Automotive component internal circuit unit

Abstract

To disclose a circuit unit in an on-vehicle component in which a structure for connecting an external connection part and a connector can be simplified and connection workability can be improved.SOLUTION: A circuit unit 10 in an on-vehicle component includes a circuit constituting member 16, a case 18, a connection bus bar 30 including an inner connection part 22 and an external connection part 28, a first window part 110 included in the case 18 so as to face the inner connection part 22 and a first bolt insertion hole 152, and a second wind part 112 included in the case 18 so as to face the external connection part 28 and a second bolt insertion hole 156. The first bolt insertion hole 152 and the second bolt insertion hole 156 are disposed so as to have sizes including tolerance absorbing gaps 154, 158. The connection bus bar 30 is housed in a displaceable manner in a tolerance absorbing direction with respect to the case 18. The first window part 110 is open in such a way that a bolt fastening work can be performed through the first window part 110. The second window part 112 is open in such a way that a bolt fastening work can be performed through the second window part 112.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an in-vehicle component internal circuit unit.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which a circuit unit such as a junction box is housed together with a battery module, a battery control system, etc. in a housing of a battery pack which is an in-vehicle component mounted on a vehicle. Here, in order to enable connection between the circuit unit housed in the housing of the battery pack and an external device, a connector to which an external mating connector is connected is provided on the peripheral wall of the housing, and a structure is adopted in which the connector and the circuit unit are conductively connected by a relay component such as a covered wire or a bus bar.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the structure of Patent Document 1, relay components such as covered wires and bus bars are required to connect between the connector provided on the housing and the external connection portion provided on the circuit unit housed in the housing. Therefore, there is an inherent problem that the number of parts is large and the handling property is poor. In addition, when the circuit unit is a junction box or the like housed in the housing of a high-voltage component such as a battery pack as in Patent Document 1, the relay component and the external connection portion of the circuit unit become live parts, so it is also necessary to take separate electric shock countermeasures. As a result, the structure for connecting the external connection portion of the in-vehicle component internal circuit unit to the connector provided on the housing of the in-vehicle component becomes complicated, and it is inevitable that the workability deteriorates.

[0005] Therefore, we disclose an in-vehicle component circuit unit that can simplify the connection structure between the external connection part of the in-vehicle component circuit unit and the connector provided on the housing of the in-vehicle component, and improve the ease of connection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The in-vehicle component circuit unit of this disclosure is an in-vehicle component circuit unit housed within the housing of an in-vehicle component, comprising circuit components, Absolute Cases of kinship and , contact Continuing busbar, The circuit components are housed in the case, and the connecting busbar is Internal connection section and External connection section The internal connection portion is electrically connected to a circuit-side connection portion provided on the circuit component, the internal connection portion has a first bolt insertion hole, the external connection portion is electrically connected to a connector-side connection portion of a connector provided on the housing, the external connection portion has a second bolt insertion hole, The provided bolt insertion hole 1 and the provided bolt insertion hole 2 Each of them is The connecting busbar is provided with a size that includes a tolerance-absorbing gap extending in the tolerance absorption direction. is before The case is housed in such a way that it can be displaced in the tolerance absorption direction. attitude It is that. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an in-vehicle component circuit unit that simplifies the connection structure between the external connection part of the in-vehicle component circuit unit and the connector provided on the housing of the in-vehicle component, and improves the ease of connection. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the in-vehicle component circuit unit according to Embodiment 1 housed within the casing of the vehicle component and fastened with bolts. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the in-vehicle component's internal circuit unit housed within the casing of the in-vehicle component shown in Figure 1, in a disassembled state. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the disassembled state of the in-vehicle component circuit unit shown in Figure 2, viewed from the front. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the disassembled state of the in-vehicle component circuit unit shown in Figure 3, viewed from the rear. [Figure 5]Figure 5 is a plan view showing the internal circuit unit of the in-vehicle component housed within the casing of the in-vehicle component shown in Figure 1, with the casing cover omitted. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a plan view showing the in-vehicle component circuit unit shown in Figure 5, with the cover omitted. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a plan view of the in-vehicle component circuit unit shown in Figure 6, with the connecting busbars omitted. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in Figure 5. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in Figure 5. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of XX in Figure 5. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of the cover portion constituting the in-vehicle component circuit unit shown in Figure 1, viewed from the planar side. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the cover shown in Figure 11, viewed from the bottom. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part, showing an enlarged view of the mating portion of the mating hole and mating projection in the in-vehicle component circuit unit shown in Figure 1. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the relationship between the first and second bolt insertion holes in the connecting busbar and the first and second bolts inserted into the first and second bolt insertion holes. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the in-vehicle component circuit unit shown in Figure 1 housed within the vehicle component housing in a state where the bolts are not fastened, and it corresponds to Figure 8. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the in-vehicle component circuit unit shown in Figure 1 housed within the vehicle component housing in a state where the bolts are not fastened, and it corresponds to Figure 9. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a perspective view showing a connecting busbar that constitutes an in-vehicle component circuit unit in another aspect of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] <Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The in-vehicle component internal circuit unit of the present disclosure is (1) An in-vehicle component internal circuit unit housed in a housing of an in-vehicle component, comprising a circuit component member, an insulating case for housing the circuit component member, an internal connection portion housed in the case and conductively connected to a circuit-side connection portion provided on the circuit component member, and an external connection portion conductively connected to a connector-side connection portion of a connector provided on the housing. A connection bus bar having the following components: a first window portion provided in the case and disposed opposite to the internal connection portion of the connection bus bar and a first bolt insertion hole provided in the internal connection portion; and a second window portion provided in the case and disposed opposite to the external connection portion of the connection bus bar and a second bolt insertion hole provided in the external connection portion. The first bolt insertion hole and the second bolt insertion hole are provided with a size including a tolerance absorption gap extending in the tolerance absorption direction. The connection bus bar is housed in the case so as to be displaceable in the tolerance absorption direction with respect to the case. The first window portion is opened with a size that enables bolt fastening work from the outside of the case to the circuit-side connection portion of the internal connection portion through the first window portion. The second window portion is opened with a size that enables bolt fastening work from the outside of the case to the connector-side connection portion of the external connection portion through the second window portion.

[0010] According to the in-vehicle component internal circuit unit of this aspect, a connection bus bar that conductively connects the circuit-side connection part and the connector-side connection part is accommodated in the case in a state where it can be displaced in the tolerance absorption direction. Further, the internal connection part and the external connection part of the connection bus bar accommodated in the case can be bolted to the circuit-side connection part and the connector-side connection part from the outside through the first window part and the second window part provided in the case. Therefore, the circuit unit is arranged in the housing of the in-vehicle component, the connection bus bar is displaced in the tolerance absorption direction to absorb the tolerance, and the internal connection part and the external connection part of the connection bus bar are aligned with the circuit-side connection part and the connector-side connection part respectively, and can be bolted from the outside. As a result, relay components such as coated electric wires and bus bars that connect between the connector provided in the conventional housing and the external connection part provided in the circuit unit housed in the housing are no longer necessary, and the connection structure between the in-vehicle component internal circuit unit and the connector provided in the housing of the in-vehicle component can be simplified. Moreover, since the connection bus bar is accommodated in the case, measures against electric shock can also be advantageously realized using the case. Further, since the first and second window parts provided in the case only need to be opened in a size that allows the bolt fastening operation of each connection part from the outside, the case can cover the parts that can become live parts as much as possible, and the connection workability can also be improved.

[0011] Note that the tolerance absorption direction can be set in the required direction, and it may be one direction or a plurality of directions. Also, the first / second window parts only need to be opened in a size that allows the bolt fastening operation of each connection part from the outside of the case. When bolts and nuts are not built into the case, it should be a size that allows them to be inserted. When bolts and nuts are built into the case, it only needs to be a size that allows the fastening tool to be inserted while preventing the bolts and nuts from detaching from the window part.

[0012] (2) Preferably, the first window and the second window are each surrounded by a cylindrical portion that protrudes outward from the case. Since the first window and the second window are surrounded by a cylindrical portion that protrudes outward from the case, by adjusting the protrusion height of the cylindrical portion, it is possible to advantageously suppress contact of workers with internal or external connection parts that may be live.

[0013] (3) Preferably, a bolt or nut is housed inside the cylindrical portion of the first window and the second window, and a retaining projection projecting radially inward is provided on the protruding tip side of the cylindrical portion, preventing the bolt or nut from detaching from the cylindrical portion by contact with the retaining projection. By utilizing the internal space of the cylindrical portions of the first window and the second window, bolts or nuts for fastening bolts to the circuit-side connection portion and connector-side connection portion of the internal and external connection portions of the connecting busbar can be pre-stored inside the case, further improving workability. In addition, since bolts or nuts are pre-housed inside the cylindrical portions of the first window and the second window, the size of the openings of the first window and the second window can be reduced to a size that does not allow the insertion of bolts or nuts but allows the insertion of fastening tools, further improving protection against electric shock. In particular, by applying insulation treatment to the exposed parts of the built-in bolts and nuts from the window, protection against electric shock can be further strengthened.

