Connection module

Abstract

A connection module (10) is provided with a first connection terminal (12), a second connection terminal (14), and a support part (16). The first connection terminal (12) has a first connection body (21). The second connection terminal (14) has a second connection body (52) that faces the first connection body (21) in a height direction. The support part (16) supports the first connection body (21) in the height direction. The support part (16) has a height variable part (29) that allows a change in a height position of the first connection body (21) such that the first connection body (21) contacts or separates from the second connection body (52).

Description

Connection Module

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a connection module.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electrical junction box including an electronic component, a first housing, a connecting member, and a first connector. The connecting member is a braided wire. The first connector is supported by the first housing along a first direction extending from the interior to the exterior of the first housing. The first connector is capable of changing its relative position with respect to the first housing in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. One end of the connecting member is connected to a connecting terminal. The connecting terminal is attached to a mounting portion together with a bus bar. The connecting terminal and the bus bar are fastened with a stud bolt. The other end of the connecting member is connected to a first terminal. The first terminal is accommodated in the first connector. The first connector has a mating portion protruding outside the first housing. The mating portion of the first connector is mated with the mating portion of a second connector. The second connector has a second terminal. When the first connector and the second connector are mated, the first terminal and the second terminal come into contact with each other and are electrically connected.

[0003] JP 2019-50681 A

[0004] As described above, the mating portion of the first connector protrudes outside the first housing. If the electrical junction box of Patent Document 1 were applied to a battery pack, a certain amount of space would be required between the battery pack housing and the first housing, which would be disadvantageous in improving the energy density of the battery pack. Furthermore, if the current value were large, the contact pressure between the first terminal and the second terminal would need to be increased. However, in Patent Document 1, increasing the contact pressure between the first terminal and the second terminal would require a design change to increase the insertion force when mating the first connector and the second connector, which is not easily achieved. In Patent Document 1, when mating the first connector and the second connector, the position adjustment mechanism of the position variable mechanism PV allows the first terminal and the second terminal to be positioned so that they can be connected. However, the position variable mechanism PV is configured to move the entire first connector relative to the second connector. Therefore, when aligning the first terminal and the second terminal to a position where they can be connected, the assembly tolerance between the first connector and the second connector needs to be taken into consideration, making it difficult to improve positional accuracy. Furthermore, in the case of Patent Document 1, when connecting the connection terminal and the bus bar, the connection terminal and the bus bar must be manually guided so that they overlap on the mounting portion, which is a tedious process. Although smooth connection work in this way is desirable in terms of improving workability, the technology of Patent Document 1 cannot be adopted for the reasons described above.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a connection module that can improve the workability of connection work and the like.

[0006] The connection module of the present disclosure comprises: a first connection terminal having a first connection body portion; a second connection terminal having a second connection body portion facing the first connection body portion in the height direction; and a support portion that supports the first connection body portion in the height direction, wherein the support portion has a height variable portion that allows the height position of the first connection body portion to change so that the first connection body portion contacts or moves away from the second connection body portion.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a connection module that can improve the workability of connection work and the like.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electrical junction box including a connection module according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion including a terminal block in the connection module according to the first embodiment, seen through a receiving seat portion. FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway side view of the connection module according to the first embodiment, showing a state in which a connector is arranged on the rear side and an electrical junction box is arranged on the front side of a fitting portion of a wall portion of the connection module according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a terminal block in the connection module according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the terminal block in the connection module according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the terminal block and connector in the connection module according to the first embodiment, seen through a receiving seat portion. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a connector in the connection module according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of an extension portion having a guide groove and a pressing portion in the connection module according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the connector housing in the connection module according to the first embodiment, cut at the position of the extension portion. FIG. 10 is a front view of the connection module according to the first embodiment, showing a state in which a pressed portion is fitted into a guide groove. Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing a state before the connection work between the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal in the connection module according to the first embodiment. Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state when the connection work between the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal in the connection module according to the first embodiment has started. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 12 of the connection module according to the first embodiment, showing a state in which the pressing portion contacts the pressed portion. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 14 of the connection module according to the first embodiment, showing a state in which the pressing portion presses the pressed portion. Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal are connected to each other and a gap in the height direction is formed between the pressing portion and the support portion in the connection module according to the first embodiment. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal are fastened by tightening a bolt in the connection module according to the first embodiment. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a connection module according to the second embodiment.FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in the middle of connecting the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal in the connection module according to the second embodiment.

