Wiring Module

Abstract

To provide a wiring module in which a terminal is not easily deformed when the terminal is assembled to a protector.SOLUTION: A wiring module is attached to a battery multilayer body formed by stacking a plurality of laminate type batteries including electrode leads and including a bonding part where the electrode leads of the laminate type batteries are overlapped and bonded together, and includes a terminal 30, a wire connected to the terminal 30, and a protector 50 that holds the terminal 30 and the wire. The terminal 30 includes a main body part 31, a connection part extending from the main body part 31 and connected to and facing in a first direction, the electrode lead of the bonding part, and a bent plate part 33 connected to the main body part 31 through a bent part and extending to the laminate type battery in the first direction. The protector 50 includes a protector main body 51, and at least one flexible piece 62 that can be flexibly deformed in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The flexible piece 62 has a bellows-like shape.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

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 known example of such a wiring module is described in JP-A-2020-527848 (Patent Document 1 below). The battery module described in Patent Document 1 includes a cell assembly in which a plurality of battery cells, each having electrode leads at its front and rear ends, are stacked in the left-right direction; a module housing configured to house the cell assembly in an internal space defined by four side walls (top, bottom, left, and right); and end frames attached to the front and back of the cell assembly to connect the cell assembly to an external device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2020-527848 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above configuration, the cell assembly has a portion where the electrode leads of adjacent battery cells are bent close to each other, overlapped, and electrically connected, eliminating the need for a bus bar to connect the electrode leads together. The electrode leads are electrically connected to module terminals provided on the end frame.

[0005] In the above configuration, the electrode lead and the module terminal can be connected by laser welding. Considering the efficiency of laser welding, it is preferable that the module terminal be thin. However, if the module terminal is thin, there is a risk that the module terminal may bend when it is attached to the end frame. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The wiring module of the present disclosure is a wiring module attached to a battery stack formed by stacking a plurality of laminated batteries each having an electrode lead, the wiring module having a joint where the electrode leads of the laminated batteries are overlapped and joined, the wiring module comprising: a terminal; an electric wire connected to the terminal; and a protector that holds the terminal and the electric wire, the terminal comprising: a main body portion; a connection portion extending from the main body portion and connected to the electrode lead that constitutes the joint portion in a first direction opposite to the electrode lead; and a bent plate portion connected to the main body portion via a bent portion and extending toward the laminated battery in the first direction, the protector comprising: a protector main body; a recess that is recessed toward the laminated battery in the first direction with respect to the protector main body and that accommodates the bent plate portion; and at least one flexible piece extending from the protector body and capable of flexible deformation in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the flexible piece comprising a plurality of plate portions extending in the first direction and spaced apart in the second direction, and at least one connecting portion connecting the ends of two adjacent plate portions in the first direction, the plurality of plate portions comprising at least a base end side plate portion connected to the protector body and a tip end side plate portion arranged to face the terminal, the tip end side plate portion being arranged within the recess and comprising a locking portion that locks onto the bent plate portion from the side opposite the laminated battery in the first direction, and the plate portions and the connecting portion being alternately connected from the base end side plate portion to the tip end side plate portion, so that the flexible piece has an accordion-like shape. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a wiring module in which the terminals are less likely to be deformed when assembled to a protector. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a front part of the electricity storage module according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the electricity storage module. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the area around the terminal in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a view showing the first position of the terminal in the cross section taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a view showing the second position of the terminal in the cross section taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3, with the terminals omitted. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the periphery of the terminal accommodating portion in the electricity storage module. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram in which the terminals are omitted from FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the front of the battery stack. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the main part of a laminated battery. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a terminal connected to an electric wire. [Figure 16] 16 is a view showing a state in which the bending pieces are bent when the bent plate portion is inserted into the recessed portion in the BB cross section of FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the periphery of a flexible piece according to the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the electricity storage module, and is a view showing a cross section corresponding to FIG. 5 of the first embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the electricity storage module, and is a view showing a cross section corresponding to FIG. 9 of the first embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the periphery of a flexible piece according to the third embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a slit on the inner wall of the flexible piece receiving recess. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the electricity storage module, and is a view showing a cross section corresponding to FIG. 5 of the first embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of an electricity storage module according to another embodiment, and is a view showing a cross section corresponding to FIG. 5 of the first 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) A wiring module according to the present disclosure is a wiring module attached to a battery stack formed by stacking a plurality of laminated batteries each having an electrode lead, the wiring module having a joint where the electrode leads of the laminated batteries are overlapped and joined, the wiring module comprising: a terminal; an electric wire connected to the terminal; and a protector that holds the terminal and the electric wire. The terminal comprises a main body portion, a connection portion extending from the main body portion and connected to the electrode lead that constitutes the joint in a first direction, and a bent plate portion connected to the main body portion via a bent portion and extending toward the laminated battery in the first direction. The protector comprises a protector main body and a recessed portion that is recessed toward the laminated battery in the first direction relative to the protector main body and accommodates the bent plate portion. and at least one flexible piece extending from the protector body and capable of being flexibly deformed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the flexible piece comprising a plurality of plate portions extending in the first direction and spaced apart in the second direction, and at least one connecting portion connecting the ends of two adjacent plate portions in the first direction, the plurality of plate portions comprising at least a base end side plate portion connected to the protector body and a tip end side plate portion arranged to face the terminal, the tip end side plate portion being arranged within the recess and comprising a locking portion that locks onto the bent plate portion from the side opposite the laminated battery in the first direction, and the plate portions and the connecting portion are alternately connected from the base end side plate portion to the tip end side plate portion, so that the flexible piece has an accordion-like shape.

[0011] With this configuration, the bending piece has a plurality of plate portions and at least one connecting portion connecting two adjacent plate portions, and is bellows-shaped, which reduces the stress required to bend the bending piece. Therefore, by inserting the bent plate portion into the recess, bending of the terminal can be suppressed when assembling the terminal to the protector.

