Bus bar and bus bar unit

Abstract

This bus bar includes: a bus bar body comprising an input end portion and an output end portion; a flow dividing slit that divides the bus bar body into a main flow path and a bypass flow path; and a detection slit that, together with the flow dividing slit, defines a detection flow path through which a portion or all of an electrical current flowing through the main flow path flows. The detection slit includes: an upstream-side slit and a downstream-side slit tip-end sections of which terminate within the bus bar body, said slits extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the flow dividing slit from a base end portion communicating with the flow dividing slit to a side opposite the bypass flow path; and an intermediate slit that extends parallel to the upstream-side slit and the downstream-side slit and extends to the side opposite the bypass flow path from the base end portion provided at a position between the upstream-side slit and the downstream-side slit and away from the flow dividing slit.

Description

Busbars and busbar units

[0001] This invention relates to busbars and busbar units.

[0002] A busbar has been proposed that divides the current to be measured flowing through the busbar, and makes it possible to measure the amount of the current to be measured based on a portion of the current to be measured (see Patent Document 1 below).

[0003] More specifically, the busbar described in Patent Document 1 comprises a flat input wiring section arranged in the XY plane, an elongated input-side common wiring section arranged along the Y direction on one side of the input wiring section in the X direction, an input-side connection section connecting the input wiring section to the longitudinal center of the input-side common wiring section, a first branch wiring section having an input end connected to the first end on one side of the input-side common wiring section in the Y direction and extending to one side in the X direction, a second branch wiring section having an input end connected to the second end on the other side of the input-side common wiring section in the Y direction and extending to one side in the X direction, and an elongated output-side common wiring section arranged along the Y direction, wherein the output end of the first branch wiring section The system includes an output-side common wiring section having a first end on one side in the Y direction connected to the input-side common wiring section and a second end on the other side in the Y direction connected to the output end of the second branch wiring section; a flat plate-shaped output wiring section arranged in the XY plane on one side in the X direction of the output-side common wiring section; an output-side connection section connecting the longitudinal center of the output-side common wiring section to the output wiring section; a first detection wiring section having an input end connected to the first end of the input-side common wiring section and an output end connected to the first end of the output-side common wiring section; and a second detection wiring section having an input end connected to the second end of the input-side common wiring section and an output end connected to the second end of the output-side common wiring section.

[0004] The first detection wiring section includes an input end connected to the first end of the input-side common wiring section, a first portion extending in one direction in the Y direction from the input end, a third portion extending in one direction in the X direction from the input end, and a second portion arranged parallel to the first portion, having an input end connected to the output end of the third portion and an output end connected to the first end of the output-side common wiring section, wherein the third portion is parallel to and has the same length as the first branch wiring section.

[0005] The second detection wiring section includes an input end connected to the second end of the input-side common wiring section, a fourth section extending from the input end to the other side in the Y direction, an input end connected to the output end of the fourth section, a sixth section extending from the input end to one side in the X direction, and a fifth section arranged parallel to the fourth section, having an input end connected to the output end of the sixth section and an output end connected to the second end of the output-side common wiring section, wherein the sixth section is parallel to and the same length as the second branch wiring section.

[0006] Furthermore, with the first, second, fourth, and fifth portions extending along the Z direction perpendicular to the XY plane, the input-side common wiring section and the output-side common wiring section are bent at predetermined positions so that the first to third portions and the fourth to sixth portions face each other.

[0007] In the busbar described in Patent Document 1, a portion of the current to be measured I (first current to be measured) I is input to the input wiring section. Ａ This flows to the first detection wiring section and the first branch wiring section, and the remaining current of the current to be measured (second current to be measured) I Ｂ The current flows to the second detection wiring section and the second branch wiring section. Here, I = I Ａ +I Ｂ That is the case.

