JP2018037204A - Battery pack - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery pack which can achieve space saving while ensuring insulation between relay terminals.SOLUTION: A battery pack 1 includes a battery module 20, a connector 70, a relay section 60, and an enclosure 10. The relay section 60 includes multiple relay terminals 62, and a support 61 for supporting the relay terminals 62. The connector 70 includes multiple connection members 74, 75, 76 to be connected removably with the relay terminals 62, where the multiple relay terminals 62 include a first relay terminal arranged in the support 61 so as to be positioned on a first plane PL1 crossing the attachment/detachment direction which is the direction for attaching/detaching the connector 70, and a second relay terminal arranged in the support 61 so as to be positioned on a second plane PL2 parallel with the first plane PL1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery pack.

  Conventionally, as a technique for relaying electrical connection, an electrical connection structure for connecting a power supply side terminal to a motor side terminal is known (for example, Patent Document 1). The motor side terminal is electrically connected to the power supply side terminal via a relay terminal. The motor side terminal is connected to the motor side contact portion of the relay terminal via the bus bar.

JP 2007-234561 A

  Battery module, connector for connecting the battery module to an external device, relay part for relaying the electrical connection between the battery module and the connector, the battery module and the relay part are accommodated, and the connector is detachably fixed. In the battery pack including the casing, the space for arranging the relay terminal of the relay unit may not be enough in the casing. Therefore, it is desirable to arrange the relay terminals efficiently while suppressing a short circuit between the relay terminals.

  An object of this invention is to provide the battery pack which can aim at space saving, ensuring the insulation between relay terminals.

  The battery pack of the present invention accommodates a battery module, a connector for connecting the battery module to an external device, a relay part for relaying electrical connection between the battery module and the connector, the battery module and the relay part. The connector is detachably fixed, and the relay unit includes a plurality of relay terminals that are electrically connected to the battery module or an external load, and a support that supports the relay terminals. The connector includes a plurality of connecting members that are detachably connected to the relay terminal, and the plurality of relay terminals are arranged on the support body so as to be positioned on a first plane that intersects the attaching / detaching direction that is a direction in which the connector is attached / detached. The 1st relay terminal arrange | positioned and the 2nd relay terminal arrange | positioned in a support body so that it may be located on the 2nd plane parallel to a 1st plane are included.

  In this battery pack, the first relay terminal located on the first plane and the second relay terminal located on the second plane parallel to the first plane are the first plane and the second plane along the attaching / detaching direction. Are spaced apart from each other. Thereby, compared with the case where all the relay terminals are arrange | positioned on a 1st plane or a 2nd plane, it becomes easy to reduce the dimension required for arrangement | positioning in the direction which cross | intersects an attachment / detachment direction, ensuring the distance between relay terminals. . As a result, it is possible to save space while ensuring insulation between the relay terminals.

  In the battery pack of the present invention, the housing includes a through hole that communicates the relay region in which the relay unit is located in the internal space of the housing and the external region of the housing, and the first relay terminal and the second relay terminal are: In the support body, the first relay terminal is disposed on a third plane intersecting the opening direction of the through hole, the first relay terminal is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the battery module, and the battery A first negative electrode terminal electrically connected to the negative electrode of the module, the second relay terminal includes a second positive electrode terminal electrically connected to the positive electrode of the external load, and the first negative electrode terminal You may arrange | position on the opposite side of a 1st positive electrode terminal on both sides of 2 positive electrode terminals. In this case, for example, even when a metal tool or the like is inserted into the relay region through the through hole, the second plane is positioned on the third plane intersecting the insertion direction (that is, the opening direction). Since the 1 relay terminal and the 2nd relay terminal are arrange | positioned, the distance between the relay terminals in the direction which cross | intersects an opening direction becomes comparatively large. In addition, since the first negative electrode terminal is disposed on the opposite side of the first positive electrode terminal across the second positive electrode terminal, the first positive electrode terminal electrically connected to the positive electrode of the battery module, the negative electrode of the battery module, The first negative electrode terminal that is electrically connected can be sufficiently separated. Therefore, it is possible to improve the insulation between the first positive terminal and the first negative terminal.

  In the battery pack of the present invention, the plurality of relay terminals are a conductive member electrically connected to the second positive electrode terminal, and a third relay terminal electrically connected to the second positive electrode terminal via the conductive member. The third positive electrode terminal may include a third positive electrode terminal, and the third positive electrode terminal may be disposed on the support so as to overlap with the connection member connected to the first positive electrode terminal as viewed in the opening direction. In this case, since the connection member can be connected to the third positive electrode terminal at a height different from that of the second positive electrode terminal, it is possible to easily use a connector having a different arrangement of the connection member. In addition, since the first positive terminal having a smaller potential difference with the third positive terminal than the first negative terminal is close to the third positive terminal, for example, a metal tool or the like is inserted into the relay region through the through hole. Even when working, a short circuit of the third positive terminal can be suppressed.

