Busbar module

Abstract

To provide a bus bar module which can reduce the width of a flexible printed circuit board.SOLUTION: A bus bar module 1 includes a plurality of bus bars 2 arranged in an array direction X, a flexible printed circuit board 3 having a plurality of detection lines 31 connected to the plurality of bus bars 2, and a device connecting part 5 provided on the flexible printed circuit board 3 for connecting a plurality of detection lines 31 to an external device 100. The position of the device connection part 5 in the array direction X is between the bus bars 21, 22 at both ends. The position of the device connection part 5 in the array direction X may be intermediate between the bus bars 21, 22 at both ends.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a battery sensing unit including a flexible printed circuit board. Patent Document 1 discloses a battery sensing unit including a circuit board, a voltage detection unit capable of detecting a voltage value of a battery, and a current detection unit capable of detecting a current value of the battery. The circuit board of Patent Document 1 includes a flexible printed circuit board provided with a conductive pattern.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a bus bar module, the number of detection lines increases as the number of bus bars increases. On the other hand, it is desired to suppress an increase in the arrangement space of the bus bar module. For example, if the width of the flexible printed circuit board can be reduced, an increase in the arrangement space of the bus bar module can be suppressed.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a bus bar module capable of reducing the width of a flexible printed circuit board.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The busbar module of the present invention comprises a plurality of busbars arranged in the direction of arrangement, a flexible printed circuit board having a plurality of detection lines connected to the plurality of busbars, and a device connection portion provided on the flexible printed circuit board for connecting the plurality of detection lines to an external device, wherein the position of the device connection portion in the direction of arrangement is between the busbars at both ends. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The busbar module according to the present invention comprises a plurality of busbars arranged in the direction of arrangement, a flexible printed circuit board having a plurality of detection lines connected to the plurality of busbars, and a device connection part provided on the flexible printed circuit board for connecting the plurality of detection lines to an external device, wherein the position of the device connection part in the direction of arrangement is between the busbars at both ends. The busbar module according to the present invention has the effect of suppressing the concentration of detection lines on the flexible printed circuit board and reducing the width of the flexible printed circuit board. [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 plan view of another busbar module according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a plan view of another busbar module according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a plan view of another busbar module according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A busbar module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, this embodiment does not limit the present invention. 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] An embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. This embodiment relates to a busbar module. Figure 1 is a plan view of a busbar module according to the embodiment, and Figures 2 to 4 are plan views of other busbar modules according to the embodiment.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the busbar module 1 of this embodiment includes a plurality of busbars 2 arranged in the arrangement direction X, a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) 3, an equipment connection part 5, and a case 4. The busbar module 1 is assembled, for example, to a battery module having a plurality of battery cells. The flexible printed circuit board 3 includes 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 31.

[0012] Busbar 2 is a plate-shaped member formed of a conductive metal. Busbar 2 is fixed, for example, to the electrodes of a battery cell and electrically connects two battery cells. The busbar module 1 of this embodiment has a plurality of busbars 2. The plurality of busbars 2 are arranged at intervals along the arrangement direction X. The arrangement direction X is, for example, the direction in which the battery cells are arranged in the battery module.

[0013] The detection line 31 is connected to the corresponding busbar 2. The busbar module 1 of this embodiment has a plurality of chip fuses 6 surface-mounted on a flexible printed circuit board 3. The detection line 31 is connected to the busbar 2, for example, via the chip fuses 6.

[0014] The device connection section 5 is provided on the flexible printed circuit board 3. The device connection section 5 connects a plurality of detection lines 31 to an external device 100. The device connection section 5 is, for example, a connector having a plurality of terminals. Each terminal of the connector is connected to the corresponding detection line 31. When the device connection section 5 is a connector, the mating direction in which the device connection section 5 and the mating connector fit together is, for example, the arrangement direction X. In this case, the plurality of terminals of the device connection section 5 are arranged, for example, in the width direction Y. The width direction Y is the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction X when the flexible printed circuit board 3 is viewed from above.

[0015] The position of the device connection part 5 in the array direction X is between the busbars 2 at both ends. The plurality of busbars 2 includes a first busbar 21 and a second busbar 22. The first busbar 21 is the busbar 2 of the plurality of busbars 2 that is located at the end of the first side X1 in the array direction X. The second busbar 22 is the busbar 2 of the plurality of busbars 2 that is located at the end of the second side X2 in the array direction X.

[0016] The busbar module 1 has a first connection position C1 and a second connection position C2 in the array direction X. The first connection position C1 is the position where the detection line 31 corresponding to the first busbar 21 is connected. A chip fuse 6 corresponding to the first busbar 21 is located at the first connection position C1. The second connection position C2 is the position where the detection line 31 corresponding to the second busbar 22 is connected. A chip fuse 6 corresponding to the second busbar 22 is located at the second connection position C2.

