JP2025035338A - Busbar and Wiring Modules - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a bus bar capable of adjusting an interval of a connection part.SOLUTION: A bus bar 10 is a bus bar 10 constructed by connecting a first member 10A, and a second member 10B that is formed separately from the first member 10A, and the first member 10A and the second member 10B comprise a connection part 11, respectively. The two connection parts 11 are arranged to a frist direction D1, and the first member 10A comprises an extension part 13 that is formed so as to be extended from each connection part 11, and is arranged at a position deviated to the frist direction D1 to each connection part 11. The second member 10B includes an overlapping part 14 that is overlapped with at least one part of the extension part 13, and is arranged. The extension part 13 and the overlapping part 14 are electrically connected. In a state where the first member 10A and the second member 10B are not connected, a position of the frist direction D1 of the overlapping part 14 in the second member 10B is changed, and thereby, an interval SP1 of the two connection parts 11 in the frist direction D1 can be adjusted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

This disclosure relates to busbars and wiring modules.

A power storage module for an electric vehicle, hybrid vehicle, or the like has many stacked power storage elements that are electrically connected in series or parallel by a bus bar. A bus bar described in JP 2016-6724 A (Patent Document 1 below) is a conventional bus bar of this type. The bus bar is formed by processing a conductive metal plate. A pair of through holes for inserting the electrodes of the battery are formed in the bus bar. The bus bar and the electrodes are electrically connected by inserting the electrodes into the through holes and fastening nuts to the electrodes. The bus bar electrically connects a pair of adjacent batteries.

JP 2016-6724 A

In the above configuration, for example, if the battery specifications are changed, the spacing between a pair of adjacent electrodes may change. In such a case, it is necessary to fabricate a new busbar so that the portion of the busbar that is connected to a pair of electrodes is positioned at a position that corresponds to the spacing between the pair of adjacent electrodes.

The busbar disclosed herein is a busbar configured by connecting a first member and a second member formed separately from the first member, the first member and the second member each having a connection portion, the two connection portions being aligned in a first direction, the first member having an extension portion extending from the connection portion and disposed at a position offset in the first direction from the connection portion, the second member having an overlap portion disposed overlapping at least a portion of the extension portion, the extension portion and the overlap portion being electrically connected, and when the first member and the second member are not connected, the distance between the two connection portions in the first direction can be adjusted by changing the position of the overlap portion in the second member in the first direction.

The wiring module of the present disclosure is a wiring module that is attached to a plurality of energy storage elements each having an electrode terminal, and includes the bus bar described above, the connection portion of which is connected to the electrode terminal, a voltage detection line electrically connected to the bus bar, and a protector that holds the bus bar and the voltage detection line.

The present disclosure provides a busbar with adjustable connection spacing.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bus bar according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the bus bar according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a front view of the bus bar according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the bus bar according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating adjustment of the spacing between the connection portions while showing a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the power storage module according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the energy storage module according to the first embodiment, taken along the arrangement direction of the bus bars. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a bus bar according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the bus bar according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. FIG. 11 is a front view of the bus bar according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the bus bar according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a first member according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a plan view of the bus bar according to the second embodiment and is an explanatory diagram for explaining adjustment of the spacing between the connection portions. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a bus bar according to the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a plan view of a bus bar according to the third embodiment. FIG. 17 is a front view of the bus bar according to the third embodiment. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a first member according to the third embodiment. FIG. 19 is a plan view of a bus bar according to a third embodiment and is an explanatory diagram for explaining adjustment of the spacing between connection portions. FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a bus bar according to another embodiment.

[Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure]
First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.
[1] A busbar disclosed herein is a busbar configured by connecting a first member and a second member formed separately from the first member, wherein the first member and the second member each have a connection portion, the two connection portions are aligned in a first direction, the first member has an extension portion extending from the connection portion and disposed at a position offset in the first direction from the connection portion, the second member has an overlap portion disposed overlapping at least a portion of the extension portion, the extension portion and the overlap portion are electrically connected, and when the first member and the second member are not connected, the position of the overlap portion in the second member in the first direction can be changed to adjust the spacing between the two connection portions in the first direction.

With this configuration, the spacing between the busbar connection parts can be adjusted when connecting the first and second members.

[2] In the above [1], it is preferable that the first member further includes a connecting portion disposed between the connection portion and the extension portion and configured to be elastically deformable.

With this configuration, the connecting portion is elastically deformed, allowing the two connecting portions to be displaced relative to each other when the first member and the second member are connected.