  In the battery pack of the present invention, the support may include an insulating rib that is erected between the first negative electrode terminal and the second positive electrode terminal. In this case, the insulation between the first negative electrode terminal and the second positive electrode terminal can be enhanced by the insulating rib.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the battery pack which can aim at space saving can be provided, ensuring the insulation between relay terminals.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a schematic configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the battery pack of FIG. 1 with the lid member removed as viewed from the front. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the configuration of the battery module of FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a component placement region of the battery pack of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a relay portion of the battery pack of FIG. FIG. 7 is a side view of the relay portion of the battery pack of FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the connector as viewed from the back side. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a connection mode of the connector. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the connector fixed to the housing. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a connection mode of another connector. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 11 fixed to the housing.

  Hereinafter, a battery pack 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. The dimensional ratios in the drawings do not necessarily match those described. 2 and 5, the connector 70 is shown as a representative of the connectors 70 and 80.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a schematic configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the battery pack of FIG. 1 with the lid member removed as viewed from the front. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery pack 1 includes a housing 10, a plurality (seven in this embodiment) of battery modules 20, a relay unit 60, and a connector 70 or a connector 80. . The battery pack 1 is mounted on a target device such as an automobile or a forklift, and supplies power to an external load such as a motor in the target device.

  The housing 10 is made of, for example, metal, and includes a box-shaped member 11 and a lid member 15 connected to the box-shaped member 11. The box-shaped member 11 is a box having an opening 11a. The box-shaped member 11 includes a square plate-like bottom plate 11b, a top plate 11c provided to face the bottom plate 11b, an L-shaped right side plate 11d erected from the periphery of the bottom plate 11b, and a rectangular left side plate 11e. And the rear side plate 11f. In FIG. 1, the rear side of the lid member 15 is illustrated as being seen through.

  When mounted on a target device such as a vehicle, the housing 10 is disposed such that the bottom plate 11b is positioned vertically downward and the top plate 11c is positioned vertically upward. In the following description, in the housing 10, the direction in which the bottom plate 11 b is provided is “down”, the direction in which the top plate 11 c is provided is “up”, and the direction in which the lid member 15 of the housing 10 is provided is “front”. The direction in which the rear side plate 11f is provided is “rear”, the direction in which the right side plate 11d is provided is “right”, and the direction in which the left side plate 11e is provided is “left”. These directions are for convenience of explanation, and do not limit the present invention.

  A connector arrangement region 14 a is formed on the right side surface of the housing 10, that is, on the right side surface of the box-shaped member 11. Specifically, the connector placement region 14a is offset downward from the first side surface 11g offset from the right side plate 11d in the left direction, the second side surface 11i offset from the rear side plate 11f in the forward direction, and the top plate 11c. The third side surface 11h that is inclined downward in the right direction is formed so that the rear side of the housing 10 is recessed. A through hole 12c into which the connector 70 or the connector 80 can be inserted is formed in the first side surface 11g.

  The top plate 11c protrudes upward at the central portion in the left-right direction and forms a component placement region 14b. Two working holes 12a and 12b are formed above the component placement region 14b in the top plate 11c.

  The housing | casing 10 is provided with the division part 17 which divides the internal space (refer FIG. 5). The partition unit 17 includes a first partition plate 17a and a second partition plate 17b. The first partition plate 17a includes a vertical portion 18a that extends in the vertical direction when viewed from the front direction, a terminal arrangement portion 18b that extends in the horizontal direction and in which a support body 61 (described later) of the relay portion 60 is disposed, and a terminal And a connecting portion 18c extending so as to connect the arranging portion 18b and the first side surface 11g. The second partition plate 17b forms a surface orthogonal to the front-rear direction with respect to the space surrounded by the vertical portion 18a, the terminal arrangement portion 18b, the connection portion 18c, the top plate 11c, and the first side surface 11g ( (See FIG. 2).

  Returning to FIG. 2, the partition unit 17 includes an internal space of the housing 10, an area A1 that houses the battery module 20 and includes the component placement area 14 b, and a relay area in which the relay unit 60 is located in the internal space of the housing 10. Compartment into A2. The relay area A2 is adjacent to the connector arrangement area 14a, and communicates with the external area of the housing 10 through the through hole 12c in a state where the connector 70 or the connector 80 is removed from the housing 10.

