Voltage Detection Unit

Abstract

To provide a voltage detection unit with excellent workability in conductive connection with a detection target.SOLUTION: A voltage detection unit 5 comprises: a voltage detection terminal 10 that is conductively connected with a detection target 4; an electric wire 20 that is conductively connected with the voltage detection terminal 10; a plate-like housing 40; and a cover 30 that is attached to the housing 40 so as to cover the voltage detection terminal 10. The housing 40 has: a terminal accommodation recessed part 42 in which the voltage detection terminal 10 is accommodated; a sensor accommodation recessed part 52 that can accommodate a temperature detection sensor 60; and an electric wire accommodation recessed part 46 that accommodates the electric wire 20 and guides the electric wire 20 toward the exterior while avoiding the sensor accommodation recessed part 52. The housing 40 has, on a first plate end surface 40c of the housing 40, both a first opening 51 for making the electric wire 20 extend toward the exterior and a second opening 52a for making an electric wire 70 connected with the temperature detection sensor 60 extend toward the exterior.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a voltage detection unit configured such that a voltage detection terminal to be electrically connected to an object to be detected is accommodated in a plate-shaped housing. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, stacked energy storage devices have been proposed, which are configured by repeatedly stacking thin, chargeable and dischargeable energy storage modules and conductive plates in an alternating arrangement, thereby connecting multiple energy storage modules in series via the conductive plates. The energy storage modules used in this type of energy storage device generally have a structure in which multiple battery cells are built in and function as a single chargeable and dischargeable battery. In one conventional energy storage device, in order to monitor the output state of each energy storage module (i.e., the potential of the output surface of each energy storage module relative to a reference zero potential; hereinafter, also simply referred to as the "voltage of the energy storage module"), a detection terminal such as a bus bar is connected to the conductive plate in contact with the output surface of each energy storage module, and the voltage of each energy storage module is detected via this detection terminal (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-161340 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when actually connecting a bus bar or the like to a conductive plate in an energy storage device having the above-described structure, it is difficult to secure space for installing other connection components (e.g., bolts for bolt fastening) because the energy storage module and the conductive plate are thin-plate shaped. Therefore, in the above-described conventional energy storage device, insertion holes for inserting detection terminals are provided on the side edges of the conductive plate, and the detection terminals are connected to the conductive plate by inserting the detection terminals into the insertion holes of each conductive plate from the side of the stack of energy storage modules and conductive plates. However, with this conventional connection method, it is difficult to improve the workability of the connection work because it is cumbersome to align the insertion holes of the conductive plate with the detection terminals when inserting the detection terminals.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a voltage detection unit that is easy to work with for conductive connection to an object to be detected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above object, the voltage detection unit according to the present invention has the following features.

[0007] a voltage detection terminal that is electrically connected to the detection target; an electric wire electrically connected to the voltage detection terminal; a plate-shaped housing having a terminal accommodating recess for accommodating the voltage detection terminal, a sensor accommodating recess capable of accommodating a temperature detection sensor for detecting an external temperature, and an electric wire accommodating recess for accommodating the electric wire and guiding the electric wire toward the outside while avoiding the sensor accommodating recess; a cover attached to the housing so as to cover the voltage detection terminal accommodated in the terminal accommodating recess, The housing includes: a first plate end surface, which is a part of the peripheral plate end surface of the housing, having both a first opening for extending the electric wire connected to the voltage detection terminal toward the outside and a second opening for extending the electric wire connected to the temperature detection sensor toward the outside when the temperature detection sensor is accommodated in the sensor accommodating recess; It is a voltage detection unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the voltage detection unit of the present invention, a voltage detection terminal connected to a voltage detection wire is accommodated in a terminal accommodating recess of a plate-shaped housing. The voltage detection terminal and wire are then covered with a cover, and the wire extending from the voltage detection terminal can be routed to the outside of the housing through the wire accommodating recess. This allows the voltage detection unit to be thin (i.e., have a plate-like outer shape) while still storing the voltage detection terminal and wire inside. Furthermore, when electrically connecting the voltage detection unit to a detection target (e.g., a conductive plate used in a stacked energy storage device), for example, the voltage detection unit can be assembled to the detection target, and the exposed voltage detection terminal can be fixed to the detection target using techniques such as ultrasonic bonding or welding. This eliminates the need for additional connection components compared to typical bolt fastening, and, compared to the conventional connection methods described above, facilitates alignment and reduces contact resistance at the contact points. Therefore, the voltage detection unit of this configuration offers excellent workability in electrically connecting the detection target to the detection target.

[0009] Furthermore, with the voltage detection unit configured as described above, a sensor accommodating recess can be provided in the housing in addition to the terminal accommodating recess. By accommodating a temperature detection sensor in the sensor accommodating recess as needed, based on the specifications of the voltage detection unit, the voltage detection unit can be given the ability to detect external temperatures (e.g., the temperature of an energy storage module used in a stacked energy storage device). Additionally, by providing a first opening for extending the voltage detection wires toward the outside and a second opening for extending the temperature detection wires toward the outside on the same plate end surface (i.e., the first plate end surface) of the housing, even when a temperature detection sensor is accommodated in the housing, the wires can be easily drawn out of the housing in the same direction. This allows the voltage detection function and the temperature detection function to be integrated into the voltage detection unit, and also simplifies the routing of the voltage detection wires and the temperature detection wires. In other words, the voltage detection unit can be made more multifunctional. Furthermore, compared to when the temperature detection sensor is provided separately from the voltage detection unit, no dedicated parts are required to hold the temperature detection sensor, which reduces the manufacturing costs of a device (e.g., a stacked-type power storage device) that uses the voltage detection unit and the temperature detection sensor. As can be understood from the above explanation, regardless of whether the temperature detection sensor is housed in the sensor accommodating recess, the voltage detection unit of this configuration is easy to work with in terms of conductive connection to the detection object.