[0012] (2) The protector is formed with a plurality of electrode accommodating recesses that penetrate the protector body in the first direction and receive the electrode leads, and the plurality of electrode accommodating recesses are preferably aligned in a third direction that is perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, and the flexible piece is preferably arranged between two adjacent electrode accommodating recesses.

[0013] With this configuration, the electrode accommodating recesses are aligned in the third direction, and the wiring module can be attached to a battery stack made up of multiple laminated batteries stacked in the third direction. Spaces extending in the first and second directions are formed between adjacent electrode leads in the third direction, and by placing a flexible piece in this space, the flexible piece's flexure can be increased. The wiring module can also be made more compact.

[0014] (3) It is preferable that the tip side plate portion is connected to the connecting portion at an end portion opposite to the laminated battery side in the first direction.

[0015] With this configuration, when inserting the bent plate portion into the recess, it is possible to prevent the bent plate portion from being mistakenly inserted between the tip side plate portion and the plate portion adjacent to the tip side plate portion.

[0016] (4) The tip side plate portion preferably has a locking protrusion protruding from the tip side plate portion to the side opposite the base side plate portion in the second direction, and the locking protrusion preferably has a locking portion arranged on the laminated battery side in the first direction and an inclined portion arranged on the opposite side of the laminated battery side in the first direction from the locking portion, and the inclined portion preferably is positioned so as to move away from the base side plate portion in the second direction as it moves toward the laminated battery side in the first direction.

[0017] With this configuration, the inclined portion allows the bent plate portion to be smoothly inserted into the recess and smoothly engaged with the engaging portion.

[0018] (5) It is preferable that the distal end side plate portion be positioned so as to move away from the proximal end side plate portion in the second direction as it moves toward the laminated battery in the first direction.

[0019] With this configuration, the tip side plate portion allows the bent plate portion to be smoothly inserted into the recess.

[0020] (6) It is preferable that the protector has a guide portion arranged contiguous with the inner wall of the recess on the opposite side of the recess from the laminated battery in the first direction, and that the guide portion is inclined toward the inside of the recess as it moves toward the laminated battery in the first direction.

[0021] According to this configuration, the guide portion can guide the insertion of the bent plate portion into the recessed portion.

[0022] (7) The protector preferably has a flexible piece accommodating recess that is recessed from the protector body toward the laminated battery in the first direction and accommodates a part of the flexible piece.

[0023] According to this configuration, by accommodating a portion of the flexible piece in the flexible piece accommodating recess, it is possible to protect a portion of the flexible piece.

[0024] (8) An inner wall constituting the flexible piece accommodating recess has a pair of slits extending in the first direction and arranged side by side in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, The inner wall disposed between the pair of slits preferably serves as the base end side plate portion.

[0025] According to this configuration, the inner wall of the deflection piece accommodating recess can be used to form the base end side plate portion, so that the space required to form the deflection piece can be reduced.

[0026] (9) Preferably, the terminal has at least one opening formed through the bent plate portion, and the edge of the opening has a locking portion that locks onto the locking portion.

[0027] With this configuration, by forming an opening in the bent plate portion, it is possible to easily provide the locking portion that engages with the locking portion, and it is also possible to reduce the space required for the bent plate portion to engage with the locking portion.

[0028] [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 scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0029] <Embodiment 1> A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16. An energy storage module 10 including a wiring module 20 of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle and used as a drive source for the vehicle. In the following description, when multiple identical components are used, only some of the components may be designated by reference numerals, and the reference numerals for other components may be omitted. In the following description, the direction indicated by arrow X is referred to as the forward direction, the direction indicated by arrow Y is referred to as the left, and the direction indicated by arrow Z is referred to as the upward direction. In this embodiment, the front-to-rear direction is an example of a first direction, the up-down direction is an example of a second direction, and the left-to-right direction is an example of a third direction.

[0030] [Battery stack] The energy storage module 10 includes a battery stack 11L shown in Fig. 13 and a wiring module 20 attached to the battery stack 11L as shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the energy storage module 10 of this embodiment also includes a housing 15 that covers the battery stack 11L from all four sides: top, bottom, left, and right. The housing 15 includes a bottom 15A located on the underside of the battery stack 11L, a ceiling 15B located on the top side of the battery stack 11L, and a pair of side sections 15C that connect the bottom 15A and ceiling 15B on both the left and right sides.

[0031] [Laminated battery, electrode lead] As shown in Figure 13, the battery stack 11L is composed of multiple laminated batteries 11 (18 in this embodiment) stacked in the left-right direction. Note that Figure 13 only shows the front portion of the battery stack 11L. As shown in Figure 14, the laminated battery 11 is long in the front-rear direction and flat in the left-right direction. An electricity storage element (not shown) is housed inside the laminated battery 11. A pair of electrode leads 12 is disposed on both sides of the laminated battery 11 in the front-rear direction, protruding in opposite directions. The pair of electrode leads 12 are plate-shaped and have opposite polarities.

[0032] [Joint] As shown in Figures 4 and 13, the battery stack 11L has a joint 13 electrically connecting the four electrode leads 12 of the laminated batteries 11 arranged in succession in the left-right direction. Specifically, the four electrode leads 12 are bent to the left or right at approximately right angles, overlapped, and joined by laser welding to form the joint 13. The electrode leads 12 that form the joint 13 are connection electrode leads 12A. Of the four connection electrode leads 12A, the two connection electrode leads 12A on the right side have opposite polarities to the two connection electrode leads 12A on the left side. For example, the two connection electrode leads 12A on the right side are positive electrodes, and the two connection electrode leads 12A on the left side are negative electrodes. Therefore, in the battery stack 11L, the joint 13 connects two laminated batteries 11 that are connected in parallel in series. As shown in Figure 13, the battery stack 11L has four joints 13 at its front. Although not shown, the battery stack 11L also has four joints 13 at its rear.