  A work hole (through hole) 13b is formed on the top plate 11c on the right side of the component placement region 14b. The work hole 13 b allows the relay area A <b> 2 where the relay unit 60 is located in the internal space of the housing 10 to communicate with the external area of the housing 10. The working hole 13b is formed above the terminal arrangement portion 18b where a support body 61 (described later) of the relay portion 60 is arranged. The size of the opening of the work hole 13b is formed to such an extent that an operator can insert and remove the connector 70 or the connector 80 from the relay unit 60. The work hole 13b is provided with a lid 13a that covers the opening. Hereinafter, the direction in which the connector 70 or the connector 80 is attached to or detached from the housing 10 is simply referred to as “attachment / detachment direction A”.

  The housing 10 accommodates, for example, seven battery modules 20. Three battery modules 20 out of the seven battery modules 20 are fixed to the box-shaped member 11 of the housing 10. The remaining four battery modules 20 are fixed to the lid member 15 of the housing 10.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the configuration of the battery module of FIG. The battery module 20 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the battery module 20 includes a main body 21, a first bracket 31, a second bracket 32, and an elastic member 24.

  The main body 21 includes a plurality of battery cells 22 arranged in one direction (hereinafter also referred to as “array direction D”). In the present embodiment, the main body 21 includes 13 battery cells 22. The battery cell 22 is a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride storage battery. Each of the plurality of battery cells 22 is held by a cell holder 23 which is U-shaped when viewed from the arrangement direction D and is open on the upper side. The main body 21 includes a cover 29 held by the plurality of cell holders 23 so as to close the upper openings of the plurality of cell holders 23. On the cover 29, a control unit E that performs various controls relating to the battery module 20 is placed.

  The first bracket 31 and the second bracket 32 are made of a highly rigid material, for example, a metal such as iron. Each of the first bracket 31 and the second bracket 32 has a grip portion 33 and an attachment portion 37. The holding part 33 is a substantially rectangular flat plate. A plurality of bolts (not shown) extending along the arrangement direction D are inserted through the grip portion 33. Each of the plurality of bolts is screwed and fixed to the nut 35 on the gripping portion 33 side of the second bracket 32. The attachment portion 37 is a flat plate erected on one side of the rectangular gripping portion 33. The attachment portion 37 is attached to the box-shaped member 11 or the lid member 15 with a bolt (not shown). Thereby, the first bracket 31 and the second bracket 32 are fixed to the box-shaped member 11 or the lid member 15.

  The elastic member 24 is provided between the main body 21 and the first bracket 31. The elastic member 24 has a plate shape, for example, and is provided such that the thickness direction thereof is the same as the arrangement direction D. The elastic member 24 is made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber and resin sponge. A fixing plate 25 is provided between the elastic member 24 and the main body 21.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the junction box 51, the wires L <b> 1 to L <b> 3 (see FIG. 4), the relay R, and the relay unit 60 are electrically connected between the battery module 20 and the connector 70 or the connector 80. Has been.

  The junction box 51 is arranged in the component arrangement area 14 b of the housing 10. Junction box 51 includes a battery control ECU (Electronic Control Unit) (not shown). The battery control ECU performs monitoring and control of the battery module 20. For example, the battery control ECU communicates with the control unit E mounted on each battery module 20 to acquire information on the state (for example, the charging state) of each battery module 20, and the operation of each battery module 20 ( For example, charge / discharge etc. are controlled.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view of a component placement region of the battery pack of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, in the junction box 51, the wiring L <b> 1 is connected to the positive terminal of each battery module 20 via a plurality of harnesses H, and the wiring L <b> 2 is connected to the negative terminal. ing. More specifically, the wiring L1 includes bus bars L11, L12, L13, L14 and a bus bar L15.

  The bus bar L11 is connected to each positive terminal of the four battery modules 20 arranged on the front side via a harness H. The bus bar L12 is connected to each positive terminal of the three battery modules 20 disposed on the rear side via a harness H. The bus bar L13 connects the bus bar L11 and the bus bar L12. The bus bar L14 connects the bus bar L13 and the bus bar L15 via the fuse 52. The bus bar L15 is electrically connected to a first harness 74c (described later) of the connector 70.

  The fuse 52 is arranged in the component arrangement region 14b. The fuse 52 is, for example, a power fuse that melts the internal wiring when an excessive current flows through the wiring L1.