[0008] Since the first detection wiring section and the first branch wiring section are arranged in parallel with the input-side common wiring section, the first detection wiring section has the first current to be measured I Ａ Part of IDＡ flows, and the remaining current Ib of the first measurement target current I flows through the first branch wiring portion. Ａ Here, I = Id + Ib. Ａ Here, I Ａ = Id Ａ + Ib Ａ That is.

[0009] Since the second detection wiring portion and the second branch wiring portion are arranged in parallel with respect to the input side common wiring portion, a part Id of the second measurement target current I flows through the second detection wiring portion, and the remaining current Ib of the second measurement target current I flows through the second branch wiring portion. Here, I = Id + Ib. Ｂ Here, a part Id of the second measurement target current I Ｂ flows, and the remaining current Ib of the second measurement target current I Ｂ flows through the second branch wiring portion. Here, I Ｂ = Id Ｂ + Ib Ｂ That is. Ｂ Here, I

[0010] A part Id of the first measurement target current I flowing through the first part and a part Id of the second measurement target current I flowing through the fourth part face one side in the Z direction, and a part Id of the first measurement target current I flowing through the second part and a part Id of the second measurement target current I flowing through the sixth part face the other side in the Z direction. Ａ Here, a part Id of the first measurement target current I Ａ flowing through the first part and a part Id of the second measurement target current I Ｂ flowing through the fourth part Ｂ face one side in the Z direction, and a part Id of the first measurement target current I Ａ flowing through the second part and a part Id of the second measurement target current I Ａ flowing through the sixth part Ｂ face the other side in the Z direction. Ｂ That is.

[0011] In this case, the direction of the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the first part and the current flowing through the fourth part in the region (hereinafter referred to as the central region) sandwiched by the first and second detection wiring portions is the same as the direction of the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the second part and the current flowing through the sixth part in the central region.

[0012] Therefore, if a magnetic sensor is arranged in the central region to detect the magnetic field strength in the central region, the total value of the currents flowing through the first and second detection wiring portions can be detected, and the current amount of the measurement target current can be calculated using the known current division ratios between the first and second detection wiring portions and the first and second branch wiring portions.

[0013] The busbar described in Patent Document 1 is useful in that it can measure large currents and can be formed from a single metal plate. However, the first, second, fourth, and sixth portions are bent at the input-side common wiring section and the output-side common wiring section so that they extend in the Z direction, which leads to a problem in that the entire busbar becomes large, particularly in the Z direction.

[0014] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-067305

[0015] This invention has been made in view of the above prior art, and aims to provide a busbar that can measure large currents while being miniaturized, and a busbar unit that can measure large currents while being miniaturized and having the effects of disturbing magnetic fields neutralized or reduced.

[0016] To achieve the above objective, the present invention comprises a busbar body formed of a conductive plate material, an input end and an output end provided on the busbar body, a current diversion slit that divides the busbar body into a main channel through which a portion of the current to be measured input to the input end flows and a bypass channel through which the remainder of the current to be measured flows, and a detection slit that works in cooperation with the current diversion slit to define a detection channel through which a portion or all of the current flowing in the main channel flows, wherein the detection slit has an upstream slit that extends from a base end communicating with the upstream side of the current flow direction of the current diversion slit in a direction substantially perpendicular to the current diversion slit on the opposite side from the bypass channel, with its tip terminating inside the busbar body, and a base end communicating with the downstream side of the current flow direction of the current diversion slit The busbar includes a downstream slit that extends parallel to the upstream slit on the opposite side of the bypass channel and whose tip ends within the busbar body, and an intermediate slit that extends parallel to the upstream and downstream slits on the opposite side of the bypass channel from a base end located between the upstream and downstream slits and spaced apart from the diversion slit, wherein the detection channel has an upstream detection section defined by the portion sandwiched between the upstream slit and the intermediate slit, a downstream detection section defined by the portion sandwiched between the intermediate slit and the downstream slit, and a connecting section defined by the portion between the base end of the intermediate slit and the diversion slit, which connects the upstream measurement section to the downstream measurement section.