[0033] The process of forming the joint 13 includes bending the electrode lead 12, laser welding, etc., and therefore the tolerance of the joint 13 (and the connection electrode lead 12A) in the front-rear direction is likely to be large. For example, in this embodiment, the tolerance of the joint 13 (and the connection electrode lead 12A) in the front-rear direction is larger than the thickness of the electrode lead 12.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 13, the battery stack 11L has an output section 14 at the left end of its front section. Although not shown, the battery stack 11L also has an output section 14 at the right end of its rear section. The output section 14 is formed by joining two of the electrode leads 12 that do not form a joint 13. The electrode lead 12 that forms the output section 14 is designated as an output electrode lead 12B. The two output electrode leads 12B that form one output section 14 have the same polarity. The output section 14 forms the positive or negative electrode of the entire battery stack 11L. That is, for example, if the front output section 14 is the overall positive electrode of the battery stack 11L, the rear output section 14 is the overall negative electrode of the battery stack 11L.

[0035] [Wiring module] 1 , the wiring module 20 of this embodiment includes a terminal 30 connected to the connection electrode lead 12A, a bus bar 40 connected to the output electrode lead 12B, an electric wire 45 connected to the terminal 30, and a protector 50 that holds the terminal 30, the bus bar 40, and the electric wire 45. The configuration of the wiring module 20 arranged on the front side of the power storage module 10 will be described in detail below. Although not shown, the wiring module 20 arranged on the rear side of the power storage module 10 is configured similarly to the wiring module 20 arranged on the front side of the power storage module 10.

[0036] The busbar 40 has a plate-like shape and is formed by processing a conductive metal plate. As shown in FIG. 2, the busbar 40 includes a first portion 40A extending in the vertical direction and a second portion 40B connected to the upper end of the first portion 40A. The first portion 40A is flattened in the front-rear direction. The second portion 40B extends rightward from the upper end of the first portion 40A and is also flattened in the vertical direction. The busbar 40 is held by a busbar holding portion 53 of the protector 50 and is connected to the output electrode lead 12B at the center of the first portion 40A in the vertical direction. A busbar-side connection portion 41 is provided at the right end of the second portion 40B.

[0037] 1, the busbar side connection portion 41 has a through hole 41A through which a bolt is inserted. An external connection terminal (not shown) is placed on top of the busbar side connection portion 41 and is fastened to the busbar side connection portion 41 with a bolt. In this way, the busbar side connection portion 41 is electrically connected to the external connection terminal. The external connection terminal is used to connect the energy storage module 10 to an external device (not shown).

[0038] [Electric wire] 6 and 15, the electric wire 45 has a core wire 46 and an insulating coating 47 that covers the core wire 46. One end of the electric wire 45 is connected to the terminal 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the other end of the electric wires 45 is bundled together and connected to a connector 48. The electric wires 45 are routed in a routing recess 50A of the protector 50, and are arranged in a predetermined position.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, the connector 48 includes a housing 48A made of insulating synthetic resin and male terminals 48B housed within the housing 48A. The connector 48 is designed to mate with a mating connector (not shown) that has female terminals. The mating connector is connected to an external ECU (Electronic Control Unit) or the like via wires (not shown). The ECU is equipped with a microcomputer, elements, etc., and has a well-known configuration that includes functions such as detecting the voltage, current, temperature, etc. of each laminated battery 11 and controlling the charging and discharging of each laminated battery 11.

[0040] Terminal As shown in Fig. 15, the terminal 30 is formed by processing a conductive metal plate. The terminal 30 includes a main body 31, a connection portion 32 extending rightward from the main body 31, a bent plate portion 33 extending rearward from the bottom of the main body 31, and an electric wire connection portion 34 extending upward from the main body 31. As shown in Fig. 3, the main body 31 is disposed on the right side of the terminal 30 and has a rectangular shape in a front view. The main body 31 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 54 so that the plate thickness direction is the front-rear direction.

[0041] [Connection] As shown in FIG. 15, the connection portion 32 has a rectangular shape that is elongated in the left-right direction and is formed flush with the main body portion 31. The connection portion 32 protrudes upward and downward from the main body portion 31 in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the connection portion 32 is configured to be connected in surface contact with the joint portion 13 or a part of the connection electrode lead 12A that constitutes the joint portion 13. In other words, the terminal 30 is not a member for connecting adjacent connection electrode leads 12A, but a member for connecting a pre-connected connection electrode lead 12A (joint portion 13) to an electric wire 45. Therefore, the vertical dimension of the connection portion 32 may be smaller than the vertical dimension of the connection electrode lead 12A.

[0042] [Bending plate part] 15, the bent plate portion 33 is bent approximately perpendicular to the main body portion 31 and extends rearward. The bent plate portion 33 is disposed so that its thickness direction is the up-down direction. The lower end of the main body portion 31 and the front end of the bent plate portion 33 are connected via a bent portion 35. The thickness direction of the bent portion 35 changes from the front-to-back direction to the up-to-down direction as it moves from the main body portion 31 toward the bent plate portion 33.

[0043] [Opening, locking part] An opening 36 is formed through the bent plate portion 33 in the vertical direction. The opening 36 is located in the center of the bent plate portion 33 in the left-right direction. The rear edge of the opening 36 serves as a locking receiving portion 36A. As shown in FIG. 7, the locking receiving portion 36A is capable of locking with a locking portion 65A of a flexible piece 62 (described later). As shown in FIG. 15, the opening 36 has an expanded opening 36B that expands toward the main body portion 31. The expanded opening 36B prevents the lower end of the main body portion 31 from interfering with the flexible piece 62 when the terminal 30 moves in the front-rear direction relative to the protector 50 (see FIG. 6).