[0014] (4) Preferably, each bolt or nut housed in the cylindrical section has an insulating section, and the insulating section of the bolt or nut can protrude outward from the cylindrical section when not fastened, and is housed inside the cylindrical section when fastened. Since each bolt or nut housed in the cylindrical section has an insulating section, electric shock through the fastening tool is prevented during fastening work. In particular, when the bolt or nut is not fastened, if the insulating section protrudes outward from the cylindrical section, it is easy to visually confirm that it is not fastened, and fastening work can be easily performed. Moreover, since the protruding part is an insulating section, protection against electric shock can be maintained. Furthermore, when fastened, since the insulating section is housed inside the cylindrical section, it is easy to confirm from the outside that it is fastened, and even in the finished product after fastening is complete, the protrusion height of the cylindrical section to the outside of the case can be kept small, and the internal circuit unit of the vehicle component can be miniaturized.

[0015] (5) Preferably, the case comprises a case body having a mounting portion on which the connecting busbar is placed, and a cover portion that covers the mounting portion and is assembled to the case body so as to be displaceable in the tolerance absorption direction, wherein the cover portion has a first window portion and a second window portion and is displaceable together with the connecting busbar in the tolerance absorption direction. The case is divided into a case body having a mounting portion on which the connecting busbar is placed, and a cover portion that covers the mounting portion and is assembled to the case body so as to be displaceable in the tolerance absorption direction, and the cover portion is displaceable together with the connecting busbar, so that a structure can be easily and reliably provided to accommodate the connecting busbar in a way that it is displaceable in the tolerance absorption direction relative to the case. Moreover, since the cover portion, which is part of the case, is displaceable together with the connecting busbar, the size of the openings of the first window portion and the second window portion can be made smaller compared to the case where only the connecting busbar is displaceable relative to the case, and safer measures against electric shock can be taken.

[0016] (6) Preferably, the case body has a fitting hole extending in the tolerance absorption direction around the mounting portion described above, and the cover portion has a fitting projection that protrudes from the peripheral edge of the cover portion toward the case body and fits into the fitting hole, and the width dimension of the fitting projection in the tolerance absorption direction is smaller than that of the fitting hole. By making the width dimension of the fitting projection of the cover portion that fits into the fitting hole provided in the case body smaller than the width dimension of the fitting hole in the tolerance absorption direction, the fitting projection can be displaced within the fitting hole in the tolerance absorption direction. As a result, the cover portion having the fitting projection can be displaced relative to the case body in the tolerance absorption direction, and the movable end of the cover portion (connecting busbar) relative to the case body in the tolerance absorption direction can be defined using the fitting projection and fitting hole that assemble the cover portion to the case body.

[0017] (7) Preferably, the fitting projection has a locking claw provided at its protruding end that protrudes toward the mounting portion side beyond the fitting hole, and the locking claw inserted into the fitting hole engages with the edge of the fitting hole toward the mounting portion side. Because the locking claw protrudes toward the mounting portion side beyond the fitting hole and engages with the edge of the fitting hole toward the mounting portion side, it is difficult to insert a tool such as a screwdriver into the fitting hole in a way that would bend the fitting projection in a direction that would release the engagement between the locking claw and the case body, and the engagement between the locking claw and the case body is stably maintained. In addition, the engagement portion between the locking claw and the case body cannot be seen from the outside, and the release of the engagement between the locking claw and the case body is more reliably prevented. As a result, the cover can be held in a fixed state relative to the case body. As a result, the risk of electric shock when an operator accidentally removes the cover from the case during maintenance can be suppressed.

[0018] (8) Preferably, the internal connection portion and the external connection portion extend in directions that intersect each other, the first bolt insertion hole provided in the internal connection portion and the second bolt insertion hole provided in the external connection portion penetrate each other in directions that intersect each other, and the tolerance absorption direction in the tolerance absorption gap of the first bolt insertion hole and the tolerance absorption direction in the tolerance absorption gap of the second bolt insertion hole are mutually orthogonal. Because the internal connection portion and the external connection portion extend in directions that intersect each other, the first bolt insertion hole and the second bolt insertion hole provided in the internal connection portion and the external connection portion, respectively, are provided so as to intersect each other. Therefore, the tolerance absorption direction in the tolerance absorption gap of the first bolt insertion hole and the tolerance absorption direction in the tolerance absorption gap of the second bolt insertion hole can be set to mutually orthogonal directions, and the connecting busbar can be displaced in at least two mutually orthogonal directions with respect to the case. This allows for a stable connection between the circuit components electrically connected to the internal connection section and the connector electrically connected to the external connection section using a connecting busbar. For example, if the tolerance absorption direction in the tolerance absorption gap of the first bolt insertion hole is set to two mutually orthogonal directions (e.g., front-to-back and left-to-right directions), and the tolerance absorption direction in the tolerance absorption gap of the second bolt insertion hole includes a direction orthogonal to those (e.g., up-and-down direction), the connecting busbar can be displaced in the up-and-down, left-to-right, and front-to-back directions relative to the case, thereby enabling a more reliable connection between the circuit components and the connector via the connecting busbar.

[0019] (9) Preferably, the cover portion has ribs protruding toward the mounting portion, and when the cover portion is assembled to the case body, the ribs abut against or face the connecting busbar. The ribs provided on the cover portion that protrude toward the mounting portion abut against or face the connecting busbar with a small gap between them when the cover portion is assembled to the case body. As a result, when the connecting busbar is displaced and tries to lift away from the mounting portion of the case body, the ribs suppress the lifting of the connecting busbar. Therefore, rattling of the connecting busbar inside the case is avoided. In particular, when the connecting busbar is connected to a heat-generating component such as a relay via, for example, a circuit component, the circuit component may have a heat dissipation portion that contacts a heat transfer surface provided on the case body. In such cases, by providing ribs on the cover portion to prevent the connecting busbar from lifting, it is possible to prevent not only the connecting busbar but also the circuit component with the heat dissipation portion from lifting, and it is possible to advantageously prevent the heat dissipation portion from lifting away from the heat transfer surface toward the cover portion. This allows for stable heat dissipation from heat-generating components via the connecting busbars.

[0020] (10) Preferably, the connecting busbar has a first end with an internal connection portion and a second end with an external connection portion that protrudes above the first end, the internal connection portion has a first bolt insertion hole having the tolerance absorption gap in the extension direction of the first end, and the external connection portion has a second bolt insertion hole having the tolerance absorption gap in the extension direction of the second end. The second end with the external connection portion is provided, which protrudes above the first end with the internal connection portion, and the first bolt insertion hole and the second bolt insertion hole have tolerance absorption gaps in the mutually different extension directions of the first end and the second end. This makes it possible to set the tolerance absorption direction in multiple directions, which further improves the workability of assembling the in-vehicle component circuit unit to the vehicle component. In particular, since the second end protrudes above the first end, it is possible to provide space for accommodating components such as wire harnesses in the space between them.

[0021] (11) Preferably, the connecting busbar is a laminate of multiple thin plates. By making the connecting busbar a laminate of multiple thin plates, the connecting busbar can be flexibly deformed. This makes it possible to absorb tolerances by deforming the connecting busbar, even when the length dimension of the connecting busbar is short and the deformation rigidity of a single flat busbar is large, and thus more reliably connects the circuit-side connection part provided on the circuit component and the connector-side connection part provided on the connector.

[0022] <Details of the embodiments of this disclosure> Specific examples of the in-vehicle component circuit units of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to these examples and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims as indicated by the claims.

[0023] <Embodiment 1> Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 16. The in-vehicle component internal circuit unit 10 is mounted in a vehicle (not shown), such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, and supplies and controls power from a power source such as a battery (not shown) to a load such as a motor (not shown). In Figure 1, etc., the in-vehicle component internal circuit unit 10 is shown housed in the casing 14 of a battery pack 12 as an in-vehicle component and fastened by first and second bolts 138 and 140, which will be described later. These in-vehicle component internal circuit unit 10 and in-vehicle component (battery pack 12 (casing 14)) are not shown in their entirety, but rather only the essential parts are shown. The in-vehicle component internal circuit unit 10 can be positioned in any orientation, but in the following description, "up" refers to the top in Figure 8, "down" refers to the bottom in Figure 8, "front" refers to the right in Figure 5, "rear" refers to the left in Figure 5, "left" refers to the bottom in Figure 5, and "right" refers to the top in Figure 5. Furthermore, in the case of multiple identical components, some components may be assigned a reference numeral while others are omitted.

[0024] <Automotive component internal circuit unit 10> The in-vehicle component internal circuit unit 10 is housed within the housing 14 of the in-vehicle component (battery pack 12), and comprises a circuit component 16 and an insulating case 18 that houses the circuit component 16. The case 18 houses a connecting bus bar 30 (first connecting bus bar 30a and second connecting bus bar 30b) which has internal connection parts 22 (first internal connection part 22a and second internal connection part 22b) that are electrically connected to circuit-side connection parts 20 (first circuit-side connection part 20a and second circuit-side connection part 20b) provided on the circuit component 16, and external connection parts 28 (first external connection part 28a and second external connection part 28b) that are electrically connected to connector-side connection parts 26 (first connector-side connection part 26a and second connector-side connection part 26b) of a connector 24 provided on the housing 14.