  The wiring L2 includes bus bars L21, L22, L23, L24, L25 and a bus bar L26. The bus bar L21 is connected to each negative terminal of the four battery modules 20 disposed on the front side via a harness H. The bus bar L22 is connected to each negative terminal of the three battery modules 20 disposed on the rear side via a harness H. The bus bar L23 connects the bus bar L21 and the bus bar L22. The bus bar L24 electrically connects the bus bar L22 and one terminal of the relay R. The bus bar L25 electrically connects the other terminal of the relay R and a second harness 75c (described later) of the connector 70. The bus bar L26 branches from the bus bar L24 and is connected to the output terminal 65a.

  The wiring L3 electrically connects a third harness 76c (described later) of the connector 70 and the output terminal 65b.

  The relay R can be switched between an on state (conduction state) in which each battery module 20 and the connector 70 are electrically connected, and an off state (interruption state) in which each battery module 20 and the connector 70 are electrically disconnected. . The relay R is, for example, a mechanical relay, and performs switching operation between an on state and an off state by a control signal from the battery control ECU.

  6 is a perspective view of a relay portion of the battery pack of FIG. FIG. 7 is a side view of the relay portion of the battery pack of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the relay unit 60 includes a support 61, a first negative terminal 62a, a first positive terminal 62b, a second positive terminal 62c, a third positive terminal 62d, and a bus bar. (Conductive member) 66. The relay unit 60 relays the electrical connection between the battery module 20 and the connector 70 or the connector 80. In the following description, the first negative terminal 62a, the first positive terminal 62b, the second positive terminal 62c, and the third positive terminal 62d are also referred to as relay terminals 62a to 62d.

  The relay terminals 62a to 62d are electrically connected to the battery module 20 or an external load. More specifically, the first negative electrode terminal 62a is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the battery module. The first positive terminal 62b is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the battery module. The second positive terminal 62c is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the external load. The third positive terminal (third relay terminal) 62d is electrically connected to the second positive terminal 62c through the bus bar 66. The bus bar 66 connects the one end 66a electrically connected to the third positive terminal 62d, the other end 66b electrically connected to the second positive terminal 62c, and the one end 66a and the other end 66b. Intermediate portion 66c. The bus bar 66 is made of a metal plate bent so as to form, for example, a crank shape.

  The support body 61 is a member for supporting the relay terminals 62a to 62d. The support body 61 supports the relay terminals 62a to 62d while insulating the relay terminals 62a to 62d from each other. As an example, the support 61 is fitted and fixed in a through hole provided in the terminal arrangement portion 18 b of the partition portion 17. The support 61 is molded from, for example, a resin from the viewpoint of insulation of the relay terminals 62 a to 62 d and ease of molding of the support 61.

  The support 61 is constituted by a flat surface portion 61a extending along the third plane PL3 intersecting the opening direction B of the work hole 13b, and a pair of flat plates 63a extending toward the work hole 13b in the direction orthogonal to the flat surface portion 61a. A standing portion 63. Here, the third plane PL3 is a virtual plane substantially orthogonal to the opening direction B. In the standing portion 63, the pair of flat plates 63a is erected from the flat portion 61a so as to sandwich a connecting member 74 (described later) connected to the first positive electrode terminal 62b. A third positive electrode terminal 62d is provided at the upper end of the pair of flat plates 63a. Specifically, the third positive electrode terminal 62d is arranged by the standing portion 63 so as to overlap with the connection member 74 connected to the first positive electrode terminal 62b in the opening direction B. Therefore, the first positive electrode terminal 62b having a smaller potential difference from the third positive electrode terminal 62d than the first negative electrode terminal 62a comes close to the third positive electrode terminal 62d.

  In the support body 61, the first negative electrode terminal is positioned on the first plane PL1 (see FIG. 9) intersecting the attaching / detaching direction A (see FIG. 9), which is the direction in which the connector 70 is attached / detached, in the plane portion 61a. 62a and a first positive terminal 62b are disposed. In other words, the first negative terminal 62a and the first positive terminal 62b are first relay terminals located on the first plane PL1. In the support body 61, the second positive electrode terminal 62c and the third positive electrode terminal 62d are disposed so as to be positioned on the second plane PL2 (see FIG. 9) parallel to the first plane PL1 in the plane portion 61a. That is, the second positive terminal 62c is a second relay terminal located on the second plane PL2. The third positive terminal 62d is a third relay terminal located on the second plane PL2. Here, the first plane PL1 and the second plane PL2 are virtual planes substantially orthogonal to the attaching / detaching direction A.

