Protector and busbar module

Abstract

To provide a protector and a modular bus bar that allow the extension direction of a flat wiring material to be changed.SOLUTION: A protector 1 includes a first case 10 having a first passage 11 through which a first portion 31a of a flat wiring material 3 is routed, a second case 20 having a second passage 21 through which a second portion 31b of the flat wiring material is routed, and a rotation structure configured to enable the second case to rotate relative to the first case, and the second case holds the second portion so as to form a folded portion 32a between the first and second portions, and the rotation structure is configured to change an intersection angle θ of the second portion with respect to the first portion at the folded portion by rotating the second case relative to the first case.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a protector and a bus bar module.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a technique for connecting a connector connected to a flat cable material to a mating connector. Patent Document 1 discloses a circuit body with a connector including a circuit body composed of a flexible substrate provided with a wiring pattern and a connector attached to the circuit body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a configuration where a flat cable material is protected by a protector, it is desirable to be able to cope even when the relative position of the mating connector with respect to the protector is different. For example, if the direction in which the flat cable material extends from the protector can be changed, a common protector can be applied to mating connectors with different positions.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a protector and a bus bar module capable of changing the extending direction of a flat cable material.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The protector of the present invention comprises a first case having a first passage through which a first portion of a flat cable material is routed, a second case having a second passage through which a second portion of the flat cable material is routed, and a rotating structure configured to allow the second case to rotate relative to the first case, wherein the second case holds the second portion such that a folded portion is formed between the first portion and the second portion, and the rotating structure is configured to change the angle of intersection of the second portion with respect to the first portion at the folded portion by the relative rotation of the second case with respect to the first case. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In the protector according to the present invention, the rotational structure is configured such that the second case rotates relative to the first case, thereby changing the intersection angle of the second part with respect to the first part at the folded portion of the flat cable material. The protector according to the present invention has the effect of being able to change the extension direction of the flat cable material. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a plan view of a busbar module according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the protector according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the protector according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the protector according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a plan view of the second case according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a plan view of the protector according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a plan view of the protector according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a protector according to an embodiment. [Figure 9]Figure 9 is a plan view of the protector according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 illustrates the deformation of the folded portion. [Figure 11] Figure 11 illustrates the deformation of the folded portion. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of another protector according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a perspective view of another first case according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a plan view of another first case according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a plan view of another protector according to the embodiment. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a plan view of another protector according to the embodiment. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a plan view showing an example of a second case according to the embodiment. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a plan view showing an example of the first case according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Below, a protector and busbar module according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are readily conceivable to those skilled in the art or that are substantially identical.

[0010] [Embodiment] Embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 18. This embodiment relates to a protector and a bus bar module. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a bus bar module according to an embodiment, FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of a protector according to an embodiment, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a protector according to an embodiment, FIG. 5 is a plan view of a second case according to an embodiment, FIGS. 6 and 7 are plan views of a protector according to an embodiment, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a protector according to an embodiment, FIG. 9 is a plan view of a protector according to an embodiment, and FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrams for explaining the deformation of the folded portion.

[0011] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of another protector according to an embodiment, FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another first case according to an embodiment, FIG. 14 is a plan view of another first case according to an embodiment, FIGS. 15 and 16 are plan views of another protector according to an embodiment, FIG. 17 is a plan view showing an example of a second case according to an embodiment, and FIG. 18 is a plan view showing an example of a first case according to an embodiment. In FIG. 8, the VIII-VIII cross-section of FIG. 2 is shown.

[0012] The protector 1 in this embodiment is a protection member that protects the flat cable material 3. The flat cable material 3 is a flat cable material having flexibility, and for example, is a flexible printed circuit board. The flat cable material 3 may be other flat cable materials such as a flexible flat cable.

[0013] The protector 1 in this embodiment, for example, constitutes a part of the bus bar module 100. The bus bar module 100 is assembled to the battery module 210 of the battery pack 200. The battery module 210 has a plurality of battery cells 220. The plurality of battery cells 220 are arranged along the arrangement direction BA.