[0017] According to the busbar of the present invention, it is possible to measure large currents while miniaturizing the device, in cooperation with a magnetic field sensor.

[0018] Preferably, the busbar body is provided with a restricting slit that narrows the width of the bypass channel.

[0019] The restricting slit may have a base end that communicates with the upstream side of the current flow direction of the diversion slit, and an upstream restricting slit that extends from the base end in a direction that narrows the width of the bypass flow path and terminates within the busbar body.

[0020] The restricting slit may have a base end that communicates with the current flow direction downstream side of the current diversion slit, and a downstream restricting slit that extends from the base end toward the side that narrows the width of the bypass flow path and terminates within the busbar body.

[0021] Preferably, the upstream regulating slit is arranged on the same line as the upstream slit, and the downstream regulating slit is arranged on the same line as the downstream slit.

[0022] The restricting slit may have a base end located at a position separated from the upstream side of the current flow direction of the current diversion slit on the opposite side of the upstream slit in the width direction of the busbar body, and an upstream restricting slit extending from the base end on the opposite side of the upstream slit in the width direction of the busbar body and opening outward in the width direction of the busbar body.

[0023] The restricting slit may have a base end located at a position spaced apart from the downstream slit in the width direction of the busbar body with respect to the current flow direction from the downstream side of the current diversion slit, and may have a downstream restricting slit extending from the base end in the width direction of the busbar body with respect to the downstream side of the busbar body with respect to the downstream slit, and opening outward in the width direction of the busbar body.

[0024] Preferably, the upstream detection section, the connection section, and the downstream detection section have the same width.

[0025] In the various configurations described above, the tip of the intermediate slit is spaced further away from the flow diversion slit than the tip of the upstream slit in the width direction of the busbar body, and terminates within the busbar body.

[0026] Preferably, the tip of the intermediate slit is open outward in the width direction of the busbar body.

[0027] In the various configurations described above, preferably, the entrance to the detection channel, defined by the portion between the tip of the upstream slit and the widthwise edge of the busbar body, may have a width equal to or greater than that of the upstream detection section.

[0028] In the various configurations described above, preferably, the outlet of the detection flow path defined by a portion between the tip of the downstream slit and the widthwise edge of the bus bar body may have a width equal to or greater than that of the downstream detection section.

[0029] In the various configurations described above, the shunt slit may be arranged such that the width of the bypass flow path is constant over the entire direction of the current flow.

[0030] Alternatively, the shunt slit may be arranged such that the width of the bypass flow path increases or decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the direction of the current flow.

[0031] The present invention also provides a bus bar unit including the bus bar according to any one of the various configurations described above and a differential magnetic field sensor, the differential magnetic field sensor being configured to detect a differential magnetic field between a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through the upstream detection section and a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through the downstream detection section.

[0032] According to the bus bar unit of the present invention, it is possible to measure a large current amount while miniaturizing and invalidating or reducing the influence of an external magnetic field.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a bus bar according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a bus bar according to the first modification of Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a bus bar according to the second modification of Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a bus bar according to the third modification of Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a bus bar according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are partial schematic plan views of bus bars according to the first and second modifications of Embodiment 2, respectively. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of a bus bar according to the third modification of Embodiment 2. FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of a bus bar according to the fourth modification of Embodiment 1.

[0034] Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, an embodiment of a bus bar according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of a bus bar 1A according to the present embodiment.

[0035] The bus bar 1A according to this embodiment forms a bus bar unit that is preferably used as a current sensor in cooperation with the magnetic field sensor 110.

[0036] The bus bar 1A includes a bus bar body 10 formed of a conductive plate material such as copper, an input end portion 21 into which a measurement target current is input, an output end portion 23 from which the measurement target current is output, a shunt slit 30, and a detection slit 50.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the bus bar body 10 has a rectangular shape in a plan view with its longitudinal direction along the X direction in the XY plane, and the measurement target current flows from the input end portion 21 to the output end portion 23 along the longitudinal direction of the bus bar body 10.

