Capacitor module

Abstract

This capacitor module 1 comprises: a busbar member 10 having a first busbar 11a and a second busbar 11b arranged in a planar shape as a whole and having a first main surface 10a and a second main surface 10b opposite each other in a first direction D1; a first capacitor 20a provided on the first main surface 10a of the busbar member 10; a second capacitor 20b provided on the first main surface 10a of the busbar member 10 so as to be adjacent to the first capacitor 20a, with a gap G therebetween, in a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1; and a separator 30 provided in the gap B between the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b. The first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b each have a capacitor element 40, an exterior film 50, a first lead terminal 60a, and a second lead terminal 60b. The capacitor element 40 has an element 41, a first external electrode 42a provided on the surface of the element 41, and a second external electrode 42b provided on the surface of the element 41 at a distance from the first external electrode 42a. The exterior film 50 encapsulates the capacitor element 40. One end-portion side of the first lead terminal 60a is electrically connected to the first external electrode 42a, and the other end-portion side of the first lead terminal 60a is electrically connected to the first busbar 11a while being led out from the exterior film 50 toward the first main surface 10a side of the busbar member 10. One end-portion side of the second lead terminal 60b is electrically connected to the second external electrode 42b, and the other end-portion side of the second lead terminal 60b is electrically connected to the second busbar 11b while being led out from the exterior film 50 toward the first main surface 10a side of the busbar member 10. In the busbar member 10, a space S exists that communicates, in the first direction D1, with the gap G between the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b, and the separator 30 is passed in the first direction D1 through the space S of the busbar member 10 in addition to the gap G between the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b.

Description

Capacitor Module

[0001] The present invention relates to a capacitor module.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a capacitor comprising a capacitor element, a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate connected to the capacitor element, a case that houses the capacitor element, and resin that is filled in the case, wherein the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate comprise an insulated substrate portion that covers the capacitor element from above, the substrate portion of the second electrode plate comprises an upper stage portion and a lower stage portion that overlaps with the substrate portion of the first electrode plate, the upper surface of the upper stage portion and the upper surface of the substrate portion of the first electrode plate are located on the same plane, and the upper surfaces that are located on the same plane are exposed to the outside of the resin.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses an energy storage device that includes at least one storage cell holding portion that holds a storage cell, wherein the storage cell holding portion includes a cell support that supports the storage cell, a heat sink that is arranged to sandwich the storage cell together with the cell support and to be in contact with the storage cell, and a pressing portion that presses the heat sink against the storage cell, wherein the heat sink has a plurality of divided pieces formed by at least one slit extending from an edge portion thereof, and the pressing portion presses a first position of the heat sink that is an end of the divided pieces, and a second position of the heat sink that is farther from the edge portion than the first position, against the storage cell.

[0004] JP 2022-119028 A JP 2016-58285 A

[0005] In the capacitor described in Patent Document 1, the upper surface of the substrate portion of the first electrode plate and the upper surface of the upper stage portion of the substrate portion of the second electrode plate are exposed to the outside of the resin, which is said to enable efficient cooling of both the positive and negative electrode plates. However, in the capacitor described in Patent Document 1, the capacitor element connected to the first and second electrode plates is housed in a case and embedded in resin, making it difficult to cool the capacitor element itself. Therefore, the capacitor described in Patent Document 1 leaves room for improvement in terms of cooling the capacitor element.

[0006] In the energy storage device described in Patent Document 2, even if the energy storage cells expand, the divided pieces of the heat sink can easily follow changes in the surface shape of the energy storage cells while remaining in close contact with the energy storage cells, thereby enabling heat generated in the energy storage cells to be effectively released to the outside through the heat sink. However, in the energy storage device described in Patent Document 2, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of Patent Document 2, the positive and negative terminals of the energy storage cells extend in opposite directions, which results in a large energy storage device. Therefore, the energy storage device described in Patent Document 2 leaves room for improvement in terms of miniaturization.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has an object to provide a capacitor module that is capable of efficiently cooling a capacitor and also of being miniaturized.

[0008] A capacitor module of the present invention comprises: a bus bar member having first and second bus bars arranged in a planar shape as a whole, the bus bar member having first and second main surfaces opposing each other in a first direction; a first capacitor provided on the first main surface of the bus bar member; a second capacitor provided on the first main surface of the bus bar member so as to be adjacent to the first capacitor with a gap in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a separator provided in the gap between the first capacitor and the second capacitor, wherein the first capacitor and the second capacitor each have a capacitor element, an exterior film, a first lead terminal, and a second lead terminal, and the capacitor element has an element body, a first external electrode provided on a surface of the element body, and a second external electrode provided on the surface of the element body at a position spaced from the first external electrode, and the exterior film a film enclosing the capacitor element, one end side of the first lead-out terminal being electrically connected to the first external electrode, the other end side of the first lead-out terminal being drawn out of the exterior film towards the first main surface side of the bus bar member and electrically connected to the first bus bar, one end side of the second lead-out terminal being electrically connected to the second external electrode, and the other end side of the second lead-out terminal being drawn out of the exterior film towards the first main surface side of the bus bar member and electrically connected to the second bus bar, the bus bar member having a space communicating with the gap between the first capacitor and the second capacitor in the first direction, and the separator passing through the space in the bus bar member in the first direction as well as the gap between the first capacitor and the second capacitor.

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a capacitor module that allows for efficient cooling of the capacitor and also allows for miniaturization.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a capacitor module of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of an exploded state of the capacitor module shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the bus bar members shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the first capacitor shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of an exploded state of the first capacitor shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the capacitor element shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of a cross section taken along line a1-a2 of the capacitor element shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically illustrating the capacitor module shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the first capacitor and second capacitor sides in a first direction. FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically illustrating the capacitor module shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the bus bar member side in the first direction. FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically illustrating the capacitor module shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from a second direction. FIG. 11 is a plan view schematically showing the capacitor module shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from a third direction.

[0011] The capacitor module of the present invention will be described below. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following configuration and may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, a combination of multiple individual preferred configurations described below also constitutes the present invention.

[0012] In the following, a film capacitor will be shown as an example of a capacitor (capacitor element) of the capacitor module of the present invention, but the capacitor module of the present invention can also be applied to capacitors (capacitor elements) other than film capacitors.

[0013] The drawings shown below are schematic diagrams, and the dimensions, aspect ratio, scale, etc. may differ from those of the actual product.

[0014] In this specification, unless otherwise specified, terms indicating the relationship between elements (e.g., "parallel," "perpendicular," etc.) and terms indicating the shape of elements not only mean the literal strict form, but also mean a range that is substantially equivalent, for example, a range that includes a difference of about a few percent.