  The separation distance between the first plane PL1 and the second plane PL2 is that the first negative terminal 62a and the second positive terminal when the second positive terminal 62c is disposed between the first negative terminal 62a and the first positive terminal 62b. It is larger than the distance from the terminal 62c. By disposing the first negative electrode terminal 62a on the first plane PL1 and the second positive electrode terminal 62c on the second plane PL2, for example, without increasing the longitudinal dimension of the relay part 60, the first negative electrode A separation distance between the terminal 62a and the second positive terminal 62c is secured.

  In the support 61, the first negative terminal 62a, the first positive terminal 62b, and the second positive terminal 62c (that is, the first relay terminal and the second relay terminal) are positioned on the third plane PL3 in the support 61. Are arranged to be. Therefore, the separation distance between the first negative electrode terminal 62a and the first positive electrode terminal 62b and the separation distance between the first negative electrode terminal 62a and the second positive electrode terminal 62c are, for example, along the front-rear direction, the first negative electrode terminal 62a and the first negative electrode terminal 62c. Compared with the case where the first positive electrode terminal 62b and the second positive electrode terminal 62c are arranged, the opening direction B is larger. In particular, in the support 61, the first negative electrode terminal 62a is disposed on the opposite side of the first positive electrode terminal 62b with the second positive electrode terminal 62c interposed therebetween. With such an arrangement, the first positive electrode terminal 62b electrically connected to the positive electrode of the battery module 20 and the first negative electrode terminal 62a electrically connected to the negative electrode of the battery module 20 are sufficiently separated from each other for insulation. Is done.

  The support body 61 includes an insulating rib 64 erected between the first negative terminal 62a and the second positive terminal 62c. The insulating rib 64 extends over the entire support 61 in the attaching / detaching direction A (see FIG. 9). The insulating rib 64 includes a first portion 64a interposed between the first negative electrode terminal 62a and the first positive electrode terminal 62b, and a second portion interposed between the first negative electrode terminal 62a and the second positive electrode terminal 62c. 64b, and a third portion 64c interposed between a second positive terminal 62c and a connecting member 75 (described later).

  The insulating rib 64 extends at a predetermined height in the opening direction B. The predetermined height is a maximum height in a section from the position of the first negative terminal 62a to the position of the second positive terminal 62c in the attaching / detaching direction A. The maximum height is, for example, the upper end position at which the upper end of the insulating rib 64 and the virtual straight line in contact with the first negative electrode terminal 62a do not contact any of the second positive electrode terminal 62c, the bus bar 66, and the third positive electrode terminal 62d. Is the height of the insulating rib 64. Alternatively, the maximum height is such that an imaginary straight line in contact with the upper end of the insulating rib 64 and the first negative terminal 62a is separated from the second positive terminal 62c, the bus bar 66, and the third positive terminal 62d by at least a fixed insulating distance. This is the height of the insulating rib 64, which is the upper end position. Such an insulating rib 64 ensures insulation between the first negative electrode terminal 62a and the second positive electrode terminal 62c, ensures insulation between the first negative electrode terminal 62a and the bus bar 66, and the first negative electrode terminal 62a. And ensuring insulation between the third positive electrode terminal 62d and the third positive electrode terminal 62d.

  The connectors 70 and 80 for connecting the battery module 20 to an external device (charger or external load) will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the connector 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 8, the connector 70 includes a main body 71 and a plurality of connecting members 74, 75, 76.

  The main body portion 71 is a resin member in which a main portion 73 that supports the connection members 74, 75, and 76 and a base portion 72 that is attached to the housing 10 are fastened by bolts (not shown). A surface of the main portion 73 farthest from the base portion 72 is a front surface 71a of the main body portion 71, and a surface of the base portion 72 farthest from the front surface 71a is a back surface 71b of the main body portion 71. In this case, the main body 71 has through holes 74 h to 76 h extending from the front surface 71 a to the back surface 71 b so as to penetrate the main portion 73 and the base portion 72. The through holes 74h to 76h are separated from each other and are provided in the vicinity of different corners of the surface 71a. The connecting member 74 is inserted into the through hole 74h, the connecting member 75 is inserted into the through hole 75h, and the connecting member 76 is inserted into the through hole 76h.

  The main portion 73 is a portion located outside the housing 10 when the connector 70 is fixed to the housing 10, and protrudes from the base portion 72 on the side opposite to the back surface 71 b. The main part 73 is configured to be able to fit with a charging connector and a jumper connector of the charger.

  The base portion 72 has a rectangular shape when viewed in the attaching / detaching direction A, and each corner portion thereof is located outside the main portion 73 when viewed in the attaching / detaching direction A. Each corner of the base portion 72 is provided with a through hole 72h that penetrates along the attaching / detaching direction A. The base portion 72 is attached to an adapter 90 described later.