[3] In the above [2], the second member further includes an extension portion extending from the connection portion and disposed at a position offset in the first direction from the connection portion, the first member has an overlapping portion disposed overlapping at least a portion of the extension portion of the second member, the extension portion of the second member and the overlapping portion of the first member are electrically connected, and when the first member and the second member are not connected, the position of the overlapping portion in the second member in the first direction can be changed and the position of the overlapping portion in the first member in the first direction can be changed to adjust the spacing between the two connection portions in the first direction, and the second member preferably further includes a linking portion disposed between the connection portion and the extension portion and configured to be elastically deformable.

With this configuration, both the first member and the second member have a connecting portion, and each of the connecting portions can be elastically deformed, allowing the two connecting portions of each of the first member and the second member to be displaced relative to each other when the first member and the second member are connected.

[4] It is preferable that the connection portion is plate-shaped, and that the connecting portion of the first member and the connecting portion of the second member have portions that overlap each other in the thickness direction of the connection portion.

With this configuration, the cross-sectional area of the conductive path between the two connection parts can be made larger than when the connection part of the first member and the connection part of the second member do not overlap in the thickness direction of the connection part. Therefore, when a large current flows through the connection part, heat generation in the connection part can be suppressed.

[5] In any one of [1] to [3] above, it is preferable that the first member and the second member each further include a side wall portion rising from the connection portion in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, the side wall portion of the first member is continuous with the extension portion in the first direction, and the side wall portion of the second member includes the overlapping portion.

With this configuration, an overlapping portion can be provided on the side wall portion, which improves the design freedom of the overlapping portion compared to, for example, providing the overlapping portion on the connection portion. For example, it becomes easier to increase the area of the overlapping portion.

[6] In any one of [1] to [5] above, it is preferable that the first member and the second member have the same shape.

This configuration makes it easier to reduce the manufacturing costs of the busbar compared to when the first and second members have different shapes.

[7] The wiring module of the present disclosure is a wiring module that is attached to a plurality of energy storage elements each having an electrode terminal, and includes a bus bar of any one of [1] to [6] above, the connection portion of which is connected to the electrode terminal, a voltage detection line electrically connected to the bus bar, and a protector that holds the bus bar and the voltage detection line.

[Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure]
The following describes embodiments of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, some of the configurations may be exaggerated or simplified. In addition, the dimensional ratios of each part may differ in each drawing. In this specification, "orthogonal" does not only mean strictly orthogonal, but also includes roughly orthogonal within the range in which the action and effect of this embodiment are achieved.

In addition, "facing" in this specification refers to surfaces or components facing each other, and includes not only cases where they are completely facing each other, but also cases where they are partially facing each other. In addition, "facing" in this specification includes both cases where there is a component separate from the two parts between the two parts, and cases where there is nothing between the two parts.

In each drawing, three mutually perpendicular directions are shown, and the three directions are respectively indicated as a first direction D1, a second direction D2, and a third direction D3. That is, the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are mutually perpendicular, the first direction D1 and the third direction D3 are mutually perpendicular, and the second direction D2 and the third direction D3 are mutually perpendicular. By drawing arrows on both sides of the solid line indicating each direction, not only the direction of the arrow on the side with the symbol, but also the direction of the arrow on the side without the symbol is deemed to indicate the corresponding direction.

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 7. In the following description, when multiple identical members are included, only some of the members may be labeled with reference numerals, and the reference numerals of the other members may be omitted.

(Bus bar 10)
As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the busbar 10 is configured by connecting a first member 10A and a second member 10B. The first member 10A and the second member 10B are each formed by processing a conductive metal plate material. The metal constituting the first member 10A and the second member 10B is, for example, copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or the like. The busbar 10 includes two connection parts 11 and two connection parts 12 connecting the two connection parts 11. Hereinafter, the configuration of the busbar 10 will be described with the arrangement direction of the two connection parts 11 (long side direction of the busbar 10) as a first direction D1, the width direction (short side direction) of the busbar 10 as a second direction D2, and the thickness direction of the connection parts 11 as a third direction D3. In this embodiment, the first member 10A and the second member 10B have the same shape, but for convenience, the connection part 11 arranged on the left side of the busbar 10 in the figure is provided on the first member 10A.

