Connection structure and assembly

Abstract

To provide a connection structure and an assembly that make it easy to ensure contact pressure at a conductive portion.SOLUTION: A connection structure includes a first conductive portion including a first bus bar having a contacted surface, a second conductive portion provided at a position away from the first conductive portion, a movable conductive portion including a pressing portion capable of contacting the first bus bar and movable relative to the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion in a movement direction intersecting the contacted surface, a biasing portion capable of biasing the movable conductive portion toward the contacted surface, and an intermediate conductive portion relaying conductivity between the second conductive portion and the movable conductive portion, and the intermediate conductive portion is slidable relative to the second conductive portion or the movable conductive portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention relate to connection structures and assemblies. [Background technology]

[0002] It is widely known that a battery pack serving as a power supply source is connected to a device. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that a battery module is connected to a fuse contactor unit of an electric vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-144524 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the assembly disclosed in Patent Document 1, male power supply terminals provided on a battery module are detachably attached to each of a plurality of female power receiving terminals connected to a fuse contactor unit. However, with a connection structure using such terminals, it may not be possible to ensure sufficient contact pressure between the conductive parts of both units.

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention provides a connection structure and assembly that make it easy to ensure contact pressure of a conductive portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A connection structure according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a first conductive portion having a first bus bar with a contact surface, a second conductive portion provided at a position spaced apart from the first conductive portion, a movable conductive portion having a pressing portion capable of contacting the first bus bar and movable relative to the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion in a movement direction intersecting the contact surface, a biasing portion capable of biasing the movable conductive portion toward the contact surface, and a relay conductive portion relaying conductivity between the second conductive portion and the movable conductive portion, wherein the relay conductive portion is slidable relative to the second conductive portion or the movable conductive portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the connection structure and assembly of one embodiment of the present invention, it is easy to ensure contact pressure of the conductive portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 10 is a front view of the assembly before fastening according to each embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is an enlarged view of part II in FIG. 1 of the assembly according to the first embodiment before fastening. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly according to the first embodiment before fastening, taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly according to the first embodiment after fastening, taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] 3 is a cross-sectional view of an assembly according to a modified example of the first embodiment taken along line III-III in FIG. 1 before fastening. [Figure 6] 3 is a cross-sectional view of an assembly according to a modified example of the first embodiment taken along line III-III in FIG. 1 before fastening. [Figure 7] 3 is a cross-sectional view of an assembly according to a modified example of the first embodiment taken along line III-III in FIG. 1 before fastening. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part II in FIG. 1 of an assembly according to a second embodiment before fastening. [Figure 9] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly according to the second embodiment taken along line III-III in FIG. 1 before fastening. [Figure 10] 2 is a cross-sectional view of an assembly according to a second embodiment before fastening, taken along line XX in FIG. 1. [Figure 11] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly according to the second embodiment after fastening, taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 12] 1. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an assembly according to a modified example of the second embodiment, taken along line XX in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] First Embodiment A connection structure and an assembly according to one embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0010] (Assembly configuration) 1, an assembly 9 of this embodiment includes a plurality of connection structures 1, a device 91, a battery pack 92, and a fastening material 93. The device 91 and the battery pack 92 are fastened together by the fastening material 93, thereby forming the assembly 9 into a unit. For example, the assembly 9 may be mounted on a mobility unit such as an electric vehicle.

[0011] (device) The device 91 receives and transmits power to and from the battery pack 92. For example, the device 91 may be a high-voltage device such as a high-voltage J / B (junction box), an OBC (on-board charger), or a DC-DC converter. The device 91 has an opposing surface 94 on the side facing the battery pack 92. The device 91 has a first installation surface 95 on the side opposite to the side facing the battery pack 92.

[0012] Hereinafter, the direction parallel to the direction in which the opposing surface 94 faces will be referred to as the Z direction. Hereinafter, the Z direction will also be referred to as the "movement direction." Furthermore, directions that intersect with each other within a plane facing the Z direction will be referred to as the X direction and the Y direction. For example, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction may be directions that are perpendicular to each other. For example, the Z direction may be the "up-down direction." For example, the opposing surface 94 may be a plane facing downward. For example, the first installation surface 95 may be a plane facing upward. For example, the opposing surface 94 and the first installation surface 95 may be planes that are parallel to each other.

[0013] The opposing surface 94 and the first installation surface 95 are each an insulating surface made of an insulating material. For example, the opposing surface 94 and the first installation surface 95 may each be an insulating housing, a partially insulating cover, or the like.

[0014] The device 91 has flange portions 96 that protrude on both sides in the X direction. The flange portions 96 have a plurality of through holes 96h that extend in the Z direction. Fasteners 93 are inserted into the through holes 96h to fasten the device 91 and the battery pack 92 together.