  The connection member 74 includes a positive electrode terminal 74a, a crimp terminal 74b, a first harness 74c, and a tube 74d. The positive terminal 74a is a cylindrical female terminal inserted into the through hole 74h. The outer peripheral surface of the positive electrode terminal 74a is in contact with the surface defining the through hole 74h. From the viewpoint of the positive electrode terminal 74a having high conductivity and heat conductivity, the positive electrode terminal 74a is made of, for example, copper. A part of the positive terminal 74 a protrudes from the back surface 71 b of the main body 71.

  The first harness 74c extends along the attaching / detaching direction A from the back surface 71b side. One end of the first harness 74c is inserted into the end of the positive electrode terminal 74a on the back surface 71b side. The positive terminal 74a is caulked at the end where the first harness 74c is inserted. For example, copper wiring is used as the first harness 74c. In order to prevent a short circuit between the first harness 74c and the other connecting members 75, 76, etc., at least a part of the first harness 74c is covered with an insulating tube 74d. The crimp terminal 74b is a terminal that is crimped to the other end of the first harness 74c exposed from the tube 74d. The crimp terminal 74b is attached to the 1st positive electrode terminal 62b of the relay part 60 (refer FIG. 9).

  The connection member 75 has the same configuration as the connection member 74. The connection member 75 includes a negative electrode terminal 75a, a crimp terminal 75b, a second harness 75c, and a tube 75d. The negative electrode terminal 75a is a cylindrical female terminal inserted into the through hole 75h. In order to prevent a short circuit between the second harness 75c and the other connecting members 74, 76, etc., at least a part of the second harness 75c is covered with an insulating tube 75d. The crimp terminal 75 b is attached to the first negative terminal 62 a of the relay unit 60.

  The connection member 76 is provided in the main body 71 in the same manner as the connection members 74 and 75. The connection member 76 includes a positive electrode terminal 76a, a crimp terminal 76b, a third harness 76c, and a tube 76d. The positive electrode terminal 76a is a cylindrical female terminal inserted into the through hole 76h. The length of the third harness 76c is shorter than the first harness 74c and the second harness 75c. In order to prevent a short circuit between the third harness 76c and the other connecting members 74, 75, etc., at least a part of the third harness 76c is covered with an insulating tube 76d. The crimp terminal 76 b is attached to the third positive terminal 62 d of the relay unit 60. The third harness 76 c is electrically connected to the second positive terminal 62 c of the relay unit 60 via the bus bar 66.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the connector 70 is detachably fixed to the housing 10. More specifically, the connector 70 is fixed to the adapter 90 and attached to the first side surface 11 g of the housing 10 via the adapter 90. The connection members 74, 75, and 76 of the connector 70 are attached to the first positive terminal 62b, the first negative terminal 62a, and the third positive terminal 62d, respectively, with the adapter 90 attached to the first side surface 11g of the housing 10. It is done.

  The adapter 90 is, for example, a metal plate having a shape similar to that of the first side surface 11g of the housing 10 and having a through hole 90h into which the main portion 73 of the connector 70 can be inserted. The adapter 90 is formed with a plurality of screw holes 91 that are through holes for attaching the connector, and a plurality of screw holes 92 that are through holes for attaching the adapter 90 to the housing 10. The adapter 90 can be easily attached to and detached from the housing 10 by changing the position of the screw hole 91 according to the type of connector.

  9 and 10, the screw hole 91 is formed at a position corresponding to the through hole 72 h formed in the base portion 72 of the connector 70. When the connector 70 is fixed to the adapter 90, the main portion 73 of the connector 70 is inserted from the back side (left side in the figure) of the adapter 90 into the through hole 90h. With the surface 71a side of the base portion 72 in contact with the adapter 90, a bolt (not shown) is inserted into the through hole 72h and the screw hole 91, and a nut (not shown) is screwed into the bolt. 72 and the adapter 90 are fastened. When fixing the adapter 90 to the housing 10, a bolt 78 is inserted into the screw hole 92, and the bolt 90 is screwed into the female screw hole 78 h, whereby the adapter 90 and the first side surface 11 g of the housing 10 are connected. Fastened (see FIGS. 5 to 7).

  In the battery pack 1 configured as described above, when a charging connector (not shown) of the charger is connected to the connector 70, the positive terminal 74a and the negative terminal 75a are connected to each other, and the first negative terminal 62a and the first negative terminal 62a are connected. A voltage related to charging is applied to the positive terminal 62b, and each battery module 20 is charged. When the jumper connector J is connected to the connector 70, the positive terminal 74a and the positive terminal 76a are connected to each other, and the first positive terminal 62b and the third positive terminal 62d (that is, the second positive terminal 62c) are electrically connected. It is connected and can output power to the external load via the output terminals 65a and 65b.