[0025] <Battery Pack 12> The in-vehicle component in which the internal circuit unit 10 is housed is not limited, but in this embodiment, the in-vehicle component is a battery pack 12. The housing 14 of the battery pack 12 comprises a housing body 32 and a lid 34, as shown in Figure 2. The housing body 32 is, for example, a roughly box-shaped structure that opens upward and comprises a bottom wall 36 and a peripheral wall portion 38 that protrudes upward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall 36. In Figure 2, etc., the main parts of the battery pack 12 (housing 14) are shown in isolation, and only the rear wall portion 40 is shown as the peripheral wall portion 38, but walls constituting the peripheral wall portion 38 may be provided in front of the bottom wall 36 and on both the left and right sides.

[0026] The rear wall portion 40 is provided with a connector insertion hole 42 for inserting the connector-side connection portion 26 (each connector-side connection portion 26a, 26b) of the connector 24 into the housing 14. The connector-side connection portion 26 (each connector-side connection portion 26a, 26b) is inserted into the housing body 32 through this connector insertion hole 42, and the connector 24 is fastened to the housing body 32 with bolts 44, thereby attaching the connector 24 to the housing 14. After placing the in-vehicle component circuit unit 10 inside the housing body 32 and electrically connecting it to the connector 24, the upper opening of the housing body 32 is covered and fixed with a roughly flat cover 34, thereby housing the in-vehicle component circuit unit 10 inside the housing 14.

[0027] <Connector 24> The shape of the connector 24 is not limited, but in this embodiment, it is provided with a pair of electric wires 46, 46. Each electric wire 46 is an insulated electric wire and has a core wire 48 and an insulating coating 50 that is fitted over the core wire 48. At the end (front end) of each electric wire 46, the insulating coating 50 is peeled off and the core wire 48 is exposed. The core wire 48 that has been exposed after the insulating coating 50 has been peeled off is electrically connected to the connector terminal 54 within the connector housing 52 made of an insulating synthetic resin or the like. That is, the connector 24 is provided with a pair of connector terminals 54, 54 by providing a connector terminal 54 at the end of each electric wire 46, and these pair of connector terminals 54, 54 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction.

[0028] Each connector terminal 54 is provided with a bolt fastening hole at its front end, and in this embodiment, these bolt fastening holes constitute the first and second connector-side connection portions 26a and 26b. In short, the second bolts 140, 140, described later, are inserted through the external connection portion 28 (first and second external connection portions 28a and 28b) of the connecting bus bar 30 in the in-vehicle component circuit unit 10 and fastened to the bolt fastening holes (first and second connector-side connection portions 26a and 26b) of the connector terminals 54, 54 in the connector 24, thereby electrically connecting the connecting bus bar 30 in the in-vehicle component circuit unit 10 and the connector 24.

[0029] The connector housing 52 is fixed to the housing body 32 via a mounting portion 56 having a predetermined thickness. Specifically, the mounting portion 56 has through holes through which the connector-side connection portions 26a, 26b and bolts 44, 44 of the connector 24 are inserted. When the connector 24 is fixed to the housing body 32 by the bolts 44, the connector-side connection portions 26a, 26b pass through the mounting portion 56 and are exposed inside the housing body 32 through the connector insertion holes 42 in the rear wall portion 40.

[0030] <Circuit component 16> In this embodiment, as also shown in Figures 3 and 4, the circuit component 16 is configured to include a pair of relays (first relay 58a and second relay 58b) and conductive busbars 62 (first to fourth conductive busbars 62a to 62d) connected to a pair of connection parts 60, 60 provided on each relay 58a and 58b. In this embodiment, the first relay 58a and the second relay 58b are arranged in opposite directions, with the left-side first relay 58a facing backward and the right-side second relay 58b facing forward.

[0031] A first conductive busbar 62a is connected to the left connection portion 60 of the first relay 58a, and this first conductive busbar 62a is electrically connected to an external circuit (not shown) to the left of the in-vehicle component circuit unit 10. A second conductive busbar 62b is connected to the right connection portion 60 of the first relay 58a. The end of the second conductive busbar 62b opposite to the side connected to the first relay 58a protrudes above the first relay 58a via a heat dissipation portion 64 (second heat dissipation portion 64b), which will be described later, and constitutes the first circuit side connection portion 20a. In particular, the first circuit side connection portion 20a is formed by a bolt insertion hole that penetrates in the plate thickness direction (vertical direction) and is provided at the end of the second conductive busbar 62b opposite to the side connected to the first relay 58a.

[0032] Furthermore, a third conductive busbar 62c is connected to the left connection portion 60 of the second relay 58b. The end of the third conductive busbar 62c opposite to the side connected to the second relay 58b protrudes above the second relay 58b via a heat dissipation portion 64 (third heat dissipation portion 64c), which will be described later, and constitutes the second circuit side connection portion 20b. In particular, the second circuit side connection portion 20b is formed by a bolt insertion hole that penetrates in the plate thickness direction (vertical direction) and is provided at the end of the third conductive busbar 62c opposite to the side connected to the second relay 58b. Moreover, a fourth conductive busbar 62d is connected to the right connection portion 60 of the second relay 58b, and this fourth conductive busbar 62d is electrically connected to an external circuit (not shown) to the right of the in-vehicle component circuit unit 10.

[0033] Each conductive busbar 62 (first to fourth conductive busbars 62a to 62d) is made of a conductive metal plate and is formed by bending it into a predetermined shape by press working or the like. Each of these first to fourth conductive busbars 62a to 62d has a portion that extends horizontally downwards (in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction), and these portions that extend horizontally downwards constitute the heat dissipation section 64 (first to fourth heat dissipation sections 64a to 64d). As will be described later, the first and second connecting busbars 30a and 30b are connected to the second and third conductive busbars 62b and 62c. Therefore, the first and second connecting busbars 30a and 30b indirectly have the heat dissipation section 64 (second and third heat dissipation sections 64b and 64c) via the second and third conductive busbars 62b and 62c.

[0034] <Case 18> The case 18 has a case body 68 having a mounting portion 66 on which the connecting bus bar 30 is placed, and a cover portion 70 that covers the mounting portion 66 and is assembled to the case body 68.

[0035] <Case body 68> The case body 68 has an upper case 72 and a lower case 74 that are assembled vertically. These upper case 72 and lower case 74 are box-shaped with openings to the lower and upper sides, respectively, and are made of, for example, a hard synthetic resin. Specifically, the upper case 72 has a roughly rectangular upper wall 76 and an upper circumferential wall 78 that protrudes downward from the outer peripheral edge of the upper wall 76. In addition, a rear end wall portion 79 that protrudes upward is provided on the right side of the rear end of the upper wall 76. In Figures 3, 4, etc., the main parts of the in-vehicle component circuit unit 10 are shown extracted, and only the upper front wall 80 and upper rear wall 82 are shown as the upper circumferential wall 78, but wall portions constituting the upper circumferential wall 78 may be provided on both the left and right sides of the upper wall 76.

[0036] As shown in Figure 7, the upper wall 76 is provided with a substantially rectangular through-window 84 that penetrates in the thickness direction (vertical direction). In this embodiment, two through-windows 84 (first through-window 84a and second through-window 84b) are provided in the upper wall 76. These first through-window 84a and second through-window 84b are located in positions corresponding to the first circuit-side connection portion 20a of the second conductive busbar 62b and the second circuit-side connection portion 20b of the third conductive busbar 62c, respectively. Specifically, the first through-window 84a is located in the approximate center of the upper wall 76, and the second through-window 84b is located in the right rear portion of the upper wall 76. As a result, when the circuit components 16 are housed in the case body 68, the first circuit-side connection portion 20a and the second circuit-side connection portion 20b are exposed to the outside through the first through-window 84a and the second through-window 84b.

[0037] As will be described later, the connecting busbars 30 (first connecting busbar 30a and second connecting busbar 30b) are superimposed from above on the first circuit-side connection portion 20a and the second circuit-side connection portion 20b exposed from the first through-window 84a and the second through-window 84b. The area on the upper wall 76 on which the first connecting busbar 30a and the second connecting busbar 30b are superimposed and placed is the mounting portion 66. In this embodiment, the mounting portion 66 is configured to include the area on the upper wall 76 from the first through-window 84a to the second through-window 84b, for example, the area from the rear part of the first through-window 84a to the left part of the second through-window 84b.

[0038] Furthermore, fitting holes 86 are provided around the mounting portion 66, penetrating the upper wall 76 in the thickness direction. These fitting holes 86 are designed to engage with fitting projections 132, which will be described later, provided on the cover portion 70. In this embodiment, multiple fitting holes 86 are provided, with three fitting holes 86 around the first through-window 84a and one fitting hole 86 around the second through-window 84b. Each fitting hole 86 is substantially rectangular in shape, extending in the front-to-back direction, which is one of the tolerance absorption directions described later, and the opening width dimension b (see Figure 7) in the front-to-back direction is larger than the opening width dimension a (see Figure 7) in the left-to-right direction.