[0015] (Battery pack configuration) The battery pack 92 includes a plurality of battery cells. The battery pack 92 has a second mounting surface 97 on the side facing the device 91. The second mounting surface 97 faces the opposing surface 94. For example, the second mounting surface 97 may be a flat surface facing upward.

[0016] The battery pack 92 has a screw hole 92h on the second installation surface 97. The fastener 93 inserted into the through hole 96h is screwed into the screw hole 92h.

[0017] The second mounting surface 97 is an insulating surface made of an insulating material. For example, the second mounting surface 97 may be an insulating housing, a partially insulating cover, or the like.

[0018] (Connection structure configuration)

[0019] The plurality of connection structures 1 are structures for electrically connecting the device 91 and the battery pack 92. The plurality of connection structures 1 are arranged side by side in the X direction. Each connection structure 1 is arranged from the first installation surface 95 to the second installation surface 97.

[0020] 2 and 3, each connection structure 1 includes a device conducting portion 2 (second conducting portion), a battery conducting portion 3 (first conducting portion), a movable conducting portion 4, a biasing portion 5, and a relay conducting portion 6. Hereinafter, "conduction" means that a path through which a current flows is formed.

[0021] (Configuration of battery conduction section) The battery conduction unit 3 is electrically connected to electrodes included in the battery pack 92. The battery conduction unit 3 includes a battery bus bar 31 (first bus bar).

[0022] (battery bus bar) The battery bus bar 31 has a contact surface 32. The contact surface 32 is flat. The battery bus bar 31 extends in the Y direction to directly below the movable conductive part 4 while contacting the second installation surface 97. The battery bus bar 31 may have a constant thickness. For example, each battery bus bar 31 may be an integrated flat plate having a pair of plate surfaces facing the Z direction and a pair of plate surfaces extending in the Y direction. For example, the periphery of the battery bus bar 31 may be covered with a covering material from the battery pack 92 to just before the tip located directly below the movable conductive part 4. The battery bus bar 31 is formed of a conductive material such as metal.

[0023] (Configuration of device conduction section) The device conduction unit 2 is electrically connected to the device 91. The device conduction unit 2 includes a device bus bar 21 (second bus bar) and a conductive housing 22. The device conduction unit 2 is provided at a position separated from the battery conduction unit 3.

[0024] (Device bus bar) The device bus bar 21 is electrically connected to an electrode included in the device 91. The device bus bar 21 extends in the Y direction while contacting the first installation surface 95, and its end contacts the upper surface of the conductive housing 22. For example, the device bus bar 21 may have a constant thickness. For example, the device bus bar 21 may be an integrated flat plate having a pair of plate surfaces facing the Z direction and extending in the Y direction. The device bus bar 21 has a shaft hole 21h penetrating in the Z direction. The device bus bar 21 is formed of a conductive material such as metal.

[0025] (Conductive housing) The conductive housing 22 supports one end of the device bus bar 21 in the X direction. The conductive housing 22 is fitted into a through hole 91h provided in the device 91. The through hole 91h is a hole that penetrates the underside of the device bus bar 21 from the first installation surface 95 to the opposing surface 94 and has openings at the top and bottom. The conductive housing 22 is in contact with the device bus bar 21 and the relay conductive portion 6 so as to relay conductivity between the device bus bar 21 and the relay conductive portion 6. The conductive housing 22 includes a bottom plate 23 and a peripheral wall 24.

[0026] The bottom plate 23 has a bottom surface 23b extending in the XY plane and an opening 23w in the center of the bottom surface. The bottom surface 23b is flush with the opposing surface 94. For example, the bottom plate 23 may be made of an insulating material, or may be made of a conductive material such as metal. The opening 23w opens from the inside of the conductive housing 22 to the outside.

[0027] The peripheral wall 24 rises from the bottom plate 23 and extends upward so as to surround the periphery of the movable conductive part 4. The upper surface of the peripheral wall 24 is in electrical contact with the lower surface of the device bus bar 21. The peripheral wall 24 is formed of a conductive material such as metal. For example, if the bottom plate 23 and the peripheral wall 24 are made of a conductive material, the conductive housing 22 may be formed of a cylindrical conductive case in which the bottom plate 23 and the peripheral wall 24 are integrally formed.

[0028] (Configuration of the movable conductive part) The movable conductive part 4 is movable in the Z direction relative to the device conductive part 2 and the battery conductive part 3. The movable conductive part 4 includes a pressing part 41 that can come into contact with the battery bus bar 31, and a shaft body .