(First member 10A)
The first member 10A includes a connection portion 11, an extension portion 13 extending from the connection portion 11, and a linking portion 12 disposed between the connection portion 11 and the extension portion 13. The connection portion 11 is in the form of a thin plate in the third direction D3. As shown in FIG. 4, the connection portion 11 is, for example, rectangular when viewed from the third direction D3. The two connection portions 11 are arranged side by side at an interval in the first direction D1. A through hole 11A is formed in the center of the connection portion 11. The through hole 11A penetrates the connection portion 11 in the third direction D3. As will be described later, the connection portion 11 is connected to the electrode terminal 2A of the energy storage element 2 by, for example, welding or the like (see FIG. 6). The through hole 11A is used to confirm the position of the electrode terminal 2A disposed opposite the connection portion 11 in the third direction D3. Note that, unlike this embodiment, the connection portion may have an insertion hole through which, for example, a bolt-shaped electrode terminal is inserted. The connection portion and the electrode terminal may be electrically connected to each other by fastening a nut to the electrode terminal inserted into the insertion hole.

1 to 3, the extension portion 13 extends from the connecting portion 12 extending from the connecting portion 11, and is connected to the connecting portion 11 together with the connecting portion 12. The extension portion 13 is disposed at a position shifted in the first direction D1 with respect to the connecting portion 11. The extension portion 13 overlaps with the connecting portion 11 of the second member 10B in the third direction D3 and has a portion connected to the connecting portion 11 of the second member 10B. The extension portion 13 and the connecting portion 11 are electrically connected by being joined, for example, by welding or the like. The extension portion 13 has a thin plate shape in the third direction D3. As shown in FIG. 3, in the first member 10A, the extension portion 13 is located on one side (upper side in the figure) of the connecting portion 11 in the third direction D3. Then, when the extension portion 13 and the connecting portion 11 of the second member 10B are connected, the positions of the two connecting portions 11 of the busbar 10 in the third direction D3 are aligned.

The connecting portion 12 is, for example, plate-shaped and is bent relative to the connection portion 11 and the extension portion 13 so as to protrude in the third direction D3. The connecting portion 12 is formed in a mountain shape relative to the connection portion 11 and the extension portion 13. This allows the connecting portion 12 to be elastically deformable.

The elastic deformation of the connecting portion 12 allows the two connecting portions 11 to be displaced relative to one another to a certain extent. The connecting portion 12 can allow relative displacement in the arrangement direction (first direction D1) of the two connecting portions 11. The connecting portion 12 can also allow relative displacement in the thickness direction (third direction D3) of the two connecting portions 11.

(Second member 10B)
2 and 3, the second member 10B has an overlapping portion 14 that overlaps at least a portion of the extension portion 13 of the first member 10A in the third direction D3. In this embodiment, the overlapping portion 14 is included in the connection portion 11. The overlapping portion 14 is connected to at least a portion of the extension portion 13 by welding or the like.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in this embodiment, the second member 10B is configured similarly to the first member 10A, and includes a connection portion 11, an extension portion 13, and a coupling portion 12. Also, as shown in Figure 3, the connection portion 11 of the first member 10A has an overlapping portion 14 that overlaps and is electrically connected to at least a portion of the extension portion 13 of the second member 10B. More specifically, in this embodiment, the first member 10A and the second member 10B have the same shape. This may reduce the manufacturing cost of the busbar 10 compared to a case in which the busbar is configured with the first member and the second member having different shapes.

In the second member 10B, the extension portion 13 is disposed on the other side of the third direction D3 (the lower side in FIG. 3 ) from the connection portion 11. In addition, the connecting portion 12 of the second member 10B protrudes in the opposite direction (the lower side in FIG. 3 ) to the direction in which the connecting portion 12 of the first member 10A protrudes from the connection portion 11 and the extension portion 13 (the upper side in FIG. 3 ).

In this embodiment, the busbar 10 has two connecting portions 12, and each of the connecting portions 12 is elastically deformed, so that the two connection portions 11 can be allowed to displace relative to each other in each of the first member 10A and the second member 10B when the first member 10A and the second member 10B are connected. In addition, the busbar 10 has two portions where the extension portion 13 and the overlapping portion 14 are connected, and therefore the strength of the busbar 10 can be improved.

In addition, in this embodiment, the connecting portion 12 of the first member 10A and the connecting portion 12 of the second member 10B have portions that overlap with each other in the thickness direction of the connection portion 11 (third direction D3). Therefore, the cross-sectional area of the conductive path between the two connection portions 11 can be made larger than when the connecting portion 12 of the first member 10A and the connecting portion 12 of the second member 10B do not overlap in the thickness direction of the connection portion 11. Therefore, when a large current flows through the connecting portion 12, heat generation in the connecting portion 12 can be suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, a gap 15 is formed between the two connecting portions 12. The two connecting portions 12 are spaced apart from each other by the gap 15. The gap 15 is provided to open in the second direction D2. In other words, the gap 15 is not defined in the second direction D2. By providing the gap 15, the two connecting portions 12 do not interfere with each other and can elastically deform independently.