[0015] A capacitor module of the present invention comprises: a bus bar member having first and second bus bars arranged in a planar shape as a whole, the bus bar member having first and second main surfaces opposing each other in a first direction; a first capacitor provided on the first main surface of the bus bar member; a second capacitor provided on the first main surface of the bus bar member so as to be adjacent to the first capacitor with a gap in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a separator provided in the gap between the first capacitor and the second capacitor, wherein the first capacitor and the second capacitor each have a capacitor element, an exterior film, a first lead terminal, and a second lead terminal, and the capacitor element has an element body, a first external electrode provided on a surface of the element body, and a second external electrode provided on the surface of the element body at a position spaced from the first external electrode, and the exterior film a film enclosing the capacitor element, one end side of the first lead-out terminal being electrically connected to the first external electrode, the other end side of the first lead-out terminal being drawn out of the exterior film towards the first main surface side of the bus bar member and electrically connected to the first bus bar, one end side of the second lead-out terminal being electrically connected to the second external electrode, and the other end side of the second lead-out terminal being drawn out of the exterior film towards the first main surface side of the bus bar member and electrically connected to the second bus bar, the bus bar member having a space communicating with the gap between the first capacitor and the second capacitor in the first direction, and the separator passing through the space in the bus bar member in the first direction as well as the gap between the first capacitor and the second capacitor.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of a capacitor module of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the capacitor module shown in Fig. 1 in an exploded state.

[0017] The capacitor module 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a bus bar member 10 , a first capacitor 20 a , a second capacitor 20 b , and a separator 30 .

[0018] In FIG. 1 and other figures, the first direction D1, the second direction D2, and the third direction D3 are perpendicular to one another.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the bus bar member illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the bus bar member 10 includes a first bus bar 11a and a second bus bar 11b that are arranged in a planar shape as a whole.

[0021] As long as the first bus bar 11a and the second bus bar 11b are arranged in a state that can be said to be substantially planar overall, they do not have to be arranged strictly flat overall; for example, they may be arranged so that there are localized irregularities.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the bus bar member 10 has a first main surface 10a and a second main surface 10b facing each other in a first direction D1.

[0023] The first main surface 10a of the bus bar member 10 includes at least a portion of one main surface of the first bus bar 11a and at least a portion of one main surface of the second bus bar 11b.

[0024] The second main surface 10b of the bus bar member 10 includes at least a part of the other main surface of the first bus bar 11a and at least a part of the other main surface of the second bus bar 11b.

[0025] 3, each of the first bus bar 11a and the second bus bar 11b preferably has a frame shape when viewed from the first direction D1. In other words, each of the first bus bar 11a and the second bus bar 11b preferably has a shape that surrounds a space when viewed from the first direction D1.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 3, a space S exists in the bus bar member 10. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the frame-shaped first bus bar 11a and second bus bar 11b are arranged to be shifted in the third direction D3, thereby forming the space S.

[0027] 3, the first bus bar 11a may have first terminals 12a at positions where the first bus bar 11a is electrically connected to a first capacitor 20a and a second capacitor 20b (described later). In the example shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of first terminals 12a protruding in the third direction D3 from the frame-shaped portion of the first bus bar 11a are provided with gaps (included in the space S) in the second direction D2.

[0028] 3, the second bus bar 11b may have second terminals 12b at positions where the second bus bar 11b is electrically connected to a first capacitor 20a and a second capacitor 20b (described later). In the example shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of second terminals 12b protruding in the third direction D3 from the frame-shaped portion of the second bus bar 11b are provided with gaps (included in the space S) in the second direction D2.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 3, the first bus bar 11a may be provided with a first slit portion 13a that penetrates the first bus bar 11a in the first direction D1. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the first terminal portion 12a of the first bus bar 11a is provided with a first slit portion 13a that penetrates the first terminal portion 12a in the first direction D1.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 3, the second bus bar 11b may be provided with a second slit portion 13b that penetrates the second bus bar 11b in the first direction D1. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the second terminal portion 12b of the second bus bar 11b is provided with a second slit portion 13b that penetrates the second terminal portion 12b in the first direction D1.

[0031] Examples of materials for the first bus bar 11a and the second bus bar 11b include metals such as copper, oxygen-free copper, aluminum, and alloys containing at least one of these. Among these, copper or oxygen-free copper is preferred as the material for the first bus bar 11a and the second bus bar 11b. When the material for the first bus bar 11a and the second bus bar 11b is a copper-based material, examples of usable materials include oxygen-free copper (copper: 99.96 wt % or more), tough pitch copper (copper: 99.90 wt % or more), and phosphorus-deoxidized copper (copper: 99.90 wt % or more, phosphorus: 0.015 wt % or more, 0.040 wt % or less).

[0032] The constituent materials of the first bus bar 11a and the second bus bar 11b may be the same as or different from each other.

[0033] The thickness of the first bus bar 11a and the second bus bar 11b may be the same as or different from each other.

[0034] 3, portions of the first bus bar 11a and the second bus bar 11b may overlap in the first direction D1. In the example shown in Fig. 3, portions of the first bus bar 11a and the second bus bar 11b that are located approximately in the center of the bus bar member 10 in the third direction D3 overlap in the first direction D1.

[0035] When the first bus bar 11a and the second bus bar 11b partially overlap in the first direction D1, as shown in FIG. 3 , the bus bar member 10 preferably further includes an insulating member 14 sandwiched between the first bus bar 11a and the second bus bar 11b in the region where the first bus bar 11a and the second bus bar 11b partially overlap in the first direction D1. That is, the bus bar member 10 preferably further includes the insulating member 14 forming a laminated structure together with the first bus bar 11a and the second bus bar 11b. Specifically, in the bus bar member 10, the first bus bar 11a, the insulating member 14, and the second bus bar 11b preferably form a laminated structure by being sequentially stacked. In this case, the insulating member 14 ensures a creepage distance between the first bus bar 11a and the second bus bar 11b, thereby ensuring insulation between the first bus bar 11a and the second bus bar 11b.

[0036] The insulating member 14 may be made of, for example, resin.

[0037] In this specification, the insulating member includes forms such as insulating paper, insulating plate, insulating sheet, and insulating film.

[0038] Fig. 4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of the first capacitor illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of an exploded state of the first capacitor illustrated in Fig. 4.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first capacitor 20a has a capacitor element 40, an exterior film 50, a first lead terminal 60a, and a second lead terminal 60b.

[0040] Fig. 6 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the capacitor element illustrated in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of a cross section taken along line a1-a2 of the capacitor element illustrated in Fig. 6.

[0041] A capacitor element 40 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 has an element body 41, a first external electrode 42a, and a second external electrode 42b.

[0042] Body 41 is a wound body in which first metallized film 43 a and second metallized film 43 b are wound in a stacked state in second direction D2. In other words, capacitor element 40 is a wound-type film capacitor in which metallized films are wound in a stacked state.