[0039] The lower case 74 has a generally rectangular lower wall 88 and a lower circumferential wall 90 that protrudes upward from the outer peripheral edge of the lower wall 88. In Figures 3 and 4, etc., only the main parts of the in-vehicle component circuit unit 10 are shown, and only the lower front wall 92 and the lower rear wall 94 are shown as the lower circumferential wall 90, but wall portions constituting the lower circumferential wall 90 may be provided on both the left and right sides of the lower wall 88.

[0040] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the lower wall 88 is provided with a roughly rectangular columnar busbar fixing portion 96 that protrudes upward. In this embodiment, two busbar fixing portions 96 (a first busbar fixing portion 96a and a second busbar fixing portion 96b) are provided on the lower wall 88. These first busbar fixing portion 96a and second busbar fixing portion 96b are provided at positions corresponding to the first circuit-side connection portion 20a of the second conductive busbar 62b and the second circuit-side connection portion 20b of the third conductive busbar 62c, respectively. Specifically, the first busbar fixing portion 96a is provided in the approximate central part of the lower wall 88, and the second busbar fixing portion 96b is provided in the right rear part of the lower wall 88. Nuts 98 are embedded in the upper ends of these first and second busbar fixing portions 96a and 96b.

[0041] When the circuit components 16 are housed in the case body 68, each heat dissipation section 64 (first to fourth heat dissipation sections 64a to 64d) of each conductive bus bar 62 (first to fourth conductive bus bars 62a to 62d) is superimposed on the lower wall 88 of the lower case 74. Between each of these heat dissipation sections 64a to 64d and the lower wall 88, there is a roughly sheet-like heat transfer sheet 100 made of a material with relatively good heat transfer efficiency, so that each heat dissipation section 64a to 64d contacts the lower wall 88 via each heat transfer sheet 100. Furthermore, as will be described later, the lower wall 88 of the case body 68 is superimposed on the bottom wall 36 of the housing 14 of the battery pack 12. Between the lower wall 88 and the bottom wall 36, gap fillers 102 made of a material with relatively good heat transfer efficiency are provided at positions corresponding to each heat transfer sheet 100, so that the lower wall 88 contacts the bottom wall 36 via each gap filler 102. In other words, the heat generated when each relay 58a, 58b is energized is dissipated from the bottom wall 36 via each heat dissipation section 64a~64d, each heat transfer sheet 100, the lower wall 88, and each gap filler 102. Therefore, in this embodiment, the upper surface of the lower wall 88 is configured as a heat transfer surface 104 provided on the case body 68 and in contact with each heat dissipation section 64a~64d to transfer the heat generated when each relay 58a, 58b is energized.

[0042] The material of these heat transfer sheets 100 and gap fillers 102 is not limited as long as they have insulating properties, and may be made of synthetic resins, for example, which have a higher thermal conductivity than air. Specifically, silicone resins, non-silicone acrylic resins, ceramic resins, etc., can be used. More specifically, examples include heat dissipation sheets, heat dissipation gap fillers, thermal conductive grease, and thermal conductive silicone rubber made of silicone resin. The heat transfer members provided between each heat dissipation section 64a to 64d and the lower wall 88 are not limited to a sheet shape, and conventionally known heat transfer members can be used. In addition, although the gap filler 102 is shown as a roughly rectangular block in Figures 3 and 4, the shape of the gap filler 102 is not limited, and conventionally known gap fillers (heat transfer members) can be used.

[0043] In particular, these heat transfer sheets 100 and gap fillers 102 are elastically deformable in the thickness direction (vertical direction), and the vertical tolerance between the in-vehicle component circuit unit 10 and the housing 14 of the battery pack 12 can be absorbed when fastening the bolts 140 between the external connection parts 28a, 28b and the connector-side connection parts 26a, 26b using the second bolts 140.

[0044] <Cover part 70> The cover portion 70 has a shape that covers the mounting portion 66 of the case body 68 and extends across the first through-window 84a to the second through-window 84b of the upper case 72. That is, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the cover portion 70 has a horizontal wall portion 106 that extends in the left-right direction and spreads substantially horizontally (in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction). In addition, a vertical wall portion 108 that protrudes upward and spreads vertically is provided on the right side of the rear end of the horizontal wall portion 106. As a result, the cover portion 70 has a substantially L-shaped vertical cross-section on the right side.

[0045] Furthermore, in the horizontal wall portion 106 of the cover portion 70, a first window portion 110 is provided that penetrates in the thickness direction (vertical direction) at a position corresponding to the through-window 84 and the circuit-side connection portion 20 exposed from the through-window 84 when assembled to the case body 68. In this embodiment, in the horizontal wall portion 106, a left first window portion 110a and a right first window portion 110b are provided at positions corresponding to the first and second circuit-side connection portions 20a and 20b, respectively. In addition, in the vertical wall portion 108, a second window portion 112 is provided that penetrates in the thickness direction (front-to-back direction) at a position corresponding to the connector-side connection portion 26 when the in-vehicle component internal circuit unit 10 is housed in the housing 14 of the battery pack 12. In this embodiment, in the vertical wall portion 108, a left second window portion 112a and a right second window portion 112b are provided at positions corresponding to the first and second connector-side connection portions 26a and 26b, respectively.

[0046] As will be described later, the first and second circuit-side connection portions 20a and 20b are superimposed on and electrically connected to the internal connection portions 22 (first and second internal connection portions 22a and 22b) in each connection bus bar 30a and 30b. Therefore, the left and right first window portions 110a and 110b are provided in positions corresponding to the first and second internal connection portions 22a and 22b. In other words, in the assembled state of the in-vehicle component circuit unit 10, the left and right first window portions 110a and 110b are positioned facing each internal connection portion 22a and 22b and the first bolt insertion holes 152 provided in each internal connection portion 22a and 22b in the vertical direction. Furthermore, since the first and second connector-side connection portions 26a and 26b are superimposed on and electrically connected to the external connection portions 28 (first and second external connection portions 28a and 28b) of the respective connecting busbars 30a and 30b, the left and right second window portions 112a and 112b are provided in positions corresponding to the first and second external connection portions 28a and 28b. In other words, in the assembled state of the in-vehicle component circuit unit 10, the left and right second window portions 112a and 112b are positioned facing each other in the front-rear direction with respect to each external connection portion 28a and 28b and the second bolt insertion holes 156 provided in each external connection portion 28a and 28b.

[0047] In this embodiment, the left and right first window portions 110a, 110b and the second window portions 112a, 112b are each formed in the same shape and are formed as circular through holes having a predetermined inner diameter dimension φA (see Figure 8). The inner diameter dimension φA of these left and right first window portions 110a, 110b should be large enough to allow a tool for bolting work using the respective first bolts 138, which will be described later, to pass through from at least outside the case 18 between the respective internal connection portions 22a, 22b and the respective circuit-side connection portions 20a, 20b. In this embodiment, the inner diameter dimension φA of the left and right first window portions 110a, 110b is larger than the maximum outer diameter dimension φC (see Figure 14) of the head 144 of each first bolt 138, including the insulation processing portion 146, which will be described later. Similarly, the inner diameter φA of the left and right second window portions 112a and 112b should be large enough to allow a tool for bolting the external connection portions 28a and 28b and the connector-side connection portions 26a and 26b using the second bolts 140, which will be described later, to pass through from at least outside the case 18. In this embodiment, the inner diameter φA of the left and right second window portions 112a and 112b is larger than the maximum outer diameter φC of the head 144 of each second bolt 140, including the insulation processing portion 146, which will be described later.

[0048] Furthermore, in the horizontal wall section 106, first cylindrical sections 114, 114 are provided as cylindrical sections that project upward from the periphery of the left and right first window sections 110a, 110b, respectively, and in the vertical wall section 108, second cylindrical sections 116, 116 are provided as cylindrical sections that project forward from the periphery of the left and right second window sections 112a, 112b, respectively. In other words, both these first and second cylindrical sections 114, 116 project outward toward the cover section 70 and the case 18 to which the cover section 70 is assembled.

[0049] Each of the first and second cylindrical portions 114 and 116 has a predetermined protruding height dimension. A retaining projection 118 is provided at the protruding tip side of each of the first and second cylindrical portions 114 and 116, protruding radially inward. In this embodiment, the retaining projection 118 is formed in an annular shape extending around the entire circumference at the protruding tip of each of the first and second cylindrical portions 114 and 116. As a result, the outer openings 120 of each of the first and second cylindrical portions 114 and 116 have a predetermined inner diameter dimension, and the inner diameter dimension of the outer opening 120 in each of the first and second cylindrical portions 114 and 116 (inner diameter dimension of the retaining projection 118) φA' (see Figure 8) is smaller than the inner diameter dimension φA in each of the first window portions 110a and 110b.

[0050] Furthermore, a lower protective wall portion 122 projecting downward is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the horizontal wall portion 106, and a rear protective wall portion 124 projecting backward is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the vertical wall portion 108. These lower protective wall portions 122 and rear protective wall portions 124 are formed continuously around substantially the entire circumference of the horizontal wall portion 106 and the vertical wall portion 108, and are formed continuously and integrally at the connection portion between the horizontal wall portion 106 and the vertical wall portion 108. Moreover, a partition wall portion 126 is provided on the lower surface of the horizontal wall portion 106 and the rear surface of the vertical wall portion 108, dividing the area enclosed by the lower protective wall portion 122 and the rear protective wall portion 124 into two. That is, the partition wall portion 126 is substantially L-shaped and extends across the horizontal wall portion 106 and the vertical wall portion 108. Of the two areas separated by the partition wall 126, the left area is the first accommodation area 128a where the first connecting busbar 30a is housed, and the right area is the second accommodation area 128b where the second connecting busbar 30b is housed.