[0029] (Pushing part) The pressing portion 41 is capable of contacting the contacted surface 32 of the battery busbar 31. The pressing portion 41 has a hemispherical shape with a hemispherical surface as a curved surface on the contacted surface 32 side. The pressing portion 41 has a cylindrical shape extending coaxially with the shaft 42 toward the shaft 42 on the side opposite the contacted surface 32 side. For example, the pressing portion 41 has a ring-shaped circumferential groove 41g centered on the central axis of the shaft 42 on the outer periphery of the pressing portion 41. The circumferential groove 41g is recessed toward the central axis of the shaft 42. The pressing portion 41 has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the opening 23w so that the hemispherical portion does not come into contact with the bottom plate 23 when the movable conductive portion 4 moves downward. By having such an outer diameter, the pressing portion 41 is configured so that the hemispherical portion protrudes from the opening 23w toward the contacted surface 32 when the movable conductive portion 4 moves downward. The pressing portion 41 is made of a conductive material such as metal.

[0030] (shaft body) The shaft 42 has a tip 42t and a base 42b. The tip 42t of the shaft 42 is fixed to the pressing portion 41. For example, the tip 42t of the shaft 42 may be fixed by being screwed into the pressing portion 41. The shaft 42 extends upward from the tip 42t through a cavity in the conductive housing 22, penetrates the device bus bar 21, and extends to the base 42b. The outer periphery of the shaft 42 is enlarged at the base 42b so that the shaft 42, which penetrates the shaft hole 21h, does not slip out toward the battery conductive portion 3. On the other hand, regardless of the enlargement of the outer periphery of the shaft 42 at the base 42b, the movable conductive portion 4 can move upward relative to the device bus bar 21, away from the battery conductive portion 3. For example, the base 42b has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the shaft hole 21h. For example, the shaft 42 may be a bolt. The shaft 42 may be made of a conductive material such as a metal, or may be made of an insulating material.

[0031] (Configuration of the biasing portion) The biasing portion 5 is capable of biasing the movable conductive portion 4 toward the contacted surface 32. The biasing portion 5 is elastically deformable in the Z direction. The biasing portion 5 extends in the Z direction coaxially with the shaft 42. The upper end of the biasing portion 5 is fixed to the device bus bar 21, and the lower end is fixed to the pressing portion 41. For example, the biasing portion 5 may be a coil spring coaxial with the shaft 42.

[0032] (Configuration of relay conduction section) The relay conductive portion 6 relays conductivity between the device conductive portion 2 and the movable conductive portion 4. The relay conductive portion 6 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pressing portion 41 and the inner peripheral surface of the conductive housing 22. For example, the relay conductive portion 6 is in contact with the circumferential groove 41g of the pressing portion 41 and the inner peripheral surface 24s of the peripheral wall 24. The relay conductive portion 6 is fixed to the movable conductive portion 4 in the Z direction and is slidable relative to the device conductive portion 2. Specifically, the relay conductive portion 6 is fitted into the circumferential groove 41g, so that it is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the pressing portion 41 in the Z direction and is slidable relative to the inner peripheral surface 24s of the peripheral wall 24. The relay conductive portion 6 is elastically deformable in the radial direction of the shaft 42 so as to contact the pressing portion 41 and the device conductive portion 2. The relay conductive portion 6 is made of a conductive material such as metal. For example, the relay conductive part 6 may be a circular, obliquely wound coil spring fitted into the circumferential groove 41g.

[0033] (Composition of fastening material) The plurality of fasteners 93 fasten the device 91 to the battery pack 92. For example, each fastener 93 may be a bolt that is passed through the through-hole 96h and tightened into the screw hole 92h.

[0034] When assembling the assembly 9, for example, when the device 91 is fastened to the battery pack 92 with the fastening material 93 so as to bring the device 91 closer to the battery pack 92, the pressing portion 41 comes into contact with the contacted surface 32, as shown in Fig. 4. As the fastening continues, the pressing portion 41 receives an upward pressing force from the contacted surface 32.

[0035] Because the movable conducting portion 4 is movable in the Z direction relative to the device conducting portion 2 and the battery conducting portion 3, the pressing portion 41, which receives a pressing force from the contacted surface 32, elastically deforms the urging portion 5. On the other hand, the elastically deformed urging portion 5 can apply a urging force toward the contacted surface 32 to the pressing portion 41. Due to this deformation and urging force, in the assembled assembly 9 after assembly, the pressing portion 41 can come into contact with the contacted surface 32 while the urging portion 5 absorbs the pressing force from the contacted surface 32. As a result of this contact, the connection structure 1 can be electrically connected to the device conducting portion 2 and the battery conducting portion 3 so that a current flows, for example, along the current path PC1 shown in FIG. 4 .