[0043] The capacitor element 40 may be a laminated film capacitor (for example, rectangular parallelepiped) in which metallized films are laminated.

[0044] The element body 41 has a first end face 41a and a second end face 41b facing each other in the first direction D1.

[0045] The element body 41 further has a side surface 41c extending in the first direction D1 so as to connect the peripheries of the first end surface 41a and the second end surface 41b.

[0046] From the viewpoint of reducing the height of capacitor element 40, it is preferable that element body 41 has a flat cross-sectional shape when viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the winding axis direction (first direction D1 in FIGS. 6 and 7 ) of element body 41. Specifically, it is preferable that element body 41 be pressed into a flat shape such as an ellipse or oval, and that the cross-sectional shape of element body 41 be a shape that is thinner than when the cross-sectional shape of element body 41 is a perfect circle.

[0047] Whether or not the element body has been pressed to have a flat cross-sectional shape can be confirmed, for example, by checking whether or not there are press marks on the element body.

[0048] Capacitor element 40 may have a cylindrical winding shaft that is disposed on the central axis of first metallized film 43 a and second metallized film 43 b in a wound state and serves as the winding shaft when winding first metallized film 43 a and second metallized film 43 b.

[0049] First metallized film 43a includes a first dielectric film 44a and a first metal layer 45a.

[0050] The first dielectric film 44a has a first main surface 44aa and a second main surface 44ab facing each other in the second direction D2.

[0051] The first metal layer 45a is provided on the first main surface 44aa of the first dielectric film 44a. Specifically, the first metal layer 45a is provided on the first main surface 44aa of the first dielectric film 44a so as to reach one side edge of the first dielectric film 44a in the first direction D1 but not to reach the other side edge of the first dielectric film 44a.

[0052] Second metallized film 43b includes a second dielectric film 44b and a second metal layer 45b.

[0053] The second dielectric film 44b has a first main surface 44ba and a second main surface 44bb that face each other in the second direction D2.

[0054] The second metal layer 45b is provided on the first main surface 44ba of the second dielectric film 44b. Specifically, the second metal layer 45b is provided on the first main surface 44ba of the second dielectric film 44b so as not to reach one side edge of the second dielectric film 44b in the first direction D1 but to reach the other side edge of the second dielectric film 44b.

[0055] In the element body 41, adjacent first metallized films 43a and second metallized films 43b are offset in the first direction D1 so that the end of the first metal layer 45a that reaches the side edge of the first dielectric film 44a is exposed at the first end surface 41a of the element body 41, and the end of the second metal layer 45b that reaches the side edge of the second dielectric film 44b is exposed at the second end surface 41b of the element body 41. That is, in adjacent first metallized films 43a and second metallized films 43b, the first metallized film 43a protrudes toward the first external electrode 42a relative to the second metallized film 43b. Also, in adjacent first metallized films 43a and second metallized films 43b, the second metallized film 43b protrudes toward the second external electrode 42b relative to the first metallized film 43a. In this state, the first metal layer 45a is connected to the first external electrode 42a but is not connected to the second external electrode 42b, and the second metal layer 45b is connected to the second external electrode 42b but is not connected to the first external electrode 42a.

[0056] In the element body 41, the adjacent first metallized films 43a and second metallized films 43b are misaligned in the first direction D1 as described above, so that, among the adjacent first dielectric films 44a and second dielectric films 44b, the first dielectric film 44a having the first metal layer 45a on its first main surface 44aa protrudes toward the first external electrode 42a relative to the second dielectric film 44b having the first metal layer 45a not provided on its main surface. Also, among the adjacent first dielectric films 44a and second dielectric films 44b, the second dielectric film 44b having the second metal layer 45b on its first main surface 44ba protrudes toward the second external electrode 42b relative to the first dielectric film 44a having the second metal layer 45b not provided on its main surface.

[0057] Since element body 41 is formed by winding first metallized film 43a and second metallized film 43b in a stacked state in second direction D2, it can be said that element body 41 includes first dielectric film 44a, first metal layer 45a, second dielectric film 44b, and second metal layer 45b in this order in second direction D2. It can also be said that element body 41 is a wound body formed by winding first dielectric film 44a, first metal layer 45a, second dielectric film 44b, and second metal layer 45b in this order in second direction D2.

[0058] In the element body 41, the first main surface 44aa of the first dielectric film 44a and the second main surface 44bb of the second dielectric film 44b face each other in the second direction D2, and the second main surface 44ab of the first dielectric film 44a and the first main surface 44ba of the second dielectric film 44b face each other in the second direction D2. Thus, in the element body 41, the first metalized film 43a and the second metalized film 43b are wound in a stacked state in the second direction D2. In other words, in the element body 41, the first metalized film 43a and the second metalized film 43b are wound in a stacked state in the second direction D2 so that the second metalized film 43b is on the inside of the first metalized film 43a, specifically, so that the first metal layer 45a is on the inside of the first dielectric film 44a and the second metal layer 45b is on the inside of the second dielectric film 44b. That is, in the element body 41, the first metal layer 45a and the second metal layer 45b face each other with the first dielectric film 44a or the second dielectric film 44b sandwiched therebetween.

[0059] The first metal layer 45a may be provided with a fuse portion. The fuse portion provided in the first metal layer 45a is, for example, a portion that connects a divided electrode portion formed by dividing a portion of the first metal layer 45a that faces the second metal layer 45b into multiple portions with an electrode portion that does not face the second metal layer 45b. Examples of electrode patterns of the first metal layer 45a that are provided with a fuse portion include the electrode patterns disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2004-363431 and 5-251266.

[0060] The second metal layer 45b may also be provided with a fuse portion, similar to the first metal layer 45a.

[0061] The first dielectric film 44a may contain a curable resin as a main component.

[0062] In this specification, the term "major component" means the component with the highest weight percentage, preferably a component with a weight percentage greater than 50% by weight.

[0063] The curable resin may be a thermosetting resin or a photocurable resin.

[0064] In this specification, thermosetting resin means a resin that can be cured by heat, but the curing method is not limited thereto. Therefore, thermosetting resins also include resins that can be cured by methods other than heat (e.g., light, electron beam, etc.) as long as they are resins that can be cured by heat. Furthermore, depending on the material, a reaction may be initiated due to the reactivity of the material itself, and resins that proceed to cure without necessarily being subjected to external heat or the like are also considered thermosetting resins. The same applies to photocurable resins; as long as they are resins that can be cured by light, they also include resins that can be cured by methods other than light (e.g., heat, etc.).

[0065] The curable resin is preferably a cured product of a first organic material having a hydroxyl group (OH group) and a second organic material having an isocyanate group (NCO group). In this case, the curable resin is a cured product having a urethane bond obtained by reacting the hydroxyl group of the first organic material with the isocyanate group of the second organic material.