[0014] The bus bar module 100 has a plurality of bus bars 110, a case 120, a flat cable material 3, a connector 50, and a protector 1. The bus bar 110 can be connected to the electrodes of the battery cells 220. The bus bar 110, for example, connects the electrodes of two adjacent battery cells 220.

[0015] The case 120 houses a plurality of busbars 110 and a portion of the flat wiring material 3. The case 120 is molded from, for example, an insulating synthetic resin. The case 120 has a holding portion for holding the busbars 110. The plurality of busbars 110 are held by the case 120 in alignment direction BA. The case 120 is fixed to the battery module 210 while holding the plurality of busbars 110 and the flat wiring material 3.

[0016] If the flat wiring material 3 is a flexible printed circuit board, the flat wiring material 3 has a base film, a conductive layer, and a coverlay. The conductive layer is protected by being sandwiched between the base film and the coverlay. The conductive layer is, for example, a conductive metal foil and has a circuit pattern including a plurality of detection lines. The detection lines are connected to corresponding busbars 110 or thermistors. The detection lines are connected to a monitoring unit 230 of the battery pack 200 via a connector 50. The monitoring unit 230 is located, for example, at the end face of the array direction BA in the battery module 210.

[0017] Protector 1 is positioned, for example, at the end of case 120 in the arrangement direction BA. Flat routing material 3 is routed from case 120 through protector 1 to connector 50.

[0018] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the protector 1 of this embodiment comprises a first case 10, a second case 20, and a slide body 40. In Figures 2 and 3, the cover 22 of the first case 10 and the cover 42 of the slide body 40 are shown in an open state. When the protector 1 is actually used, the covers 22 and 42 are closed.

[0019] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the second case 20 is rotatable relative to the first case 10. Therefore, the protector 1 of this embodiment can extend the flat cable member 3 from the second case 20 in a desired direction.

[0020] As shown in Figure 4, the first case 10 has a first passage 11, a busbar-side passage 12, protrusions 13 and 14, and a support shaft 15. The first case 10 is molded from, for example, an insulating synthetic resin.

[0021] The busbar-side passage 12 is capable of accommodating the flat wiring member 3 and extends in the arrangement direction BA. The busbar-side passage 12 is positioned adjacent to the end of the case 120. The busbar-side passage 12 connects to the end of the case 120 in the arrangement direction BA. The busbar-side passage 12 may be configured as part of the case 120, may engage with the end of the case 120, or may be fixed to a battery module 210 or the like adjacent to the end of the case 120.

[0022] The busbar-side passage 12 has a bottom wall 12a and side walls 12b. A pair of side walls 12b are positioned at both ends in the width direction of the bottom wall 12a and extend in the arrangement direction BA. The bottom wall 12a is provided with projections 14 for engaging the flat cable members 3. The projections 14 are inserted into through holes in the flat cable members 3.

[0023] The first passage 11 extends in the first direction X. The first direction X is perpendicular to the arrangement direction BA. The first direction X is the direction in which the flat cable material 3 is routed relative to the first passage 11 and extends. The direction perpendicular to both the first direction X and the arrangement direction BA is called the "second direction Y". The second direction Y is the width direction of the flat cable material 3 routed in the first passage 11.

[0024] The first passage 11 has a bottom wall 11a and a pair of side walls 11b. The shape of the bottom wall 11a is, for example, rectangular. The end of the bottom wall 11a in the first direction X connects to the bottom wall 12a of the busbar side passage 12. The pair of side walls 11b are located on both sides of the bottom wall 11a in the second direction Y. The side walls 11b extend in the first direction X. The bottom wall 11a and the pair of side walls 11b form a groove for accommodating the flat cable member 3. The bottom wall 11a is provided with a projection 13. The projection 13 protrudes from the bottom wall 11a in the arrangement direction BA. The shape of the illustrated projection 13 is cylindrical.

[0025] The projection 13 has the function of a locking part for securing the flat cable member 3, and the function of guiding the guide hole 23 of the second case 20. The projection 13 is positioned, for example, in the center of the second direction Y on the bottom wall 11a.

[0026] The support shaft 15 is positioned at the end of the first passage 11 in the second direction Y. The support shaft 15 is inserted into the recess 24 of the second case 20 and rotatably supports the second case 20. The illustrated shape of the support shaft 15 is cylindrical. The support shaft 15 is formed to connect with the side wall 11b so as to be located in the vicinity of the flat wiring member 3.

