the main body portion. Busbar module.

2. The bus bar portion is a first extension portion extending from one end side of the main body portion in a width direction and extending in a direction away from the main body portion; a folded portion connected to the first extending portion and folded back from the away direction toward the main body portion; a second extending portion connected to the folded portion and extending from one end side to the other end side in the width direction of the main body portion to form a part of the busbar portion; a connection portion connected to the second extension portion and connected to a terminal portion of a counterpart device disposed on the other end side of the main body in the width direction, The busbar module according to claim 1 .

3. the busbar portion is formed separately from the main body portion and is later electrically connected to the main body portion; The busbar module according to claim 1 .

4. The bus bar portion is a circuit division body electrically connected to the main body; an extension portion that extends from one end of the main body portion in the width direction of the circuit divided body, extends from one end side to the other end side of the main body portion in the width direction, and constitutes a part of the busbar portion; a connecting portion connected to the extension portion and connected to a terminal portion of a counterpart device disposed on the other end side of the main body in the width direction, The busbar module according to claim 3 .

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