[0044] 6 and 15, the wire connection portion 34 includes a base portion 34A that is flush with the main body portion 31 and crimping pieces 34B that extend from both left-right ends of the base portion 34A. The crimping pieces 34B include a first crimping piece 34C and a second crimping piece 34D that is spaced apart from the first crimping piece 34C in the front-rear direction. The first crimping piece 34C is located on the main body portion 31 side of the wire connection portion 34 and is crimped to the core wire 46 of the wire 45. The second crimping piece 34D is located at the upper end of the wire connection portion 34 and is crimped to the insulating coating 47 of the wire 45. Note that the wire connection portion 34 is illustrated in a simplified manner except in FIGS. 5 to 7, 15, and 16.

[0045] 6, the crimping piece 34B crimps the electric wire 45 behind the base 34A. The electric wire connection portion 34 disposed behind the main body 31 is arranged in an electric wire connection portion accommodating portion 57, which will be described later. With this configuration, the dimension of the wiring module 20 in the front-rear direction can be reduced.

[0046] [Protector, electrode housing recess] As shown in FIG. 1, the protector 50 is made of insulating synthetic resin and has a plate shape. The protector 50 includes a protector body 51 that is positioned relative to the housing 15 (and the battery stack 11L). As shown in FIG. 2, electrode accommodating recesses 52 are provided in the vertical center of the protector body 51, aligned in the left-right direction. The electrode accommodating recesses 52 are formed to penetrate in the front-to-rear direction and have a rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction. The electrode accommodating recess 52 is composed of a connection electrode accommodating recess 52A that accommodates the joint portion 13 and the connection electrode lead 12A, and an output electrode accommodating recess 52B that accommodates the output electrode lead 12B and the output portion 14.

[0047] 2, busbar holding portions 53 for holding busbar 40 are provided on the upper and lower sides of output electrode accommodating recess 52B. A bolt fastening portion 53A for fastening busbar 40 with a bolt is provided on the right side of upper busbar holding portion 53. A terminal accommodating portion 54 for accommodating a part of terminal 30 is provided diagonally below and to the left of connection electrode accommodating recess 52A.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 12, the terminal accommodating portion 54 is recessed rearward from the protector body 51. The terminal accommodating portion 54 includes a main body accommodating portion 55, a recess 56, and a wire connection portion accommodating portion 57. The main body accommodating portion 55 is disposed in a lower portion of the terminal accommodating portion 54. The main body accommodating portion 55 includes a bottom wall 55A, a left wall 55B extending forward from the left end of the bottom wall 55A, and a communication hole 55C opening to the right. The communication hole 55C communicates with the connection electrode accommodating recess 52A. As shown in FIG. 11, the main body accommodating portion 55 accommodates the main body 31 of the terminal 30. As shown in FIG. 6, the front surface of the bottom wall 55A forms an abutment portion 58 that abuts against the terminal 30 from behind. As shown in FIG. 11, the portion of the main body 31 on the connection portion 32 side is disposed in the communication hole 55C, and the connection portion 32 is disposed inside the connection electrode accommodating recess 52A.

[0049] Recess As shown in FIGS. 8 and 12, a recess 56 is formed below the main body accommodating portion 55. The recess 56 is recessed further rearward than the main body accommodating portion 55. The recess 56 penetrates the protector 50 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 10, the inner wall 59 constituting the recess 56 includes a first inner wall 59A and a second inner wall 59B that face each other in the up-down direction, and two side walls 59C that face each other in the left-right direction. The first inner wall 59A is disposed higher (closer to the main body accommodating portion 55) than the second inner wall 59B. The dimension between the first inner wall 59A and the second inner wall 59B is set to be equal to or slightly larger than the plate thickness (the dimension in the up-down direction) of the bent plate portion 33. The dimension between the two side walls 59C is set to be equal to or slightly larger than the dimension in the left-right direction of the bent plate portion 33. The bent plate portion 33 is housed inside the recess 56, and is able to slide between the bent plate portion 33 and an inner wall 59 of the recess 56. The sliding contact between the bent plate portion 33 and the inner wall 59 of the recess 56 allows the terminal 30 to move in the front-to-rear direction relative to the protector body 51, as shown in Figures 5 to 7 and 9.

[0050] [Guide section] As shown in Figure 5, a guide portion 60 is formed on the front side of the lower end of the bottom wall portion 55A. The guide portion 60 is arranged contiguous to the front side of the first inner wall 59A of the recess 56. The guide portion 60 is inclined so that it is positioned lower toward the rear. When the bent plate portion 33 is inserted into the recess 56, the guide portion 60 guides and guides the rear end of the bent plate portion 33 into the recess 56.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 12, the electric wire connection portion accommodating portion 57 is disposed above and contiguous with the main body portion accommodating portion 55. As shown in Fig. 6, the electric wire connection portion accommodating portion 57 is recessed further rearward than the bottom wall portion 55A. Specifically, the front surface of the electric wire connection portion accommodating portion 57 is positioned so that the electric wire connection portion 34 does not come into contact with the main body portion 31 of the terminal 30 disposed in the terminal accommodating portion 54 when the main body portion 31 abuts against the front surface (abutment portion 58) of the bottom wall portion 55A. An upper portion of the electric wire connection portion accommodating portion 57 is connected to the wiring recess 50A in which the electric wire 45 is routed.

[0052] [Flexure accommodation recess, flexure] As shown in FIG. 12 , a flexible piece accommodating recess 61 is formed below the recess 56, recessed rearward from the protector body 51. An entrance 61A is formed in the second inner wall 59B between the recess 56 and the flexible piece accommodating recess 61, recessed rearward from the upper end of the second inner wall 59B. The entrance 61A connects the recess 56 and the flexible piece accommodating recess 61. As shown in FIG. 8 , a flexible piece 62 extends upward from the inner wall below the flexible piece accommodating recess 61. As shown in FIG. 12 , a portion of the flexible piece 62 is disposed inside the entrance 61A, so that the tip of the flexible piece 62 enters the recess 56.