[0036] (Action and effect) According to the connection structure 1 of this embodiment, the relay conducting portion 6 is slidable relative to the device conducting portion 2. Meanwhile, the biasing portion 5 is capable of biasing the movable conducting portion 4 toward the contacted surface 32. By virtue of such relay conducting portion 6 and biasing portion 5, the movable conducting portion 4 is biased toward the contacted surface 32, and can come into contact with the contacted surface 32 while the biasing portion 5 absorbs the pressing force from the contacted surface 32. This contact allows the connection structure 1 to absorb manufacturing tolerances related to the electrical connection between the device conducting portion 2 and the battery conducting portion 3, which are likely to occur when assembling the device 91 and the battery pack 92. Therefore, the connection structure 1 of this embodiment easily ensures contact pressure between the device conducting portion 2 and the battery conducting portion 3.

[0037] For example, the assembly 9 can absorb tolerances associated with dimensional errors, fastening pressure errors, and the like between lots of various structures relating to contact between the device conducting portion 2 and the battery conducting portion 3, among multiple assemblies 9 from different lots. For example, in the assembly 9, multiple movable conducting portions 4 across multiple connection structures 1 can be displaced vertically independently of one another. This displacement allows the assembly 9 to absorb tolerances associated with dimensional errors between multiple device bus bars 21 and multiple battery bus bars 31, among the multiple assembly 9. For example, the assembly 9 can absorb tolerances associated with contact pressure variations that arise from uneven fastening pressure, among the multiple device conducting portions 2 and multiple battery conducting portions 3, among the multiple assembly 9.

[0038] As a comparative example, let us consider an assembly structure in which a connector is provided on the battery pack, and the vehicle-side connector and the battery-side connector are connected when the battery pack is attached to the vehicle body, as in Patent Document 1. With this comparative example structure, when there are multiple connection points, it is not possible to check the mating state of each connector, which can result in incompletely mated connectors, or an extremely large insertion force being required when connecting them all at once, which can result in high component costs.

[0039] In contrast to this comparative example, in this embodiment, the structure of the assembly 9 is such that the movable conducting part 4 can come into contact with the contacted surface 32 while being biased toward the contacted surface 32. Due to this structure, even when there are multiple connection points, it is easy to ensure contact pressure between each device conducting part 2 and the associated battery conducting part 3 while suppressing the fastening pressure and the number of parts.

[0040] In particular, when the device 91 is a high-voltage device, the electrical connection between the device 91 and the battery pack 92 involves many parts being electrical connections between bus bars, so it is effective to ensure contact pressure between the device conduction part 2 and the battery conduction part 3 as in this embodiment.

[0041] Furthermore, according to one example of the connection structure 1 of this embodiment, the relay conducting portion 6 is elastically deformable so as to contact the pressing portion 41 and the conductive housing 22. Due to such elastic deformation, the connection structure 1 is configured to easily stabilize the electrical connection between the pressing portion 41 and the device conducting portion 2. Therefore, the connection structure 1 of this embodiment can stabilize the electrical connection between the device conducting portion 2 and the battery conducting portion 3.

[0042] Furthermore, according to one example of the connection structure 1 of the present embodiment, the relay conducting part 6 is slidable so as to come into contact with the pressing part 41 and the conductive housing 22. Due to this contact, the connection structure 1 can stabilize the electrical connection between the device conducting part 2 and the battery conducting part 3 regardless of the structure of the device bus bar 21.

[0043] Furthermore, according to one example of the connection structure 1 of this embodiment, the movable conductive portion 4 is provided with an axis 42, and therefore the connection structure 1 can be configured to make it easy to bring the pressing portion 41 into contact with the contacted surface 32, regardless of the structure or positional relationship between the equipment bus bar 21 and the battery bus bar 31.

[0044] Furthermore, according to one example of the connection structure 1 of the present embodiment, the annular obliquely wound coil spring, which is the relay conductive part 6, is held slidably and deformably between the pressing part 41 and the conductive housing 22. This holding allows the movable conductive part 4 to tilt with respect to the central axis of the conductive housing 22, and the lower obliquely wound coil spring can be brought into contact with the battery bus bar 31 perpendicularly even if the device bus bar 21 or the battery bus bar 31 is tilted.

[0045] (Variation) In this embodiment, the pressing unit 41 has a curved surface on the side of the contacted surface 32. The contacted surface 32 has a flat surface. However, as long as the pressing unit 41 and the contacted surface 32 can come into contact with each other, the pressing unit 41 and the contacted surface 32 may be configured in any manner.