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. The connection module of the present disclosure includes: (1) a first connection terminal having a first connection body portion; a second connection terminal having a second connection body portion facing the first connection body portion in a height direction; and a support portion that supports the first connection body portion in the height direction, the support portion having a height variable portion that allows the height position of the first connection body portion to change so that the first connection body portion contacts or separates from the second connection body portion. The first connection body portion is supported in the height direction by the support portion, and further, the height variable portion allows its own height position to change. Therefore, when connecting the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal, the first connection body portion can easily move from a height position where it is separated from the second connection body portion to a height position where it contacts the second connection body portion.

[0010] (2) The connection module described in (1) above further includes a wall portion having a mating portion and a connector housing mated with the mating portion, wherein the second connection terminal has a second held portion held by the connector housing, the second connection main body is formed contiguous with the second held portion, and the mating portion preferably penetrates the wall portion in a mating direction intersecting the height direction toward the side where the first connection main body is located. The connector housing is mated with the mating portion. The second held portion of the second connection terminal is held by the connector housing. This positions the second connection main body at a height position that allows it to connect with the first connection main body, with its axis oriented in the mating direction. This allows the first connection main body to properly contact or separate from the second connection main body.

[0011] (3) In the connection module described in (2) above, it is preferable that the connector housing has a pressing portion, and the support portion has a pressed portion that contacts the pressing portion and changes the height of the first connection body to a position spaced apart from the second connection body. During the process of mating the connector housing with the mating portion, the pressing portion comes into contact with the pressed portion, causing the first connection body to move away from the second connection body. The pressing portion then moves away from the pressed portion, allowing the first connection body to reach a height position where it contacts the second connection body. This eliminates the need for special work to bring the first connection body into contact with or away from the second connection body, further improving workability.

[0012] (4) In the connection module described in (3) above, when the first connection body and the second connection body are in contact with each other, a gap in the height direction may be formed between the pressing portion and the support portion. By forming a gap in the height direction between the pressing portion and the support portion, the first connection body and the second connection body can be properly brought into face-to-face contact with each other.

[0013] (5) In the connection module described in any one of (2) to (4) above, it is preferable that the connection module further includes a holding portion, and the first connection terminal has a first held portion held by the holding portion and a flexible portion extending from the side where the first held portion is located toward the first connection main body. Even if the first connection main body has a shape that is continuous with the flexible portion, it is supported at a predetermined height by a support portion. In particular, since the first connection terminal has a flexible portion, it can flexibly respond to changes in the position of the first connection main body relative to the first held portion.

[0014] (6) In the connection module described in (5) above, the flexible portion may be a braided wire or a laminated bus bar. The configuration of (6) above can accommodate the amount of current flowing through the first connection terminal by adjusting the number of wires in the braided wire or the number of layers in the laminated bus bar.

[0015] (7) In the connection module described in (5) or (6) above, the height position at which the first connection body contacts the second connection body may be higher than the first held part held by the holding part, the flexible part may have a part that extends upward in the height direction from the side where the first held part is located toward the first connection body, and the flexible part may be configured to bend within a range in the height direction when the first connection body separates from the second connection body. By bending the flexible part within a range in the height direction, it is possible to respond to changes in the height position of the first connection body relative to the first held part.

[0016] (8) In the connection module described in any one of (1) to (7) above, the height-adjustable portion is preferably a spring that biases the first connection body in a direction pressing the first connection body against the second connection body. The biasing force of the spring serving as the height-adjustable portion can maintain the first connection body in contact with the second connection body.

[0017] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0018] First Embodiment The first embodiment illustrates a connection module 10 provided in a battery pack 100 of an electric vehicle or the like. As shown in FIG. 1 , the battery pack 100 includes an electrical connection box 90, such as a junction box, and a connector 11. The electrical connection box 90 includes a plurality of electronic components 91-94 and a first connection terminal 12. The plurality of electronic components includes a fuse 91, a current sensor 92, a relay 93 (the larger one is a main relay and the smaller one is a precharge relay), and a resistor 94. The connector 11 includes a connector housing 13 and a second connection terminal 14 held by the connector housing 13. The first connection terminal 12 is electrically connected to the electronic components 91 and 92 and the second connection terminal 14. In this case, the connection module 10 according to the first embodiment is configured as a module that connects the first connection terminal 12 and the second connection terminal 14. 1 and 2, the symbols X, Y, and Z represent the front, right, and top, respectively. The up-down direction is sometimes referred to as the height direction. The front-rear direction is sometimes referred to as the mating direction. The directional references are for convenience and do not necessarily coincide with the directional references when the connection module 10 is mounted on an electric vehicle or the like.