[0038] The shunt slit 30 is configured to partition the bus bar body 10 into a main flow path 11 through which a part of the measurement target current input to the input end portion 21 flows and a bypass flow path 15 through which the remainder of the measurement target current flows.

[0039] That is, the measurement target current input to the input end portion 21 is shunted by the shunt slit 30 into a current flowing through the main flow path 11 and a bypass current that reaches the output end portion 23 without passing through the main flow path 11. Since the main flow path 11 and the bypass flow path 15 are arranged in parallel with respect to the input end portion 21, if the measurement target current amount is I, the current amount flowing through the main flow path 11 is Im, and the current amount flowing through the bypass flow path 15 is Ib, then I = Im + Ib.

[0040] The shunt ratio of the main flow path 11 and the bypass flow path 15 is a known numerical value determined based on the shape dimensions of the bus bar body 10 and the shape dimensions and formation positions of the shunt slit 30.

[0041] In this embodiment, the shunt slit 30 has its longitudinal direction along the longitudinal direction of the bus bar body 10, and the width of the bypass flow path 15 is constant throughout the current flow direction.

[0042] The detection slit 50 works in cooperation with the current diversion slit 30 to define a detection channel 12 through which part or all of the current flowing through the main channel 11 flows.

[0043] More specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the detection slit 50 has an upstream slit 52 whose base end is connected to the upstream side in the current flow direction of the current diversion slit 30, a downstream slit 54 connected to the downstream side in the current flow direction of the current diversion slit 30, and an intermediate slit 53 positioned between the upstream and downstream slits 52 and 54 in the longitudinal direction of the busbar body 10 extending from the input end 21 to the output end 23.

[0044] The upstream slit 52 extends from its base end toward the opposite side of the bypass channel 15 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the diversion slit 30, with its tip terminating within the busbar body 10.

[0045] The portion between the tip of the upstream slit 52 and the widthwise edge of the busbar body 10 opposite to the tip acts as an inlet 25 for the current flowing through the main channel 11 to enter the detection channel 12.

[0046] The downstream slit 54 extends parallel to the upstream slit 52 from its base end toward the opposite side of the bypass channel 15, with its tip terminating within the busbar body 10.

[0047] The portion between the tip of the downstream slit 54 and the widthwise edge of the busbar body 10 facing the tip acts as an outlet 27 for the current of the detection channel 12 to flow out toward the output end 23.

[0048] The intermediate slit 53 has a base end located at a predetermined distance from the flow diversion slit 30 in the width direction of the busbar body 10, on the side opposite to the bypass flow path 15, and extends from the base end parallel to the upstream and downstream slits 52 and 54 on the side opposite to the bypass flow path 15.

[0049] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the tip of the intermediate slit 53 is open outward in the width direction of the busbar body 10, so that the entire amount of current flowing through the main channel 11 is guided to the detection channel 12. That is, if the amount of current in the detection channel 12 is Id, then Id = Im.

[0050] The detection channel 12 has an upstream detection section 12a defined by the portion sandwiched between the upstream slit 52 and the intermediate slit 53, a downstream detection section 12c defined by the portion sandwiched between the intermediate slit 53 and the downstream slit 54, and a connecting section 12b defined by the portion between the base end of the intermediate slit 53 and the diversion slit 30, which connects the upstream detection section 12a to the downstream detection section 12c.

[0051] A busbar unit comprising the busbar 1A and a magnetic field sensor 110 that detects a magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the detection channel 12 is used as a current sensor to detect the amount of current to be measured.

[0052] In other words, the amount of current flowing through the detection channel 12 is detected based on the strength of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field sensor 110. As described above, in this embodiment, the entire amount of current flowing through the main channel 11 flows through the detection channel 12, so the current to be measured flowing through the busbar body 10 can be calculated based on the known current division ratio of the main channel 1 and the bypass channel 15 and the magnetic field strength detected by the magnetic field sensor 110.