[0027] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the second case 20 has a second passage 21, a cover 22, a guide hole 23, a recess 24, and a slide groove 25. The second case 20 is molded from, for example, an insulating synthetic resin. The second case 20 has an extension direction Ex and a width direction W. The extension direction Ex is the direction in which the flat cable material 3 extends in the second passage 21. The width direction W is the width direction of the flat cable material 3 routed in the second passage 21 and is perpendicular to the extension direction Ex.

[0028] The second passage 21 has a bottom wall 21a, a pair of side walls 21b, and an edge portion 21c. The shape of the bottom wall 21a is, for example, rectangular. The pair of side walls 21b are arranged on both sides of the bottom wall 21a in the width direction W. The side walls 21b extend in the extension direction Ex. The bottom wall 21a and the pair of side walls 21b form a groove for accommodating the flat cable member 3.

[0029] The edge portion 21c is formed so as to be able to form a folded portion on the flat cable member 3. The edge portion 21c is located at the end of the bottom wall 21a in the extending direction Ex. The edge portion 21c is formed in a straight line and extends in the width direction W from the end of one side wall 21b toward the other side wall 21b.

[0030] A cylindrical portion 26 is provided at the corner of the second passage 21. The cylindrical portion 26 is positioned at the corner where the edge portion 21c and one side wall 21b intersect. The cylindrical portion 26 has a cylindrical shape with an axis 26x extending in the arrangement direction BA. The recess 24 is a through hole that penetrates the cylindrical portion 26. That is, the axis 26x of the recess 24 is perpendicular to both the extending direction Ex and the width direction W. The cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical portion 26 perpendicular to the axis 26x is approximately fan-shaped. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical portion 26 has an arc-shaped portion. The axis 26x is located on the extension of the edge portion 21c.

[0031] A guide hole 23 is formed in the bottom wall 21a. The guide hole 23 penetrates the bottom wall 21a. When the bottom wall 21a is viewed from above, the shape of the guide hole 23 is an arc. The center of the arc of the guide hole 23 is, for example, the axis 26x. One end of the guide hole 23 is the wall surface of the edge 21c. In other words, the guide hole 23 extends from the edge 21c in a circumferential direction centered on the axis 26x.

[0032] The central angle of the arc of the guide hole 23 corresponds to the range of rotation of the second case 20 relative to the first case 10. The other end 23a of the guide hole 23 is located in the center of the width direction W on the bottom wall 21a. In this case, the arc of the guide hole 23 has a central angle of approximately 45 degrees.

[0033] The cover 22 is connected to the side wall 21b of the second passage 21 via a hinge portion 22a. The cover 22 covers the groove portion that accommodates the flat cable member 3 and protects the flat cable member 3. The cover 22 has an engaging portion 22b that engages with the second passage 21. The second passage 21 has a frame-shaped engaging portion 21d into which the engaging portion 22b is inserted.

[0034] A pair of slide grooves 25 guide the slide body 40 along the extending direction Ex. The slide grooves 25 are provided in the side wall 21b and penetrate the side wall 21b. The slide grooves 25 extend from one end to the other end of the second passage 21.

[0035] The edge 21c of the second passage 21 is positioned to support the first folded portion 32a of the flat cable member 3. Figure 8 shows the VIII-VIII section of Figure 2. As shown in Figure 8, the edge 21c is erected from the bottom wall 21a toward the alignment direction BA. The edge 21c can form the first folded portion 32a of the flat cable member 3. The first folded portion 32a has a curved shape that is convex toward the first side X1 in the first direction X.