[0019] (Overall Structure of Connection Module 10) As shown in FIG. 2, the connection module 10 includes a holding portion 15, a first connection terminal 12, a support portion 16, a wall portion 17, and a connector 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the holding portion 15, the first connection terminal 12, and the support portion 16 are arranged on the front side of the wall portion 17, which is on the electrical junction box 90 side. The connector 11 is arranged on the rear side of the wall portion 17, which is on the outside (output side) of the battery pack 100. The holding portion 15 is made of synthetic resin. The holding portion 15 is flat and forms the case (upper case, lower case, etc.) of the electrical junction box 90. Multiple electronic components 91-94 are placed on and held by the holding portion 15.

[0020] (First connection terminal 12) The first connection terminal 12 is made of a conductive metal. The first connection terminal 12 is configured as a plate-shaped bus bar. In the case of the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, two first connection terminals 12 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction on the holding portion 15.

[0021] The first connection terminal 12 has a first held portion 18, a flexible portion 19, and a first connection main body portion 21. The first held portion 18 and the first connection main body portion 21 both have shape retention properties that allow them to maintain a fixed shape. The flexible portion 19 has flexibility that allows it to be bent by manual force, etc.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 3, the first held portion 18 is placed on and held by the holding portion 15. The lower surface of the first held portion 18 is disposed along the upper surface of the holding portion 15. As shown in Fig. 1, the front end of the first held portion 18 is electrically connected to electronic components 91 and 92. The first held portion 18 and the electronic components 91 and 92 are attached to the holding portion 15 by tightening bolts 95.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3 , the first connection body 21 is positioned rearward and one step higher than the first held portion 18. The first connection body 21 has an L-shape with a curved intersecting portion in a side view. As shown in FIG. 4 , the first connection body 21 has a horizontal portion 22 arranged along the front-rear direction and a vertical portion 23 arranged along the up-down direction. The horizontal portion 22 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The horizontal portion 22 has a circular first bolt insertion hole 24. The upper surface (upper plate surface) of the horizontal portion 22 is configured as a flat first connection surface 25. As shown in FIG. 17 , the first connection surface 25 comes into face-to-face contact with a second connection surface 53 (described later) of the second connection terminal 14.

[0024] The flexible portion 19 is configured to be elastically deformable. The flexible portion 19 is, for example, a braided wire 19A. The braided wire 19A is formed into a mesh-like shape by weaving conductive wires. One end (lower end) of the flexible portion 19 is electrically and mechanically connected to the first held portion 18 by welding or the like. The other end (upper end) of the flexible portion 19 is electrically and mechanically connected to the vertical portion 23 of the first connection body 21 by welding or the like. The flexible portion 19 is arranged to rise from the side connected to the first held portion 18 to the side connected to the first connection body 21. The flexible portion 19 can bend into a U-shape, S-shape, Z-shape, or the like by lowering the height position of the first connection body 21 (see FIG. 14 ). Furthermore, the flexible portion 19 can bend in the left-right direction due to its own flexibility. By bending the flexible portion 19 in the left-right direction, the relative position of the first connection body 21 with respect to the first held portion 18 can be changed in the left-right direction.

[0025] (Supporting portion 16) As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the supporting portion 16 supports the first connecting body portion 21 from below. In particular, the supporting portion 16 supports the first connecting body portion 21 while allowing the height position of the first connecting body portion 21 to change. As shown in Figure 4, the supporting portion 16 has a nut 26, a receiving seat portion 27, a base portion 28, and a height adjustable portion 29. The supporting portion 16, together with the first connecting terminal 12, constitutes a terminal block 30 of the connecting module 10. The terminal block 30 of the first embodiment is a terminal block whose height dimension is adjustable.

[0026] The nut 26 is, for example, a square nut having a square shape in a plan view. The nut 26 is made of metal. The nut 26 has a circular bolt fastening hole 31. As shown in FIG. 17 , the first connection body 21 is placed on the upper surface of the nut 26. A second connection body 52, which will be described later, is placed on the upper surface of the first connection body 21. In this state, the bolt 32 is tightened into the bolt fastening hole 31 through the first connection body 21 and the second connection body 52. ​​This electrically connects the first connection body 21 and the second connection body 52. ​​The first connection body 21 is attached to the support portion 16 together with the second connection body 52. ​​In the first embodiment, two nuts 26 are provided corresponding to the two first connection terminals 12.

[0027] The receiving seat 27 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the receiving seat 27 has a rectangular outer shape that is elongated in the left-right direction in plan view. The receiving seat 27 has two nut accommodating portions 33 and two upper spring receiving portions 34 (see FIG. 17 ). Each nut accommodating portion 33 has a rectangular shape in plan view. The outer shape of each nut accommodating portion 33 in plan view corresponds to the outer shape of each nut 26 in plan view. The nut accommodating portions 33 are spaced apart in the left-right direction by a partition portion 35 provided in the left-right center of the receiving seat 27. The nut 26 fits into the nut accommodating portion 33 in a state where it is prevented from rotating in the rotational direction of the bolt 32.