[0046] 5, the pressing portion 41 may have a plurality of bosses 43 protruding from the convex curved surface toward the contacted surface 32. On the other hand, the contacted surface 32 may have a plurality of bosses 33 protruding toward the convex curved surface. Each of the plurality of bosses 33 is provided at a position in the in-plane direction of the contacted surface 32 where it can come into contact with the corresponding boss 43. According to this type of modification, the contact area between the pressing portion 41 and the contacted surface 32 increases, thereby ensuring reliable contact.

[0047] 6, the contacted surface 32 may have a recess 34 with a concave curved shape that fits into the convex curved surface of the pressing part 41 so as to be able to contact the surface. According to such a modification, the contact area between the pressing part 41 and the contacted surface 32 increases, thereby ensuring the reliability of the contact.

[0048] As yet another modification, pressing unit 41 may have a flat surface on the side facing contacted surface 32. However, if pressing unit 41 is flat, when it is actually made into a product, the surface may have minute irregularities, making it difficult to control the contact area and contact points. Therefore, if pressing unit 41 has a curved surface on the side facing contacted surface 32 to some extent, it is easier to control the area and contact points.

[0049] In one example of this embodiment, the tip 42t of the shaft 42 is screwed into and fixed to the pressing portion 41. However, any configuration is acceptable as long as the tip 42t of the shaft 42 is fixed to the pressing portion 41. As a modified example, the shaft 42 and the pressing portion 41 may be integrally formed from a conductive material such as metal.

[0050] In this embodiment, the relay conductive part 6 is fixed to the movable conductive part 4 and is slidable relative to the device conductive part 2. However, the relay conductive part 6 may be configured in any manner as long as it can relay conduction between the device conductive part 2 and the movable conductive part 4. As a modified example, as shown in FIG. 7, the relay conductive part may be fixed to the device conductive part and be slidable relative to the movable conductive part. In FIG. 7, the connection structure 1 includes a relay conductive part 6A, a peripheral wall 24A, and a pressing part 41A instead of the relay conductive part 6, the peripheral wall 24, and the pressing part 41. The relay conductive part 6A is fitted into a circumferential groove 24Ag provided in the peripheral wall 24A. The pressing part 41A has a shape similar to that of the pressing part 41, except that it does not have the circumferential groove 41g. With such a configuration of the relay conducting part 6A, the peripheral wall 24A, and the pressing part 41A, the relay conducting part 6A is fixed to the device conducting part 2 and is slidable relative to the movable conducting part 4.

[0051] In this embodiment, the device conducting unit 2 includes a device bus bar 21. However, the device conducting unit 2 may be configured in any manner as long as the device conducting unit 2 is electrically connected to the device 91. As a modified example, the device conducting unit 2 may include a high-voltage wire instead of the device bus bar 21. When such a high-voltage wire is provided, one end of the high-voltage wire may be electrically connected to the device 91, and the other end of the high-voltage wire may be electrically connected to the conductive housing 22 by welding or the like.

[0052] In this embodiment, the upper surface of the peripheral wall 24 of the conductive housing 22 is in conductive contact with the lower surface of the device bus bar 21. However, the conductive housing 22 may be configured in any way as long as it can relay the conductivity between the device conductive unit 2 and the relay conductive unit 6. As a modified example, the conductive housing 22 including the peripheral wall 24 and the device bus bar 21 may be integrally formed from a conductive material such as metal.

[0053] Second Embodiment An assembly of one embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 8 to 12. The assembly of this embodiment has the same configuration as the assembly of the first embodiment, is assembled in the same way, and provides the same functions and effects as the assembly of the first embodiment, except for the following points.

[0054] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, in this embodiment, each connection structure 1 includes an equipment conductive portion 102 (second conductive portion), a battery conductive portion 3 (first conductive portion), a movable conductive portion 104, a biasing portion 105, and a relay conductive portion 106.

[0055] (Configuration of device conduction section) The device conduction unit 102 is electrically connected to the device 91. The device conduction unit 102 includes a device bus bar 21 (second bus bar). The device conduction unit 102 is provided at a position separated from the battery conduction unit 3. For example, the device conduction unit 102 may further include a cylindrical housing 122. The housing 122 is fitted into the through-hole 91h. The housing 122 may be made of a conductive material such as metal, or may be made of an insulating material.

[0056] (Configuration of the movable conductive part) The movable conducting part 104 is movable in the Z direction relative to the device conducting part 102 and the battery conducting part 3. The movable conducting part 104 includes a pressing part 141 that can come into contact with the battery bus bar 31, and a shaft body 142.

[0057] (Pushing part) The pressing portion 141 is capable of coming into contact with the contacted surface 32 of the battery bus bar 31. The pressing portion 141 has a circular ring shape. The pressing portion 141 is made of a conductive material such as metal. For example, the pressing portion 141 may be a circular ring-shaped obliquely wound coil spring.