[0036] The first folded portion 32a is formed between the first portion 31a and the second portion 31b of the flat cable member 3. The first portion 31a is the portion routed in the first passage 11 and extends in the first direction X. The second portion 31b is the portion routed in the second passage 21 and extends in the first direction X. The first folded portion 32a, the first portion 31a, and the second portion 31b form a substantially U-shape so as to surround the bottom wall 21a.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, the slide body 40 has a main body 41, a cover 42, a support wall 43, and legs 44. The slide body 40 is molded from, for example, an insulating synthetic resin. The main body 41 has a bottom wall 41a and a pair of side walls 41b. The shape of the bottom wall 41a is, for example, rectangular. The pair of side walls 41b are arranged on both sides of the bottom wall 41a in the width direction. The side walls 41b extend in the extending direction Ex. The bottom wall 41a and the pair of side walls 41b form a groove for accommodating the flat cable guide 3.

[0038] The cover 42 is connected to the side wall 41b of the main body 41 via a hinge portion 42a. The cover 42 covers the groove portion that accommodates the flat cable member 3 and protects the flat cable member 3. The cover 42 has an engaging portion 42b. The main body 41 has an engaging portion 41c that corresponds to the engaging portion 42b.

[0039] The leg portion 44 is inserted into the slide groove 25 of the second case 20 and guided by the slide groove 25. The leg portion 44 protrudes from the side wall 41b in a direction perpendicular to the bottom wall 41a. A claw 44a is provided at the tip of the leg portion 44. The claw 44a is locked by the side wall 21b of the second case 20.

[0040] The support wall 43 is connected to the end of the bottom wall 41a in the first direction X. The support wall 43 is the part that supports the end 3b of the flat cable member 3. The support wall 43 has a projection 43a that locks the flat cable member 3.

[0041] As shown in Figure 8, the slide body 40 holds the flat cable member 3 so as to form a second folded portion 32b on the flat cable member 3. The second folded portion 32b has a curved shape that is convex toward the second side X2 in the first direction X. The second folded portion 32b is formed between the second portion 31b and the third portion 31c of the flat cable member 3. The third portion 31c is the portion routed to the slide body 40 and extends in the first direction X. The second folded portion 32b, the second portion 31b, and the third portion 31c form a substantially U-shape so as to surround the bottom wall 41a of the slide body 40.

[0042] Figure 6 shows the second case 20 assembled to the first case 10. As shown in Figure 6, the support shaft 15 of the first case 10 is inserted into the recess 24 of the second case 20. The support shaft 15 and the recess 24 constitute a rotating structure 60. The rotating structure 60 is configured to allow the second case 20 to rotate relative to the first case 10.

[0043] The support shaft 15 has a cylindrical shape. A projection 15a is provided at the tip of the support shaft 15 to prevent it from coming loose. The projection 15a is locked in place by the cylindrical portion 26. The second case 20 can rotate relative to the first case 10 with the central axis 15x of the support shaft 15 as the center of rotation.

[0044] The projection 13 of the first case 10 is inserted into the guide hole 23 of the second case 20. The guide hole 23 guides the projection 13 and defines the range of motion of the relative rotation of the second case 20 with respect to the first case 10. One end of the range of motion is defined by the end 23a of the guide hole 23. The other end of the range of motion is defined by the edge 21c. The edge 21c functions as a stopper that locks the projection 13.

[0045] A lock 13a is provided at the tip of the projection 13. The lock 13a is a claw-shaped projection that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface of the projection 13. As shown in Figure 6, the lock 13a faces the bottom wall 21a of the second passage 21 and is locked in place by the bottom wall 21a. The lock 13a protrudes radially in the arc over which the guide hole 23 extends. Therefore, when the second case 20 rotates relative to the first case 10, the overlap of the lock 13a with respect to the bottom wall 21a is maintained at a constant size. As a result, the projection 13 is prevented from coming out of the guide hole 23, and the second case 20 can rotate stably relative to the first case 10.

[0046] The recess 24 accommodates the support shaft 15 so that it can rotate within the recess 24. When housed in the recess 24, the position of the support shaft 15 is on the extension of the edge 21c. Preferably, the position of the central axis 15x of the support shaft 15 is on the line of the imaginary line IL along the edge 21c. When the support shaft 15 is positioned in this way, twisting, lifting, and tensioning of the flat cable member 3 are less likely to occur when the second case 20 rotates, as will be described later.