[0028] Although not shown in detail, each upper spring receiving portion 34 has an annular opening on the underside of the receiving seat 27. The upper spring receiving portions 34 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction via partitions 35. As shown in Figure 17, the upper spring receiving portions 34 are portions that receive the upper ends of the height adjustable portions 29.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 5, the receiving seat 27 has a pressed portion 36. The pressed portion 36 is plate-shaped and protrudes upward from the partition portion 35. The pressed portion 36 is mountain-shaped in side view and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The plate thickness direction of the pressed portion 36 is oriented in the left-to-right direction. The front surface of the pressed portion 36 slopes rearward as it goes upward. The rear surface of the pressed portion 36 slopes forward as it goes upward. The rear surface of the pressed portion 36 comes into contact with and is pressed by a pressing portion 61 of the connector 11, which will be described later. As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the pressed portion 36 is pressed by the pressing portion 61 and descends as the height-adjustable portion 29 is adjusted.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4 , the receiving seat 27 has two mating recesses 37. The mating recesses 37 are spaced apart in the left-right direction via the pressed portions 36. Each nut accommodating portion 33 opens to the bottom surface of the mating recess 37. The receiving seat 27 also has a plurality of protrusions 38 aligned in the front-rear direction on the left and right side surfaces of each mating recess 37. Each protrusion 38 is fin-shaped. The first connection body 21 fits into the mating recess 37. The left and right edges of the first connection body 21 come into contact with the protrusions 38, preventing misalignment in the left-right direction within the mating recess 37.

[0031] The receiving seat 27 has a plurality of guide recesses 39. The guide recesses 39 are open to the left and right side surfaces of the receiving seat 27, aligned in the front-rear direction, and extend in the up-down direction.

[0032] The receiving seat 27 has a plurality of stopper portions 41. Each stopper portion 41 is formed in a stepped shape on the inner surface (surface facing outward to the left and right) of each guide recess 39. Each stopper portion 41 opens upward on the receiving seat 27 through each guide recess 39. As shown in FIG. 5 , guide protrusions 43 (described later) of the base 28 fit into the guide recesses 39. The stopper portions 41 come into contact with tip projections 44 (described later) of the guide protrusions 43, preventing the receiving seat 27 from slipping out upward from the base 28.

[0033] The base 28 is made of synthetic resin. The base 28 is disposed at the lower end of the support portion 16. As shown in FIG. 4 , the base 28, like the receiving seat 27, has a rectangular outer shape that is elongated in the left-right direction in a plan view. The base 28 has a plurality of lower spring receiving portions 42. The lower spring receiving portions 42 are disposed on the upper surface of the base 28 at intervals in the left-right direction. Each lower spring receiving portion 42 has an annular opening on the upper surface of the base 28. The lower spring receiving portion 42 and the upper spring receiving portion 34 face each other in the vertical direction, sandwiching the height variable portion 29 therebetween. Each lower spring receiving portion 42 is a portion that receives the lower end of the height variable portion 29.

[0034] The base 28 has a plurality of guide protrusions 43. The guide protrusions 43 are arranged at intervals in the front-to-rear direction on each of the left and right side surfaces of the receiving seat 27. Each guide protrusion 43 is plate-shaped and stands upright on each of the left and right side surfaces of the receiving seat 27. The plate thickness direction of the guide protrusions 43 is oriented in the left-to-right direction. The guide protrusions 43 are elastically deformable in the left-to-right direction. The guide protrusions 43 have tip protrusions 44 that protrude inwardly to the left and right from their upper ends.

[0035] The base 28 has a pair of left and right locking portions 45 protruding from the left and right side surfaces. As shown in Figure 2, the locking portions 45 are locked to frame-shaped locking receiving portions 46 protruding from the upper surface of the holding portion 15. The locking portions 45 are locked to the respective locking receiving portions 46, whereby the base 28 is attached to the rear end of the holding portion 15.

[0036] The height variable portion 29 is configured to be elastically deformable in the height direction. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 , the height variable portion 29 is, for example, a spring 29A such as a compression coil spring. Two height variable portions 29 are provided corresponding to the two first connection terminals 12. The height variable portions 29 are arranged with their axes oriented in the height direction. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 17 , the upper end of the height variable portion 29 is fitted into the upper spring bearing portion 34. The lower end of the height variable portion 29 is fitted into the lower spring bearing portion 42. The height variable portion 29 is elastically deformable in the up-down direction.