[0053] [Multiple plates, connecting part, distal plate, proximal plate] As shown in FIG. 8 , the flexible piece 62 includes a plurality of (two in this embodiment) plate portions 63 that are elongated in the front-rear direction and flattened in the up-down direction, and a connecting portion 64 that connects two adjacent plate portions 63. In this embodiment, the plurality of plate portions 63 are configured from a distal plate portion 63A disposed on the distal end (upper side) of the flexible piece 62 and a proximal plate portion 63B disposed on the proximal end (lower side) of the flexible piece 62. The distal plate portion 63A and the proximal plate portion 63B are arranged to overlap with a gap in the up-down direction. The front end of the distal plate portion 63A and the front end of the proximal plate portion 63B are smoothly connected without any steps by the arch-shaped connecting portion 64. The rear end of the proximal plate portion 63B is connected to the lower inner wall of the flexible piece accommodating recess 61 via a proximal connecting portion 66. The flexible piece 62 is capable of deflection in the up-down direction.

[0054] In the flexible piece 62 of this embodiment, a plurality of plate portions 63 and connecting portions 64 are connected in the following order from the base end side to the tip end side of the flexible piece 62: base end plate portion 63B, connecting portion 64, and tip end plate portion 63A. That is, the plate portions 63 and connecting portions 64 are arranged alternately in the vertical direction. This gives the flexible piece 62 an accordion-like shape. As shown in FIG. 2 , in this embodiment, by arranging the flexible piece 62 between the electrode accommodating recesses 52, which have relatively ample space, it is possible to easily ensure a bending margin for the flexible piece 62 without increasing the size of the wiring module 20.

[0055] [Latching protrusion, locking part, slope part] As shown in FIG. 8, the tip side plate 63A has a locking protrusion 65 that protrudes upward from the top surface of the tip side plate 63A. The locking protrusion 65 is arranged at the rear end of the tip side plate 63A. The rear end surface of the locking protrusion 65 forms a locking portion 65A. An inclined portion 65B is arranged at the front portion of the locking protrusion 65. The inclined portion 65B is inclined so that it is positioned higher as it extends rearward. The locking portion 65A and the inclined portion 65B are arranged so that they are connected in the front-to-rear direction. The locking protrusion 65 is arranged in the front space within the recess 56.

[0056] [Assembling terminals into protector] The configuration of the terminal 30 and the protector 50 has been described above. The following describes how to assemble the terminal 30 into the protector 50. To assemble the terminal 30 to the protector 50, specifically, the bent plate portion 33 is inserted into the recess 56 from the front. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 64 is connected to the front end of the tip side plate portion 63A, so that the bent plate portion 33 is not mistakenly inserted between the tip side plate portion 63A and the base side plate portion 63B. At the front edge of the recess 56, the bent plate portion 33 slides against the guide portion 60 and the inclined portion 65B of the locking protrusion 65, and is guided into the recess 56.

[0057] When the bent plate portion 33 is moved rearward toward the depth of the recess 56 while the rear end portion of the bent plate portion 33 is pressed against the inclined portion 65B of the locking protrusion 65, the flexible piece 62 is bent downward as shown in Fig. 16. The connecting portion 64, the locking protrusion 65, and the base end connecting portion 66 are deformed, and each plate portion 63 is displaced so as to be inclined from its natural position, thereby bending the entire flexible piece 62. Specifically, the base end side plate portion 63B is displaced so that its front end is positioned lower than its rear end, and the tip end side plate portion 63A is displaced so that its rear end is positioned lower than its front end.

[0058] As described above, the flexible piece 62 of this embodiment includes multiple deformable portions (the connecting portion 64, the locking projection 65, and the base end connecting portion 66), so the stress required to deflect the flexible piece 62 is reduced. This can be inferred from the fact that the composite spring constant of a series spring, in which multiple springs are connected in series, is smaller than the spring constants of the individual springs. Furthermore, since the plate portion 63 is displaced so as to tilt between the deformable portions, providing multiple plate portions 63 can increase the deflection allowance of the flexible piece 62 associated with the displacement of the plate portion 63. For these reasons, the flexible piece 62 of this embodiment requires less stress to deflect the flexible piece 62. In other words, the flexible piece 62 can be deflected significantly with a small stress. Therefore, when assembling the terminal 30 to the protector 50, the stress applied to the terminal 30 can be reduced, thereby suppressing deformation of the terminal 30.

[0059] It should be noted that the deformation mode of the flexible piece 62 shown in Fig. 16 is merely one example. Configurations in which the deformation of each part of the flexible piece 62 differs from that shown in Fig. 16 are also within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, a configuration in which the plate portion 63 does not displace so as to tilt, but rather elastically deforms, is also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0060] When the bent plate portion 33 is further moved rearward, the rear end surface (locking portion 65A) of the locking projection 65 is positioned within the opening 36 of the bent plate portion 33, and the flexible piece 62 returns from the elastically deformed state to its natural state. The locking portion 65A and the lock receiving portion 36A then face each other in the front-rear direction, and are ready for locking (see FIG. 7). In this way, by arranging the inclined portion 65B alongside the locking portion 65A in the front-rear direction, the insertion of the bent plate portion 33 into the recess 56 can be guided, and the bent plate portion 33 can be smoothly locked to the locking portion 65A.

[0061] In this embodiment, the bent plate portion 33 of the terminal 30 is disposed within the recess 56 of the terminal accommodating portion 54, allowing the terminal 30 to move in the front-rear direction relative to the protector 50. The terminal 30 is movable in the front-rear direction relative to the protector body 51 between a first position (see FIG. 6) and a second position (see FIG. 7). The first position is the rearmost position to which the terminal 30 can move, and the second position is the forwardmost position to which the terminal 30 can move. As shown in FIG. 6, when the terminal 30 is disposed in the first position, the rear surface of the body portion 31 abuts against the abutment portion 58. This restricts the rearward movement of the terminal 30. As shown in FIG. 7, when the terminal 30 is disposed in the second position, the locking receiving portion 36A of the terminal 30 and the locking portion 65A of the flexible piece 62 are engaged with each other. This restricts the forward movement of the terminal 30.