[0047] Figure 7 shows the second case 20 rotated relative to the position in Figure 6. The extension direction Ex of the second case 20 is inclined with respect to the first direction X. That is, the protector 1 in Figure 7 can extend the flat cable member 3 in a direction intersecting the first direction X. The second case 20 can rotate relative to the first case 10 within the limits allowed by the guide hole 23, thereby changing the extension direction of the flat cable member 3.

[0048] The rotational position in which the second case 20 rotates relative to the first case 10 has a predetermined rotational position. The predetermined rotational position is the rotational position shown in Figure 6, where the projection 13 is locked by the end 23a of the guide hole 23. When the rotational position of the second case 20 is the predetermined rotational position, the extending direction Ex of the second case 20 coincides with the first direction X. Therefore, the flat cable member 3 is folded back so that the extending direction of the first part 31a and the extending direction of the second part are parallel.

[0049] As shown in Figure 8, the protector 1 is configured to hold the flat cable guide 3 by bending it into a roughly S-shape. The protector 1 forms a first folded portion 32a and a second folded portion 32b on the flat cable guide 3, and forms an excess length portion 30 on the flat cable guide 3. The rotational position of the second case 20 shown in Figure 8 is a predetermined rotational position. At this time, the edge portion 21c of the second case 20 supports the first folded portion 32a from the inside, as shown in Figure 8.

[0050] The sliding body 40 can slide relative to the second case 20 while being guided by the second case 20. The direction of movement of the sliding body 40 is the extending direction Ex of the second case 20. When the second case 20 is in a predetermined rotational position, the sliding body 40 can move along the first direction X.

[0051] The sliding body 40 slides relative to the second case 20, thereby pulling out the excess length 30 of the flat cable guide 3 from the second passage 21. When the sliding body 40 moves toward the first side X1 from the position shown in Figure 8, the excess length 30 is pulled out. On the other hand, when the sliding body 40 moves toward the second side X2, the pulled-out excess length 30 is housed in the second passage 21.

[0052] Figure 9 shows the flat cable guide 3 when the second case 20 is in the rotational position shown in Figure 7. The second case 20 rotates relative to the first case 10 while holding the second portion 31b of the flat cable guide 3. The second portion 31b is housed in the space formed by the second passage 21 and the sliding body 40 and is held by the second passage 21. In the protector 1 of this embodiment, the end portion 3d of the flat cable guide 3 is also held by the sliding body 40. In other words, the flat cable guide 3 is held by both the second passage 21 and the sliding body 40.

[0053] As the second case 20 rotates relative to the first case 10, the second portion 31b of the flat cable member 3 rotates relative to the first portion 31a. As a result, the intersection angle θ changes, as shown in Figure 9. The intersection angle θ is the angle at which the second portion 31b intersects the first portion 31a. In other words, the intersection angle θ is the angle between the first direction, which is the extension direction of the first portion 31a, and the extension direction Ex of the second portion 31b. The first folded portion 32a of the flat cable member 3 follows the rotation of the second case 20 while deforming so that the intersection angle θ changes.

[0054] In the protector 1 of this embodiment, the central axis 15x of the support shaft 15 is located on the line of the imaginary line IL. As a result, when the second case 20 rotates and the flat cable member 3 deforms, twisting, lifting, and tensioning of the flat cable member 3 are less likely to occur, as will be explained below.

[0055] Figure 10 shows the flat cable member 3 when the intersection angle θ is 0 [deg]. The rotational position of the second case 20 when the intersection angle θ is 0 [deg] is a predetermined rotational position. At this time, the flat cable member 3 is folded back so that the first direction X, which is the direction in which the first portion 31a extends, and the extension direction Ex of the second portion 31b are parallel. When the intersection angle θ is 0 [deg], the edge 21c of the second passage 21 supports the first folded portion 32a from the inside. At this time, the edge 21c can define the position and shape of the first folded portion 32a.

[0056] Figure 11 shows the flat cable guide 3 when the rotational position of the second case 20 is different from the predetermined rotational position. The intersection angle θ has a value different from 0 [deg]. The flat cable guide 3 deforms so that the first folded portion 32a is inclined with respect to the second direction Y. The flat cable guide 3 deforms so that a part of the first portion 31a in Figure 10 wraps around the edge portion 21c and changes into the second portion 31b. At this time, a gap may be formed between the first folded portion 32a and the edge portion 21c.