[0037] (Wall 17) As shown in FIG. 2 , the wall 17 is a side wall of the housing of the battery pack 100. The wall 17 is made of, for example, metal. The wall 17 and the holding portion 15 are separate bodies. The wall surface of the wall 17 is arranged along the up-down and left-right directions. The wall 17 has a fitting portion 47. The fitting portion 47 has a front tubular portion 48 that protrudes forward from the front surface of the wall 17 and a rear tubular portion 49 that protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the wall 17. The fitting portion 47 has a through hole 51 that penetrates the wall 17 in the front-rear direction together with the front tubular portion 48 and the rear tubular portion 49. The through hole 51 of the fitting portion 47 opens toward the electrical connection box 90 at a height corresponding to a contact position of the first connection main body 21, which will be described later. The connector 11 is fitted and held in the through-hole 51 of the fitting portion 47 with its axis directed in the front-rear direction (fitting direction).

[0038] (Connector 11) The second connection terminals 14 constituting the connector 11 are made of conductive metal. As shown in Fig. 7, the second connection terminals 14 are configured as plate-shaped bus bars. In the case of the first embodiment, two second connection terminals 14 correspond to the two first connection terminals 12 and are arranged side by side in the left-right direction of the connector housing 13. Each second connection terminal 14 has shape retention properties that allow it to maintain a constant shape as a whole.

[0039] The front portions of the second connection terminals 14 are exposed from the connector housing 13. The front portions of the second connection terminals 14 form a second connection body 52 that contacts the first connection body 21. The plate surfaces of the second connection body 52 are arranged along the front-rear and left-right directions. As shown in FIG. 17 , the lower surface (lower plate surface) of the second connection body 52 is configured as a flat second connection surface 53. The second connection body 52 has a circular second bolt insertion hole 54. With the second bolt insertion hole 54 and the first bolt insertion hole 24 aligned in the vertical direction, the bolt 32 passes from the second bolt insertion hole 54 through the first bolt insertion hole 24 and is tightened into the bolt fastening hole 31 of the nut 26. The portion of the second connection terminal 14 excluding the second connection body 52 forms a second retained portion 55. The second retained portion 55 is attached to the interior of the connector housing 13, for example, by inserting it. The second held portion 55 and the second connection main body portion 52 are continuous with each other without any steps.

[0040] The connector housing 13 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in Fig. 11 , the connector housing 13 has a circular or elliptical outer circumferential shape that corresponds to the inner circumferential shape of the through-hole 51 of the fitting portion 47. The connector housing 13 has a plate-shaped flange portion 56 that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 1 , the flange portion 56 faces the rear tubular portion 49 of the wall portion 17 and is fixed to the rear tubular portion 49 by tightening bolts 57.

[0041] The connector housing 13 has extension portions 58 extending in the front-rear direction between adjacent second connection bodies 52 in the left-right direction. The extension portions 58 are located in the left-right center of the front of the connector housing 13. The left and right inner ends of each second connection body 52 are fitted and held by the left and right side surfaces of the extension portions 58. As shown in FIG. 8 , the front ends of the extension portions 58 are located forward of the front ends of each second connection body 52.

[0042] The extension portion 58 has a guide groove 59 and a pressing portion 61. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the guide groove 59 opens on the underside of the extension portion 58. The guide groove 59 extends in the front-rear direction on the underside of the extension portion 58. As shown in FIG. 10 , the pressed portion 36 is inserted into the guide groove 59 when the first connection body 21 and the second connection body 52 are connected. The front end of the guide groove 59 opens on the front surface of the extension portion 58. The rear end of the guide groove 59 is closed at the rear end of the extension portion 58. The rear end of the guide groove 59 is located at the same position as the rear end of the second connection body 52 in the front-rear direction. The front end of the guide groove 59 is located at the same position as the front end of the extension portion 58 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 8 , the guide groove 59 has a guide portion 62 that widens in the left-right direction from a position near the front end on the underside of the extension portion 58 toward the front end. The groove width of the guide groove 59 is constant except for the guide portion 62 .

[0043] As shown in FIG. 9 , the pressing portion 61 protrudes into the guide groove 59 from the rear surface (the surface facing downward) of the guide groove 59. The front end of the pressing portion 61 is located at the same position as the front end of the guide groove 59. The rear end of the pressing portion 61 connects to the rear surface of the guide groove 59 at a position midway in the front-to-rear direction of the guide groove 59. The pressing portion 61 has a portion that overlaps with the guide portion 62 in the front-to-rear direction. The front surface of the pressing portion 61 slopes rearward as it extends downward. The rear surface of the pressing portion 61 slopes forward as it extends downward. The lower surface of the pressing portion 61 is formed flat along the front-to-rear direction. The pressing portion 61 is formed across the entire width of the guide groove 59 in the left-to-right direction (see FIG. 8 ).