[0051] In Figure 12, the first and second connecting busbars 30a and 30b housed in the first and second housing areas 128a and 128b are shown by dashed lines. As also shown in Figure 12, the connecting busbars 30a and 30b face each wall portion 122, 124, and 126 constituting each housing area 128a and 128b with a small gap in the front-rear and left-right directions, and each connecting busbar 30a and 30b is slightly displaceable in the left-right direction within each housing area 128a and 128b. Note that the vertical portion 150 of each connecting busbar 30a and 30b, which will be described later, is sandwiched between the vertical wall portion 108 of the cover portion 70 (rib 130, which will be described later) and the rear end wall portion 79 of the upper case 72 in the front-rear direction, so the displacement of each connecting busbar 30a and 30b in the front-rear direction within each housing area 128a and 128b is almost impossible. As will be described later, since the cover portion 70 is displaceable in the front-rear direction relative to the case body 68 (upper case 72), each connecting bus bar 30a, 30b is displaceable integrally with the cover portion 70 in the front-rear direction relative to the case body 68 (upper case 72).

[0052] Furthermore, on the lower surface of the horizontal wall portion 106 and the rear surface of the vertical wall portion 108, ribs 130 are provided inside the areas enclosed by the lower protective wall portion 122 and the rear protective wall portion 124, respectively, projecting toward the mounting portion 66 and the rear end wall portion 79. That is, the ribs 130 are provided in both the first accommodation area 128a and the second accommodation area 128b, which are separated by the partition wall portion 126. In this embodiment, multiple ribs 130 are provided, each formed as a projection extending in the front-rear direction or the left-right direction. These multiple ribs 130 form a grid pattern as a whole and are integrally formed.

[0053] When the cover portion 70 is assembled to the upper case 72 with the connecting busbars 30a and 30b housed in the first and second housing areas 128a and 128b, each rib 130 is either slightly compressed between the horizontal wall portion 106 and the vertical wall portion 108 and each connecting busbar 30a and 30b, or each rib 130 and each connecting busbar 30a and 30b are in zero contact, or each rib 130 and each connecting busbar 30a and 30b are separated by a small distance and face each other. That is, when each rib 130 is compressed, each connecting busbar 30a and 30b is pressed from above and from the front against the upper wall 76 (mounting portion 66) and rear end wall portion 79 of the upper case 72 by the elastic restoring force of each rib 130. Furthermore, during the assembly of the in-vehicle component circuit unit 10, the ribs 130 suppress the lifting of each connecting bus bar 30a, 30b from the mounting portion 66, thereby limiting the upward displacement of the second and third conductive bus bars 62b, 62c that contact each connecting bus bar 30a, 30b from below. As a result, the second and third heat dissipation portions 64b, 64c of the second and third conductive bus bars 62b, 62c more reliably contact the heat transfer surface 104 on the lower wall 88 of the lower case 74 via each heat transfer sheet 100.

[0054] Furthermore, the lower protective wall portion 122 is provided with fitting projections 132 that protrude toward the case body 68 below and engage with the fitting holes 86. These fitting projections 132 are provided at positions corresponding to the fitting holes 86 in the upper case 72, and in this embodiment, four fitting projections 132 are provided. Specifically, three fitting projections 132 are provided on the lower protective wall portion 122 covering the first storage area 128a, and one fitting projection 132 is provided on the lower protective wall portion 122 covering the second storage area 128b. The width dimension of each fitting projection 132 in the front-rear direction is smaller than the width dimension b of each fitting hole 86 in the front-rear direction, and each fitting projection 132 is displaceable in the front-rear direction within each fitting hole 86. In short, the cover portion 70 is displaceable in the front-rear direction relative to the case body 68 (upper case 72) to which the cover portion 70 is assembled, to the extent that each fitting projection 132 is displaceable within each fitting hole 86.

[0055] A locking claw 134 is provided at the protruding end (lower end) of each fitting projection 132. These locking claws 134 protrude inward, that is, toward the mounting portion 66 side, beyond the fitting holes 86 into which each fitting projection 132 is inserted in the case body 68 (upper case 72) into which the cover portion 70 is assembled.

[0056] The method for forming the cover portion 70 is not limited, but in this embodiment, the cover portion 70 is formed by injection molding, and die-cut holes 136 for forming the locking claws 134 are formed in the horizontal wall portion 106 at positions facing each locking claw 134 by injection molding. In particular, in this embodiment, each die-cut hole 136 is substantially rectangular in shape and is formed to a size that prevents the insertion of tools such as screwdrivers used for bolt fastening. Specifically, the left-right width dimension c (see Figure 5) of each die-cut hole 136 is smaller than the front-rear width dimension d (see Figure 5).

[0057] In this embodiment, the first bolts 138, 138 and the second bolts 140, 140 are housed and arranged within the first cylindrical portions 114, 114 and the second cylindrical portions 116, 116 of the cover portion 70, which has the shape described above. The first and second bolts 138 and 140 are substantially the same shape, and the shaft portion 142 has a predetermined maximum outer diameter dimension φB (see Figure 14), and an insulating processing portion 146 is provided on the head portion 144. The maximum outer diameter φC of the head 144, including the insulating section 146, is larger than the inner diameter φA' of the outer opening 120 of each of the first and second cylindrical sections 114, 116. The outer peripheral edge of the head 144, including the insulating section 146, abuts against the retaining projection 118 of each of the first and second cylindrical sections 114, 116, thereby preventing the first and second bolts 138, 140 from detaching from each of the first and second cylindrical sections 114, 116. The method of providing the insulating section 146 on the head 144 of each of the first and second bolts 138, 140 is not limited, but for example, a cap made of synthetic resin may be fitted onto the head 144 of each of the first and second bolts 138, 140 to fix it, or the cap and bolt may be integrally formed.

[0058] <Connecting busbar 30> In this embodiment, two busbars are used as the connecting busbars 30 housed in the case 18: the left side is the first connecting busbar 30a and the right side is the second connecting busbar 30b. As shown in Figure 14, both the first and second connecting busbars 30a and 30b have a horizontal portion 148 that extends horizontally at their lower ends, and a vertical portion 150 that protrudes upward at their horizontal rear ends and extends vertically. In other words, both the first and second connecting busbars 30a and 30b are generally L-shaped.

[0059] Furthermore, a first internal connection part 22a is provided at the front end 151a of the first connecting bus bar 30a (the end on the side opposite to the side connected to the vertical section 150 in the horizontal section 148), which serves as the first end, and is electrically connected to the first circuit side connection part 20a. Also, a first external connection part 28a is provided at the upper end 151b of the first connecting bus bar 30a (the end on the side opposite to the side connected to the horizontal section 148 in the vertical section 150), which serves as the second end, and is connected to the first connector side connection part 26a. Similarly, a second internal connection part 22b is provided at the front end 151a of the second connecting bus bar 30b, which serves as the first end, and is electrically connected to the second circuit side connection part 20b. Also, a second external connection part 28b is provided at the upper end 151b of the second connecting bus bar 30b, which serves as the second end, and is connected to the second connector side connection part 26b. In other words, in each connecting bus bar 30a, 30b, the front end 151a, which serves as the first end, extends in the front-rear direction (from rear to front), and the upper end 151b, which serves as the second end, extends in the up-down direction (from bottom to top).

[0060] In the first and second connecting busbars 30a and 30b, a first bolt insertion hole 152 is formed in each internal connecting portion 22a and 22b, penetrating in the plate thickness direction (vertical direction). In this embodiment, the first bolt insertion hole 152 is substantially circular in shape and has a predetermined inner diameter dimension φD (see Figure 14). The inner diameter dimension φD of this first bolt insertion hole 152 is larger than the maximum outer diameter dimension φB of the shaft portion 142 of the first bolt 138, and the space between the first bolt insertion hole 152 and the shaft portion 142 of the first bolt 138 is a tolerance absorption gap 154 ​​that can absorb tolerances when the first bolt 138 is inserted into the first bolt insertion hole 152. That is, the first bolt insertion hole 152 is provided with a size that includes the tolerance absorption gap 154. Furthermore, since the first bolt insertion hole 152 is approximately circular in shape, the tolerance absorption gap 154 ​​is an annular shape extending around the entire circumference, and the horizontal direction, including the front-to-back and left-to-right directions, is the tolerance absorption direction in which tolerances can be absorbed in the first bolt insertion hole 152.