[0066] The presence of urethane bonds in the dielectric film can be confirmed by analysis with a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FT-IR).

[0067] When the curable resin is obtained by the above-described reaction, uncured portions of the starting material may remain in the first dielectric film 44a. For example, the first dielectric film 44a may contain at least one of a hydroxyl group and an isocyanate group. In this case, the first dielectric film 44a may contain either a hydroxyl group or an isocyanate group, or may contain both a hydroxyl group and an isocyanate group.

[0068] The presence of hydroxyl groups and / or isocyanate groups in the dielectric film can be confirmed by FT-IR analysis.

[0069] Examples of the first organic material include phenoxy resin, polyvinyl acetoacetal resin, and polyvinyl butyral resin.

[0070] As the first organic material, a plurality of types of organic materials may be used in combination.

[0071] Examples of the second organic material include aromatic polyisocyanates such as diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), and aliphatic polyisocyanates such as hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI). As the second organic material, at least one modified product of these polyisocyanates may be used, or a mixture of at least one modified product of these polyisocyanates may be used.

[0072] As the second organic material, a plurality of types of organic materials may be used in combination.

[0073] The first dielectric film 44a may contain a thermoplastic resin as a main component.

[0074] Examples of the thermoplastic resin include polypropylene resin, polyethersulfone resin, polyetherimide resin, and polyarylate resin.

[0075] The first dielectric film 44a may contain additives to impart various functions.

[0076] The additives include, for example, a leveling agent for imparting smoothness.

[0077] The additive preferably has a functional group that reacts with a hydroxyl group and / or an isocyanate group and forms part of the crosslinked structure of the cured product. Examples of such additives include resins having at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, an epoxy group, a silanol group, and a carboxyl group.

[0078] Like the first dielectric film 44a, the second dielectric film 44b may contain a thermosetting resin as a main component, a photocurable resin as a main component, or a thermoplastic resin as a main component, and like the first dielectric film 44a, the second dielectric film 44b may also contain an additive.

[0079] The first dielectric film 44a and the second dielectric film 44b may have different compositions, but preferably have the same composition.

[0080] The thickness of the first dielectric film 44a and the second dielectric film 44b is preferably 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less, and more preferably 3 μm or more and 5 μm or less.

[0081] The thicknesses of the first dielectric film 44a and the second dielectric film 44b may be different from each other, but are preferably the same.

[0082] The thickness of the dielectric film is measured using an optical film thickness gauge.

[0083] The first dielectric film 44a and the second dielectric film 44b are each preferably produced by forming a resin solution containing the resin material as described above into a film and then curing it by heat treatment.

[0084] Examples of materials that can be used to form the first metal layer 45a and the second metal layer 45b include metals such as aluminum, zinc, titanium, magnesium, tin, and nickel.

[0085] The first metal layer 45a and the second metal layer 45b may have different compositions, but preferably have the same composition.

[0086] The thickness of the first metal layer 45a and the second metal layer 45b is preferably 5 nm or more and 40 nm or less.

[0087] The thickness of the first metal layer 45a and the second metal layer 45b may be different from each other, but it is preferable that they are the same.

[0088] The thickness of the metal layer is measured by observing a cross section of the metallized film along the second direction using a transmission electron microscope (TEM).

[0089] The first metal layer 45a and the second metal layer 45b are preferably formed by depositing a metal such as those described above on the major surfaces of the first dielectric film 44a and the second dielectric film 44b, respectively.

[0090] Although the above describes an embodiment in which element body 41 includes two metallized films, element body 41 may also include a single metallized film. For example, element body 41 may include a metallized film having a first dielectric film 44a in which a first metal layer 45a is provided on a first main surface 44aa and a second metal layer 45b is provided on a second main surface 44ab, and a second dielectric film 44b in which no metal layer is provided. Alternatively, element body 41 may include a metallized film having a second dielectric film 44b in which a first metal layer 45a is provided on a second main surface 44bb and a second metal layer 45b is provided on a first main surface 44ba, and a first dielectric film 44a in which no metal layer is provided.

[0091] The first external electrode 42a is provided on the surface of the element body 41. In the example shown in Figures 6 and 7, the first external electrode 42a is provided on the first end surface 41a of the element body 41. The first external electrode 42a is connected to the first metal layer 45a by contacting the end of the first metal layer 45a exposed at the first end surface 41a of the element body 41. On the other hand, the first external electrode 42a is not connected to the second metal layer 45b.

[0092] The second external electrode 42b is provided at a position spaced apart from the first external electrode 42a on the surface of the element body 41. In the example shown in Figures 6 and 7, the second external electrode 42b is provided on the second end surface 41b of the element body 41. The second external electrode 42b is connected to the second metal layer 45b by contacting the end of the second metal layer 45b exposed at the second end surface 41b of the element body 41. On the other hand, the second external electrode 42b is not connected to the first metal layer 45a.

[0093] The first external electrode 42a and the second external electrode 42b have different polarities. For example, the first external electrode 42a may be a positive electrode and the second external electrode 42b may be a negative electrode, or the first external electrode 42a may be a negative electrode and the second external electrode 42b may be a positive electrode.

[0094] Examples of materials that can be used to form the first external electrode 42a and the second external electrode 42b include metals such as zinc, aluminum, tin, and zinc-aluminum alloys.

[0095] The first external electrode 42a and the second external electrode 42b may have different compositions, but preferably have the same composition.

[0096] The first external electrode 42a and the second external electrode 42b are preferably formed by spraying the above-mentioned metal onto the first end surface 41a and the second end surface 41b of the element body 41, respectively.

[0097] 4 and 5 , the exterior film 50 contains the capacitor element 40. Specifically, the exterior film 50 has an internal space, and the capacitor element 40 is housed in the internal space of the exterior film 50.

[0098] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the exterior film 50 is made up of, for example, a first exterior film material 51a and a second exterior film material 51b.

[0099] The first exterior film material 51 a and the second exterior film material 51 b are formed, for example, into a cup shape to fit the outer shape of the capacitor element 40 .

[0100] 4 and 5, the first exterior film material 51a and the second exterior film material 51b may each have a first flange portion 52a and a second flange portion 52b on their outer edges (four sides in FIGS. 4 and 5). In this case, the first exterior film material 51a and the second exterior film material 51b may seal the capacitor element 40 by heat-welding the first flange portion 52a and the second flange portion 52b.

[0101] The exterior film 50 is preferably a laminate film including a first resin layer (not shown), a metal layer (not shown), and a second resin layer (not shown), which are stacked in this order from the capacitor element 40 side.

[0102] In the laminate film, the first resin layer functions as a layer for heat-sealing laminate films together, for example, a layer for heat-sealing the first flange portion 52a of the first exterior film material 51a and the second flange portion 52b of the second exterior film material 51b.