[0058] (shaft body) The shaft 142 is disposed to pass through a through-hole 91h of the device 91. For example, the shaft 142 may be disposed in a cavity within the housing 122. The shaft 142 has a base end 142b and a tip end 142t. The shaft 142 extends from the base end 142b toward the tip end 142t around a central axis Ac extending in the Z direction. The shaft 142 includes a disk portion 145, a conductive shaft 146, and a nut 147.

[0059] The shaft body 142 has a disk portion 145 at its tip 142t. The disk portion 145 has a disk shape centered on the central axis Ac. As shown in FIG. 10, the disk portion 145 has an annular groove 145g on its underside. The annular groove 145g has an annular shape centered on the central axis Ac and is recessed upward. The pressing portion 141 is fixed to the disk portion 145 by being fitted into the annular groove 145g. The disk portion 145 is made of a conductive material such as metal.

[0060] The conductive shaft 146 extends in the Z direction from the disk portion 145 to the base end 142b, centered on the central axis Ac. The conductive shaft 146 is fixed to the disk portion 145. The conductive shaft 146 is electrically connected to the disk portion 145. For example, the conductive shaft 146 has a cylindrical shape centered on the central axis Ac. For example, the conductive shaft 146 has an annular circumferential groove 146g on its outer periphery, located within the shaft hole 21h of the device bus bar 21. The circumferential groove 146g is recessed toward the central axis Ac. The conductive shaft 146 is made of a conductive material such as metal. For example, the disk portion 145 and the conductive shaft 146 may be integrally formed from a conductive material such as metal.

[0061] The shaft 142 further includes a nut 147 at the base end 142b. The nut 147 is attached to the conductive shaft 146. The nut 147 has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the shaft hole 21h. Specifically, the nut 147 has a female thread on its inner periphery. The nut 147 is screwed onto the male thread of the conductive shaft 146, which penetrates the shaft hole 21h and protrudes above the instrument bus bar 21, from above the instrument bus bar 21. The fixation of the nut 147 results in the shaft 142 having an expanded outer periphery at the base end 142b so that the shaft 142, which penetrates the shaft hole 21h, does not slip out toward the battery conduction unit 3. On the other hand, regardless of whether the nut 147 is fixed, the movable conduction unit 104 can move upward relative to the instrument bus bar 21, away from the battery conduction unit 3. The nut 147 may be made of a conductive material such as metal, or may be made of an insulating material.

[0062] (Configuration of the biasing portion) The biasing portion 105 is capable of biasing the movable conductive portion 104 toward the contacted surface 32. The biasing portion 105 is elastically deformable in the Z direction. The biasing portion 105 extends in the Z direction coaxially with the central axis of the shaft body 142. One end of the biasing portion 105 is fixed to the device bus bar 21, and the other end is fixed to the disk portion 145. For example, the biasing portion 105 may be a coil spring whose central axis is the central axis line Ac.

[0063] (Configuration of relay conduction section) The relay conductive part 106 relays the conduction between the device conductive part 102 and the movable conductive part 104. The relay conductive part 106 is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the conductive shaft 146 and the inner circumferential surface of the shaft hole 21h of the device bus bar 21. For example, the relay conductive part 106 is in contact with the circumferential groove 146g of the conductive shaft 146 and the inner circumferential surface of the shaft hole 21h of the device bus bar 21. By fitting into the circumferential groove 146g, the relay conductive part 106 is fixed to the movable conductive part 104 in the Z direction and is slidable relative to the device conductive part 102. Specifically, the relay conductive part 106 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the conductive shaft 146 in the Z direction and is slidable relative to the inner circumferential surface of the device bus bar 21. The relay conducting part 106 is elastically deformable in the radial direction of the shaft body 142 so as to come into contact with the conductive shaft 146 and the device conducting part 102. The relay conducting part 106 is made of a conductive material such as metal. For example, the relay conducting part 106 may be a ring-shaped obliquely wound coil spring fitted into the circumferential groove 146g.

[0064] (Composition of fastening material) The multiple fastening members 93 fasten the device 91 to the battery pack 92. When assembling the assembly 9, for example, by fastening the device 91 to the battery pack 92 with the fastening members 93 so as to bring the device 91 closer to the battery pack 92, the pressing portion 141 comes into contact with the contacted surface 32, as shown in Fig. 11 . As the fastening continues, the pressing portion 141 receives an upward pressing force from the contacted surface 32.