[0053] Furthermore, it is also possible to modify the system so that only a portion of the current flowing through the main channel 11 flows through the detection channel 12.

[0054] Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view of the busbar 1B according to the first modified example, which is modified so that only a portion of the current flowing through the main channel 11 flows through the detection channel 12.

[0055] The bus bar 1B according to the first modified example differs from the bus bar 1A according to this embodiment only in that it has an intermediate slit 54 instead of the intermediate slit 53.

[0056] As shown in Figure 2, the intermediate slit 54 differs from the intermediate slit 53 in that its tip is spaced further away from the current diversion slit 30 than the tip of the upstream slit 52, with respect to a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the current to be measured (in this embodiment, the width direction of the busbar body 10), and terminates within the busbar body 10.

[0057] In other words, in the busbar 1B according to the first modified example, a sub-bypass channel 16 is formed between the tip of the intermediate slit 54 and the widthwise edge of the busbar body 10 facing the tip, which guides a portion of the current flowing through the main channel 11 to the output end 23 without passing through the detection channel 12.

[0058] In the busbar 1B, the measured current I, the current Im flowing through the main channel 11, the current Ib flowing through the bypass channel 15, the current Id flowing through the detection channel 12, and the current Isb flowing through the sub-bypass channel 16 are related as follows: I = Im + Ib and Im = Id + Isb

[0059] The flow division ratio of the detection channel 12 and the sub-bypass channel 16 is a known value determined by the shape, dimensions, and formation location of the detection channel 12 and the sub-bypass channel 16.

[0060] In a busbar unit equipped with a busbar 1B according to the first modified example of the configuration described above, the current to be measured flowing through the busbar body 10 can be calculated based on the known current division ratio of the main flow path 11 and the bypass flow path 15, the known current division ratio of the detection flow path 12 and the sub-bypass flow path 16, and the magnetic field strength detected by the magnetic field sensor 110.

[0061] Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view of the busbar 1C according to a second modified example, in which only a portion of the current flowing through the main channel 11 flows through the detection channel 12.

[0062] The bus bar 1C according to the second modification differs from the bus bar 1B according to the first modification only in that the intermediate slit 54 is changed to an intermediate slit 55.

[0063] As shown in Figure 3, the intermediate slit 55 differs from the intermediate slit 54 in that its tip is positioned at approximately the same location as the tip of the upstream slit 52 with respect to a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the current to be measured (in this embodiment, the width direction of the busbar body 10).

[0064] In a busbar unit equipped with a busbar 1C according to the second modified example of the configuration described above, the current to be measured flowing through the busbar body 10 can be calculated based on the known current division ratio of the main flow path 11 and the bypass flow path 15, the known current division ratio of the detection flow path 12 and the sub-bypass flow path 16, and the magnetic field strength detected by the magnetic field sensor 110.

[0065] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the direction of the current in the upstream detection section 12a and the direction of the current in the downstream detection section 12c are substantially perpendicular to the direction of the current in the bypass channel 15. Therefore, the magnetic field sensor 110 is prevented or reduced as much as possible from being affected by the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the bypass channel 15.

[0066] Preferably, the direction of the current in the upstream detection section 12a and the direction of the current in the downstream detection section 12c are different by 90° ± 2° from the direction of the current in the bypass channel 15.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the direction of the current in the upstream detection section 12a and the direction of the current in the downstream detection section 12c are approximately 180 degrees apart (i.e., almost opposite), and the magnetic field generated by the current in the upstream detection section 12a and the magnetic field generated by the current in the downstream detection section 12c have outputs that are 180 degrees out of phase with respect to each other.

[0068] Preferably, the direction of the current in the upstream detection section 12a and the direction of the current in the downstream detection section 12c are different by 180° ± 1°.

[0069] Taking advantage of this point, in this embodiment, the magnetic field sensor 110 is a differential magnetic field sensor that detects the differential magnetic field between the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the upstream detection section 12a and the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the downstream detection section. The differential magnetic field sensor has a first sensor that detects the magnetic field caused by the current in the upstream detection section 12a and a second sensor that detects the magnetic field caused by the current in the downstream detection section 12c.