[0103] In the laminate film, the first resin layer is preferably made of a thermoplastic resin, and more preferably made of a polyolefin-based thermoplastic resin such as a polypropylene resin.

[0104] In the laminate film, the thickness of the first resin layer is preferably 20 μm or more and 150 μm or less.

[0105] In the laminate film, the metal layer functions as a layer for improving the barrier properties against moisture.

[0106] In the laminate film, the metal layer is preferably made of aluminum.

[0107] In the laminate film, the thickness of the metal layer is preferably 20 μm or more and 50 μm or less.

[0108] In the laminate film, the second resin layer functions as a layer for protecting the metal layer and further improving the barrier properties against moisture.

[0109] In the laminate film, the second resin layer is preferably made of a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate resin or nylon resin.

[0110] In the laminate film, the thickness of the second resin layer is preferably 10 μm or more and 40 μm or less.

[0111] In the laminate film, the first resin layer and the metal layer may be bonded with an adhesive or may be bonded by thermocompression.

[0112] In the laminate film, the second resin layer and the metal layer may be bonded with an adhesive or may be bonded by thermocompression.

[0113] The exterior film 50 may be composed of one layer or multiple layers. When the exterior film 50 is a laminate film composed of multiple layers, the number of layers is not particularly limited, and may be three layers as described above or may be other than three layers.

[0114] The thickness of each of the first exterior film material 51a and the second exterior film material 51b is preferably 80 μm or more and 200 μm or less, and more preferably 100 μm or more and 160 μm or less.

[0115] If the thickness of at least one of the first exterior film material 51a and the second exterior film material 51b is less than 80 μm, the strength of the exterior film 50 will be reduced, and the exterior film 50 may become more susceptible to breakage.

[0116] If the thickness of at least one of the first exterior film material 51a and the second exterior film material 51b is greater than 200 μm, the workability of the exterior film 50 may be reduced.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 5, one end of the first lead terminal 60a is electrically connected to the first external electrode 42a.

[0118] One end of the first lead terminal 60a may be welded to the first external electrode 42a or may be connected via a joining member such as solder.

[0119] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the other end side of the first lead-out terminal 60a is drawn out to the outside of the exterior film 50 toward the first main surface 10a side of the bus bar member 10 (see Figure 1, etc.: in Figures 4 and 5, the downward side in the first direction D1).

[0120] 5 , the first lead-out terminal 60a extends from one end toward the other end, successively along the first external electrode 42a (first end surface 41a of the element body 41), the side surface 41c of the element body 41, and the second external electrode 42b (second end surface 41b of the element body 41). In this case, an insulating member 70 is preferably sandwiched between the first lead-out terminal 60a and the side surface 41c of the element body 41, and between the first lead-out terminal 60a and the second external electrode 42b. In other words, the first capacitor 20a preferably further includes insulating members 70 sandwiched between the first lead-out terminal 60a and the side surface 41c of the element body 41, and between the first lead-out terminal 60a and the second external electrode 42b. In this case, the insulating member 70 ensures the creepage distance between the first lead-out terminal 60a and the base body 41, and the creepage distance between the first lead-out terminal 60a and the second external electrode 42b, thereby ensuring insulation between the first lead-out terminal 60a and the base body 41, and insulation between the first lead-out terminal 60a and the second external electrode 42b.

[0121] The insulating member 70 may be made of, for example, resin.

[0122] As shown in FIG. 5, one end of the second lead terminal 60b is electrically connected to the second external electrode 42b.

[0123] One end of the second lead terminal 60b may be welded to the second external electrode 42b, or may be connected via a joining member such as solder.

[0124] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the other end of the second lead terminal 60b is drawn out to the outside of the exterior film 50 toward the first main surface 10a of the bus bar member 10 (see Figure 1, etc.: in Figures 4 and 5, the lower side in the first direction D1).

[0125] The first and second lead-out terminals 60a and 60b may each be, for example, plate-shaped or linear (rod-shaped). In this case, the first and second lead-out terminals 60a and 60b may each be partially bent. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the first and second lead-out terminals 60a and 60b are each bent plate-shaped. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the first lead-out terminal 60a has a first bent portion 61a at the other end. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the second lead-out terminal 60b has a second bent portion 61b at the other end.

[0126] Examples of materials for the first and second lead terminals 60a and 60b include metals such as copper, oxygen-free copper, aluminum, and alloys containing at least one of these. Among these, copper or oxygen-free copper is preferred as the material for the first and second lead terminals 60a and 60b. When the first and second lead terminals 60a and 60b are made of a copper-based material, oxygen-free copper (copper: 99.96% by weight or more), tough pitch copper (copper: 99.90% by weight or more), phosphorus-deoxidized copper (copper: 99.90% by weight or more, phosphorus: 0.015% by weight or more, 0.040% by weight or less), and the like can be used.

[0127] 4, the exterior film 50 is preferably provided with a first outlet 53a for extracting the first extracted terminal 60a to the outside of the exterior film 50. Specifically, the exterior film 50 is preferably provided with the first outlet 53a for extracting the first extracted terminal 60a to the outside of the exterior film 50 between the first flange portion 52a and the second flange portion 52b.

[0128] 4, the exterior film 50 is preferably provided with a second outlet 53b for extracting the second lead-out terminal 60b to the outside of the exterior film 50. Specifically, the exterior film 50 is preferably provided with the second outlet 53b for extracting the second lead-out terminal 60b to the outside of the exterior film 50 between the first flange portion 52a and the second flange portion 52b.

[0129] 4 and 5 , the first capacitor 20a preferably further includes a first insulating member 70a provided between the exterior film 50 and the first drawn-out terminal 60a. Specifically, the first insulating member 70a is preferably provided between the first flange portion 52a of the exterior film 50 and the first drawn-out terminal 60a, and between the second flange portion 52b of the exterior film 50 and the first drawn-out terminal 60a. In this case, the first drawn-out terminal 60a is sealed and fixed by the first insulating member 70a.

[0130] The first insulating member 70 a preferably covers the entire first lead-out terminal 60 a at the first lead-out port 53 a of the exterior film 50 .

[0131] The first insulating member 70 a is preferably adhered to the exterior film 50 .

[0132] 4 and 5 , the first capacitor 20a preferably further includes a second insulating member 70b provided between the exterior film 50 and the second lead-out terminal 60b. Specifically, the second insulating member 70b is preferably provided between the first flange portion 52a of the exterior film 50 and the second lead-out terminal 60b, and between the second flange portion 52b of the exterior film 50 and the second lead-out terminal 60b. In this case, the second lead-out terminal 60b is sealed and fixed by the second insulating member 70b.

[0133] The second insulating member 70b preferably covers the entire second lead-out terminal 60b at the second lead-out port 53b of the exterior film 50.

[0134] The second insulating member 70 b is preferably adhered to the exterior film 50 .