[0017] The position of the device connection part 5 in the array direction X is between the first connection position C1 and the second connection position C2. That is, the position of the device connection part 5 is on the second side X2 of the first connection position C1, and on the first side X1 of the second connection position C2.

[0018] By arranging the device connection portion 5 as described above, the plurality of detection lines 31 include a first detection line 31a and a second detection line 31b. The first detection line 31a is a detection line arranged on the first side X1 with respect to the device connection portion 5. The first detection line 31a extends from the device connection portion 5 toward the first side X1. The first detection line 31a extends along the arrangement direction X from the device connection portion 5 toward the bus bar 2 to be connected. The first detection line 31a includes a detection line connected to the first bus bar 21.

[0019] The second detection line 31b is a detection line arranged on the second side X2 with respect to the device connection portion 5. The second detection line 31b extends from the device connection portion 5 toward the second side X2. The second detection line 31b extends along the arrangement direction X from the device connection portion 5 toward the bus bar 2 to be connected. The second detection line 31b includes a detection line connected to the second bus bar 22.

[0020] In the bus bar module 1 of the present embodiment, some of the bus bars 2 are arranged on the first side X1 with respect to the device connection portion 5, and some of the other bus bars 2 are arranged on the second side X2 with respect to the device connection portion 5. Therefore, the plurality of detection lines 31 are distributed and arranged on both sides of the device connection portion 5 in the arrangement direction X. Thus, in the bus bar module 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to narrow the width Wd of the flexible printed board 3.

[0021] As a comparative example, consider a bus bar module in which the device connection portion 5 is arranged on the first side X1 rather than the first bus bar 21. In this case, all the detection lines 31 concentrate on the portion of the flexible printed board 3 adjacent to the first bus bar 21. As a result, the width Wd of the flexible printed board 3 becomes large. In contrast, in the bus bar module 1 of the present embodiment, since the concentration of the detection lines 31 at one location is unlikely to occur, the reduction of the width Wd is possible.

[0022] In the flexible printed circuit board 3 of the present embodiment, the width Wd of the region 3a in which the first detection line 31a is routed may be set to the minimum value corresponding to the number of the first detection lines 31a. The width Wd of the region 3b in which the second detection line 31b is routed may be set to the minimum value corresponding to the number of the second detection lines 31b. The width of the region 3c where the device connection portion 5 is disposed may be set to the minimum value necessary for the arrangement of the device connection portion 5. In the bus bar module 1 of FIG. 1, at least the regions 3a and 3b can be narrowed.

[0023] The bus bar module 1 of the present embodiment includes a wiring material 7 that connects the device connection portion 5 to an external device 100. The wiring material 7 is, for example, a flexible printed circuit board. The wiring material 7 has a plurality of connection lines 70 corresponding to the plurality of detection lines 31. The wiring material 7 is provided with a first connection portion 71 and a second connection portion 72.

[0024] The first connection portion 71 is disposed at one end of the wiring material 7, and the second connection portion 72 is disposed at the other end of the wiring material 7. The first connection portion 71 is connected to the device connection portion 5. When the device connection portion 5 is a connector, the first connection portion 71 is configured as a connector. The second connection portion 72 is connected to the external device 100. The second connection portion 72 is, for example, a connector that fits with the connector of the external device 100.

[0025] The case 4 houses the plurality of bus bars 2 and the flexible printed circuit board 3. The case 4 is formed of, for example, an insulating synthetic resin. The case 4 is, for example, assembled and fixed to a battery module. The case 4 has a first housing portion 41 and a second housing portion 42. The first housing portion 41 houses the plurality of bus bars 2 and the flexible printed circuit board 3. The shape of the first housing portion 41 is substantially rectangular. The second housing portion 42 houses the wiring material 7. The second housing portion 42 protrudes from an end of the first housing portion 41 in the arrangement direction X to the first side X1. The shape of the second housing portion 42 is substantially rectangular.

[0026] The busbar module 1 is assembled to the battery module, for example, with the case 4 holding the busbar 2 and the flexible printed circuit board 3. In this case, the cable 7 may be connected to the equipment connection section 5 and the external equipment 100 after the case 4 has been assembled to the battery module. The busbar module 1 may also be assembled to the battery module after the cable 7 has been connected to the equipment connection section 5.