  Here, as described above, the third positive electrode terminal 62d is electrically connected to the second positive electrode terminal 62c via the bus bar 66, and the second positive electrode terminal 62c is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the external load. That is, the connection member 76 is connected to the third positive terminal 62d at a position different from the second positive terminal 62c. However, a connector connecting member may be directly connected to the second positive terminal 62c by omitting the bus bar 66 described above. For example, even if the connector 80 is different from the connector 70 in the arrangement of the connection member with respect to the base portion as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the connector 10 can be detachably fixed to the housing 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the connector 80 includes a main body portion 81 (base portion 82 and main portion 83) having a different configuration from the main body portion 71 of the connector 70. The main body portion 81 is different in that the cross-sectional shape of the main portion 83 is elliptical when viewed in the attaching / detaching direction A and the arrangement of the through holes 82h in the base portion 82 is different from the arrangement of the through holes 72h in the base portion 72. The connection member 76 is different from the main body 71 of the connector 70 in that the connection member 76 is disposed at a position corresponding to the middle of the connection member 74 and the connection member 75 in the base portion 82. Accordingly, in the example of FIGS. 11 and 12, the plurality of screw holes 91 for attaching the connector 80 to the adapter 90 are formed at positions corresponding to the through holes 82 h formed in the base portion 82 of the connector 80. Yes.

  When the connector 80 is fixed to the adapter 90, a bolt (not shown) is connected to the through hole 82h and the screw hole 91 in a state where the back surface 82b of the base portion 82 is in contact with the front side (right side in the drawing) of the adapter 90. Is inserted, a nut (not shown) is screwed into the bolt, and the base portion 82 and the adapter 90 are fastened. When fixing the adapter 90 to the housing 10, a bolt 78 is inserted into the screw hole 92, and the bolt 90 is screwed into the female screw hole 78 h, whereby the adapter 90 and the first side surface 11 g of the housing 10 are connected. Fastened (see FIGS. 5 to 7). The connector 80 is fixed to the adapter 90 and attached to the first side surface 11 g of the housing 10 via the adapter 90. The connection members 74, 75, and 76 of the connector 80 are attached to the first positive terminal 62b, the first negative terminal 62a, and the second positive terminal 62c, respectively, with the adapter 90 attached to the first side surface 11g of the housing 10. It is done.

  As described above, in the battery pack 1 of the above embodiment, the first relay terminals (the first negative terminal 62a and the first positive terminal 62b) located on the first plane PL1 and the first relay terminal parallel to the first plane PL1. The second relay terminal (second positive terminal 62c) located on the two planes PL2 is separated from the first plane PL1 and the second plane PL2 along the attachment / detachment direction A by a separation distance. Thereby, compared with the case where all the relay terminals (the 1st negative electrode terminal 62a, the 1st positive electrode terminal 62b, and the 2nd positive electrode terminal 62c) are arrange | positioned on the 1st plane PL1 or the 2nd plane PL2, these relay terminals. It is easy to reduce the dimensions required for the arrangement in the direction (particularly the front-rear direction) intersecting the attaching / detaching direction A while securing the distance between 62a, 62b, 62c. As a result, it is possible to save space while ensuring insulation between the relay terminals 62a, 62b, and 62c.

  In the battery pack 1, the casing 10 includes a work hole 13 b that allows the relay area A <b> 2 where the relay unit 60 is located in the internal space of the casing 10 to communicate with the external area of the casing 10. The first relay terminal (the first negative terminal 62a and the first positive terminal 62b) and the second relay terminal (the second positive terminal 62c) are the third plane PL3 that intersects the opening direction B of the work hole 13b in the support 61. It is arranged to be located on the top. The first relay terminal includes a first positive terminal (first positive terminal 62b) that is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the battery module 20, and a first negative terminal (first) that is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the battery module 20. The second relay terminal includes a second positive terminal 62c that is electrically connected to the positive electrode of the external load. The first negative terminal 62a is disposed on the opposite side of the first positive terminal 62b with the second positive terminal 62c interposed therebetween. Thereby, for example, even when a metal tool or the like is inserted into the relay area A2 through the work hole 13b and the work is performed, the position is on the third plane PL3 intersecting with the insertion direction (that is, the opening direction B). Thus, since the relay terminals 62a, 62b, and 62c are arranged, the separation distance between the relay terminals 62a, 62b, and 62c in the direction intersecting the opening direction B is relatively large. Further, since the first negative electrode terminal 62a is disposed on the opposite side of the first positive electrode terminal 62b across the second positive electrode terminal 62c, the first positive electrode terminal 62b electrically connected to the positive electrode of the battery module 20, The first negative electrode terminal 62a electrically connected to the negative electrode of the battery module 20 can be sufficiently separated. Therefore, it is possible to improve the insulation between the first negative terminal 62a and the first positive terminal 62b.