[0135] Examples of materials for the first insulating member 70a and the second insulating member 70b include resins. Among these, it is preferable that the first insulating member 70a and the second insulating member 70b are each made of a thermoplastic resin. It is particularly preferable that the first insulating member 70a and the second insulating member 70b are each made of a polyolefin-based thermoplastic resin such as polypropylene resin.

[0136] The configuration of the second capacitor 20b is similar to the configuration of the first capacitor 20a.

[0137] Fig. 8 is a plan view schematically showing the capacitor module shown in Fig. 1 as viewed from the first capacitor and second capacitor side in a first direction. Fig. 9 is a plan view schematically showing the capacitor module shown in Fig. 1 as viewed from the bus bar member side in the first direction. Fig. 10 is a plan view schematically showing the capacitor module shown in Fig. 1 as viewed from a second direction. Fig. 11 is a plan view schematically showing the capacitor module shown in Fig. 1 as viewed from a third direction.

[0138] 1, 8, 9, 10, and 11, the first capacitor 20a is provided on the first main surface 10a of the bus bar member 10. Specifically, this is as follows.

[0139] The other end side (opposite the first external electrode 42a) of the first lead terminal 60a of the first capacitor 20a is drawn out of the exterior film 50 toward the first main surface 10a of the bus bar member 10 (see FIGS. 4 and 5 ) and is electrically connected to the first bus bar 11a. In the example shown in FIG. 9 , the first bent portion 61a located on the other end side of the first lead terminal 60a of the first capacitor 20a is electrically connected to the first bus bar 11a while passing through the first slit portion 13a of the first bus bar 11a.

[0140] The other end of the first lead terminal 60a of the first capacitor 20a may be welded to the first bus bar 11a or may be connected via a joining member such as solder.

[0141] The other end side (opposite to the second external electrode 42b) of the second lead terminal 60b of the first capacitor 20a is drawn out of the exterior film 50 toward the first main surface 10a of the bus bar member 10 (see FIGS. 4 and 5 ) and is electrically connected to the second bus bar 11b. In the example shown in FIG. 9 , the second bent portion 61b located on the other end side of the second lead terminal 60b of the first capacitor 20a is electrically connected to the second bus bar 11b while passing through the second slit portion 13b of the second bus bar 11b.

[0142] The other end of the second lead terminal 60b of the first capacitor 20a may be welded to the second bus bar 11b or may be connected via a joining member such as solder.

[0143] As described above, the first capacitor 20a is electrically connected to the bus bar member 10 on the first main surface 10a of the bus bar member 10. Specifically, the first external electrode 42a of the capacitor element 40 of the first capacitor 20a is electrically connected to the first bus bar 11a via the first lead terminal 60a. Furthermore, the second external electrode 42b of the capacitor element 40 of the first capacitor 20a is electrically connected to the second bus bar 11b via the second lead terminal 60b.

[0144] Similar to the first capacitor 20a, the second capacitor 20b is provided on the first main surface 10a of the bus bar member 10. That is, similar to the first capacitor 20a, the second capacitor 20b is electrically connected to the bus bar member 10 on the first main surface 10a of the bus bar member 10. Specifically, the first external electrode 42a of the capacitor element 40 of the second capacitor 20b is electrically connected to the first bus bar 11a via the first lead terminal 60a. Furthermore, the second external electrode 42b of the capacitor element 40 of the second capacitor 20b is electrically connected to the second bus bar 11b via the second lead terminal 60b.

[0145] As described above, the first bus bar 11 a and the second bus bar 11 b are electrically connected to external electrodes having different polarities, and therefore have different polarities. For example, if the first external electrode 42 a is a positive electrode and the second external electrode 42 b is a negative electrode, the first bus bar 11 a is a bus bar for the positive electrode and the second bus bar 11 b is a bus bar for the negative electrode. Alternatively, if the first external electrode 42 a is a negative electrode and the second external electrode 42 b is a positive electrode, the first bus bar 11 a is a bus bar for the negative electrode and the second bus bar 11 b is a bus bar for the positive electrode.

[0146] 1, 8, 9, and 11, the second capacitor 20b is adjacent to the first capacitor 20a in the second direction D2 with a gap G therebetween. In the example shown in Fig. 1 etc., the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b are adjacent to each other with a gap G therebetween so that the side surfaces 41c (see Fig. 5 etc.) of the element body 41 face each other in the second direction D2.

[0147] 1 and the like, the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b are provided on the bus bar member 10 having the first main surface 10a and the second main surface 10b facing the first direction D1 such that the first end face 41a and the second end face 41b of each element body 41 face the first direction D1, the side face 41c extends in the first direction D1, and the side faces 41c of each element body 41 face each other in the second direction D2 with a gap G therebetween. Because the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b (element bodies 41) are often longer in the first direction D1 than in the second direction D2 and the third direction D3, providing the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b on the bus bar member 10 in the above-described manner makes it easier to miniaturize the capacitor module 1, particularly in in-plane directions including the second direction D2 and the third direction D3. If the capacitor module 1 can be easily miniaturized in this way, the capacitor module 1 can be easily stored efficiently when it is stored inside a case, for example.

[0148] As shown in Figure 1 and other figures, the first capacitors 20a may be adjacent to each other in the third direction D3. In this case, as shown in Figure 8 and other figures, portions of the exterior films 50 of the first capacitors 20a adjacent to each other in the third direction D3 may overlap in the second direction D2. This makes it easier to reduce the size of the capacitor module 1 in the third direction D3.

[0149] When portions of the exterior films 50 of the first capacitors 20a adjacent to each other in the third direction D3 overlap in the second direction D2, the portions of the exterior films 50 of the first capacitors 20a may be in contact with each other in the second direction D2 or may be separated from each other in the second direction D2.

[0150] As shown in Fig. 1 and other figures, the second capacitors 20b may be adjacent to each other in the third direction D3. In this case, as shown in Fig. 8 and other figures, portions of the exterior films 50 of the second capacitors 20b adjacent to each other in the third direction D3 may overlap in the second direction D2. This makes it easier to reduce the size of the capacitor module 1 in the third direction D3.

[0151] When portions of the exterior films 50 of second capacitors 20b adjacent to each other in the third direction D3 overlap in the second direction D2, the portions of the exterior films 50 of the second capacitors 20b may be in contact with each other in the second direction D2 or may be separated in the second direction D2.

[0152] 1, 8, 9, 10, and 11, the separator 30 is provided in the gap G between the first condenser 20a and the second condenser 20b. This makes it easier for the first condenser 20a and the second condenser 20b in the capacitor module 1 to be efficiently cooled via the separator 30.