[0044] The guide groove 59 forms an escape space 63 behind the pressing portion 61 and within the height range of the pressing portion 61. As shown in Figure 16, after the first connection body 21 and the second connection body 52 are connected, the pressed portion 36 enters the escape space 63 and is released.

[0045] (Function of connection module 10) When assembling the support portion 16, the nut 26 is attached by fitting it from above into the nut accommodating portion 33 of the receiving seat portion 27. The height adjustable portion 29 is held so as to be sandwiched between the upper spring receiving portion 34 of the receiving seat portion 27 and the lower spring receiving portion 42 of the base portion 28. The guide protrusion 43 of the base portion 28 fits into the guide recess 39. With the height adjustable portion 29 positioned between the receiving seat portion 27 and the base portion 28, the tip projection 44 of the guide protrusion 43 is hooked onto the stopper portion 41 of the receiving seat portion 27. Then, the horizontal portion 22 of the first connection main body 21 is placed on the upper surface of the nut 26.

[0046] 6 and 11 , the first connection body 21 is supported at a constant height from the holding portion 15 (first held portion 18) by the biasing force (elastic restoring force) of the height-adjustable portion 29 until a pressing force from a pressing portion 61 (described later) acts on the first connection body 21. The height position of the first connection body 21 is preferably higher than the contact position H1 (see FIG. 17 ) where the first connection surface 25 and the second connection surface 53 come into face-to-face contact with each other.

[0047] 11 , the first connection body 21 is disposed at the rear end of the electrical junction box 90 so as to face the through-hole 51 of the mating portion 47. In this state, the connector 11 is mated from behind with the mating portion 47. The front end of the connector 11, from which the second connection terminals 14 are exposed, protrudes forward from the mating portion 47 by an increasing amount as the mating process progresses.

[0048] When the connector 11 begins to be mated, the first connection terminal 12 and the second connection terminal 14 are spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction, and the first connection surface 25 and the second connection surface 53 are positioned at corresponding height positions. The pressed portion 36 and the pressing portion 61 face each other in the front-to-rear direction. In this state, as shown in Figure 13, the rear surface of the pressed portion 36 enters the guide portion 62 of the guide groove 59 and comes into contact with the front surface of the pressing portion 61.

[0049] As the connector 11 is further mated with the mating portion 47, the pressing portion 61 moves along the rear surface of the pressed portion 36, and as shown in FIG. 15 , the pressed portion 36 is pressed by the pressing portion 61 and moves downward. As the pressed portion 36 moves downward, the first connection body 21 also moves downward, as shown in FIG. 14 , and the height position of the first connection body 21 changes to a non-contact position H2 separated from the second connection body 52. ​​At the non-contact position H2, the height-adjustable portion 29 is compressed between the receiving seat 27 and the base 28 while accumulating an upward biasing force (elastic reaction force). At the non-contact position H2, the flexible portion 19 is bent (curved) between the first connection body 21 and the first held portion 18.

[0050] As the connector 11 is further mated with the mating portion 47, the pressing portion 61 moves forward away from the pressed portion 36. Then, as shown in FIG. 16 , the pressed portion 36 is positioned in the relief space 63 of the guide groove 59. At the same time that the pressure on the pressed portion 36 is released, the first connection body 21 rises together with the receiving seat 27 due to the biasing force of the height-adjustable portion 29. As the first connection body 21 rises, it reaches the contact position H1, and the first connecting surface 25 abuts against the second connecting surface 53 from below, coming into face-to-face contact. At this time, the pressing portion 61 moves away from the upper surface of the receiving seat 27. The pressed portion 36 moves away from the inner surface of the guide groove 59. Therefore, after the pressure on the pressed portion 36 is released, a vertical gap is maintained between the connector housing 13 and the support portion 16. 17 , the bolt 32 is then tightened to the nut 26, thereby reliably connecting the first connection terminal 12 and the second connection terminal 14. After the first connection terminal 12 and the second connection terminal 14 are connected, the flexible portion 19 is positioned so as to extend upward from the first held portion 18 toward the first connection main body 21. The connector 11 is properly fitted into the fitting portion 47 and fixed to the wall portion 17 via the bolt 57.

[0051] As described above, the connection module 10 according to the first embodiment includes a first connection terminal 12, a second connection terminal 14, and a support portion 16. The first connection terminal 12 includes a first connection body portion 21. The second connection terminal 14 includes a second connection body portion 52 that faces the first connection body portion 21 in the height direction. The support portion 16 supports the first connection body portion 21 in the height direction. The support portion 16 also includes a height variable portion 29 that allows the height position of the first connection body portion 21 to change so that the first connection body portion 21 contacts or separates from the second connection body portion 52. This configuration allows the first connection terminal 12 and the second connection terminal 14 to easily move from a height position where the first connection body portion 21 is separated from the second connection body portion 52 to a height position where the first connection body portion 21 contacts the second connection body portion 52 when connecting the first connection terminal 12 and the second connection terminal 14. This allows the first connection terminal 12 and the second connection terminal 14 to be connected quickly, improving the efficiency of the connection process.