[0010] The present invention has been briefly described above. The details of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of the invention set forth below, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a partially exploded stacked electricity storage device including a voltage detection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2(a) is a view corresponding to the cross section AA in Figure 1 in which the storage modules and conductive modules 3 that make up the storage device shown in Figure 1 are stacked alternately, and Figure 2(b) is an enlarged view of part B in Figure 2(a). [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the conductive module shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the voltage detection unit according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a top view showing a housing that accommodates a voltage detection terminal, a voltage wire, and a temperature detection sensor, and a cover. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a bottom view showing the housing that accommodates the voltage detection terminal, the voltage wire, and the temperature detection sensor, and the cover. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a top view showing a state in which the cover is locked to the housing at the provisionally locked position. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a top view showing the cover locked to the housing at the full locking position. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] <Embodiment> A voltage detection unit 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, the terms "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," and "lower" are defined below as shown in FIG. 1 and other figures. The "front-rear direction," "left-right direction," and "up-down direction" are perpendicular to one another.

[0013] The voltage detection unit 5 is typically used in a stacked-type energy storage device 1 shown in Fig. 1. The energy storage device 1 is configured by alternately stacking rectangular thin-plate chargeable and dischargeable energy storage modules 2 and rectangular thin-plate conductive modules 3 that can electrically connect adjacent energy storage modules 2 in a vertical direction. In the energy storage device 1, the multiple energy storage modules 2 are electrically connected in series via the conductive modules 3. The energy storage module 2 has a structure in which multiple battery cells (not shown) are built in, and the energy storage module 2 as a whole functions as a single chargeable and dischargeable battery.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1 , the conductive module 3 is configured to have an overall rectangular thin plate shape, including a rectangular thin plate-shaped conductive plate 4 (note that the conductive plate 4 also functions as a heat sink, as will be described later), a rectangular thin plate-shaped voltage detection unit 5 connected to the right side of the conductive plate 4, and a rectangular thin plate-shaped opposing unit 6 connected to the left side of the conductive plate 4. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 (particularly FIG. 2(a)), the conductive plate 4 and the voltage detection unit 5 are connected to each other by fitting a flange portion 4a extending in the front-rear direction on the right end surface of the conductive plate 4 with a recessed portion 5a extending in the front-rear direction on the left end surface of the voltage detection unit 5. The conductive plate 4 and the opposing unit 6 are connected to each other by fitting a flange portion 4b extending in the front-rear direction on the left end surface of the conductive plate 4 with a recessed portion 6a extending in the front-rear direction on the right end surface of the opposing unit 6. Note that the recessed portion 5a corresponds to the "detection target accommodating recess" of the present invention.

[0015] 2(a), in each conductive module 3 located between vertically adjacent energy storage modules 2, the conductive plate 4 is in direct contact with the upper and lower energy storage modules 2. Therefore, the conductive plate 4 functions to provide electrical continuity between the lower surface of the upper energy storage module 2 and the upper surface of the lower energy storage module 2, and also functions as a heat sink that releases heat generated from the upper and lower energy storage modules 2 to the outside.

[0016] In each conductive module 3 located between vertically adjacent energy storage modules 2, the voltage detection unit 5 includes a voltage detection terminal 10 (see FIG. 2, etc.) described below that contacts the conductive plate 4. The voltage detection unit 5 functions to output a signal indicating the voltage between the upper and lower energy storage modules 2 (specifically, the potential of the upper surface (output surface) of the lower energy storage module 2 relative to a reference zero potential) via a voltage electric wire 20 (see FIG. 1, etc.) connected to the voltage detection terminal 10. Furthermore, the voltage detection unit 5 includes a temperature detection sensor 60 (thermistor, see FIG. 1, etc.) that contacts the vertically adjacent energy storage module 2. The voltage detection unit 5 functions to output a signal indicating the temperature of the upper and lower energy storage modules 2 via a temperature electric wire 70 (see FIG. 1, etc.) connected to the temperature detection sensor 60. The voltage electric wire 20 corresponds to the "electric wire" of the present invention.

[0017] Note that when the energy storage device 1 has multiple voltage detection units 5, it is not necessary to provide the temperature detection sensor 60 in all of the voltage detection units 5. For example, depending on the specifications of the energy storage device 1, some of the voltage detection units 5 may be provided with the temperature detection sensor 60 as shown in FIG. 1, while other voltage detection units 5 may not be provided with the temperature detection sensor 60 and the mounting location for the temperature detection sensor 60 (a sensor accommodating recess 52, described later) may be left blank. Furthermore, although the voltage detection unit 5 is arranged on the right side of the conductive plate 4 in FIGS. 1 to 3, a voltage detection unit having the same function as the voltage detection unit 5 may be arranged on the left side of the conductive plate 4. In this case, a voltage detection unit obtained by reversing the overall configuration of the voltage detection unit 5 (i.e., a mirror product of the voltage detection unit 5) is used as the voltage detection unit having the same function as the voltage detection unit 5.

[0018] In each conductive module 3 located between adjacent storage modules 2 on the top and bottom, the opposing unit 6 is one of a voltage detection unit, a dummy unit, and a temperature detection unit, depending on the specifications of the storage device 1.