[0153] 1 , 8 , 9 , 10 , and 11 , in the capacitor module 1, the space S of the bus bar member 10 communicates with the gap G between the first capacitor 20 a and the second capacitor 20 b in the first direction D1. That is, in the capacitor module 1, the space S of the bus bar member 10 overlaps with the gap G between the first capacitor 20 a and the second capacitor 20 b in the first direction D1. Furthermore, in the capacitor module 1, the separator 30 passes through the space S of the bus bar member 10 in the first direction D1 as well as the gap G between the first capacitor 20 a and the second capacitor 20 b. As a result, in the capacitor module 1, the separator 30 passes through at least the bus bar member 10 side in the first direction D1 in the gap G between the first capacitor 20 a and the second capacitor 20 b. In the capacitor module 1, the bus bar member 10 side of the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b, to which the first lead-out terminal 60a and the second lead-out terminal 60b are connected, is more likely to generate heat than the side opposite the bus bar member 10 due to contact resistance between the first bus bar 11a and the first lead-out terminal 60a and contact resistance between the second bus bar 11b and the second lead-out terminal 60b. Therefore, in the capacitor module 1, the separator 30 passes through the gap G between the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b at least on the bus bar member 10 side in the first direction D1, which makes it easier for the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b to be efficiently cooled via the separator 30.

[0154] Furthermore, in the capacitor module 1, the capacitor element 40 for each of the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b is enclosed in the exterior film 50, so the capacitor element 40 itself is more easily cooled compared to, for example, an embodiment in which the capacitor element 40 is housed in a case and then embedded in resin, as in Patent Document 1.

[0155] Therefore, in the capacitor module 1, the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b, and therefore the capacitor element 40, can be cooled efficiently.

[0156] When cooling the first capacitor 20 a and the second capacitor 20 b through the separator 30 , a cooling member (not shown) such as a heat sink or a thermal pad may be brought into contact with the separator 30 .

[0157] In the capacitor module 1, the first lead-out terminal 60a and the second lead-out terminal 60b of each of the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b are pulled out to the same side, that is, toward the first main surface 10a of the bus bar member 10, as described above. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the capacitor module 1 compared to, for example, an arrangement in which the first lead-out terminal 60a and the second lead-out terminal 60b are pulled out to opposite sides, as in Patent Document 2.

[0158] As described above, the capacitor module 1 can realize a capacitor module that can efficiently cool the first condenser 20a and the second condenser 20b and can also be made compact.

[0159] On the other hand, if the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b are simply provided on the first main surface 10a of the bus bar member 10, the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b will not be sufficiently fixed, and there is a risk that the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b will come off the bus bar member 10 when subjected to an impact such as vibration.

[0160] In contrast, in the capacitor module 1, as described above, the separator 30 passes through the space S of the bus bar member 10 in the first direction D1 in addition to the gap G between the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b. This makes it easier for the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b to be fixed together as a single unit, including the bus bar member 10 and the separator 30, in the capacitor module 1, so that the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b are less likely to come off the bus bar member 10 even when an impact such as vibration is applied.

[0161] Therefore, in the capacitor module 1, the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b can be efficiently fixed.

[0162] 1, 8, 9, and 11, the separator 30 is preferably in contact with at least one of the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b, and more preferably in contact with both the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b, which makes it easier to cool and fix the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b more efficiently.

[0163] 1, 10, and 11, the separator 30 preferably passes through the gap G between the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b over the entire length in the first direction D1, which makes it easier to more efficiently cool and fix the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b.

[0164] 1 , 10 , and 11 , the separator 30 preferably protrudes in the first direction D1 from the first capacitor 20 a and the second capacitor 20 b toward the opposite side from the bus bar member 10. In this case, it becomes easy to bring a cooling member (not shown) into contact with the separator 30 when cooling the first capacitor 20 a and the second capacitor 20 b through the separator 30.

[0165] 10 and 11 , the separator 30 preferably protrudes in the first direction D1 on the opposite side of the bus bar member 10 from the first capacitor 20 a and the second capacitor 20 b. In this case, it becomes easy to bring a cooling member (not shown) into contact with the separator 30 when cooling the first capacitor 20 a and the second capacitor 20 b through the separator 30.

[0166] 1, 10, and 11, the separator 30 is preferably in the form of a single plate, which makes it easier to more efficiently cool and fix the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b.

[0167] The separator 30 does not have to be a single plate, but may be a columnar or rod-like shape formed by dividing a single plate.

[0168] The separator 30 is preferably made of a material with high thermal conductivity (heat dissipation), and is particularly preferably made of a metal, which allows the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b to be cooled more efficiently.

[0169] When the separator 30 is made of a metal, examples of the metal include copper, aluminum, and alloys containing these metals.

[0170] When the separator 30 is made of a metal, it is preferable that the separator 30 be provided with an insulating coating, which prevents a short circuit between the separator 30 and the bus bar member 10 (the first bus bar 11 a and the second bus bar 11 b).

[0171] The separator 30 may be made of a resin.

[0172] The thickness of the separator 30 is not particularly limited, but if the thickness is large, the first capacitor 20a and the second capacitor 20b will be cooled and fixed more efficiently, and if the thickness is small, it will be easier to miniaturize the capacitor module 1.

[0173] The capacitor module of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various applications and modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention with respect to the configuration of the capacitor module, manufacturing conditions, etc.

[0174] For example, in the capacitor module of the present invention, the number of first capacitors and second capacitors is not particularly limited, and in the capacitor module of the present invention, the first capacitor and the second capacitor may be provided in a single number or in a plurality of numbers.

[0175] In the capacitor module of the present invention, when a plurality of first capacitors and a plurality of second capacitors are provided, the first capacitors and the second capacitors are arranged alternately with gaps in the second direction.

[0176] In the capacitor module of the present invention, when a plurality of first capacitors and a plurality of second capacitors are provided, the first capacitors and the second capacitors may be arranged in a single row or in multiple rows in the second direction.

[0177] The capacitor module of the present invention may be housed inside a case. In this case, in the capacitor module of the present invention, the first capacitor and the second capacitor may be housed inside the case so that the bus bar members and the separator are exposed to the outside, and the first capacitor and the second capacitor may be embedded in resin. In the capacitor module of the present invention, since the capacitor element is encapsulated in an exterior film, the capacitor element itself is easily cooled, and therefore even when the first capacitor and the second capacitor are embedded in resin, the first capacitor and the second capacitor, and ultimately the capacitor element, are easily cooled efficiently.

[0178] The capacitor module of the present invention is useful for power conversion devices such as motor drive inverters mounted on electric vehicles, for example.