[0062] The length in the front-rear direction between the first position and the second position is set to be equal to or greater than twice the tolerance of the connection electrode lead 12A in the front-rear direction. The intermediate position between the first position and the second position is set to the average position of the connection electrode lead 12A in the front-rear direction. By setting the first and second positions in this manner, the terminal 30 can move relative to the connection electrode lead 12A after the protector body 51 of the wiring module 20 is fixed to the battery stack 11L. Specifically, when laser welding the terminal 30 and the connection electrode lead 12A, the connection portion 32 of the terminal 30 is pressed against the connection electrode lead 12A by a jig or the like. At this time, the terminal 30 moves in the front-rear direction in accordance with the connection electrode lead 12A. This ensures that the connection portion 32 and the connection electrode lead 12A are in close contact with each other, ensuring good laser welding between the connection portion 32 and the connection electrode lead 12A.

[0063] [Effects of the First Embodiment] According to the first embodiment, the following actions and effects are achieved. The wiring module 20 according to the first embodiment is configured by stacking a plurality of laminated batteries 11 each having an electrode lead 12, and is attached to a battery stack 11L having joints 13 where the electrode leads 12 of the laminated batteries 11 are overlapped and joined, and includes terminals 30, electric wires 45 connected to the terminals 30, and a protector 50 that holds the terminals 30 and the electric wires 45. The terminals 30 include a main body 31, a connection portion 32 that extends from the main body 31 and is connected to the electrode leads 12 that form the joints 13 so as to face each other in a first direction (front-rear direction), and a bent plate portion 33 that is connected to the main body 31 via a bent portion 35 and extends toward the laminated batteries 11 in the first direction (rear side). The protector 50 includes a protector main body 51 and a bent plate portion 33 that is recessed toward the laminated batteries 11 in the first direction relative to the protector main body 51, and is bent. The protector body has a recess 56 that accommodates the curved plate portion 33, and at least one flexible piece 62 that extends from the protector body 51 and is flexible and deformable in a second direction (up-down direction) perpendicular to the first direction, and the flexible piece 62 includes a plurality of plate portions 63 that extend in the first direction and are arranged at intervals in the second direction, and at least one connecting portion 64 that connects the ends of two adjacent plate portions 63 in the first direction, and the plurality of plate portions 63 are at least The flexible piece 62 has a base end side plate portion 63B connected to the body 51 and a tip end side plate portion 63A arranged to face the terminal 30, and the tip end side plate portion 63A is arranged within the recess 56 and has a locking portion 65A that locks onto the bent plate portion 33 from the side opposite the laminated battery 11 side (front side) in the first direction, and the plate portions 63 and connecting portions 64 are alternately connected from the base end side plate portion 63B to the tip end side plate portion 63A, so that the flexible piece 62 is accordion-shaped.

[0064] With this configuration, the flexible piece 62 has a plurality of plate portions 63 and at least one connecting portion 64 connecting two adjacent plate portions 63, and is bellows-shaped, which reduces the stress required to bend the flexible piece 62. Therefore, by inserting the bent plate portion 33 into the recess 56, bending of the terminal 30 can be suppressed when the terminal 30 is assembled to the protector 50.

[0065] In embodiment 1, the protector 50 is formed with a plurality of electrode accommodating recesses 52 that penetrate the protector body 51 in a first direction and receive the electrode leads 12, and the plurality of electrode accommodating recesses 52 are aligned in a third direction (left-right direction) that is perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, and the flexible piece 62 is arranged between two adjacent electrode accommodating recesses 52.

[0066] With this configuration, the electrode accommodating recesses 52 are aligned in the third direction, and the wiring module 20 can be attached to a battery stack 11L made up of multiple laminated batteries 11 stacked in the third direction. Spaces extending in the first and second directions are formed between adjacent electrode leads 12 in the third direction, and by arranging the flexible pieces 62 in these spaces, the flexure of the flexible pieces 62 can be increased. The wiring module 20 can also be made more compact.

[0067] In the first embodiment, the tip side plate portion 63A is connected to the connecting portion 64 at the end opposite to the laminated battery 11 side in the first direction.

[0068] With this configuration, when inserting the bent plate portion 33 into the recess 56, it is possible to prevent the bent plate portion 33 from being mistakenly inserted between the tip side plate portion 63A and the plate portion 63 adjacent to the tip side plate portion 63A.

[0069] In embodiment 1, the tip side plate portion 63A has a locking protrusion 65 that protrudes from the tip side plate portion 63A on the opposite side (upper side) of the base side plate portion 63B in the second direction, and the locking protrusion 65 has a locking portion 65A arranged on the laminated battery 11 side in the first direction, and an inclined portion 65B arranged on the opposite side of the laminated battery 11 side in the first direction from the locking portion 65A, and the inclined portion 65B is positioned so as to move away from the base side plate portion 63B in the second direction as it moves toward the laminated battery 11 side in the first direction.

[0070] With this configuration, the inclined portion 65B allows the bent plate portion 33 to be smoothly inserted into the recess 56 and smoothly locked between the bent plate portion 33 and the locking portion 65A.

[0071] In embodiment 1, the protector 50 has a guide portion 60 that is arranged continuous with the inner wall 59 (first inner wall 59A) of the recess 56 on the side opposite the laminated battery 11 side in the first direction from the recess 56, and the guide portion 60 is inclined toward the inside of the recess 56 as it moves toward the laminated battery 11 side in the first direction.

[0072] With this configuration, the guide portion 60 can guide the insertion of the bent plate portion 33 into the recessed portion 56 .