[0019] When the opposing unit 6 is a voltage detection unit, a voltage detection unit obtained by reversing the overall configuration of the voltage detection unit 5 (i.e., a mirror product of the voltage detection unit 5 described above) is used as the opposing unit 6. In this case, the voltage detection unit 5 is disposed on the right side of the conductive plate 4, and the mirror product of the voltage detection unit 5 is disposed on the left side of the conductive plate 4. The opposing unit 6 (mirror product of the voltage detection unit 5) performs the same function as the voltage detection unit 5.

[0020] 3, a simple resin plate having a recess 6a extending in the front-rear direction is used as the opposing unit 6. In this case, the opposing unit 6 only serves to fill the gap between the upper and lower energy storage modules 2.

[0021] 1, the energy storage device 1 may use, in addition to the voltage detection unit 5 described above, a voltage detection unit 7 having a structure in which the mounting portion of the temperature detection sensor 60 is removed from the voltage detection unit 5. Furthermore, when using such a voltage detection unit 7, the opposing unit 6 may be configured such that the temperature detection sensor 60 (thermistor) is incorporated into a resin plate used as a dummy unit. In this case, the opposing unit 6 functions to output a signal indicating the temperature of the upper and lower energy storage modules 2 via a temperature wire 70 (see FIG. 1) connected to the temperature detection sensor 60.

[0022] A specific configuration of a voltage detection unit 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 4 to 11. As shown in Figure 4, the voltage detection unit 5 includes a housing 40, a voltage detection terminal 10 housed in the housing 40, a voltage wire 20 connected to the voltage detection terminal 10 and housed in the housing 40, a cover 30 attached to the housing 40, a temperature detection sensor 60 housed in the housing 40, and a temperature wire 70 connected to the temperature detection sensor 60.

[0023] The voltage detection terminal 10 is accommodated in a terminal accommodating recess 42 (see FIG. 4) which will be described later and which is formed in the housing 40, the voltage electric wire 20 is accommodated in a wire accommodating recess 46 (see FIG. 4) which will be described later and which is formed in the housing 40, the cover 30 is attached to a cover mounting recess 41 (see FIG. 4) which will be described later and which is formed in the housing 40, and the temperature detection sensor 60 is accommodated in a sensor accommodating recess 52 (see FIG. 4) which will be described later and which is formed in the housing 40. Each of the components which make up the voltage detection unit 5 will be described below in order.

[0024] First, the voltage detection terminal 10 will be described. The metal voltage detection terminal 10 is formed by performing processing such as pressing on a single metal plate. The voltage detection terminal 10 is accommodated from above in the terminal accommodating recess 42 of the housing 40. As shown in FIG. 4, the voltage detection terminal 10 has a rectangular, flat, plate-like first portion 11 extending in the front-to-rear direction and a rectangular, flat, plate-like second portion 12 extending leftward from the front end of the first portion 11, and has a generally L-shaped, flat plate-like shape as a whole when viewed from the top-to-bottom direction.

[0025] One end of a voltage wire 20 is fixed to the underside of the tip end 11a (i.e., the end on the rear end side) of the first portion 11 so as to be electrically connected (see also FIG. 6). The other end of the voltage wire 20 is connected to a voltage measurement device (not shown) outside the energy storage device 1. A part of the flange portion 4a of the conductive plate 4 is fixed to the underside of the tip end 12a (i.e., the end on the left end side) of the second portion 12 by a method such as ultrasonic bonding or welding (see FIG. 2(b)).

[0026] A protrusion 13 that protrudes forward is formed on the front edge of the second portion 12. When the voltage detection terminal 10 is accommodated in the housing 40, the protrusion 13 is engaged with an engaging groove 45 (see FIG. 4) formed in the housing 40.

[0027] Next, the cover 30 will be described. The cover 30 is a resin molded product, and is attached to the cover attachment recess 41 of the housing 40 from the right side. The cover 30 is composed of a facing portion 31 and an extending portion 32 that extends rearward from the facing portion 31. The facing portion 31 mainly functions to cover and protect the voltage detection terminal 10, and the extending portion 32 mainly functions to cover and protect the voltage electric wire 20.

[0028] The facing portion 31 is composed of a pair of identical flat plate portions 33 facing each other with a gap in the vertical direction, and a connecting portion 34 that connects the right end edges of the pair of flat plate portions 33 extending in the front-rear direction along the entire front-rear direction. The facing portion 31 has a generally U-shaped configuration that opens to the left when viewed from the front-rear direction. Each flat plate portion 33 is composed of a generally square flat plate-like base portion 33a connected to the connecting portion 34 and a rectangular flat plate-like extension portion 33b extending leftward from the front end of the base 33a, and has a generally L-shaped configuration as a whole when viewed from the vertical direction. The extension portion 32 extends flush and continuously rearward from the rear end edge of the upper flat plate portion 33 (more specifically, the upper base portion 33a) of the pair of flat plate portions 33 that make up the facing portion 31, and has a generally rectangular flat plate-like shape.

[0029] A locking portion 36 that protrudes upward toward the upper flat plate portion 33 is formed at a predetermined location on the lower flat plate portion 33 (more specifically, the lower base portion 33a) of the pair of flat plate portions 33 that make up the facing portion 31 (see FIGS. 8 and 11). The locking portion 36 functions to lock the cover 30 at a temporary locking position (see FIG. 7) and a regular locking position (see FIG. 9) in cooperation with a temporary locking portion 55 and a regular locking portion 56, which will be described later, that are provided on the housing 40.

[0030] Next, the housing 40 will be described. The housing 40 is a resin molded product, and as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, etc., has a generally rectangular thin plate shape extending in the front-rear direction. A recess 5a that is recessed to the right and extends in the front-rear direction is formed in the left end surface 40a of the housing 40 (see Fig. 4). A flange portion 4a of the conductive plate 4 is fitted into the recess 5a (see Fig. 2, etc.). The left end surface 40a corresponds to the "third plate end surface" of the present invention.