[0061] Furthermore, in the first and second connecting busbars 30a and 30b, a second bolt insertion hole 156 is formed in each external connecting portion 28a and 28b, penetrating in the plate thickness direction (front-to-back direction). In this embodiment, the second bolt insertion hole 156 is substantially circular in shape and has a predetermined inner diameter dimension φE (see Figure 14). The inner diameter dimension φE of this second bolt insertion hole 156 is larger than the maximum outer diameter dimension φB of the shaft portion 142 of the second bolt 140, and the space between the second bolt insertion hole 156 and the shaft portion 142 of the second bolt 140 is a tolerance absorption gap 158 that can absorb tolerances when the second bolt 140 is inserted into the second bolt insertion hole 156. That is, the second bolt insertion hole 156 is provided with a size that includes the tolerance absorption gap 158. Furthermore, since the second bolt insertion hole 156 is approximately circular in shape, the tolerance absorption gap 158 is an annular shape extending around the entire circumference, and the direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction, including the up-down and left-to-right directions, is the tolerance absorption direction in which tolerances can be absorbed in the second bolt insertion hole 156.

[0062] <Assembly process for the in-vehicle component circuit unit 10> Next, a specific example of the assembly process for the in-vehicle component circuit unit 10 will be described. Note that the assembly process for the in-vehicle component circuit unit 10 is not limited to the description below.

[0063] First, the first to fourth conductive busbars 62a to 62d are fixed to the connection parts 60 of the first to second relays 58a and 58b by fastening bolts 160. The first and second relays 58a and 58b, to which these first to fourth conductive busbars 62a to 62d are fixed, are then bolted to the upper wall 76 of the upper case 72. After that, the upper case 72 and the lower case 74 are assembled and fixed together by a locking mechanism (not shown) or the like. As a result, the first to fourth heat dissipation parts 64a to 64d of the first to fourth conductive busbars 62a to 62d come into contact with the heat transfer surface 104 on the lower wall 88 via the respective heat transfer sheets 100. Each heat transfer sheet 100 may be pre-attached to the lower surface of the first to fourth heat dissipation sections 64a to 64d, or it may be attached to the upper surface (heat transfer surface 104) of the lower wall 88. As a result, the case body 68 in which the circuit components 16 are housed is completed.

[0064] In the completed state of the case body 68, the first and second busbar fixing portions 96a and 96b of the lower case 74 are in contact with the first and second circuit-side connection portions 20a and 20b of the second and third conductive busbars 62b and 62c from below. In addition, the first and second circuit-side connection portions 20a and 20b are exposed to the outside through the first and second through windows 84a and 84b of the upper case 72.

[0065] Subsequently, the first and second connecting busbars 30a and 30b are placed on the mounting portion 66 of the upper case 72. This causes the first and second internal connecting portions 22a and 22b of the first and second connecting busbars 30a and 30b to overlap with the first and second circuit-side connecting portions 20a and 20b that are exposed to the outside. As a result, the bolt insertion holes constituting the first and second circuit-side connecting portions 20a and 20b and the first bolt insertion holes 152 provided in the first and second internal connecting portions 22a and 22b are in communication with each other. Then, the first and second bolts 138 and 140 are inserted into the first and second bolt insertion holes 152 and 156 of the first and second connecting busbars 30a and 30b, respectively. At this point, each first bolt 138 is not fastened to the respective nuts 98 located below the first and second circuit side connection parts 20a and 20b.

[0066] Next, with the first and second bolts 138 and 140 inserted into the first and second bolt insertion holes 152 and 156, the cover portion 70 is assembled to the upper case 72. Specifically, the fitting projection 132 of the cover portion 70 is inserted into the fitting hole 86 of the upper case 72, and the locking claw 134 is engaged with the edge of the fitting hole 86 on the mounting portion 66 side of the upper wall 76 of the upper case 72, as shown in Figure 10. This accommodates the first and second connecting busbars 30a and 30b in the first and second housing areas 128a and 128b of the cover portion 70, and the first and second bolts 138 and 140 are accommodated in the first and second cylindrical portions 114 and 116, respectively, while the cover portion 70 is assembled to the case body 68. As a result, the in-vehicle component internal circuit unit 10, which is the subject of this disclosure, is completed. Furthermore, external circuits (not shown) are electrically connected to the first and fourth conductive busbars 62a and 62d in the in-vehicle component circuit unit 10 at appropriate timings.

[0067] In the assembled state of the in-vehicle component circuit unit 10 (when it is not housed in the housing 14 of the in-vehicle component (battery pack 12)), the first and second bolts 138 and 140 are not fastened anywhere and are relatively free (floating) within the first and second cylindrical portions 114 and 116. In this state, as shown in Figure 15, the lower end of each first bolt 138 is in contact with the nut 98, and the insulating section 146 provided on the head 144 of each first bolt 138 protrudes outward from the outer opening 120 in each first cylindrical portion 114. In the fastened state of each first bolt 138, which will be described later, the insulating section 146 provided on the head 144 of each first bolt 138 is housed within each first cylindrical portion 114. In this state, the second bolt 140 is relatively free within the second cylindrical portion 116, so the insulating section 146 provided on the head 144 of each second bolt 140 may protrude outward from the outer opening 120 of each second cylindrical portion 116, or it may be housed within each second cylindrical portion 116.

[0068] Next, a specific example of the process of housing the in-vehicle component internal circuit unit 10 in the housing 14 of the in-vehicle component (battery pack 12) will be described. However, the process of housing the in-vehicle component internal circuit unit 10 in the housing 14 of the in-vehicle component (battery pack 12) is not limited to the description below.

[0069] First, the in-vehicle component internal circuit unit 10 is placed inside the housing body 32, on which the connector 24 is attached to the rear wall portion 40. This causes the lower surface of the case body 68 to contact the bottom wall 36 of the housing 14 via the gap fillers 102. Next, the second bolts 140, which are inserted into the second bolt insertion holes 156, are aligned with the connector-side connection portions 26a and 26b of the connector 24. In this state, as shown in Figure 16, the second bolts 140 are not fastened to the connector-side connection portions 26a and 26b. The tip (rear end) of each second bolt 140 contacts the opening of the connector-side connection portion 26a and 26b, and the insulating processing portion 146 provided on the head 144 of each second bolt 140 protrudes outward from the outer opening 120 of each second cylindrical portion 116. In the fastened state of each second bolt 140, as described later, the insulating section 146 provided on the head 144 of each second bolt 140 is housed within each second cylindrical section 116.

[0070] From this state, a tool or the like is inserted through the outer opening 120 in each second cylindrical section 116 to fasten each second bolt 140 to each connector-side connection section 26a, 26b. This electrically connects the connector 24 and each connecting bus bar 30a, 30b via each second bolt 140. Subsequently, a tool or the like is inserted through the outer opening 120 in each first cylindrical section 114 to fasten each first bolt 138 to each first bolt insertion hole 152 and each circuit-side connection section 20a, 20b to the nut 98. This electrically connects the second and third conductive bus bars 62b, 62c, which are electrically connected to each relay 58a, 58b, and each connecting bus bar 30a, 30b via each first bolt 138. As a result, the external circuit is electrically connected to the connector 24 via the circuit components 16 (first to fourth conductive busbars 62a to 62d, first and second relays 58a, 58b) and the first and second connecting busbars 30a, 30b. After fastening the first and second bolts 138, 140, the cover 34 is fixed to the upper opening of the housing body 32, thereby completing the housing of the in-vehicle component (battery pack 12) internal circuit unit 10 into the housing 14.

[0071] The in-vehicle component circuit unit 10 can be removed from the battery pack 12 housing 14 by the reverse of the above process. That is, after releasing the fastening of each first bolt 138 and nut 98, the fastening of each second bolt 140 and each connector-side connection part 26a, 26b is released. This allows the in-vehicle component circuit unit 10 to be removed from the battery pack 12 housing 14. The connection between the external circuit (not shown) and the first and fourth conductive busbars 62a, 62d is released at an appropriate time.

[0072] In this manner, the in-vehicle component circuit unit 10 housed in the housing 14 of the in-vehicle component (battery pack 12) is fastened to the circuit-side connection parts 20a, 20b of each connecting bus bar 30a, 30b provided in the case 18 by each first bolt 138. Here, each connecting bus bar 30a, 30b is housed in the respective housing areas 128a, 128b of the cover portion 70 and is displaceable in the front-rear direction (see Figure 5) relative to the case body 68 together with the cover portion 70. The inner diameter dimension φD of each first bolt insertion hole 152 is also made larger than the maximum outer diameter dimension φB of the shaft portion 142 of each first bolt 138 in the front-rear direction. As a result, when fastening the first bolt 138, even if the positions of each first bolt insertion hole 152 and each circuit-side connection part 20a, 20b are misaligned in the front-rear direction due to tolerances, the tolerances are absorbed, and the first bolt 138 can be fastened more securely.

[0073] Similarly, each connecting busbar 30a, 30b is displaceable in the left-right direction (see Figure 5) within the respective housing areas 128a, 128b of the cover portion 70, and the inner diameter dimension φD of each first bolt insertion hole 152 through which each first bolt 138 is inserted in each internal connection portion 22a, 22b is also made larger in the left-right direction than the maximum outer diameter dimension φB of the shaft portion 142 of each first bolt 138. As a result, when fastening the first bolt 138, even if the position of each first bolt insertion hole 152 and each circuit-side connection portion 20a, 20b is shifted in the left-right direction due to tolerances, the tolerance is absorbed and the first bolt 138 can be fastened more securely.