[0073] In the first embodiment, the protector 50 has a flexible piece accommodating recess 61 that is recessed from the protector body 51 toward the laminated battery 11 in the first direction and accommodates a part of the flexible piece 62.

[0074] According to this configuration, by accommodating a part of the flexible piece 62 in the flexible piece accommodating recess 61, the flexible piece 62 can be partially protected.

[0075] In the first embodiment, the terminal 30 is formed with at least one opening 36 penetrating the bent plate portion 33, and the edge of the opening 36 is provided with a lock receiving portion 36A that locks with the locking portion 65A.

[0076] According to this configuration, the lock receiving portion 36A that locks with the locking portion 65A can be easily provided by forming the opening 36 in the bent plate portion 33. Also, the space required for the locking between the bent plate portion 33 and the locking portion 65A can be reduced.

[0077] <Embodiment 2> A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 17 to 19. Configurations similar to those of the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. Descriptions of actions and effects similar to those of the first embodiment will also be omitted. As shown in Fig. 17, a protector 150 according to the second embodiment includes a flexible piece 162 having a plurality of plate portions 163. The plurality of plate portions 163 are configured from a distal plate portion 163A and a proximal plate portion 63B.

[0078] 18, the tip side plate portion 163A of the bending piece 162 does not have the locking protrusion 65 according to the first embodiment. The tip side plate portion 163A is inclined so as to be positioned upward toward the rear. In the energy storage module 110 (wiring module 120) of the second embodiment, the rear end surface of the tip side plate portion 163A is formed as a locking portion 165A that can be locked with the lock receiving portion 36A of the terminal 30. Because the tip side plate portion 163A is inclined in this manner, the bent plate portion 33 is guided into the recess 56, similar to the inclined portion 65B of the locking protrusion 65 of the first embodiment.

[0079] 19 , in the second embodiment, a guide portion 160 is formed extending upward from the second inner wall 59B of the recess 56. The guide portion 160 is inclined upward toward the rear. The bent plate portion 33 can be guided into the recess 56 by sliding the bent plate portion 33 against the guide portion 160.

[0080] [Effects of Embodiment 2] According to the second embodiment, the following actions and effects are achieved. In the second embodiment, the tip side plate portion 163A is positioned so as to move away from the base side plate portion 63B in the second direction as it moves toward the laminated battery 11 in the first direction.

[0081] With this configuration, the bent plate portion 33 can be smoothly inserted into the recessed portion 56 by the tip side plate portion 163A.

[0082] <Embodiment 3> A third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 20 to 22. Configurations similar to those of the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. Descriptions of actions and effects similar to those of the first embodiment will also be omitted. As shown in Fig. 20, a protector 250 according to the third embodiment includes a flexible piece 262. A flexible piece accommodating recess 261 of the protector 250 has a pair of slits 261B in a lower inner wall opposite an upper inner wall on which the entrance 61A is provided.

[0083] 21, the pair of slits 261B are elongated in the front-rear direction and arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The pair of slits 261B penetrate the inner wall of the flexible piece accommodating recess 261 in the up-down direction and open to the rear. The inner wall of the flexible piece accommodating recess 261 sandwiched between the pair of slits 261B serves as a base end side plate portion 263B of the flexible piece 262. The front end of the base end side plate portion 263B is connected to the protector main body 51 via a base end connecting portion 266. By providing the pair of slits 261B in this manner and using part of the inner wall of the flexible piece accommodating recess 261 as the base end side plate portion 263B, the space required to form the flexible piece 262 can be reduced.

[0084] 22, the flexible piece 262 of this embodiment includes a plurality of (three) plate portions 263 and a plurality of (two) connecting portions 264. The plurality of plate portions 263 are configured from a distal plate portion 63A, a proximal plate portion 263B, and an intermediate plate portion 263C disposed between the distal plate portion 63A and the proximal plate portion 263B. The plurality of connecting portions 264 are configured from a first connecting portion 264A connecting the front end portion of the distal plate portion 63A to the front end portion of the intermediate plate portion 263C, and a second connecting portion 264B connecting the rear end portion of the intermediate plate portion 263C to the rear end portion of the proximal plate portion 263B. In the flexible piece 262 of this embodiment, the multiple plate portions 263 and multiple connecting portions 264 are arranged in the following order from the base end side (lower side) to the tip end side (upper side): base end plate portion 263B, second connecting portion 264B, intermediate plate portion 263C, first connecting portion 264A, and tip end plate portion 63A. In other words, the plate portions 263 and connecting portions 264 are arranged alternately in the vertical direction in which the flexible piece 262 bends, so that the flexible piece 262 is formed in a bellows shape.

[0085] In the power storage module 210 (wiring module 220) of the third embodiment, when the terminal 30 is assembled to the protector 250, the rear end of the bent plate portion 33 is pressed against the inclined portion 65B of the locking protrusion 65 from the front side, causing the flexible piece 262 to bend downward. At this time, the number of plate portions 263 of the flexible piece 262 is one more than the number of plate portions 63 of the first embodiment, so the stress applied to the terminal 30 from the flexible piece 262 is reduced compared to the first embodiment. In addition, the base-end side plate portion 263B is formed by cutting out the inner wall of the flexible piece accommodating recess 261, so the space occupied by the flexible piece 62 of the first embodiment is equivalent to the space occupied by the flexible piece 262 of the third embodiment.

[0086] [Effects of the Third Embodiment] According to the third embodiment, the following actions and effects are achieved. In embodiment 3, the inner wall constituting the flexible piece accommodating recess 261 extends in a first direction and has a pair of slits 261B arranged side by side in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, and the inner wall arranged between the pair of slits 261B is a base end side plate portion 263B.

[0087] According to this configuration, the inner wall of the bending piece accommodating recess 261 can be used to form the base end side plate portion 263B, so that the space required to form the bending piece 262 can be reduced.