  In the battery pack 1, the plurality of relay terminals are a bus bar 66 electrically connected to the second positive electrode terminal 62c and a third relay terminal electrically connected to the second positive electrode terminal 62c via the bus bar 66. A third positive terminal 62d is included. The third positive electrode terminal 62d is disposed on the support body 61 so as to overlap with the connection member 74 connected to the first positive electrode terminal 62b when viewed in the opening direction B. As a result, the connection member 76 can be connected to the third positive electrode terminal 62d at a height position different from that of the second positive electrode terminal 62c. Therefore, it is possible to easily use connectors having different arrangements of the connection members. Further, since the first positive terminal 62b having a smaller potential difference with the third positive terminal 62d than the first negative terminal 62a is brought close to the third positive terminal 62d, for example, a metal tool or the like is relayed through the work hole 13b. Even when the work is performed while being inserted into the region A2, a short circuit of the third positive electrode terminal 62d can be suppressed.

  In the battery pack 1, the support body 61 includes an insulating rib 64 provided upright between the first negative electrode terminal 62a and the second positive electrode terminal 62c. Thereby, the insulation between the first negative electrode terminal 62a and the second positive electrode terminal 62c can be enhanced by the insulating rib 64.

  Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  In the above embodiment, the relay unit 60 includes three relay terminals, and the connectors 70 and 80 include three connection members. However, the relay terminals and the connection members may have any number of two or more. .

  In the said embodiment, although the bus-bar 66 was illustrated as an electrically-conductive member, it is not limited to this example. As the conductive member, various members may be employed as long as they are members that electrically connect the second positive terminal 62c and the third positive terminal 62d.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Battery pack, 10 ... Housing | casing, 13b ... Work hole (through-hole), 20 ... Battery module, 22 ... Battery cell, 60 ... Relay part, 61 ... Support body, 62a ... 1st negative electrode terminal (1st relay terminal) ), 62b ... first positive terminal (first relay terminal), 62c ... second positive terminal (second relay terminal), 62d ... third positive terminal (third relay terminal), 64 ... insulating rib, 66 ... bus bar ( Conductive member), 70, 80 ... connector, 71 ... main body, 74, 75, 76 ... connecting member, A ... attaching / detaching direction, B ... opening direction, PL1 ... first plane, PL2 ... second plane, PL3 ... third. Plane, A2 ... relay area.

Claims (4)

A battery module;
A connector for connecting the battery module to an external device;
A relay unit that relays electrical connection between the battery module and the connector;
A housing in which the battery module and the relay unit are accommodated and the connector is detachably fixed;
The relay unit is
A plurality of relay terminals electrically connected to the battery module or an external load, and a support that supports the relay terminals,
The connector is
Including a plurality of connection members detachably connected to the relay terminal;
The plurality of relay terminals are:
A first relay terminal arranged on the support so as to be located on a first plane intersecting an attaching / detaching direction, which is a direction in which the connector is attached / detached, and a second plane parallel to the first plane. And a second relay terminal arranged on the support body. The housing includes a through hole that communicates a relay area where the relay unit is located in an internal space of the housing and an external area of the housing;
The first relay terminal and the second relay terminal are arranged so as to be located on a third plane intersecting the opening direction of the through hole in the support body,
The first relay terminal is
A first positive electrode terminal electrically connected to the positive electrode of the battery module;
A first negative electrode terminal electrically connected to the negative electrode of the battery module,
The second relay terminal is
A second positive electrode terminal electrically connected to the positive electrode of the external load;
The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the first negative electrode terminal is disposed on the opposite side of the first positive electrode terminal with the second positive electrode terminal interposed therebetween. The plurality of relay terminals are:
A conductive member electrically connected to the second positive terminal;
Including a third positive terminal which is a third relay terminal electrically connected to the second positive terminal via the conductive member;
The third positive terminal is
The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the support body is disposed so as to overlap with a connection member connected to the first positive electrode terminal as viewed in the opening direction.   4. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the support includes an insulating rib provided upright between the first negative electrode terminal and the second positive electrode terminal. 5.

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