[0070] By incorporating the differential magnetic field sensor, the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the detection channel 12 can be effectively detected while preventing or reducing the influence of external magnetic field noise as much as possible.

[0071] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the detection channel 12 has the same width throughout the entire current flow direction. That is, the upstream detection section 12a, the connection section 12b, and the downstream detection section 12c have the same width.

[0072] Preferably, the inlet 25 of the detection channel 12, which is defined by the portion between the tip of the upstream slit 52 and the widthwise edge of the busbar body 10, has a width equal to or greater than that of the upstream detection section 12a. In this embodiment, the inlet 25 has the same width as the upstream detection section 12a.

[0073] By having such a configuration, a smooth flow of current from the region of the busbar body 10 upstream of the detection channel 12 in the current flow direction to the detection channel 12 can be obtained.

[0074] Preferably, the outlet 27 of the detection channel 12, which is defined by the portion between the tip of the downstream slit 12c and the widthwise edge of the busbar body 10, has a width equal to or greater than that of the downstream detection section 12c. In this embodiment, the outlet 27 has the same width as the downstream detection section 12c.

[0075] By having such a configuration, a smooth flow of current from the detection channel 12 to the output end 23 can be obtained.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the base end of the upstream slit 52 is connected to the upstream end of the current diversion slit 30 in the current flow direction, and the base end of the downstream slit 54 is connected to the downstream end of the current diversion slit 30 in the current flow direction. With this configuration, the area required to form the current diversion slit 30 and the detection channel 12 can be miniaturized as much as possible.

[0077] As described above, in this embodiment, the current diversion slit 30 is aligned along the longitudinal direction of the busbar body 10 so that the width of the bypass flow path 15 is constant throughout the entire current flow direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

[0078] Figure 4 shows a schematic plan view of a busbar 1D according to a third modified example of this embodiment. In the busbar 1D according to the third modified example shown in Figure 4, the current diversion slit 30 is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the busbar body such that the width of the bypass flow path 15 decreases as it moves from the upstream side to the downstream side in the current flow direction.

[0079] Alternatively, the current diversion slit 30 can be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the busbar body such that the width of the bypass channel 15 increases as it moves from the upstream side to the downstream side in the current flow direction.

[0080] Embodiment 2 Hereinafter, other embodiments of the busbar according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Figure 5 shows a schematic plan view of the busbar 2A according to this embodiment. In the figure, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in Embodiment 1, and their descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0081] The busbar 2A according to this embodiment differs from the busbar 1A according to the first embodiment in that it is provided with a restricting slit 60 that narrows the width of the bypass flow path 15.

[0082] The current to be measured, input to the input end 21, is divided into the main flow path 11 and the bypass flow path 15 by the current diversion slit 30. However, the width of the main flow path 11 and the bypass flow path 15 are narrower than the width of the portion of the busbar body 10 upstream of the current diversion slit 30 in the direction of current flow. Therefore, there is a risk of localized heat generation in the main flow path 11 and the bypass flow path 15.

[0083] In this regard, by providing the regulating slit 60, a region 65 is created in the busbar body 10 where current is less likely to flow, thereby effectively preventing or reducing the temperature difference between the main flow path 11 and the bypass flow path 15.

[0084] As shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, the regulating slit 60 has an upstream regulating slit 62 that has a base end connected to the upstream side of the current flow direction of the current diversion slit 30 and extends from the base end in a direction that narrows the width of the bypass flow path 15 and terminates within the busbar body 10, and a downstream regulating slit 64 that has a base end connected to the downstream side of the current flow direction of the current diversion slit 30 and extends from the base end in a direction that narrows the width of the bypass flow path 15 and terminates within the busbar body 10.