[0031] At the locations on the top and bottom surfaces of the housing 40 where the cover 30 is attached, cover attachment recesses 41 are formed, each recess having a shape corresponding to the overall shape of the cover 30 (see FIG. 4). The depth (vertical depth) of the cover attachment recess 41 is equal to the thickness of the resin material that constitutes the cover 30 (facing portion 31+extending portion 32). Therefore, when the cover 30 is attached to the housing 40, the surfaces of the housing 40 and the cover 30 are flush with each other (see FIGS. 1 and 11).

[0032] A terminal accommodating recess 42 having a shape corresponding to the overall shape of the voltage detection terminal 10 is formed in the bottom surface 41a of the cover mounting recess 41 on the upper surface of the housing 40 at a location where the voltage detection terminal 10 is accommodated (see FIG. 4). The recess depth (depth in the vertical direction) of the terminal accommodating recess 42 is equal to the plate thickness of the voltage detection terminal 10. Therefore, when the voltage detection terminal 10 is mounted in the housing 40, the upper surface of the voltage detection terminal 10 and the bottom surface 41a of the cover mounting recess 41 are flush with each other (see FIGS. 8 and 11).

[0033] A notch 43 that is recessed to the right and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the top and bottom is formed in the left end surface 40a of the housing 40 at a position in the front-to-back direction where the tip 12a of the voltage detection terminal 10 is disposed. The recess 5a extending in the front-to-back direction on the left end surface 40a of the housing 40 is divided by the notch 43. When the voltage detection terminal 10 is accommodated in the housing 40, the top and bottom surfaces of the tip 12a of the voltage detection terminal 10 are exposed by the notch 43 (see FIG. 8).

[0034] A through-hole 44 extending in the front-rear direction and penetrating in the up-down direction is formed in the terminal accommodating recess 42 at a location where the tip 11a of the voltage detection terminal 10 is disposed. When the voltage detection terminal 10 is accommodated in the housing 40, one end (contact point) of the voltage electric wire 20 connected to the voltage detection terminal 10 enters the through-hole 44 (see FIG. 6). In other words, the through-hole 44 functions as a relief portion to prevent interference between the bottom surface 42a of the terminal accommodating recess 42 and the one end of the voltage electric wire 20.

[0035] A locking groove 45 is formed on the inner wall surface of the terminal accommodating recess 42 at the location where the protrusion 13 of the voltage detection terminal 10 (see Figure 4) is positioned, corresponding to the protrusion 13, and is recessed forward and communicates with the recess 5a (see Figure 4).

[0036] At locations on the top surface and right end surface 40b (see FIG. 4) of the housing 40 where the voltage electric wires 20 are accommodated, wire accommodating recesses 46 are formed, recessed into a shape corresponding to the routing form of the voltage electric wires 20 (see FIG. 4). The wire accommodating recess 46 is a series of grooves comprising: a first recess 47 recessed downward in the bottom surface 41a of the top-side cover mounting recess 41 and extending rearward from the rear end edge of the terminal accommodating recess 42; a second recess 48 recessed downward in the bottom surface 41a of the top-side cover mounting recess 41 and extending rightward from the rear end of the first recess 47 to the right end surface 40b of the housing 40; and a third recess 49 recessed leftward in the right end surface 40b, which is a part of the peripheral plate end surface of the housing 40, and extending rearward from the right end of the second recess 48 to the rear end surface 40c (see FIG. 4), which is the other plate end surface of the housing 40. The rear end of the third recess 49 forms a first opening 51 through which the voltage electric wire 20 extends rearward from the rear end face 40c of the housing 40. The recess width (vertical spacing) of the third recess 49 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the voltage electric wire 20 (see FIG. 10). Therefore, when the voltage electric wire 20 is housed in the third recess 49, the voltage electric wire 20 is press-fit into the third recess 49. The right end face 40b corresponds to the "second plate end face" of the present invention, and the rear end face 40c corresponds to the "first plate end face" of the present invention.

[0037] A sensor accommodating recess 52 is formed in the center of the rear end surface 40c of the housing 40 in the left-right direction. The sensor accommodating recess 52 is recessed forward in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped extending in the front-rear direction, corresponding to the overall shape of the casing of the temperature detection sensor 60 (see FIG. 4). The sensor accommodating recess 52 penetrates in the up-down direction. Therefore, the sensor accommodating recess 52 has a second opening 52a that opens rearward and a third opening 52b that opens both up and down (see FIG. 4).

[0038] A pair of protrusions 53 that protrude inward in the left-right direction (toward each other) and extend in the front-rear direction are formed on a pair of inner wall surfaces extending in the front-rear direction of the sensor accommodating recess 52 (see FIGS. 4 and 10). The pair of protrusions 53 are to be inserted into a pair of grooves 61 (described later) of the temperature detection sensor 60 (see FIGS. 4 and 10).