[0065] Because the movable conducting portion 104 is movable in the Z direction relative to the device conducting portion 102 and the battery conducting portion 3, the pressing portion 141, which receives this pressing force, elastically deforms the urging portion 105. On the other hand, the elastically deformed urging portion 105 can apply a urging force to the pressing portion 141 toward the contacted surface 32. Due to this deformation and urging force, in the assembled assembly 9 after assembly, the pressing portion 141 can come into contact with the contacted surface 32 while the urging portion 105 absorbs the pressing force from the contacted surface 32. As a result of this contact, the connection structure 1 can be electrically connected to the device conducting portion 102 and the battery conducting portion 3 so that a current flows, for example, along the current path PC2 shown in FIG. 11 .

[0066] (Action and effect) According to the connection structure 1 of this embodiment, the relay conducting portion 106 is slidable relative to the device conducting portion 102. Meanwhile, the biasing portion 105 is capable of biasing the movable conducting portion 104 toward the contacted surface 32. By virtue of such relay conducting portion 106 and biasing portion 105, the movable conducting portion 104 is biased toward the contacted surface 32, and can come into contact with the contacted surface 32 while the biasing portion 105 absorbs the pressing force from the contacted surface 32. This contact allows the connection structure 1 to absorb manufacturing tolerances related to the electrical connection between the device conducting portion 102 and the battery conducting portion 3, which are likely to occur when assembling the device 91 and the battery pack 92. Therefore, the connection structure 1 of this embodiment easily ensures contact pressure between the device conducting portion 102 and the battery conducting portion 3.

[0067] Furthermore, according to one example of the connection structure 1 of this embodiment, the relay conducting portion 106 is elastically deformable so as to come into contact with the conductive shaft 146 and the device conducting portion 102. This deformation facilitates stable electrical connection between the conductive shaft 146 and the device conducting portion 102. Therefore, the connection structure 1 of this embodiment can stabilize the electrical connection between the device conducting portion 102 and the battery conducting portion 3.

[0068] Furthermore, according to one example of the connection structure 1 of the present embodiment, the relay conducting part 106 is slidable so as to come into contact with the shaft body 142 and the device bus bar 21. Such contact allows the electrical connection between the device conducting part 102 and the battery conducting part 3 to be stabilized regardless of the structure of the device bus bar 21.

[0069] Furthermore, according to one example of the connection structure 1 of this embodiment, the movable conductive portion 104 is provided with an axis body 142, and therefore the connection structure 1 can be configured to make it easy to bring the pressing portion 141 into contact with the contacted surface 32, regardless of the structure or positional relationship between the equipment bus bar 21 and the battery bus bar 31.

[0070] Moreover, according to one example of the connection structure 1 of this embodiment, the pressing portion 141 is a circular obliquely wound coil spring. In the case of an obliquely wound coil spring, the coil portion of the obliquely wound coil spring bends upon contact with the battery bus bar 31, thereby connecting the obliquely wound coil spring to the battery bus bar 31. With this type of connection, even if the device bus bar 21 or the battery bus bar 31 is tilted in the longitudinal direction due to manufacturing tolerances or assembly tolerances of the device bus bar 21 or the battery bus bar 31, a stable connection is possible due to the bending of the obliquely wound coil spring on the lower side.

[0071] Furthermore, according to one example of the connection structure 1 of the present embodiment, the relay conductive part 106 is an obliquely wound coil spring, and the obliquely wound coil spring is held deformably between the device conductive part 102 and the movable conductive part 104. This holding allows the movable conductive part 104 to tilt with respect to the central axis Ac, and the lower obliquely wound coil spring can be brought into contact with the battery bus bar 31 perpendicularly even if the device bus bar 21 or the battery bus bar 31 is tilted.

[0072] (Variation) In this embodiment, the relay conductive part 106 is fixed to the movable conductive part 104 and is slidable relative to the device conductive part 102. However, the relay conductive part 106 may be configured in any manner as long as it can relay conduction between the device conductive part 102 and the movable conductive part 104. As a modified example, as shown in FIG. 12 , the relay conductive part may be fixed to the device conductive part and be slidable relative to the movable conductive part. In FIG. 12 , the connection structure 1 includes a relay conductive part 106A, a device bus bar 21A (second bus bar), and a conductive shaft 146A instead of the relay conductive part 106, the device bus bar 21, and the conductive shaft 146. The relay conductive part 106A is fitted in a circumferential groove 21Ag provided in the device bus bar 21A. The conductive shaft 146A has a similar shape to the conductive shaft 146 except that it does not have the circumferential groove 146g. With such a configuration of relay conductive part 106A, device bus bar 21A, and conductive shaft 146A, relay conductive part 106A is fixed to device conductive part 102 and is slidable relative to movable conductive part 104.