[0027] The busbar module 1 of this embodiment is compatible with battery packs having high energy density. As the energy density of a battery pack increases, it becomes necessary to arrange many detection wires 31 in a narrow wiring space. When arranging many detection wires 31, increasing the number of conductive layers on the flexible printed circuit board 3 increases the wiring space in the height direction. The busbar module 1 of this embodiment can reduce the width Wd of the wiring space while suppressing an increase in the thickness of the flexible printed circuit board 3. Therefore, the busbar module 1 of this embodiment can suppress an increase in the height and width of the space required for arranging the detection wires 31.

[0028] In the busbar module 1 shown in Figure 1, the position of the equipment connection section 5 in the array direction X is midway between the busbars 21 and 22 at both ends. In the busbar module 1, if the number of busbars 2 arranged in the array direction X is even, the equipment connection section 5 may be arranged such that the number of first detection lines 31a and second detection lines 31b are equal. If the number of busbars 2 arranged in the array direction X is odd, the equipment connection section 5 may be arranged such that the difference between the number of first detection lines 31a and the number of second detection lines 31b is not two or more.

[0029] The position of the equipment connection part 5 in the array direction X is not limited to being midway between the first busbar 21 and the second busbar 22. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the position of the equipment connection part 5 may be closer to the first busbar 21 than midway between the two busbars 21 and 22. Conversely, the position of the equipment connection part 5 may be closer to the second busbar 22 than midway between the two busbars 21 and 22. The busbar module 1 in Figure 2 may further have a case 4 and a cable guide 7. The case 4 of the busbar module 1 in Figure 2 may be configured to house the busbars 2, the flexible printed circuit board 3, and the cable guide 7.

[0030] When two busbar modules 1 are arranged for a single battery module, the positions of the two device connection parts 5 may be determined so that they do not interfere with each other. Figure 3 shows a pair of busbar modules 1. The pair of busbar modules 1 has a first busbar module 1A and a second busbar module 1B.

[0031] The busbar 2 of the first busbar module 1A is connected to one electrode in the width direction of the battery cell. The busbar 2 of the second busbar module 1B is connected to the other electrode in the width direction of the battery cell. In the arrangement direction X, the equipment connection part 5 of the first busbar module 1A and the equipment connection part 5 of the second busbar module 1B are offset in position. Therefore, the size in the width direction Y required to arrange the two busbar modules 1A and 1B is reduced. The busbar modules 1A and 1B in Figure 3 may each have a case 4 and a cable guide 7.

[0032] The direction in which the cable guide 7 extends relative to the equipment connection part 5 is not limited to the arrangement direction X. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the cable guide 7 may be extended in the width direction Y relative to the equipment connection part 5 and connected to the external equipment 100. In Figure 4, the equipment connection part 5 extends in the arrangement direction X. If the equipment connection part 5 is a connector, the mating direction in which the equipment connection part 5 and the mating connector fit together is, for example, the width direction Y. In this case, the multiple terminals of the equipment connection part 5 are arranged, for example, in the arrangement direction X.

[0033] As described above, the busbar module 1 of this embodiment has a plurality of busbars 2 arranged in the arrangement direction X, a flexible printed circuit board 3, and a device connection part 5. The flexible printed circuit board 3 has a plurality of detection lines 31 connected to the plurality of busbars 2. The device connection part 5 is provided on the flexible printed circuit board 3 and connects the plurality of detection lines 31 to an external device 100. The position of the device connection part 5 in the arrangement direction X is between the busbars 21 and 22 at both ends. According to the busbar module 1 of this embodiment, the width of the flexible printed circuit board 3 can be reduced.

[0034] The position of the device connection section 5 in the array direction X is, for example, midway between the busbars 21 and 22 at both ends. This configuration makes it possible to minimize the width of the flexible printed circuit board 3.

[0035] Note that the number of busbars 2 and detection lines 31 in busbar module 1 are not limited to the examples given.

[0036] The contents disclosed in the above embodiments can be combined and implemented as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 1: Busbar Module 1A: First busbar module, 1B: Second busbar module 2: Busbar, 3: Flexible printed circuit board, 4: Case 5: Equipment connection port, 6: Chip fuse 7: Routing material 21: First bus stop, 22: Second bus stop 31: Detection line, 31a: First detection line, 31b: Second detection line 41: First containment unit, 42: Second containment unit 100: External device C1: First connection point, C2: Second connection point X: Array direction, X1: First side, X2: Second side Y: width direction

Claims

[Claim 1] Multiple busbars arranged in the direction of the array, A flexible printed circuit board having multiple detection lines connected to multiple busbars, The flexible printed circuit board includes a device connection section for connecting a plurality of the detection lines to an external device, Equipped with, The position of the equipment connection portion in the aforementioned arrangement direction is midway between the busbars at both ends. A busbar module characterized by the following features.

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