In this embodiment, before the first member 10A and the second member 10B are connected, the connection portion 11 and the extension portion 13 can be brought into surface contact with each other and can be slidably contacted. That is, the first member 10A can be moved in the first direction D1 relative to the second member 10B by a predetermined length. Thus, the position of the overlapping portion 14 in the connection portion 11 can be changed. That is, by changing the position of the extension portion 13 in the first direction D1 relative to the connection portion 11, the range of the overlapping portion 14 in the connection portion 11 can be changed in the first direction D1. For example, FIG. 5 shows cross sections of three different busbars 10. The positions of the overlapping portion 14 in the connection portion 11 are different between the three busbars 10, and as a result, the interval SP1 between the two connection portions 11 is different. Here, the interval SP1 between the two connection portions 11 is, for example, the distance between the centers of the connection portions 11 in the first direction D1, and the center of the connection portion 11 is, for example, the center of the through hole 11A. In this way, according to this embodiment, the spacing SP1 between the two connection portions 11 in the busbar 10 can be adjusted using the same first member 10A and second member 10B.

When determining the relative positioning of the first member 10A and the second member 10B in the busbar 10, it is not necessary to bring the connection portion 11 and the extension portion 13 into surface contact with each other and slide in the first direction D1. For example, the first member 10A and the second member 10B may be positioned offset by a predetermined length in the first direction D1 to determine the spacing SP1 between the two connection portions 11, and then the second member 10B may be positioned so as to overlap the first member 10A in the third direction D3, thereby determining the relative positioning of the first member 10A and the second member 10B.

(Wiring module 3)
As shown in Fig. 6, the bus bar 10 of this embodiment is included in an energy storage module 1 mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The energy storage module 1 includes a plurality of energy storage elements 2 each having an electrode terminal 2A, and a wiring module 3 attached to the plurality of energy storage elements 2. The wiring module 3 includes the bus bar 10, a flexible printed circuit board 20 (an example of a voltage detection line) electrically connected to the bus bar 10, and a protector 30 that holds the bus bar 10 and the flexible printed circuit board 20. For simplicity, the configuration of the energy storage module 1 (the energy storage elements 2 and the wiring module 3) will be described below with the lower side in Fig. 6 defined as the front, the upper side in Fig. 6 defined as the rear, the left-right direction in Fig. 6 defined as the left-right direction, and the up-down direction in Fig. 7 defined as the up-down direction.

The storage element 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The storage element 2 is thin in the left-right direction and long in the front-rear direction. Electrode terminals 2A are provided at the front and rear ends of the upper surface of the storage element 2. One of the two electrode terminals 2A of the storage element 2 is a positive electrode, and the other is a negative electrode. The storage element 2 is not particularly limited, and may be a secondary battery or a capacitor. The storage element 2 in this embodiment is a secondary battery. Multiple storage elements 2 are stacked in the left-right direction with spacers 4 between them.

The wiring module 3 is attached to the front and rear portions of the upper surfaces of the multiple storage elements 2. Figure 6 shows the wiring module 3 attached to the front portion of the upper surfaces of the multiple storage elements 2. The wiring module 3 attached to the rear portion of the upper surfaces of the multiple storage elements 2 is not shown, but is configured similarly to the wiring module 3 shown in Figure 6.

The protector 30 is made of insulating synthetic resin. The protector 30 includes a busbar accommodating section 31 in which the busbar 10 is accommodated, and a board accommodating section 32 in which the flexible printed circuit board 20 is accommodated. The busbar accommodating section 31 is frame-shaped and arranged side by side in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 7, a connection hole 31B is provided in the bottom wall of the busbar accommodating section 31. The connection section 11 of the busbar 10 and the electrode terminal 2A are connected through the connection hole 31B. As shown in FIG. 6, the board accommodating section 32 is in the form of a groove extending in the left-right direction. The board accommodating section 32 is disposed behind the busbar accommodating section 31. A cutout section 31A is formed in the wall section of the busbar accommodating section 31 that is disposed near the board accommodating section 32. A metal piece 40 that electrically connects the busbar 10 and the flexible printed circuit board 20 is disposed in the cutout section 31A. The metal piece 40 and the busbar 10 are connected by, for example, welding. The metal piece 40 and the flexible printed circuit board 20 are connected by, for example, soldering. The wiring module 3 may also include a cover (not shown) that covers the protector 30 that holds the bus bar 10 and the flexible printed circuit board 20.