[0088] <Other embodiments> (1) In the above embodiment, the joint 13 is configured by joining four electrode leads 12 together, but this is not limited to this. The joint may be configured by joining a plurality of electrode leads together. (2) In the above embodiment, the terminal 30 has one locking receiving portion 36A, and the protector 50, 150, 250 has one flexible piece 62, 162, 262 for one terminal 30, but this is not limited to this. For example, the terminal may have two locking receiving portions, and the protector may have two flexible pieces for one terminal. (3) In the above embodiment, the terminal 30 has the opening 36, and the edge of the opening 36 is configured to have the locking portion 36A, but this is not limited to this. For example, the terminal may have no opening, but may have a locking portion that protrudes from the bent plate portion. (4) In the above embodiment, the inclined portion 65B is formed to have a flat surface, but this is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Fig. 23, the protector 350 of the power storage module 310 (wiring module 320) may include a bending piece 362, and the inclined portion 365B of the bending piece 362 may be formed to have a curved surface. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 10,110,210,310: Energy storage module 11: Laminated battery 11L: Battery stack 12: Electrode lead 12A: Connecting electrode lead 12B: Output electrode lead 13: Joint 14: Output section 15: Housing 15A: Bottom 15B: Ceiling 15C: Lateral part 20,120,220,320: Wiring module 30: Terminal 31: Main body 32: Connection 33: Bent plate part 34: Wire connection 34A: Base 34B: Crimping piece 34C: First crimping piece 34D: Second crimping piece 35: Bent section 36: Opening 36A: Locking receiving part 36B: Extended opening 40: Busbar 40A: 1st part 40B: 2nd part 41: Busbar side connection 41A: Through hole 45: Electric wire 46: Core wire 47: Insulation coating 48: Connector 48A: Housing 48B: Male terminal 50,150,250,350: Protector 50A: Routing recess 51: Protector body 52: Electrode receiving recess 52A: Connection electrode receiving recess 52B: Output electrode receiving recess 53: Busbar holder 53A: Bolted joint 54: Terminal housing 55: Main body housing 55A: Bottom wall 55B: Left wall 55C: Communication hole 56: Recess 57: Wire connection housing 58: Contact part 59: Inner wall 59A: 1st inner wall 59B: 2nd inner wall 59C: Side wall 60,160: Guide section 61,261: Flexure receiving recess 61A: Entrance 62,162,262,362: Flexure 63,163,263: Board part 63A,163A: Tip side plate part 63B,263B: Proximal side plate part 64,264: Connection part 65: Locking protrusion 65A,165A: Locking part 65B,365B: Inclined part 66,266: Base end connection 261B: Slit 263C: Intermediate plate part 264A: 1st connection part 264B: Second Link

Claims

1. A wiring module attached to a battery stack configured by stacking a plurality of laminated type batteries each having an electrode lead, the battery stack having a joint where the electrode leads of the laminated type batteries are overlapped and joined, The terminal and an electric wire connected to the terminal; a protector that holds the terminal and the electric wire, the terminal includes a main body portion, a connection portion extending from the main body portion and connected to the electrode lead constituting the joint portion in a first direction, and a bent plate portion connected to the main body portion via a bent portion and extending toward the laminated battery in the first direction; the protector has a protector body, a recess that is recessed toward the laminated battery in the first direction relative to the protector body and that accommodates the bent plate portion, and at least one flexible piece that extends from the protector body and is flexible and deformable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the flexible piece includes a plurality of plate portions extending in the first direction and arranged at intervals in the second direction, and at least one connecting portion connecting end portions in the first direction of two adjacent plate portions, the plurality of plate portions include at least a base end side plate portion connected to the protector body and a tip end side plate portion disposed to face the terminal, the tip side plate portion includes a locking portion disposed in the recess and configured to lock onto the bent plate portion from the side opposite to the laminated battery in the first direction; The plate portions and the connecting portions are alternately connected from the base end side plate portion to the tip end side plate portion, so that the flexible piece has an accordion shape.

2. the protector is formed with a plurality of electrode accommodating recesses that penetrate the protector body in the first direction and receive the electrode leads; the plurality of electrode accommodating recesses are aligned in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, The wiring module according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible piece is disposed between two adjacent electrode accommodating recesses.

3. The wiring module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tip side plate portion is connected to the connecting portion at an end portion opposite to the laminated battery side in the first direction.

4. the distal end side plate portion includes a locking projection that projects from the distal end side plate portion toward a side opposite to the proximal end side plate portion in the second direction, the locking projection includes the locking portion disposed on the laminated battery side in the first direction, and an inclined portion disposed on the opposite side of the locking portion from the laminated battery side in the first direction, 3 . The wiring module according to claim 1 , wherein the inclined portion is positioned so as to move away from the base end side plate portion in the second direction as it moves toward the laminated battery in the first direction.

5. 3 . The wiring module according to claim 1 , wherein the distal side plate portion is positioned so as to move away from the proximal side plate portion in the second direction as it moves toward the laminated battery in the first direction.

6. the protector includes a guide portion disposed contiguous with an inner wall of the recess on a side opposite to the laminated battery side from the recess in the first direction, The wiring module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide portion is inclined inwardly of the recess as it moves toward the laminated battery in the first direction.

7. 3 . The wiring module according to claim 1 , wherein the protector has a flexible piece accommodating recess that is recessed from the protector body toward the laminated battery in the first direction and accommodates a part of the flexible piece.

8. an inner wall constituting the flexible piece accommodating recess extends in the first direction and has a pair of slits arranged side by side in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction; The wiring module according to claim 7 , wherein the inner wall disposed between the pair of slits is the base end side plate portion.

9. At least one opening is formed in the terminal and passes through the bent plate portion, The wiring module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a lip portion of the opening portion is provided with a locking portion that locks with the locking portion.

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