[0057] In the protector 1 of this embodiment, the central axis 15x is located on the line of the virtual line IL. Therefore, when the second case 20 rotates, the flat cable guide 3 can easily deform while following the second case 20. As shown in Figure 11, the flat cable guide 3 deforms around point 3a. Point 3a is the end of the first folded portion 32a on the side of the central axis 15x. Before and after the second case 20 rotates, the portion at point 3a deforms only slightly. The portion of the first folded portion 32a opposite to point 3a deforms significantly. This deformation allows the flat cable guide 3 to easily follow the rotation of the second case 20.

[0058] Next, another rotating structure 60 according to the embodiment will be described. Figures 12 and 13 show a rotating structure 60 including a pair of guide grooves 16 and a pair of projections 27. The pair of guide grooves 16 are located, for example, in the first case 10. In this case, the pair of projections 27 are located in the second case 20.

[0059] The guide groove 16 is an arc-shaped groove that guides the corresponding projection 27 along an arc-shaped trajectory. The first case 10 has a guide wall 17 having the guide groove 16. The guide groove 16 penetrates the guide wall 17. The guide wall 17 is a wall portion that connects to the side of the first passage 11, for example, as shown in Figure 14. As shown in Figure 14, the two guide grooves 16 are arranged concentrically. In other words, the center of the arc of one guide groove 16 is the same as the center of the arc of the other guide groove 16. The center of rotation Cx on which the second case 20 rotates is located at the center of the arc of the guide groove 16. The two guide grooves 16 in Figure 13 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a line in the first direction X passing through the center of rotation Cx.

[0060] As shown in Figure 12, the projection 27 protrudes from the side wall 21b of the second case 20 in a direction perpendicular to the bottom wall 21a. The projection 27 is formed in a plate shape that can be inserted into the guide groove 16. A claw 27a is provided at the tip of the projection 27. The claw 27a is locked in place by the guide wall 17.

[0061] Figure 15 shows the flat cable guide 3 when the second case 20 is in a predetermined rotation position. At this time, the first folded portion 32a of the flat cable guide 3 extends in the second direction Y. The second case 20 can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise relative to the first case 10 from the predetermined rotation position.

[0062] Figure 16 shows the flat cable member 3 when the rotational position of the second case 20 is different from a predetermined rotational position. That is, the intersection angle θ has a value different from 0 [deg]. The two guide grooves 16 guide the two protrusions 27, allowing the second case 20 to rotate relative to the first case 10. The rotational center Cx of the second case 20 is the midpoint between the two protrusions 27. The rotational center Cx in Figure 16 is the center in the width direction of the flat cable member 3. By rotating the second case 20 relative to the first case 10, it is possible to set the extension direction of the flat cable member 3 to a desired direction.

[0063] Note that the rotation center Cx is not limited to the center in the width direction of the flat cable member 3. The rotation center Cx may be set, for example, at the end in the width direction of the flat cable member 3. In the second case 20 of Figure 17, the two protrusions 27 are arranged such that the rotation center Cx is located at the end of the cable route 21e, which will be described later.

[0064] As shown in Figure 17, the second case 20 is provided with a widened section 28. The widened section 28 is a portion of the second passage 21 that has been widened in the width direction W. The second passage 21 has a cable routing path 21e. The cable routing path 21e is a cable routing path assumed to be the area in which the second portion 31b of the flat cable routing material 3 is routed. The cable routing path 21e is set along the extending direction Ex. The widened section 28 is located at the end of the second passage 21 in the extending direction Ex and protrudes in the width direction W relative to the cable routing path 21e.

[0065] One of the two protrusions 27 is located on the widened portion 28. The two protrusions 27 are positioned such that the rotation center Cx is located at the end in the width direction W of the cable routing 21e. The two protrusions 27 are positioned on the line of the imaginary line IL along the edge portion 21c. When the second case 20 in Figure 17 rotates relative to the first case 10, the first folded portion 32a extends along the radial direction centered on the rotation center Cx. Therefore, the deformation of the flat cable routing member 3 is the same as the deformation shown in Figure 9.