[0039] The sensor accommodating recess 52 is located to the left of the right end surface 40b of the housing 40 (i.e., the third recess 49 of the wire accommodating recess 46), and is located rearward of the first recess 47 and the second recess 48 of the wire accommodating recess 46. In other words, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the wire accommodating recess 46 is bent at two locations to avoid and detour around the sensor accommodating recess 52, and extends to guide the voltage electric wire 20 outward. By accommodating the voltage electric wire 20 in the wire accommodating recess 46 having such a bent shape, even if an unintended external force acts on the voltage electric wire 20 pulled out of the housing 40, the external force is resisted by friction between the inner wall of the groove of the wire accommodating recess 46 and the voltage electric wire 20, and the external force is unlikely to directly affect the contact point between the voltage detection terminal 10 and the voltage electric wire 20. In other words, by protecting the contact point between the voltage detection terminal 10 and the voltage electric wire 20 from external force, the reliability of the electrical connection at the contact point can be improved.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 6, at the same front-to-rear position on the bottom surface 41a of the cover mounting recess 41 on the underside of the housing 40 as the locking portion 36 of the cover 30 (see Fig. 8, etc.), an abutting portion 54, a temporary locked portion 55, and a permanent locked portion 56, which are recesses recessed upward, are formed in this order from right to left with a gap between them. As shown in Figs. 6, 8, and 11 (see Figs. 8 and 11 in particular), the abutting portion 54 is a recess continuing from the right edge of the housing 40. As shown in Figs. 8 and 11, the side surface of the abutting portion 54 is configured as an inclined surface, the side surface of the temporary locked portion 55 is also configured as an inclined surface, and the side surface of the permanent locked portion 56 is configured as a vertical surface.

[0041] Next, the temperature detection sensor 60 will be described. The temperature detection sensor 60 is typically a thermistor. The temperature detection sensor 60 has a rectangular parallelepiped housing extending in the front-rear direction, with a temperature electric wire 70 extending rearward from the rear end of the housing. The temperature detection sensor 60 is housed in the sensor accommodating recess 52 of the housing 40 from the rear. The extending end of the temperature electric wire 70 is connected to a temperature measuring device (not shown) outside the power storage device 1. A pair of grooves 61 that penetrate in the front-rear direction are formed on a pair of left and right side end surfaces extending in the front-rear direction of the housing of the temperature detection sensor 60, corresponding to the pair of protrusions 53 of the sensor accommodating recess 52 (see FIGS. 4 and 10).

[0042] The thickness in the vertical direction of the casing of the temperature detection sensor 60 is equal to the thickness of the housing 40, which is a substantially rectangular thin plate. Therefore, when the temperature detection sensor 60 is attached to the housing 40, the surface of the housing 40 and the surface of the temperature detection sensor 60 are flush with each other (see FIG. 10). The components that make up the voltage detection unit 5 have been described above.

[0043] Next, the procedure for assembling the voltage detection terminal 10, cover 30, and temperature detection sensor 60 into the housing 40 will be described. First, the voltage detection terminal 10, to which the voltage electric wire 20 has been connected in advance by a method such as ultrasonic bonding or welding, is accommodated in the terminal accommodating recess 42 of the housing 40. To this end, the voltage detection terminal 10 is fitted into the terminal accommodating recess 42 of the housing 40 from above so that the protrusion 13 enters the locking groove 45 and one end (contact) of the voltage electric wire 20 enters the through-hole 44 (see FIG. 5). When the voltage detection terminal 10 has been accommodated in the housing 40, the upper and lower surfaces of the tip 12a of the voltage detection terminal 10 are exposed by the notch 43 (see FIG. 8).

[0044] Next, the voltage electric wire 20 extending from the voltage detection terminal 10 accommodated in the housing 40 is accommodated in the wire accommodating recess 46 of the housing 40. Therefore, the voltage electric wire 20 is accommodated in the first recess 47 and the second recess 48 from above, and is press-fitted into the third recess 49 by being pushed in from the right (see FIG. 5). In this way, by press-fitting the voltage electric wire 20 into the third recess 49 (i.e., the right end surface 40b) of the housing 40, the voltage electric wire 20 can be held in the wire accommodating recess 46 (third recess 49). When the accommodation of the voltage electric wire 20 in the housing 40 is complete, the voltage electric wire 20 extends rearward from the first opening 51 to the outside of the housing 40.

[0045] Next, the cover 30 is attached to the housing 40. For this purpose, the cover 30 is attached to the cover attachment recess 41 of the housing 40 from the right side so that the facing portions 31 of the cover 30 sandwich the cover attachment recess 41 on the top and bottom surfaces of the housing 40 from above and below, and so that the extending portions 32 of the cover 30 cover the cover attachment recess 41 on the top surface side of the housing 40.

[0046] In the process of attaching the cover 30 to the housing 40, the locking portion 36 of the cover 30 first contacts the inclined surface of the abutting portion 54 of the housing 40, slides over the inclined surface, and then enters the interior of the temporary-locked portion 55, engages with the temporary-locked portion 55, and is pressed against the inclined surface on the left side of the temporary-locked portion 55 (see FIG. 8). This causes the cover 30 to be locked to the housing 40 in the temporary-locked position, completing the attachment of the cover 30 to the housing 40 (see FIG. 7), and obtaining the voltage detection unit 5 (see FIG. 3). As will be described later, the voltage detection unit 5 obtained after the attachment of the cover 30 to the housing 40 is completed (with the cover 30 locked in the temporary-locked position) is used to assemble the conductive module 3 (see FIG. 1).

[0047] 7, when the cover 30 is locked in the temporary locking position, the opposing portion 31 of the cover 30 (more specifically, the pair of upper and lower extending portions 33b) does not cover the tip portion 12a of the voltage detection terminal 10. Therefore, the upper and lower surfaces of the tip portion 12a of the voltage detection terminal 10 are still exposed by the notch 43 (see FIG. 8).

[0048] When cover 30 is locked in the temporary locking position, if cover 30 is pushed further to the left relative to housing 40, locking portion 36 of cover 30 will climb over temporary locking portion 55 and then enter inside and engage with final locking portion 56 (see FIG. 11). As a result, cover 30 is locked to housing 40 in the final locking position (see FIG. 9).