[0074] Furthermore, the external connection parts 28a, 28b of each connecting bus bar 30a, 30b provided within the case 18 and the connector-side connection parts 26a, 26b are fastened together by the second bolts 140. Here, the inner diameter dimension φE of each second bolt insertion hole 156 is made larger than the maximum outer diameter dimension φB of the shaft portion 142 of each second bolt 140 in the vertical direction. This allows for adjustment of the amount of elastic deformation (compression) in the heat transfer sheet 100 or gap filler 102, for example, so that even if the positions of each second bolt insertion hole 156 and each connector-side connection part 26a, 26b are shifted vertically due to tolerances, the tolerances are absorbed, and the second bolts 140 can be fastened more securely.

[0075] Furthermore, the inner diameter φE of each second bolt insertion hole 156 through which each second bolt 140 is inserted in each external connection portion 28a, 28b of each connecting bus bar 30a, 30b is also made larger in the left-right direction than the maximum outer diameter φB of the shaft portion 142 of each second bolt 140. As a result, when fastening the second bolt 140, even if the position of each second bolt insertion hole 156 and each connector-side connection portion 26a, 26b is shifted in the left-right direction due to tolerances, the tolerance is absorbed, and the second bolt 140 can be fastened more securely.

[0076] Furthermore, each connecting busbar 30a, 30b is provided inside the case 18, and each connecting busbar 30a, 30b is covered by the case 18 (cover portion 70) except for the first window portions 110a, 110b and the second window portions 112a, 112b. This reduces the risk of workers unintentionally coming into contact with live parts and being electrocuted while performing bolt fastening work, etc.

[0077] In particular, in this embodiment, although the bolt fastening process is not limited, the external connection parts 28a, 28b and the connector-side connection parts 26a, 26b are first fastened with the second bolts 140, and then the internal connection parts 22a, 22b and the circuit-side connection parts 20a, 20b are fastened with the first bolts 138. As a result, when fastening the second bolts 140, the fastening part on the side of the first bolt 138 to which power is supplied remains unfastened, and the fastening part on the side of the second bolts 140 does not become a live part, allowing the bolt fastening work to be performed more safely.

[0078] The left and right first window sections 110a, 110b and second window sections 112a, 112b are surrounded by first and second cylindrical sections 114, 116, respectively, which protrude outward from the case 18. This reduces the risk of electric shock when fastening the first and second bolts 138, 140 by coming into contact with the bolt fastening parts, which may be live, through the first window sections 110a, 110b and second window sections 112a, 112b.

[0079] Inside the left and right first window sections 110a, 110b and second window sections 112a, 112b, respectively, are housed first and second bolts 138, 140, and these first and second bolts 138, 140 are prevented from detaching from the first and second cylindrical sections 114, 116 by the respective retaining projections 118. This eliminates the need to separately prepare and fasten the first and second bolts, improving the workability of bolt fastening. In particular, since the retaining projections 118 can reduce the opening size of the outer opening 120 of the first and second cylindrical sections 114, 116, the risk of electric shock during bolt fastening can be further reduced.

[0080] Since each of the first and second bolts 138 and 140 is provided with an insulating section 146 on its head 144, the risk of electric shock to a worker through tools during bolt fastening can be reduced. In particular, when the bolts are not fastened, the insulating section 146 of each of the first and second bolts 138 and 140 protrudes outward from the outer opening 120, and when the bolts are fastened, it is housed inside the outer opening 120, so it is possible to visually determine from the outside whether each of the first and second bolts 138 and 140 is fastened or not. Furthermore, even when the bolts are not fastened, since the insulating section 146 of each of the first and second bolts 138 and 140 only protrudes outward, the risk of electric shock from unintentional contact can be reduced.

[0081] Case 18 has a case body 68 on which each connecting bus bar 30a, 30b is placed, and a cover portion 70 that covers each connecting bus bar 30a, 30b and is assembled to the case body 68. The cover portion 70 and each connecting bus bar 30a, 30b are integrally displaceable relative to the case body 68 in the front-rear direction. As a result, for example, when each connecting bus bar 30a, 30b is displaced in the front-rear direction, it will not be exposed from the cover portion 70 (case 18), and the risk of electric shock from unintentional contact with each connecting bus bar 30a, 30b by an operator can be further reduced. Furthermore, the cover portion 70 is provided with first windows 110a, 110b and second windows 112a, 112b, and since the cover portion 70 and the connecting busbars 30a, 30b are displaced integrally, it is not necessary to make the first and second windows larger to accommodate the displacement of the connecting busbars. This allows the opening dimensions of the first windows 110a, 110b and second windows 112a, 112b to be set smaller, further reducing the risk of electric shock.

[0082] The case body 68 has a fitting hole 86 that extends in the front-rear direction, and the cover portion 70 has a fitting projection 132 that fits into the fitting hole 86, and the fitting projection 132 is displaceable in the front-rear direction within the fitting hole 86. This allows the cover portion 70 to be displaced in the front-rear direction relative to the case body 68 while maintaining the assembled state of the case body 68 and the cover portion 70.

[0083] In particular, the mating projection 132 has a locking claw 134, which protrudes inward toward the mounting portion 66 side from the mating hole 86. This locking claw 134 is designed to engage with the edge of the mating hole 86 on the mounting portion 66 side of the upper case 72 when the cover portion 70 is assembled to the case body 68. As a result, the engagement point between the locking claw 134 and the case body 68 (matting hole 86) cannot be seen from the outside, and even if a tool such as a screwdriver is inserted into the mating hole 86, it is difficult to bend the mating projection 132 in the direction that releases the engagement between the locking claw 134 and the mating hole 86. Therefore, the assembled state of the case body 68 and the cover portion 70 is stably maintained, and electric shock due to unintentional contact with the connecting busbars 30a and 30b is avoided.

[0084] The cover portion 70 is provided with ribs 130 on the surfaces where the connecting busbars 30a and 30b overlap. These ribs 130 suppress the upward displacement of the connecting busbars 30a and 30b, and consequently, the upward displacement of the circuit components 16, including the second and third conductive busbars 62b and 62c. This allows each heat dissipation portion 64a to 64d to more reliably contact the heat transfer surface 104 on the lower wall 88 of the lower case 74 via the heat transfer sheet 100, thereby improving the heat dissipation efficiency of the battery pack 12 through the housing 14. In particular, in this embodiment, heat generated at the connection point between the connector 24 and the in-vehicle component circuit unit 10 (the fastening point of each second bolt 140) can be dissipated through the housing 14 of the battery pack 12, for example, via the connecting bus bars 30a, 30b and the second and third conductive bus bars 62b, 62c (second and third heat dissipation sections 64b, 64c).

[0085] Each connecting busbar 30a, 30b has a front end 151a as a first end extending in the front-rear direction and an upper end 151b as a second end extending in the vertical direction. A first bolt insertion hole 152 is provided in each front end 151a, and a second bolt insertion hole 156 is provided in each upper end 151b. The inner diameter dimension φD of each first bolt insertion hole 152 is larger than the outer diameter dimension φB of the shaft portion 142 of each first bolt 138 in the horizontal direction including the front-rear and left-right directions, and there is a tolerance absorption gap 154. In addition, the inner diameter dimension φE of each second bolt insertion hole 156 is larger than the outer diameter dimension φB of the shaft portion 142 of each second bolt 140 in the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction including the vertical and left-right directions, and there is a tolerance absorption gap 158. This makes it possible to make the tolerance absorption direction in each first bolt insertion hole 152 and the tolerance absorption direction in each second bolt insertion hole 156 different from each other, thereby absorbing tolerances in multiple directions.

[0086] <Other Embodiments> The technologies described herein are not limited to the embodiments described above in the description and drawings, and the technical scope of the technologies described herein also includes, for example, the following embodiments.

[0087] (1) In the above embodiment, each connecting bus bar 30a, 30b was formed by bending a single metal plate. However, as shown in Figure 17, the first and second connecting bus bars 170a, 170b may be constructed as a laminate of multiple thin plates 172. This allows each connecting bus bar 170a, 170b to be flexibly deformed, even if, for example, the length of each connecting bus bar is short and the deformation rigidity of a single flat bus bar is relatively large. As a result, tolerances can be absorbed more efficiently, and the circuit-side connection part and the connector-side connection part can be stably connected to each connecting bus bar 170a, 170b.

[0088] (2) In the above embodiment, the heat transfer sheet 100 and the gap filler 102 are made elastically deformable in the vertical direction, so that the in-vehicle component circuit unit 10 can be displaced vertically relative to the housing 14 of the battery pack 12, and vertical tolerances are absorbed. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, vertical play may be provided in the fitting portion between the fitting projection and the fitting hole (the locking portion between the locking claw and the upper wall of the upper case), and the cover portion and the connecting bus bar may be fixed so that the connecting bus bar can be displaced vertically together with the cover portion relative to the case, and vertical tolerances are absorbed. Alternatively, the fitting projection may be made displaceable horizontally within the fitting hole so that the connecting bus bar can be displaced horizontally together with the cover portion relative to the case.

[0089] (3) In the above embodiment, the left and right first window portions 110a, 110b and the second window portions 112a, 112b were provided on the cover portion 70, but the cover portion is not essential. That is, the connecting busbar may be displaceably housed in a case consisting of an upper case and a lower case, and the first window portion and the second window portion may be formed on the upper wall of the upper case.