[0066] The two guide grooves 16 may have arc shapes with different radii. Figure 18 shows two guide grooves 16 with different radii. The two guide grooves 16 have a first guide groove 16a and a second guide groove 16b. The first guide groove 16a has a relatively small radius R1, and the second guide groove 16b has a relatively large radius R2. The first guide groove 16a and the second guide groove 16b are arranged concentrically. The guide wall 17a having the first guide groove 16a is positioned closer to the center of rotation Cx than the guide wall 17b having the second guide groove 16b.

[0067] The first guide groove 16a and the second guide groove 16b are arranged, for example, such that the rotation center Cx is located at the end of the cable routing 21e. The rotation center Cx may be located on the line of the imaginary line IL. The imaginary line IL in Figure 18 is a straight line along the edge 21c of the second case 20.

[0068] In a rotating structure 60 having two guide grooves 16 and two protrusions 27, the position of the rotation center Cx can be set to a desired position by both making the radii of the two guide grooves 16 different and adjusting the positions of the two guide grooves 16.

[0069] As described above, the protector 1 of this embodiment comprises a first case 10, a second case 20, and a rotating structure 60. The first case 10 has a first passage 11 through which the first portion 31a of the flat cable material 3 is routed. The second case 20 has a second passage 21 through which the second portion 31b of the flat cable material 3 is routed. The rotating structure 60 is configured to allow the second case 20 to rotate relative to the first case 10.

[0070] The second case 20 holds the second part 31b so as to form a folded portion between the first part 31a and the second part 31b. The rotating structure 60 is configured to change the intersection angle θ of the second part 31b with respect to the first part 31a at the folded portion by the relative rotation of the second case 20 with respect to the first case 10. The protector 1 of this embodiment is capable of changing the extension direction of the flat cable member 3. In this embodiment, the extension direction of the flat cable member 3 is the extension direction Ex of the second case 20.

[0071] Protector 1 can accommodate devices where the mating connector is positioned differently. The mating connector is, for example, provided on the monitoring unit 230. In this embodiment, even if the orientation of the mating connector relative to Protector 1 is different, the second case 20 can be rotated to extend the flat wiring material 3 toward the mating connector. Therefore, according to Protector 1 of this embodiment, a common Protector 1 can be applied to multiple devices having mating connectors in different positions, thereby reducing the number of part numbers related to Protector 1.

[0072] The rotating structure 60 includes, for example, a recess 24 located in the second case 20 and a support shaft 15 located in the first case 10 and inserted into the recess 24. The rotating structure 60 rotates the second case 20 relative to the first case 10 with the central axis 15x of the support shaft 15 as the center of rotation. The recess 24 may also be located in the first case 10. In this case, the support shaft 15 is located in the second case 20.

[0073] The rotating structure 60 includes, for example, a pair of arc-shaped guide grooves 16 located in the first case 10, and a pair of protrusions 27 located in the second case 20 and inserted into the guide grooves 16. The rotating structure 60 rotates the second case 20 relative to the first case 10 by guiding the protrusions 27 along the guide grooves 16. The guide grooves 16 may also be located in the second case 20. In this case, the protrusions 27 are located in the first case 10.

[0074] The second case 20 of this embodiment has a straight edge 21c that can support the folded portion from the inside. The rotational position in which the second case 20 rotates relative to the first case 10 includes a predetermined rotational position. When the rotational position of the second case 20 is the predetermined rotational position, the flat cable material 3 is folded back so that the extending direction of the first portion 31a and the extending direction of the second portion 31b are parallel. The edge 21c may be positioned to support the folded portion from the inside when the rotational position of the second case 20 is the predetermined rotational position. In this case, it is preferable that the rotational center Cx in which the second case 20 rotates relative to the first case 10 is located on a line along the edge 21c. The line along the edge 21c is, for example, the virtual line IL of the embodiment. By positioning the rotational center Cx in this way, twisting, lifting, and tension are less likely to occur in the flat cable material 3 when the second case 20 rotates.