[0085] In this case, the region enclosed by the upstream regulating slit 62, the downstream regulating slit 64, and the current diversion slit 30 becomes a region 65 where current is difficult to flow, and heat generation in this region is suppressed. The region enclosed by the upstream regulating slit 62, the downstream regulating slit 64, and the current diversion slit 30 is adjacent to the bypass channel 15, and therefore, the heat generated in the bypass channel 15 can be effectively dissipated to the region 65 where current is difficult to flow.

[0086] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the upstream regulating slit 62 is arranged on the same line as the upstream slit 52, and the downstream regulating slit 64 is arranged on the same line as the downstream slit 54.

[0087] With this configuration, the flow diversion slit 30, the upstream slit 52, the upstream regulating slit 62, the downstream slit 54, and the downstream regulating slit 64 can be formed using a punch of a simple shape.

[0088] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the upstream regulating slit 62 and the downstream regulating slit 64 have the same length.

[0089] In this embodiment, as described above, the regulating slit 60 has the upstream regulating slit 62 and the downstream regulating slit 64, but it is possible to omit either one of them.

[0090] Figure 6(a) shows a schematic plan view of a busbar 2B according to a first modified example of this embodiment, in which the regulating slit 60 has only the upstream regulating slit 62. In the first modified example shown in Figure 6(a), the region demarcated by the upstream regulating slit 62 and the current diversion slit 30 becomes a region 65 in which current is difficult to flow.

[0091] Furthermore, Figure 6(b) shows a schematic plan view of a busbar 2C according to a second modified example of this embodiment, in which the regulating slit 60 has only the downstream regulating slit 64. In the second modified example shown in Figure 6(b), the region demarcated by the downstream regulating slit 64 and the current diversion slit 30 becomes a region 65 in which current is difficult to flow.

[0092] Figure 7 shows a schematic plan view of the busbar 2D according to a third modified example of this embodiment. The busbar 2D according to the third modified example differs from the busbar 2A according to this embodiment in that the restricting slit 60 is changed to a restricting slit 70.

[0093] As shown in Figure 7, the restricting slit 70 has an upstream restricting slit 72 which has its base end located at a position separated from the upstream side of the busbar body 10 in the width direction, on the opposite side of the upstream slit 52 in the width direction, and extends from the base end in the opposite side of the busbar body 10 in the width direction, opening outward in the width direction of the busbar body 10, and a downstream restricting slit 74 which has its base end located at a position separated from the downstream side of the busbar body 10 in the width direction, on the opposite side of the downstream slit 54 in the width direction, and extends from the base end in the opposite side of the busbar body 10 in the width direction, opening outward in the width direction of the busbar body 10.

[0094] In the busbar 2D according to the third modified example, the region defined by the upstream restricting slit 72, the downstream restricting slit 74, and the widthwise edge of the busbar body 10 becomes a region 65 where current is difficult to flow.

[0095] The same effect as in this embodiment can be obtained with the aforementioned busbar 2D.

[0096] In the third modified example, as shown in Figure 7, the upstream regulating slit 72 and the downstream regulating slit 74 have the same length. In the third modified example, it is also possible to omit either the upstream regulating slit 72 or the downstream regulating slit 74.

[0097] Naturally, it is also possible to provide both the regulating slit 60 and the regulating slit 70. Figure 8 shows a schematic plan view of a busbar 2E according to a fourth modification of this embodiment, which is equipped with both the regulating slit 60 and the regulating slit 70.

[0098] 1A-2E Busbar 10 Busbar body 11 Main channel 12 Detection channel 12a Upstream detection section 12b Connection section 12c Downstream detection section 15 Bypass channel 21 Input force end 23 Output end 25 Inlet to detection channel 27 Outlet from detection channel 30 Diversion slit 50 Detection slit 52 Upstream slit 53 Intermediate slit 54 Downstream slit 60, 70 Regulating slits 62, 72 Upstream regulating slits 64, 74 Downstream regulating slits 110 Magnetic field sensor