[0179] The present specification discloses the following:

[0180] <1> A bus bar member having first and second bus bars arranged in a planar shape as a whole, the bus bar member having first and second main surfaces opposing each other in a first direction; a first capacitor provided on the first main surface of the bus bar member; a second capacitor provided on the first main surface of the bus bar member so as to be adjacent to the first capacitor with a gap in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a separator provided in the gap between the first capacitor and the second capacitor, wherein the first capacitor and the second capacitor each have a capacitor element, an exterior film, a first lead terminal, and a second lead terminal, the capacitor element has an element body, a first external electrode provided on a surface of the element body, and a second external electrode provided on the surface of the element body at a position spaced from the first external electrode, the exterior film envelops the capacitor element, one end side of the first lead terminal is electrically connected to the first external electrode, a second end of the second lead terminal being electrically connected to the second external electrode; a second end of the second lead terminal being electrically connected to the second bus bar while being drawn out of the exterior film toward the first main surface of the bus bar member; a space being present in the bus bar member that communicates with the gap between the first capacitor and the second capacitor in the first direction; and a separator passing through the space in the bus bar member in the first direction, in addition to the gap between the first capacitor and the second capacitor.

[0181] <2> The capacitor module according to <1>, wherein the separator is in contact with at least one of the first capacitor and the second capacitor.

[0182] <3> The capacitor module according to <2>, wherein the separator is in contact with both the first capacitor and the second capacitor.

[0183] <4> The capacitor module according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the separator passes through the gap between the first capacitor and the second capacitor over the entire length in the first direction.

[0184] <5> The capacitor module according to <4>, wherein the separator protrudes in the first direction on a side opposite to the bus bar member relative to the first capacitor and the second capacitor.

[0185] <6> The capacitor module according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein the separator protrudes in the first direction to a side opposite to the first capacitor and the second capacitor with respect to the bus bar member.

[0186] <7> The capacitor module according to any one of <1> to <6>, wherein the separator is in the form of a single plate.

[0187] <8> The capacitor module according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein the separator is made of a metal.

[0188] <9> The capacitor module according to any one of <1> to <8>, wherein the first bus bar and the second bus bar each have a frame shape when viewed from the first direction.

[0189] <10> The capacitor module according to any one of <1> to <9>, wherein a portion of the first bus bar and a portion of the second bus bar overlap each other in the first direction.

[0190] <11> The capacitor module according to <10>, wherein the bus bar member further includes an insulating member sandwiched between the first bus bar and the second bus bar in a region where a portion of the first bus bar and a portion of the second bus bar overlap each other in the first direction.

[0191] <12> The capacitor module according to any one of <1> to <11>, wherein the element body has a first end face and a second end face that face each other in the first direction, the first external electrode is provided on the first end face of the element body, and the second external electrode is provided on the second end face of the element body.

[0192] <13> The capacitor module according to <12>, wherein the element body further has a side surface extending in the first direction so as to connect peripheral edges of the first end surface and the second end surface, and the side surfaces of the element bodies of the first capacitor and the second capacitor face each other in the second direction.

[0193] <14> The capacitor module according to any one of <1> to <13>, wherein the capacitor element is a film capacitor.

[0194] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Capacitor module 10 Bus bar member 10a First main surface of bus bar member 10b Second main surface of bus bar member 11a First bus bar 11b Second bus bar 12a First terminal portion 12b Second terminal portion 13a First slit portion 13b Second slit portion 14, 70 Insulating member 20a First capacitor 20b Second capacitor 30 Separator 40 Capacitor element 41 Element body 41a First end face of element body 41b Second end face of element body 41c Side face of element body 42a First external electrode 42b Second external electrode 43a First metallized film 43b Second metallized film 44a First dielectric film 44aa First main surface of first dielectric film 44ab Second main surface of first dielectric film 44b Second dielectric film 44ba First main surface of second dielectric film 44bb Second main surface of second dielectric film 45a First metal layer 45b Second metal layer 50 Exterior film 51a First exterior film material 51b Second exterior film material 52a First flange portion 52b Second flange portion 53a First lead-out port 53b Second lead-out port 60a First lead-out terminal 60b Second lead-out terminal 61a First bent portion 61b Second bent portion 70a First insulating member 70b Second insulating member D1 First direction D2 Second direction D3 Third direction G Gap S Space

Claims

1. A busbar member having first and second busbars arranged in a planar shape overall, the busbar member having first and second main surfaces opposing each other in a first direction; a first capacitor provided on the first main surface of the busbar member; a second capacitor provided on the first main surface of the busbar member so as to be adjacent to the first capacitor with a gap in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a separator provided in the gap between the first capacitor and the second capacitor, wherein the first capacitor and the second capacitor each have a capacitor element, an exterior film, a first lead terminal, and a second lead terminal, the capacitor element having an element body, a first external electrode provided on a surface of the element body, and a second external electrode provided on the surface of the element body at a position spaced from the first external electrode, the exterior film encases the capacitor element, one end side of the first lead terminal is electrically connected to the first external electrode, a second end of the second lead-out terminal being electrically connected to the first bus bar while being pulled out of the exterior film toward the first main surface side of the bus bar member; one end of the second lead-out terminal being electrically connected to the second external electrode; the other end of the second lead-out terminal being electrically connected to the second bus bar while being pulled out of the exterior film toward the first main surface side of the bus bar member; a space is present in the bus bar member that communicates with the gap between the first capacitor and the second capacitor in the first direction; and the separator passes through the space in the bus bar member in the first direction, in addition to the gap between the first capacitor and the second capacitor.

2. The capacitor module according to claim 1, wherein said separator is in contact with at least one of said first capacitor and said second capacitor.

3. The capacitor module according to claim 2, wherein said separator contacts both said first capacitor and said second capacitor.

4. A capacitor module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the separator passes through the entire gap between the first capacitor and the second capacitor in the first direction.

5. The capacitor module according to claim 4, wherein the separator protrudes in the first direction on a side opposite to the bus bar member with respect to the first capacitor and the second capacitor.

6. A capacitor module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the separator protrudes in the first direction on a side opposite the first capacitor and the second capacitor with respect to the bus bar member.

7. A capacitor module according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the separator is in the form of a single plate.

8. The capacitor module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the separator is made of a metal.

9. A capacitor module according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first bus bar and the second bus bar are each frame-shaped when viewed from the first direction.

10. A capacitor module according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a portion of the first bus bar and a portion of the second bus bar overlap each other in the first direction.

11. The capacitor module according to claim 10, wherein the bus bar member further includes an insulating member sandwiched between the first bus bar and the second bus bar in a region where portions of the first bus bar and the second bus bar overlap in the first direction.

12. A capacitor module as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the element body has a first end face and a second end face opposing each other in the first direction, the first external electrode is provided on the first end face of the element body, and the second external electrode is provided on the second end face of the element body.

13. The capacitor module described in claim 12, wherein the element body further has a side surface extending in the first direction so as to connect peripheral edges of the first end face and the second end face, and the side surfaces of the element bodies of the first capacitor and the second capacitor face each other in the second direction.

14. The capacitor module according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the capacitor element is a film capacitor.

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