[0073] In one example of this embodiment, the pressing portion 141 is an annular diagonally wound coil spring. However, the pressing portion 141 may be configured in any manner as long as it can come into contact with the contacted surface 32 of the battery bus bar 31. As a modified example, the pressing portion 141 may not be an annular diagonally wound coil spring, but may be a conductive plate or block of metal or the like having a flat or curved surface on the contacted surface 32 side.

[0074] <Other variations> In each of the above-described embodiments, the second conductive portion is connected to the device 91, and the first conductive portion is connected to the battery pack 92. However, as a modified example, the device conductive portions 2, 102 and the battery conductive portion 3 may be configured inversely in the connection structure 1. That is, in a modified example, the connection structure 1 may be configured so that the first conductive portion is connected to the device 91, and the second conductive portion is connected to the battery pack 92.

[0075] In one example of each of the above-described embodiments, the biasing portion is a coil spring. However, the biasing portion may be configured in any manner as long as it is capable of biasing the movable conductive portion toward the contacted surface 32. As a variation, the biasing portion may be a cylindrical elastic body (such as a rubber bushing) or an oil damper structure in which the conductive housing or housing is filled with oil. In the case of an oil damper structure, the biasing portion may further include a sealing structure.

[0076] In one example of each of the above-described embodiments, the relay conductive part is a circular ring-shaped obliquely wound coil spring. However, the relay conductive part may be configured in any manner as long as it can relay conduction between the device conductive part and the movable conductive part. The relay conductive part may be a spring contact or the like in which a plate-shaped member is fixed to one of the movable conductive part and the device conductive part and the contact faces the other of the movable conductive part and the device conductive part. However, because the contact area of ​​a spring contact or the like is small, if it is necessary to ensure a contact area for passing a high current, it is preferable that the relay conductive part be a circular ring-shaped obliquely wound coil spring.

[0077] Although the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, this embodiment is shown as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. This embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1. Connection structure 2 Equipment continuity section (second continuity section) 3 Battery conduction part (first conduction part) 4 Movable conducting part 5. Actuation section 6 Relay Conductor 6A relay conductive part 9 Assembly 21 Equipment bus bar (second bus bar) 21A Equipment bus bar (second bus bar) 21Ag circumferential groove 21h shaft hole 22 Conduction housing 23 Bottom plate 23b Bottom 23w aperture 24 Peripheral wall 24A Peripheral wall 24Ag circumferential groove 24s Inner surface 31 Battery bus bar (first bus bar) 32 Contacted surface 33 Boss 34 Recess 41 Pushing part 41A Pushing part 41g Circumferential groove 42 shaft 42b Proximal end 42t tip 43 Boss 91 Equipment 91h through hole 92 Battery Pack 92h hole 93 Fasteners 94 Opposite Surface 95 First installation surface 96 Flange 96h through hole 97 Second installation surface 102 Equipment continuity section (second continuity section) 104 Movable conduction part 105 energizing section 106 Relay Conductor 106A Relay Conductor 122 Housing 141 Pushing part 142 shaft 142b proximal end 142t tip 145 Disc Section 145g Annular groove 146 Conduction axis 146A Conduction shaft 146g circumferential groove 147 Nut Ac center axis PC1 current path PC2 current path

Claims

1. A first conductive portion including a first bus bar having a contact surface; a second conductive portion provided at a position separated from the first conductive portion; a movable conductive portion including a pressing portion capable of coming into contact with the first bus bar and movable relative to the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion in a movement direction intersecting the contacted surface; a biasing portion that biases the movable conductive portion toward the contact surface; a relay conductive portion that relays conduction between the second conductive portion and the movable conductive portion; Equipped with the relay conductive part is slidable relative to the second conductive part or the movable conductive part, the movable conducting part further includes a conducting axis extending in the movement direction, the relay conductive portion is elastically deformable so as to come into contact with the conductive shaft and the second conductive portion, the second conductive portion includes a second bus bar, the relay conductive portion is slidable so as to come into contact with the conductive shaft and the second bus bar; Connection structure.

2. A first conductive portion including a first bus bar having a contact surface; a second conductive portion provided at a position separated from the first conductive portion; a movable conductive portion including a pressing portion capable of coming into contact with the first bus bar and movable relative to the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion in a movement direction intersecting the contacted surface; a biasing portion that biases the movable conductive portion toward the contact surface; a relay conductive portion that relays conduction between the second conductive portion and the movable conductive portion; Equipped with the relay conductive part is slidable relative to the second conductive part or the movable conductive part, the second conductive portion includes a second bus bar, the movable conductive part has a tip fixed to the pressing part, and includes a shaft extending from the tip through the second bus bar in the movement direction. Connection structure.

3. The connection structure according to claim 1 or 2; a battery pack connected to the first conductive portion; a device connected to the second conductive portion; An assembly comprising:

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