The flexible printed circuit board 20 comprises a sheet-like member made of insulating synthetic resin and a number of conductive paths protected by the sheet-like member. One end of the conductive path is electrically connected to the bus bar 10 via a metal piece 40. The other end of the conductive path is connected to an external ECU (Electronic Control Unit) or the like via a connector (not shown). The ECU is equipped with a microcomputer, elements, etc., and has a well-known configuration with functions for detecting the voltage, current, temperature, etc. of each storage element 2, and controlling the charging and discharging of each storage element 2, etc.

Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the wiring module 3 (and the energy storage module 1). Note that in Figure 7, the flexible printed circuit board 20 and the metal piece 40 are omitted, and only the main parts of the protector 30 are shown. The wiring module 3 may be configured so that the connecting portion 12 of the second member 10B of the busbar 10 is disposed between the energy storage elements 2 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1. The protector 30 may have a storage recess 31C capable of accommodating the connecting portion 12. In the energy storage module 1, a spacer 4 may be provided between the two energy storage elements 2 in the first direction D1 while ensuring a space capable of arranging the storage recess 31C.

In the wiring module 3, the connection portion 11 of the busbar 10 is arranged to face the electrode terminal 2A, and the connection portion 11 and the electrode terminal 2A are connected by welding. The busbar 10 connects the electrode terminals 2A of adjacent energy storage elements 2. In other words, the spacing SP1 between the two connection portions 11 of the busbar 10 corresponds to the spacing between the electrode terminals 2A adjacent in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the spacing SP1 between the connection portions 11 of the busbar 10 is adjustable when connecting the first member 10A and the second member 10B, so that the wiring module can be applied to a plurality of energy storage elements 2 having various spacings between the electrode terminals 2A.

In the energy storage module 1, the connecting portion 12 forms a conductive path between the two connection portions 11. Therefore, when the vehicle is in use, a large current flows through the connecting portion 12. In this embodiment, the bus bar 10 has two connecting portions 12, and the two connecting portions 12 have portions that overlap each other in the third direction D3, making it easier to increase the cross-sectional area of the conductive path formed between the connection portions 11. This makes it easier to suppress heat generation in the connecting portion 12.

In this embodiment, a gap 15 is formed between the two connecting parts 12, so that heat generated at the two connecting parts 12 during use of the vehicle is transferred to the air disposed in the gap 15. As a result, the heat dissipation properties of the two connecting parts 12 can be further improved.

In the busbar 10 of this embodiment, the elastic deformation of the connecting portion 12 allows the connection portion 11 to be displaced in the arrangement direction. Therefore, according to the arrangement shown in Figures 6 and 7, the connecting portion 12 allows the connection portion 11 to be displaced in the left-right direction. Therefore, it is possible to absorb manufacturing tolerances and assembly tolerances in the left-right direction of the storage element 2. Furthermore, even if adjacent storage elements 2 are dynamically displaced in the left-right direction due to vehicle vibration, etc., the elastic deformation of the connecting portion 12 makes it difficult for the connection portion between the connection portion 11 and the electrode terminal 2A to be damaged. Similarly, the connecting portion 12 can allow the connection portion 11 to be displaced in the thickness direction of the connecting portion 11, so the arrangement shown in Figures 6 and 7 allows for tolerances and fluctuations in the up-down direction of the storage element 2.

(Effects of the First Embodiment)
(1-1) A busbar 10 according to a first embodiment is configured by connecting a first member 10A and a second member 10B formed separately from the first member 10A, the first member 10A and the second member 10B each having a connection portion 11, the two connection portions 11 being aligned in a first direction D1, the first member 10A having an extension portion 13 extending from the connection portion 11 and disposed at a position shifted in the first direction D1 relative to the connection portion 11, the second member 10B having an overlapping portion 14 disposed overlapping at least a portion of the extension portion 13, the extension portion 13 and the overlapping portion 14 being electrically connected, and when the first member 10A and the second member 10B are not connected to each other, the position of the overlapping portion 14 in the second member 10B in the first direction D1 can be changed to adjust a spacing SP1 between the two connection portions 11 in the first direction D1.

With this configuration, the spacing SP1 of the connection portion 11 of the busbar 10 can be adjusted when connecting the first member 10A and the second member 10B.

(1-2) In embodiment 1, the first member 10A further includes a connecting portion 12 that is disposed between the connection portion 11 and the extension portion 13 and is configured to be elastically deformable.

With this configuration, the connecting portion 12 is elastically deformed, allowing the two connecting portions 11 to be displaced relative to one another when the first member 10A and the second member 10B are connected.