[0075] The busbar module 100 of this embodiment includes a protector 1, a flat cable guide 3, a connector 50, and a plurality of busbars 110. The connector 50 and the busbars 110 are connected to the flat cable guide 3. The busbars 110 can be connected to the electrodes of the battery cell 220. The busbar module 100 of this embodiment allows the flat cable guide 3 to extend toward the monitoring unit 230 even if the arrangement of the monitoring unit 230 relative to the protector 1 is different.

[0076] The range of rotation of the second case 20 relative to the first case 10 is not limited to the exemplified range. The rotation range of the second case 20 may be 90 degrees or 180 degrees. When the rotation range of the second case 20 is 180 degrees, the rotation structure 60 may be configured so that the second case 20 can rotate in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions relative to a predetermined rotation position.

[0077] The protector 1 does not necessarily have a sliding body 40. Referring to Figure 8, if the protector 1 does not have a sliding body 40, the protector 1 does not need to form a second folded portion 32b on the flat cable member 3. In this case, the flat cable member 3 may extend from the second case 20 toward the second side X2. Also, if the protector 1 does not have a sliding body 40, the direction of extension of the flat cable member 3 relative to the second case 20 is not limited to the extension direction Ex. The flat cable member 3 may extend from the second case 20 toward the width direction W.

[0078] The protector 1 may have a third case in addition to the first case 10 and the second case 20. In this case, the protector 1 may have a second rotational structure that rotates the third case relative to the second case 20. The third case holds the flat cable member 3 so as to form a third folded portion on the flat cable member 3. The second rotational structure is configured to change the intersection angle at the third folded portion by the relative rotation of the third case with respect to the second case 20.

[0079] The second rotating structure may have a recess located in one of the second case 20 and the third case, and a support shaft located in the other case. The second rotating structure may also have a guide groove located in one of the second case 20 and the third case, and a projection located in the other case.

[0080] The contents disclosed in the above embodiments can be combined and implemented as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0081] 1: Protector 3: Flat cable routing material 10: First case, 11: First aisle, 12: Busbar side aisle, 13, 14: Protrusions 15: Support shaft, 15x: Center axis, 16: Guide groove 20: Second case, 21: Second passage, 21c: Edge, 21e: Cable route 22: Cover, 23: Guide hole 24: recess, 25: slide groove, 26: cylindrical part, 26x: axis, 27: projection 28: Widening section 31a: first part, 31b: second part 32a: First folded section, 32b: Second folded section 40: Sliding body, 41: Main body, 42: Cover, 43: Support wall, 44: Legs 50: Connector 60: Rotating structure 100: Busbar module, 110: Busbar, 120: Case 130: Surveillance Unit 200: Battery pack, 210: Battery module, 220: Battery cell BA: Array direction, Ex: Extension direction, W: Width direction X: first direction, Y: second direction Cx: Center of rotation IL: virtual line θ: intersection angle

Claims

1. A first case having a first passage through which the first portion of a flat cable material is routed, A second case having a second passage through which the second portion of the flat cable routing material is routed, A rotating structure configured to allow the second case to rotate relative to the first case, Equipped with, The second case holds the second part such that it forms a folded portion between the first part and the second part. The rotating structure is configured such that the second case rotates relative to the first case, thereby changing the intersection angle of the second part with respect to the first part at the folded portion. The rotating structure has a pair of arc-shaped guide grooves arranged in one of the first case and the second case, and a pair of protrusions arranged in the other of the first case and the second case and inserted into the guide grooves, The rotating structure causes the second case to rotate relative to the first case by guiding the projection along the guide groove. A protector characterized by the following features.

2. The second case has a straight edge that can support the folded portion from the inside of the folded portion, The rotational position in which the second case rotates relative to the first case includes a predetermined rotational position, When the rotational position of the second case is the predetermined rotational position, the flat cable member is folded back so that the extending direction of the first part is parallel to the extending direction of the second part. The edge portion is positioned to support the folded portion from the inside when the rotational position of the second case is the predetermined rotational position. The center of rotation of the second case relative to the first case is located on a line along the edge. The protector according to claim 1.

3. The protector according to claim 1, The flat cable material and, A connector connected to the flat cable material, Multiple busbars connected to the flat cable routing material and capable of being connected to the electrodes of a battery cell, A busbar module equipped with this feature.

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