[0090] (4) In the above embodiment, an insulating section 146 was provided on the head 144 of each of the first and second bolts 138 and 140, but the shape of the insulating section is not limited. For example, if a hexagonal hole is provided in the central protrusion of the insulating section, and a tool is inserted into the hole to fasten the bolt, it is possible to make the opening dimensions of the outer openings in each of the first and second cylindrical sections smaller.

[0091] (5) The first and second bolts are not limited to being housed within the first and second cylindrical portions, and may be fastened to the circuit-side connection portion and the connector-side connection portion separately from the in-vehicle component circuit unit according to the present disclosure. In other words, the first and second cylindrical portions are not essential in the in-vehicle component circuit unit according to the present disclosure.

[0092] (6) In the above embodiment, the nut 98 and the connector-side connecting parts 26a and 26b were positioned in a standby state and fastened with the first and second bolts 138 and 140 housed in the first and second cylindrical parts 114 and 116, respectively. However, for example, the first and second bolts may be positioned in a protruding state and the nut may be fastened with them. The nut may be housed in the first and second cylindrical parts as described above, or it may be a separate component from the in-vehicle component circuit unit according to the present disclosure.

[0093] (7) In the above embodiment, the retaining projection 118 was an annular shape that was continuous around the entire circumference in the circumferential direction, but it may also be provided only partially in the circumferential direction.

[0094] (8) In the above embodiment, two connecting busbars 30a and 30b were provided, but there may be one connecting busbar or three or more. Also, the number of relays and conductive busbars may be changed in accordance with the number of connecting busbars, and the type, shape, number, etc. of the components constituting the circuit components are not limited.

[0095] (9) In the above embodiments, the tolerance absorption directions were set in the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction, but are not limited to these. If only one tolerance absorption direction is required, the connecting busbar may be displaceable in only one direction, or it may be in an oblique direction.

[0096] (10) In the above embodiment, the first and second bolt insertion holes 152 and 156 were each circular in shape, but they may also be elongated in shape, for example, extending in the tolerance absorption direction.

[0097] (11) In the above embodiment, each rib 130 is provided on the inner surface of the cover portion 70 to suppress the lifting of the first and second connecting busbars 30a, 30b, thereby also suppressing the lifting of the second and third conductive busbars 62b, 62c connected to the first and second connecting busbars 30a, 30b. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, instead of or in addition to the ribs of the cover portion, ribs may also be provided on the inner surface of the upper case, and the lifting of each conductive busbar may be suppressed by these ribs on the inner surface of the upper case. As a result, the contact state between the heat dissipation portion of each conductive busbar and the heat transfer surface of the case body is maintained, and a good heat dissipation effect is achieved.

[0098] (12) In the above embodiment, when the first and second bolts 138 and 140 were not fastened, the insulation processing section 146 provided on the heads 144 of the first and second bolts 138 and 140 protruded outward from the first and second cylindrical sections 114 and 116 respectively, but the embodiment is not limited to this. That is, for example, by making the protrusion height dimension from the horizontal wall and vertical wall of the cover portion in each first and second cylindrical section larger than the total length of the first and second bolts (including the insulation processing section), even when the first and second bolts are not fastened as shown in Figures 15 and 16, the entire first and second bolts, including the insulation processing section provided on the head, may be housed in each first and second cylindrical section. In that case, the insulation processing section does not need to be provided on the head of each first and second bolt, and even when the first and second bolts are not fastened, they are housed in each first and second cylindrical section, which suppresses the risk of workers unintentionally coming into contact with the first and second bolts and being electrocuted. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0099] 10. Internal circuit units for automotive components 12 Battery pack (vehicle component) 14 cabinets 16 Circuit components 18 cases 20 Circuit side connection part 20a First circuit side connection 20b Second circuit side connection 22 Internal connection section 22a First internal connection section 22b Second internal connection section 24 connectors 26 Connector side connection part 26a Connection part on the first connector side 26b Connection section on the second connector side 28 External connection section 28a First external connection section 28b Second external connection section 30 busbars for connection 30a First connection busbar 30b Second connection busbar 32 Main unit 34 Lid 36 Bottom wall 38 Peripheral wall section 40 Rear wall 42 Connector insertion holes 44 volts 46 Electric wire 48 core wires 50 Insulating coating 52 Connector Housing 54 Connector terminals 56 Mounting part 58a 1st Relay 58b 2nd Relay 60 Connection part 62 Conductive busbars 62a First Conductive Busbar 62b Second Conduction Busbar 62c Third Conduction Busbar 62d 4th Conductive Busbar 64 Heat radiation part 64a First heat dissipation section 64b 2nd heat dissipation section 64c 3rd heat dissipation section 64d 4th heat dissipation section 66 Mounting section 68 Case body 70 Cover section 72 Upper Case 74 Lower Case 76 Upper wall 78 Upper peripheral wall 79 Rear end wall 80 Upper front wall 82 Upper back wall 84 Through-window 84a First through-window 84b Second through-window 86 Fitting holes 88 Lower wall 90 Lower peripheral wall 92 Lower front wall 94 Lower back wall 96 Busbar fixing part 96a First busbar fixing part 96b Second busbar fixing section 98 nuts 100 Heat Transfer Sheets 102 Gap Filler 104 Heat transfer surface 106 Horizontal wall section 108 Vertical wall section 110 Window Section 1 110a Left side, first window section 110b 1st window on the right side 112 Second Window Section 112a Left side, second window section 112b Second window on the right side 114 First cylindrical part (cylindrical part) 116 Second cylinder part (cylindrical part) 118 Retaining protrusion 120 Outer opening 122 Lower protective wall section 124 Rear protection wall 126 Partition wall section 128a First containment area 128b Second containment area 130 Rib 132 Engagement projection 134 Locking claws 136 cutout holes 138 First bolt 140 Second bolt 142 Shaft 144 Head 146 Insulation Processing Unit 148 Horizontal section 150 Vertical section 151a Front end (first end) 151b Upper end (second end) 152 First bolt insertion hole 154 Tolerance absorption gap 156 Second bolt insertion hole 158 Tolerance absorption gap 160 volts 170a First connection busbar 170b Second connection busbar 172 Thin plate

Claims

1. An in-vehicle component circuit unit housed within the casing of an in-vehicle component, Circuit components and, Insulating case, Includes a connecting busbar, The circuit components are housed in the case. The aforementioned connecting busbar has an internal connection part and an external connection part. The internal connection portion is electrically connected to the circuit-side connection portion provided on the circuit component. The internal connection portion has a first bolt insertion hole, The external connection portion is electrically connected to the connector-side connection portion of the connector provided on the housing. The external connection portion has a second bolt insertion hole, Each of the first bolt insertion holes and the second bolt insertion holes is provided with a size that includes a tolerance-absorbing gap extending in the tolerance absorption direction. The connecting busbar is housed in the case so as to be displaceable in the tolerance absorption direction. Internal circuit unit for automotive components.

2. The aforementioned case has a case body and a cover part, The case body has a mounting portion on which the connecting busbar is placed, The cover portion is assembled to cover the previously described mounting portion and to be displaceable relative to the case body in the tolerance absorption direction. The cover portion has a first window portion and a second window portion, The first window portion is positioned opposite the first bolt insertion hole provided in the internal connection portion. The second window portion is positioned opposite the second bolt insertion hole provided in the external connection portion. The cover portion is displaced in the tolerance absorption direction together with the connecting busbar. The in-vehicle component circuit unit according to claim 1.

3. The case body has fitting holes extending in the tolerance absorption direction around the aforementioned mounting portion, The cover portion has a fitting projection that protrudes from the peripheral edge of the cover portion toward the case body and fits into the fitting hole. The width dimension of the fitting projection in the tolerance absorption direction is smaller than that of the fitting hole. The in-vehicle component circuit unit according to claim 2.

4. The fitting projection has a locking claw that protrudes toward the mounting portion side beyond the fitting hole, The locking claw inserted into the fitting hole engages with the edge of the fitting hole on the side of the previously described mounting portion. The in-vehicle component circuit unit according to claim 3.

5. The internal connection portion and the external connection portion extend in directions that intersect each other. The first bolt insertion hole and the second bolt insertion hole penetrate each other in directions that intersect each other. The tolerance absorption direction of the first bolt insertion hole and the tolerance absorption direction of the second bolt insertion hole are mutually orthogonal directions. An in-vehicle component circuit unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The cover portion has ribs that protrude toward the previously described mounting portion, With the cover portion assembled to the case body, the rib is in contact with or facing the connecting busbar. An in-vehicle component circuit unit according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

7. The connecting busbar has a first end and a second end, The first end is provided with the internal connection portion, The second end is provided with the external connection portion which protrudes upward from the first end. The internal connection portion is provided with the first bolt insertion hole having the tolerance absorption gap in the extension direction of the first end, The external connection portion is provided with the second bolt insertion hole having the tolerance absorption gap in the extension direction of the second end. An in-vehicle component circuit unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The connecting busbar is a laminate of multiple thin plates. An in-vehicle component circuit unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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