(1-3) In embodiment 1, the second member 10B further includes an extension portion 13 extending from the connection portion 11 and arranged at a position offset in the first direction D1 from the connection portion 11, the first member 10A has an overlapping portion 14 arranged overlapping at least a part of the extension portion 13 of the second member 10B, the extension portion 13 of the second member 10B and the overlapping portion 14 of the first member 10A are electrically connected, and when the first member 10A and the second member 10B are not connected, the position of the overlapping portion 14 of the second member 10B in the first direction D1 is changed and the position of the overlapping portion 14 of the first member 10A in the first direction D1 is changed, thereby making it possible to adjust the spacing SP1 between the two connection portions 11 in the first direction D1, and the second member 10B further includes a connecting portion 12 arranged between the connection portion 11 and the extension portion 13 and configured to be elastically deformable.

With this configuration, both the first member 10A and the second member 10B have a connecting portion 12, and each of the connecting portions 12 can elastically deform, allowing the two connection portions 11 of each of the first member 10A and the second member 10B to be displaced relative to each other when the first member 10A and the second member 10B are connected.

(1-4) In embodiment 1, the connection portion 11 is plate-shaped, and the connecting portion 12 of the first member 10A and the connecting portion 12 of the second member 10B have portions that overlap each other in the thickness direction of the connection portion 11 (third direction D3).

With this configuration, the cross-sectional area of the conductive path between the two connection parts 11 can be increased compared to when the connection part 12 of the first member 10A and the connection part 12 of the second member 10B do not overlap in the thickness direction of the connection part 11. Therefore, when a large current flows through the connection part 12, heat generation in the connection part 12 can be suppressed.

(1-5) In embodiment 1, the first member 10A and the second member 10B have the same shape.

This configuration makes it easier to reduce the manufacturing costs of the busbar 10 compared to when the first member 10A and the second member 10B have different shapes.

(1-6) The wiring module 3 is attached to a plurality of energy storage elements 2 each having an electrode terminal 2A, and includes a bus bar 10 whose connection portion 11 is connected to the electrode terminal 2A, a voltage detection line (flexible printed circuit board 20) electrically connected to the bus bar 10, and a protector 30 that holds the bus bar 10 and the voltage detection line.

<Embodiment 2>
A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 8 to Fig. 14. Hereinafter, descriptions of the same members, functions, and effects as those of the first embodiment may be omitted.

As shown in Figs. 8 to 12, the bus bar 110 of this embodiment is configured by connecting a first member 110A and a second member 110B by welding or the like. The first member 110A and the second member 110B have the same shape.

As shown in FIG. 13, the first member 110A includes a connection portion 11, a first side wall portion 112A (an example of a side wall portion), a second side wall portion 112B (an example of a side wall portion), a first connecting portion 113A (an example of a connecting portion), a second connecting portion 113B (an example of a connecting portion), a first extension portion 114A (an example of an extension portion), and a second extension portion 114B (an example of an extension portion). The connection portion 11 is in the form of a thin plate in the third direction D3.

(First side wall portion 112A, second side wall portion 112B)
The first side wall portion 112A extends in the third direction D3 from a side edge on one side (upper side in the figure) of the connection portion 11 in the second direction D2. The second side wall portion 112B extends in the third direction D3 from a side edge on the other side (lower side in the figure) of the connection portion 11 in the second direction D2. The first connecting portion 113A and the first extending portion 114A are formed extending in the first direction D1 from the first side wall portion 112A. The first connecting portion 113A is disposed between the first extending portion 114A and the first side wall portion 112A. The second connecting portion 113B and the second extending portion 114B are formed extending in the first direction D1 from the second side wall portion 112B. The second connecting portion 113B is disposed between the second extending portion 114B and the second side wall portion 112B.

The first connecting portion 113A is bent relative to the first side wall portion 112A and the first extension portion 114A so as to protrude to the other side (the lower side in the figure) in the second direction D2. The second connecting portion 113B is bent relative to the second side wall portion 112B and the second extension portion 114B so as to protrude to one side (the upper side in the figure) in the second direction D2. As shown in FIG. 9, the first connecting portion 113A has a recess 115 on the surface opposite to the portion protruding from the first side wall portion 112A and the first extension portion 114A. The second connecting portion 113B is formed narrower in the first direction D1 than the first connecting portion 113A.

As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the first extension portion 114A is arranged overlapping the second side wall portion 112B in the second direction D2. The second extension portion 114B is arranged overlapping the first side wall portion 112A in the second direction D2. As shown in FIG. 10, the first side wall portion 112A includes an overlapping portion 116 that overlaps the second extension portion 114B and is electrically connected to the second extension portion 114B. The second side wall portion 112B includes an overlapping portion 116 that overlaps the first extension portion 114A and is electrically connected to the first extension portion 114A. As shown in FIG. 9, the recess 115 accommodates the protruding portion of the second connecting portion 113B.