[0052] The connection module 10 also includes a wall 17 having a mating portion 47 and a connector housing 13 mated with the mating portion 47. The second connection terminal 14 has a second held portion 55 held by the connector housing 13. The second connection body 52 is formed contiguous with the second held portion 55. The mating portion 47 penetrates the wall 17 in a mating direction that intersects with the height direction toward the side where the first connection body 21 is located. This allows the second connection body 52 to be positioned at a height that allows it to be connected to the first connection body 21 with its axis facing the mating direction. This allows the first connection body 21 to properly contact or separate from the second connection body 52.

[0053] The connector housing 13 also has a pressing portion 61. The front surface of the pressing portion 61 is located forward (in the mating direction) of the second connection body 52. ​​The support portion 16 has a pressed portion 36 that comes into contact with the pressing portion 61 and changes the height of the first connection body 21 to a position away from the second connection body 52.

[0054] During the process of mating the connector housing 13 with the mating portion 47, the pressing portion 61 comes into contact with the pressed portion 36, causing the first connection body 21 to move away from the second connection body 52. ​​Thereafter, the pressing portion 61 moves away from the pressed portion 36, allowing the first connection body 21 to reach a height position (contact position H1) where it contacts the second connection body 52. ​​Therefore, the first connection body 21 can be brought into contact with or separated from the second connection body 52 in conjunction with the mating operation of the connector housing 13 with the mating portion 47. As a result, workability can be further improved.

[0055] Furthermore, when the first connection body 21 and the second connection body 52 are in contact with each other, a gap in the height direction is formed between the pressing portion 61 and the support portion 16. This allows the first connection body 21 and the second connection body 52 to be in face-to-face contact with each other in an appropriate manner.

[0056] The connection module 10 also includes a holding portion 15. The first connection terminal 12 includes a first held portion 18 held by the holding portion 15 and a flexible portion 19 extending from the side where the first held portion 18 is located toward the first connection main body 21. Even though the first connection main body 21 is connected to the flexible portion 19, it is supported at a predetermined height by the support portion 16. In particular, because the first connection terminal 12 includes the flexible portion 19, it can flexibly accommodate changes in the position of the first connection main body 21 relative to the first held portion 18 in the vertical and horizontal directions. Moreover, because the flexible portion 19 is a braided wire 19A, the amount of current flowing through the first connection terminal 12 can be accommodated by adjusting the number of wires in the braided wire 19A, for example.

[0057] Furthermore, the height position at which the first connection main body 21 contacts the second connection main body 52 is higher than the first held portion 18 held by the holding portion 15. The flexible portion 19 has a portion that extends upward in the height direction from the side where the first held portion 18 is located toward the first connection main body 21. The flexible portion 19 is configured to bend within a range in the height direction when the first connection main body 21 moves away from the second connection main body 52. ​​In this way, by bending the flexible portion 19 within a range in the height direction, it is possible to flexibly respond to changes in the height position of the first connection main body 21 relative to the first held portion 18.

[0058] The height variable portion 29 is a spring 29A that biases the first connection body 21 in a direction pressing it against the second connection body 52. ​​With this, the biasing force of the spring 29A can maintain the first connection body 21 in contact with the second connection body 52.

[0059] 18 and 19 , a connection module 10 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure differs from that of the first embodiment in that a portion of the first connection terminal 12 is different. Specifically, in the case of the second embodiment, the flexible portion 19 is configured by a laminated bus bar 19B, which differs from the first embodiment in that the flexible portion 19 is configured by a braided wire 19A. The rest is the same as in the first embodiment, and the same parts as in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0060] The laminated bus bar 19B serving as the flexible portion 19 is composed of multiple bus bars 69. Each bus bar 69 is individually thin and plate-like. In the first embodiment, each bus bar 69 is rectangular with a constant width in the left-right direction. The bus bars 69 are laminated in a thickness direction intersecting the length and width directions. The bus bars 69 are joined to each other at their lower ends, which are connected to the first held portion 18, and their upper ends, which are connected to the first connection body 21. The joint portion of the upper end of each bus bar 69 is continuous with the first connection body 21. Portions of each bus bar 69, excluding the lower and upper ends, are laminated in the thickness direction with a gap between the plate surfaces. The laminated bus bar 19B can be easily bent in the thickness direction.