Claims

1. A busbar body formed of a conductive plate material; an input end and an output end provided on the busbar body; a current diversion slit that divides the busbar body into a main flow path and a bypass flow path; and a detection slit that works in cooperation with the current diversion slit to define a detection flow path through which part or all of the current flowing in the main flow path flows, wherein the detection slit includes an upstream slit that extends from a base end communicating with the current diversion slit in a direction substantially perpendicular to the current diversion slit toward the opposite side of the bypass flow path and whose tip ends within the busbar body; a downstream slit that extends from a base end communicating with the current diversion slit in a direction parallel to the upstream slit toward the opposite side of the bypass flow path and whose tip ends within the busbar body; and an intermediate slit that extends from a base end provided between the upstream and downstream slits and spaced apart from the current diversion slit toward the opposite side of the bypass flow path and parallel to the upstream and downstream slits. The busbar is characterized in that the detection channel has an upstream detection section defined by the portion sandwiched between the upstream slit and the intermediate slit, a downstream detection section defined by the portion sandwiched between the intermediate slit and the downstream slit, and a connecting section defined by the portion between the base end of the intermediate slit and the diversion slit, which connects the upstream measurement section to the downstream measurement section.

2. The busbar according to claim 1, characterized in that the busbar body is provided with a restricting slit that narrows the width of the bypass flow path.

3. The busbar according to claim 2, characterized in that the restricting slit has a base end that communicates with the current flow direction upstream side of the current diversion slit, and has an upstream restricting slit that extends from the base end in a direction that narrows the width of the bypass flow path and terminates within the busbar body.

4. The busbar according to claim 3, characterized in that the restricting slit has a base end that communicates with the current flow direction downstream side of the current diversion slit, and has a downstream restricting slit that extends from the base end toward the side that narrows the width of the bypass flow path and terminates within the busbar body.

5. The bus bar according to claim 4, characterized in that the upstream regulating slit is arranged on the same line as the upstream slit, and the downstream regulating slit is arranged on the same line as the downstream slit.

6. The busbar according to claim 2, characterized in that the restricting slit has a base end located at a position spaced apart from the upstream side of the busbar body in the width direction, on the opposite side of the upstream slit, with respect to the width direction of the busbar body, and has an upstream restricting slit extending from the base end on the opposite side of the upstream slit, with respect to the width direction of the busbar body, and opening outward in the width direction of the busbar body.

7. The busbar according to claim 6, wherein the restricting slit has a base end located at a position spaced apart from the downstream side of the busbar body in the width direction, on the opposite side of the downstream slit, with respect to the width direction of the busbar body, and has a downstream restricting slit extending from the base end on the opposite side of the downstream slit with respect to the width direction of the busbar body and opening outward in the width direction of the busbar body.

8. The busbar according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the upstream detection section, the connection section, and the downstream detection section have the same width.

9. The bus bar according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the tip of the intermediate slit is spaced further away from the diversion slit than the tip of the upstream slit in the width direction of the bus bar body, and terminates within the bus bar body.

10. The busbar according to claim 9, characterized in that the tip of the intermediate slit is open outward in the width direction of the busbar body.

11. The bus bar according to claim 8, characterized in that the entrance to the detection channel, defined by the portion between the tip of the upstream slit and the widthwise edge of the bus bar body, has a width equal to or greater than that of the upstream detection section.

12. The bus bar according to claim 8, characterized in that the outlet of the detection channel, defined by the portion between the tip of the downstream slit and the widthwise edge of the bus bar body, has a width equal to or greater than the downstream detection section.

13. The busbar according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the current diversion slit is arranged such that the width of the bypass channel is constant over the entire current flow direction.

14. The busbar according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the current diversion slit is arranged such that the width of the bypass channel increases or decreases as the current flow direction progresses from the upstream side to the downstream side.

15. A busbar unit comprising a busbar according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and a differential magnetic field sensor, wherein the differential magnetic field sensor detects a differential magnetic field between a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through the upstream detection section and a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through the downstream detection section.

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