In this embodiment, the first connecting portion 113A and the second connecting portion 113B can allow the two connecting portions 11 to be displaced relative to each other in the second direction D2. Also, the first connecting portion 113A and the second connecting portion 113B can allow the two connecting portions 11 to be displaced relative to each other in the first direction D1.

In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the overlapping portion 116 is formed in the first side wall portion 112A and the second side wall portion 112B, which are portions different from the connection portion 11. Therefore, compared to the first embodiment, the design freedom of the overlapping portion 116 can be improved. For example, when the overlapping portion 14 is provided in the connection portion 11 as in the first embodiment, it is necessary to provide the overlapping portion 14 in the connection portion 11 while ensuring the function of the connection portion 11 to connect the bus bar 10 and the electrode terminal 2A, so it may be difficult to increase the area of the overlapping portion 14. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the overlapping portion 116 is provided in a portion different from the connection portion 11, so it is easy to increase the area of the overlapping portion 116.

In this embodiment, the second connecting portion 113B is formed smaller than the internal space of the recess 115. An excess space extending in the first direction D1 is provided between the recess 115 and the second connecting portion 113B. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, in a state in which the first extension portion 114A and the second side wall portion 112B can slide and the second extension portion 114B and the first side wall portion 112A can slide, the first member 110A and the second member 110B can be shifted in the first direction D1 by a predetermined length until the second connecting portion 113B and the recess 115 (first connecting portion 113A) abut in the first direction D1. Therefore, the interval SP2 between the two connecting portions 11 of the bus bar 110 can be adjusted.

In addition, when the first member 110A and the second member 110B are connected, the busbar 110 of this embodiment can allow the two connection portions 11 to be displaced relative to one another in the second direction D2 by elastically deforming the first connecting portion 113A and the second connecting portion 113B.

(Effects of the Second Embodiment)
(2-1) In the busbar 110 of embodiment 2, the first member 110A and the second member 110B each further include side wall portions (first side wall portion 112A and second side wall portion 112B) rising from the connection portion 11 in a direction (third direction D3) perpendicular to the first direction D1, the side wall portion of the first member 110A is continuous with the extension portions (first extension portion 114A and second extension portion 114B) in the first direction D1, and the side wall portion of the second member 110B includes an overlap portion 116.

With this configuration, the overlapping portion 116 can be provided on the side wall portion, which improves the design freedom of the overlapping portion 116 compared to, for example, providing the overlapping portion on the connection portion. For example, it becomes easier to increase the area of the overlapping portion 116.

<Embodiment 3>
A third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 15 to Fig. 19. Hereinafter, descriptions of the same members, functions, and effects as those of the first embodiment may be omitted.

As shown in Figs. 15 to 17, the bus bar 210 of this embodiment is configured by connecting a first member 210A and a second member 210B by welding or the like. The first member 210A and the second member 210B have the same shape.

16 and 18, the first member 210A includes a connection portion 11, a coupling portion 212, and an extension portion 213. The width dimension (dimension in the second direction D2) of the coupling portion 212 and the extension portion 213 is set to be slightly smaller than half the width dimension of the connection portion 11, and one edge of the coupling portion 212 and the extension portion 213 in the second direction D2 is aligned with one edge of the connection portion 11 in the second direction D2. As shown in FIG. 17, the extension portion 213 overlaps with an overlap portion 214 provided on the connection portion 11 and is electrically connected. As shown in FIG. 16, the two coupling portions 212 of the busbar 210 are arranged side by side in the second direction D2.

In the first embodiment, the width dimension of the linking portion 12 and the width dimension of the connecting portion 11 are the same, but in this embodiment, the width dimension of the linking portion 212 is smaller than the width dimension of the connecting portion 11, and the two linking portions 212 are arranged side by side in the width direction (second direction D2). As a result, in this embodiment, relative displacement of the two connecting portions 11 in the second direction D2 is more easily tolerated than in the first embodiment.

According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, the spacing SP3 between the two connection portions 11 of the busbar 210 can be adjusted by changing the relative positions of the first member 210A and the second member 210B in the first direction D1.

Other Embodiments
The above-described first to third embodiments can be modified as follows: The above-described first to third embodiments and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

- In the above embodiments 1 to 3, the first members 10A, 110A, 210A and the second members 10B, 110B, 210B have the same shape, but the first members and the second members may have different shapes. For example, the busbars disclosed herein include the busbar 310 shown in FIG. 20. The busbar 310 is composed of the first member 10A of embodiment 1 and a flat second member 310B. The second member 310B has a connection portion 11, and does not have the linking portion 12 and the extension portion 13 included in the second member 10B of embodiment 1.