[0049] When the cover 30 is locked in the full locking position, as shown in Fig. 9, the entire cover mounting recess 41 is covered by the cover 30, and the first recess 47 and the second recess 48 of the electric wire accommodating recess 46 are covered by the extending portion 32 of the cover 30. This prevents the voltage electric wire 20 from slipping out of the electric wire accommodating recess 46. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 9, the facing portion 31 of the cover 30 (more specifically, the pair of upper and lower extending portions 33b) covers the upper and lower surfaces of the tip portion 12a of the voltage detection terminal 10. As a result, the entire voltage detection terminal 10 is covered by the facing portion 31 of the cover 30, and the voltage detection terminal 10 can be reliably protected.

[0050] Next, the temperature detection sensor 60 is attached to the housing 40. To do this, the temperature detection sensor 60 is attached to the sensor accommodating recess 52 of the housing 40 from the rear so that the pair of protrusions 53 provided on the sensor accommodating recess 52 are inserted into the pair of grooves 61 provided on the housing of the temperature detection sensor 60. When the temperature detection sensor 60 has been attached to the housing 40, the temperature wire 70 extends rearward from the second opening 52a (see FIG. 4) of the sensor accommodating recess 52 and to the outside of the housing 40 in the same direction as the voltage wire 20 (see FIG. 5). The upper and lower surfaces (flat surfaces) of the housing of the temperature detection sensor 60 are exposed to the outside from third openings 52b (see FIG. 4) on the top and bottom of the sensor accommodating recess 52 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0051] As described above, the voltage detection unit 5 obtained after the voltage detection terminal 10, the cover 30, and the temperature detection sensor 60 have been attached to the housing 40 (with the cover 30 locked in the provisionally locked position) is used for assembling the conductive module 3 (see FIG. 1). Specifically, first, as shown in FIG. 3, the flange portion 4a of the conductive plate 4 is fitted into the recessed portion 5a of the voltage detection unit 5, thereby connecting the voltage detection unit 5 to the right side of the conductive plate 4.

[0052] In this state, as can be seen from Figure 8, a portion of the flange portion 4a of the conductive plate 4 is positioned so as to overlap the underside of the tip portion 12a of the voltage detection terminal 10 (see also Figure 2(b)), and due to the presence of the notch 43 in the housing 40, the upper surface of the tip portion 12a of the voltage detection terminal 10 is exposed upward, and the lower surface of a portion of the flange portion 4a of the conductive plate 4 is exposed downward.

[0053] Next, the upper surface of tip portion 12a of voltage detection terminal 10 exposed upward and the lower surface of part of flange portion 4a of conductive plate 4 exposed downward are used to fasten tip portion 12a of voltage detection terminal 10 to part of flange portion 4a of conductive plate 4 by ultrasonic bonding, welding, or other method. Thereafter, cover 30 is moved from the provisional locking position to the full locking position, completing the assembly of voltage detection unit 5 and conductive plate 4.

[0054] Next, the flange portion 4b of the conductive plate 4 is fitted into the recessed portion 6a of the opposing unit 6, thereby connecting the opposing unit 6 to the left side of the conductive plate 4 on which the voltage detection unit 5 is assembled (see FIG. 2, etc.). This completes the assembly of the conductive module 3.

[0055] The conductive module 3 obtained in this manner is used to assemble the energy storage device 1 shown in Fig. 1. Specifically, the energy storage modules 2 and the conductive modules 3 are stacked alternately in the vertical direction, and the stack is fixed with predetermined metal fittings or the like to obtain the energy storage device 1.

[0056] <Actions and Effects> As described above, with the voltage detection unit 5 according to this embodiment, the voltage detection terminal 10 connected to the voltage electric wire 20 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating recess 42 of the plate-shaped housing 40, and the voltage detection terminal 10 and the voltage electric wire 20 are covered with the cover 30. The voltage detection terminal 10 and the voltage electric wire 20 can then be drawn out of the housing 40 through the electric wire accommodating recess 46. This allows the voltage detection unit 5 to be thin (i.e., have a plate-like outer shape) while storing the voltage detection terminal 10 and the voltage electric wire 20 therein. Furthermore, when electrically connecting the voltage detection unit 5 to the conductive plate 4 used in the stacked energy storage device 1, the voltage detection unit 5 can be assembled to the conductive plate 4, and the position of the cover 30 can be appropriately adjusted so that the voltage detection terminal 10 is exposed. This allows the exposed voltage detection terminal 10 and the conductive plate 4 to be fixed using techniques such as ultrasonic bonding or welding. This eliminates the need for additional connection components compared to typical bolt fastening, and, compared to the conventional connection methods described above, facilitates alignment between the two and reduces contact resistance at the contact points. Therefore, the voltage detection unit 5 according to this embodiment has excellent workability in electrically conductive connection with the conductive plate 4.

[0057] Furthermore, by providing a sensor accommodating recess 52 in the housing 40 and accommodating a temperature detection sensor 60 in the sensor accommodating recess 52, it is possible to add a function for detecting an external temperature to the voltage detection unit 5. In addition, by providing a first opening 51 for extending the voltage electric wire 20 toward the outside and a second opening 52a for extending the temperature electric wire 70 toward the outside in the rear end surface 40c of the housing 40, the voltage electric wire 20 and the temperature electric wire 70 can be easily drawn out in the same direction from the housing 40. This allows the voltage detection and temperature detection functions to be integrated into the voltage detection unit 5 and makes it easy to route the electric wires for each function, thereby increasing the functionality of the voltage detection unit 5 and reducing the size and manufacturing costs of the entire power storage device 1 compared to when the temperature detection sensor 60 is provided separately from the voltage detection unit 5.