[0061] 19 , during the process of mating the connector 11 to the mating portion 47, the pressed portion 36 is pressed down by the pressing portion 61 and moves down, and when the first connection body 21 is at the height position of the non-contact position H2, the laminated bus bar 19B is bent (curved) in an S-shape between the first connection body 21 and the first held portion 18. According to the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to flexibly accommodate changes in the height position of the first connection body 21 relative to the first held portion 18. Furthermore, by adjusting the number of layers of the laminated bus bar 19B, it is possible to accommodate the amount of current flowing through the first connection terminal 12.

[0062] [Other Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] The above-described first and second embodiments are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. In the above-described first and second embodiments, the height-adjustable portion 29 is configured with a compression coil spring. However, in other embodiments, the height-adjustable portion may be a spring other than a compression coil spring, such as a leaf spring. Furthermore, the height-adjustable portion is not limited to a spring, and may be a cushioning material. In the above-described first and second embodiments, the second connection body 52 is disposed so as to overlap the upper surface of the first connection body 21. However, in other embodiments, the first connection body may be disposed so as to overlap the upper surface of the second connection body, as opposed to the above-described first and second embodiments. In other embodiments, the lower surface of the first connection body serves as the first connection surface, and the upper surface of the second connection body serves as the second connection surface. In the above-described first and second embodiments, the connection module 10 is applied to the battery pack 100. However, in other embodiments, the connection module is widely applicable to connection devices other than battery packs.

[0063] H1...contact position H2...non-contact position 10...connection module 11...connector 12...first connection terminal 13...connector housing 14...second connection terminal 15...holding portion 16...support portion 17...wall portion 18...first held portion 19...flexible portion 19A...braided wire 19B...laminated bus bar 21...first connection main body portion 22...horizontal portion 23...vertical portion 24...first bolt insertion hole 25...first connection surface 26...nut 27...receiving seat portion 28...base portion 29...height variable portion 29A...spring 30...terminal block 31...bolt fastening hole 32...bolt 33...nut accommodating portion 34...upper spring receiving portion 35...partition portion 36...pressured portion 37...fitting recess 38...projecting piece 39...guide recess 41...stopper portion 42...Lower spring receiving portion 43...Guide protrusion 44...Tip projection 45...Latching portion 46...Latching receiving portion 47...Fitting portion 48...Front tubular portion 49...Rear tubular portion 51...Through hole 52...Second connection main body portion 53...Second connection surface 54...Second bolt insertion hole 55...Second held portion 56...Flange portion 57...Bolt 58...Extending portion 59...Guide groove 61...Pressing portion 62...Guiding portion 63...Relief space portion 69...Bus bar 90...Electrical connection box 91-94...Electronic components 91...Fuse 92...Current sensor 93...Relay 94...Resistor 95...Volt 100...Battery pack

Claims

1. A connection module comprising: a first connection terminal having a first connection body portion; a second connection terminal having a second connection body portion facing the first connection body portion in the height direction; and a support portion that supports the first connection body portion in the height direction, wherein the support portion has a height variable portion that allows the height position of the first connection body portion to change so that the first connection body portion comes into contact with or moves away from the second connection body portion.

2. A connection module as described in claim 1, further comprising a wall portion having a mating portion and a connector housing that fits into the mating portion, wherein the second connection terminal has a second held portion that is held by the connector housing, the second connection main body portion is formed continuous with the second held portion, and the mating portion penetrates the wall portion in a mating direction that intersects with the height direction toward the side where the first connection main body portion is located.

3. A connection module as described in claim 2, wherein the connector housing has a pressing portion, and the support portion has a pressed portion that contacts the pressing portion and changes the height position of the first connection main body portion to a position spaced apart from the second connection main body portion.

4. A connection module as described in claim 3, wherein when the first connection body portion and the second connection body portion are in contact with each other, a gap in the height direction is formed between the pressing portion and the support portion.

5. A connection module as described in claim 2, further comprising a holding portion, wherein the first connection terminal has a first held portion held by the holding portion and a flexible portion extending from the side where the first held portion is located toward the first connection main body portion.

6. The connection module according to claim 5, wherein the flexible section is a braided wire or a laminated bus bar.

7. A connection module as described in claim 5, wherein the height position at which the first connection main body portion contacts the second connection main body portion is higher than the first held portion held by the holding portion, the flexible portion has a portion that extends upward in the height direction from the side where the first held portion is located toward the first connection main body portion, and when the first connection main body portion moves away from the second connection main body portion, the flexible portion is configured to bend within the height range.

8. A connection module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the height variable portion is a spring that biases the first connection body portion in a direction pressing the first connection body portion against the second connection body portion.

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