- In the above-mentioned first and third embodiments, the connecting portion 12, 212 is provided, and in the above-mentioned second embodiment, the first connecting portion 113A and the second connecting portion 113B are provided, but the connecting portion may be omitted.

- In the above embodiments 1 to 3, the busbars 10, 110, and 210 have through holes 11A, but the through holes may be omitted.

- In the above embodiment 1, a flexible printed circuit board 20 is used as an example of the voltage detection line, but the voltage detection line may be an electric wire, a flexible flat cable, etc.

- In the above embodiment 1, the bus bar 10 and the flexible printed circuit board 20 are indirectly connected via the metal piece 40, but the bus bar and the flexible printed circuit board may be directly connected.

In the above embodiment 1, the first side wall portion 112A and the second side wall portion 112B are illustrated as an example of a side wall portion, but the first member and the second member may each have only one side wall portion.

1: Energy storage module 2: Energy storage element 2A: Electrode terminal 3: Wiring module 4: Spacer 10: Bus bar 10A: First member 10B: Second member 11: Connection portion 11A: Through hole 12: Linking portion 13: Extension portion 14: Overlap portion 15: Gap 20: Flexible printed circuit board (an example of a voltage detection line)
30: Protector 31: Busbar accommodating section 31A: Cutout section 31B: Connection hole 31C: Accommodating recess 32: Substrate accommodating section 40: Metal piece 110: Busbar 110A: First member 110B: Second member 112A: First sidewall section (an example of a sidewall section)
112B: Second side wall portion (an example of a side wall portion)
113A: First connecting portion (an example of a connecting portion)
113B: Second connecting portion (an example of a connecting portion)
114A: First extension portion (an example of an extension portion)
114B: Second extension portion (an example of an extension portion)
115: Recess 116: Overlapped portion 210: Bus bar 210A: First member 210B: Second member 212: Linking portion 213: Extension portion 214: Overlapped portion 310: Bus bar 310B: Second member D1: First direction D2: Second direction D3: Third direction SP1: Spacing of connecting portions 11 in embodiment 1 SP2: Spacing of connecting portions 11 in embodiment 2 SP3: Spacing of connecting portions 11 in embodiment 3

Claims (7)

A bus bar configured by connecting a first member and a second member formed separately from the first member,
The first member and the second member each include a connection portion,
The two connection portions are aligned in a first direction,
the first member includes an extension portion that is formed extending from the connection portion and is disposed at a position shifted in the first direction with respect to the connection portion,
The second member has an overlapping portion disposed so as to overlap at least a portion of the extension portion,
the extension portion and the overlapping portion are electrically connected to each other,
a busbar in which, when the first member and the second member are not connected, a distance between the two connection portions in the first direction can be adjusted by changing a position of the overlapping portion of the second member in the first direction. The busbar according to claim 1, wherein the first member further comprises a connecting portion disposed between the connection portion and the extension portion and configured to be elastically deformable. The second member further includes an extension portion that is formed extending from the connection portion and is disposed at a position shifted in the first direction with respect to the connection portion,
The first member has an overlapping portion disposed so as to overlap at least a part of the extension portion of the second member,
the extension portion of the second member and the overlapping portion of the first member are electrically connected to each other,
when the first member and the second member are not connected to each other, a position of the overlapping portion of the second member in the first direction is changed and a position of the overlapping portion of the first member in the first direction is changed, thereby making it possible to adjust a distance between the two connection portions in the first direction;
The bus bar according to claim 2 , wherein the second member further includes a coupling portion disposed between the connection portion and the extension portion and configured to be elastically deformable. The connection portion is plate-shaped,
The bus bar according to claim 3 , wherein the coupling portion of the first member and the coupling portion of the second member have portions that overlap each other in a thickness direction of the connection portion. The first member and the second member each further include a side wall portion rising from the connection portion in a direction perpendicular to the first direction,
The side wall portion of the first member is continuous with the extension portion in the first direction,
The busbar according to claim 1 , wherein the side wall portion of the second member includes the overlapping portion. The busbar according to claim 1, wherein the first member and the second member have the same shape. A wiring module attached to a plurality of energy storage elements each having an electrode terminal,
The bus bar according to claim 1 , wherein the connection portion is connected to the electrode terminal;
A voltage detection line electrically connected to the bus bar;
a protector that holds the bus bar and the voltage detection line.

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