[0058] Furthermore, a third recess 49 of the electric wire accommodating recess 46 is provided on the right end face 40b of the housing 40, and a sensor accommodating recess 52 is disposed at a position away from this right end face 40b in the plate surface direction. This allows the voltage electric wire 20 to be guided so as to avoid and detour around the sensor accommodating recess 52. Furthermore, by guiding the voltage electric wire 20 using the plate end face (right end face 40b), the voltage detection unit 5 can be further made smaller.

[0059] Furthermore, by press-fitting the voltage electric wire 20 into the third recess 49 of the housing 40, the voltage electric wire 20 can be held in the electric wire accommodating recess 46. Therefore, the voltage detection unit 5 can be made smaller than when a separate member or the like is provided to hold the voltage electric wire 20.

[0060] Furthermore, a recess 5a is provided on the left end surface 40a of the housing 40, and a tip portion 12a of the voltage detection terminal 10 is exposed in the recess 5a. Furthermore, the temperature detection sensor 60 housed in the sensor housing recess 52 is exposed to the outside from a third opening 52b that opens in the plate thickness direction of the housing 40. By using such a voltage detection unit 5, for example, the edge of the conductive plate 4 as the detection target is fitted into the recess 5a to connect the voltage detection terminal 10, and the conductive plate 4 to which the voltage detection unit 5 is attached is stacked on a plate-shaped battery (power storage module 2) and the temperature detection sensor is adjacent to the battery (power storage module 2), thereby realizing a stacked-type energy storage device 1.

[0061] <Other aspects> It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, etc. are possible as appropriate. Furthermore, the material, shape, dimensions, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary as long as they can achieve the present invention, and are not limited thereto.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the wire accommodating recess 46, which is composed of the first to third recesses 47 to 49, extends to guide the voltage wire 20 outward while bending at two locations to avoid the sensor accommodating recess 52 (see FIG. 4, etc.). Alternatively, the voltage detection terminal 10 and the terminal accommodating recess 42 may be extended rightward to the right end face 40b of the housing 40 (see FIG. 4), and the wire accommodating recess 46 may be configured solely by a recess (a linear recess corresponding to the third recess 49 in the above embodiment) that is recessed leftward at the right end face 40b of the housing 40 and extends rearward from the right end of the terminal accommodating recess 42 to the rear end face 40c of the housing 40 (see FIG. 4). This also allows the wire accommodating recess 46 to extend to guide the voltage wire 20 outward while avoiding the sensor accommodating recess 52.

[0063] Here, the features of the above-described embodiment of the voltage detection unit 5 according to the present invention will be briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [4].

[0064] [1] a voltage detection terminal (10) to be electrically connected to the detection target (4); an electric wire (20) electrically connected to the voltage detection terminal (10); a plate-shaped housing (40) having a terminal accommodating recess (42) for accommodating the voltage detection terminal (10), a sensor accommodating recess (52) capable of accommodating the temperature detection sensor (60) for detecting an external temperature, and an electric wire accommodating recess (46) for accommodating the electric wire (20) and guiding the electric wire (20) toward the outside while avoiding the sensor accommodating recess (52); a cover (30) attached to the housing (40) so as to cover the voltage detection terminal (10) accommodated in the terminal accommodating recess (42), The housing (40) A first plate end surface (40c) that is a part of the peripheral plate end surface of the housing (40) has both a first opening (51) for extending the electric wire (20) connected to the voltage detection terminal (10) toward the outside and a second opening (52a) for extending the electric wire (70) connected to the temperature detection sensor (60) toward the outside when the temperature detection sensor (60) is accommodated in the sensor accommodating recess (52). Voltage detection unit (5).

[0065] According to the voltage detection unit having the configuration [1] above, a voltage detection terminal connected to a voltage detection wire is accommodated in a terminal accommodating recess of a plate-shaped housing. The voltage detection terminal and wire are then covered with a cover, and the wire extending from the voltage detection terminal can be routed to the outside of the housing through the wire accommodating recess. This allows the voltage detection unit to be thin (i.e., have a plate-like outer shape) while still storing the voltage detection terminal and wire inside. Furthermore, when electrically connecting the voltage detection unit to a detection target (e.g., a conductive plate used in a stacked energy storage device), for example, the voltage detection unit can be attached to the detection target by adjusting the position of the cover so that the voltage detection terminal is exposed. This allows the exposed voltage detection terminal to be fixed to the detection target using techniques such as ultrasonic bonding or welding. This eliminates the need for additional connection components compared to typical bolt fastening, and, compared to the conventional connection methods described above, facilitates alignment and reduces contact resistance at the contact points. Therefore, the voltage detection unit of this configuration offers excellent workability in electrically connecting the detection target to the detection target.

[0066] Furthermore, with the voltage detection unit configured as described above, a sensor accommodating recess can be provided in the housing in addition to the terminal accommodating recess. By accommodating a temperature detection sensor in the sensor accommodating recess as needed, based on the specifications of the voltage detection unit, the voltage detection unit can be given the ability to detect external temperatures (e.g., the temperature of an energy storage module used in a stacked energy storage device). Additionally, by providing a first opening for extending the voltage detection wires toward the outside and a second opening for extending the temperature detection wires toward the outside on the same plate end surface (i.e., the first plate end surface) of the housing, even when a temperature detection sensor is accommodated in the housing, the wires can be easily drawn out of the housing in the same direction. This allows the voltage detection function and the temperature detection function to be integrated into the voltage detection unit, and also simplifies the routing of the voltage detection wires and the temperature detection wires. In other words, the voltage detection unit can be made more multifunctional. Furthermore, compared to when the temperature detection sensor is provided separately from the voltage detection unit, since no dedicated parts are required to hold the temperature detection sensor, the manufacturing costs of a device that uses a voltage detection unit and a temperature detection sensor (for example, a stacked energy storage device) can be reduced.

[0067] [2] In the voltage detection unit (5) described in [1] above, The wire receiving recess (46) is At least a portion (49) of the wire accommodating recess (46) is configured to be provided on a second plate end surface (40b) which is another portion of the peripheral plate end surface of the housing (40), The sensor accommodating recess (52) is The housing (40) is provided with a second plate end surface (40b) and a second plate end surface (40c) at a position spaced apart from the second plate end surface (40b) in the plate surface direction of the housing (40). Voltage detection unit (5).

[0068] According to the voltage detection unit having the configuration [2] above, at least a portion of the wire accommodating recess is provided on the end surface of the second plate of the housing, and the sensor accommodating recess is positioned away from this end surface in the plate surface direction. This allows the wire to be guided so that it avoids the sensor accommodating recess. Furthermore, by guiding the wire using the end surface (second plate end surface), the voltage detection unit can be further miniaturized. In addition, by accommodating the wire in this bent wire accommodating recess, even if an unintended external force acts on the wire pulled out of the housing, the friction between the inner wall of the groove of the wire accommodating recess and the wire resists the external force, making it difficult for the external force to directly affect the contact point between the voltage detection terminal and the wire. In other words, by protecting the contact point between the voltage detection terminal and the wire from external force, the reliability of the electrical connection at the contact point can be improved.

[0069] [3] In the voltage detection unit (5) described in [2] above, The electric wire (20) connected to the voltage detection terminal (10) is The second plate end surface (40b) is press-fitted into the wire accommodating recess (46). Voltage detection unit (5).

[0070] According to the voltage detection unit having the configuration [3] above, the electric wire can be held in the electric wire accommodating recess by press-fitting the electric wire into the end face of the second plate of the housing. This allows the voltage detection unit to be made smaller than when a separate member for holding the electric wire is provided.

[0071] [4] In the voltage detection unit (5) according to any one of the above [1] to [3], The housing (40) a third plate end surface (40a) which is another part of the peripheral plate end surface of the housing (40) has a groove-shaped detection object accommodating recess (5a) recessed so as to be able to accommodate at least a part of the detection object (4); At least a portion (12a) of the voltage detection terminal (10) is exposed to the detection object accommodation recess (5a), The sensor accommodating recess (52) is a third opening (52b) that opens in the thickness direction of the housing (40); Voltage detection unit (5).

[0072] According to the voltage detection unit having the configuration [4] above, a detection target accommodating recess is provided on the end surface of the third plate of the housing, and at least a portion of the voltage detection terminal is exposed in the detection target accommodating recess. Furthermore, the temperature detection sensor accommodated in the sensor accommodating recess is exposed to the outside through a third opening that opens in the plate thickness direction of the housing. By using such a voltage detection unit, for example, a stacked-type energy storage device can be realized by fitting the edge of a conductive plate serving as a detection target into the detection target accommodating recess to connect the voltage detection terminal, stacking the conductive plate with the attached voltage detection unit on a plate-shaped battery or the like, and arranging the temperature detection sensor adjacent to the battery or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 4 Conductive plate (detection target) 5 Voltage detection unit 5a Recess (detection target receiving recess) 10 Voltage detection terminal 12a Tip (part of voltage detection terminal) 20 High-voltage wire (electric wire) 30 Cover 40 Housing 40a Left side end face (third plate end face) 40b Right side end face (second plate end face) 40c Rear end surface (first plate end surface) 42 Terminal receiving recess 46 Wire receiving recess 49 Third recess (part of the wire receiving recess) 51 First opening 52 Sensor accommodating recess 52a 2nd opening 52b 3rd opening 60 Temperature detection sensor 70 Temperature wire (second wire)

Claims

1. a voltage detection terminal that is electrically connected to the detection target; an electric wire electrically connected to the voltage detection terminal; a plate-shaped housing having a terminal accommodating recess for accommodating the voltage detection terminal, a sensor accommodating recess capable of accommodating a temperature detection sensor for detecting an external temperature, and an electric wire accommodating recess for accommodating the electric wire and guiding the electric wire toward the outside while avoiding the sensor accommodating recess; a cover attached to the housing so as to cover the voltage detection terminal accommodated in the terminal accommodating recess, The housing includes: a first plate end surface, which is a part of the peripheral plate end surface of the housing, having both a first opening for extending the electric wire connected to the voltage detection terminal toward the outside and a second opening for extending the electric wire connected to the temperature detection sensor toward the outside when the temperature detection sensor is accommodated in the sensor accommodating recess; Voltage detection unit.

2. 2. The voltage detection unit according to claim 1, The wire accommodating recess is At least a part of the wire accommodating recess is provided on a second plate end surface that is another part of the peripheral plate end surface of the housing, The sensor accommodating recess is The second plate end surface is disposed at a position spaced apart from the second plate end surface in the plate surface direction of the housing. Voltage detection unit.

3. 3. The voltage detection unit according to claim 2, The electric wire connected to the voltage detection terminal is The second plate end surface is press-fitted into the wire accommodating recess. Voltage detection unit.

4. The voltage detection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The housing includes: a third plate end surface, which is another part of the peripheral plate end surface of the housing, further having a groove-shaped detection target accommodating recess that is recessed so as to be able to accommodate at least a part of the detection target; At least some of the voltage detection terminals are exposed in the detection target accommodation recess, The sensor accommodating recess is a third opening portion that opens in the thickness direction of the housing; Voltage detection unit.

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