JP2023116611A - Sensor unit and energy storage module - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress decrease in detection precision of a sensor element for a detection object.SOLUTION: A sensor unit includes: a flexible beltlike conductive path construct that is arranged on a body to be detected and has a conductive path; a sensor element connected to the conductive path on a surface of the conductive path construct; a pedestal part provided in the conductive path construct so as to cover the sensor element; and an energizing member 90 that is held by the pedestal part in an elastically deformable state, and brings a part in a back side of the conductive path construct into contact with the body to be detected by energizing the pedestal part toward the body to be detected by elastic returning force. The pedestal part includes an energization surface energized by the energizing member 90. A sensor housing part for housing a sensor element is composed of a conductive path construct for mounting a sensor element and a part in the conductive path construct side relative to the energization surface in the pedestal part. In the sensor housing part, a protection part made of resin for covering the sensor element is provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a sensor unit and a power storage module.

For example, as a battery device having a temperature sensor, one described in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-229110 (Patent Document 1 below) is known. The temperature sensor of this battery device is fixed to a temperature detection plate fixed to the case, and the temperature of the secondary battery is detected by bringing the temperature sensor close to the surface of the secondary battery housed in the case. ing.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-229110

By the way, in this type of device, the gap between the temperature sensor and the secondary battery tends to vary due to the dimensional tolerance between the temperature detection plate and the secondary battery. For this reason, there is a possibility that the temperature sensor cannot detect the temperature because the temperature sensor does not come close to the secondary battery, or the temperature sensor may be crushed between the temperature detection plate and the secondary battery.

This specification discloses a technique for suppressing deterioration in detection accuracy of a sensor with respect to a detection target.

The sensor unit disclosed by the present specification is a sensor unit attached to an object to be detected. a sensor element connected to the conductive path on the surface of the conductive path structure; a pedestal provided on the conductive path structure so as to cover the sensor element; and an urging member that urges the surrounding portion toward the object to be detected by an elastic restoring force to bring the rear surface side portion of the conductive path structure into contact with the object to be detected.

According to the sensor unit having such a configuration, the portion on the back side of the conductive path structure to which the sensor element is connected is pressed toward the object to be detected by the elastic restoring force of the urging member, and the back side of the conductive path structure is pushed. can be suppressed from rising from the detected object. Thereby, the sensor element can be arranged in a state close to the object to be detected while the sensor element is protected from other members by the pedestal. As a result, it is possible to suppress deterioration in detection accuracy of the sensor element with respect to the object to be detected.

The sensor unit disclosed by this specification may be configured as follows.
The pedestal has an engaging portion that can be engaged with a holding portion provided on the object to be detected. It is good also as a structure which elastically deforms in the direction which a stop part and the said holding|maintenance part mutually latch.

According to such a configuration, since the engagement between the engagement portion and the holding portion causes elastic deformation in the engagement direction, the elastic restoring force of the urging member directs the back side portion of the conductive path structure toward the object to be detected. The sensor unit can be attached to the object to be detected by bringing it into contact with an appropriate pressure.

The sensor element may be a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the object to be detected, and a plate material may be attached to the back surface of the portion of the conductive path structure where the sensor element is provided.
According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the conductive path structure at the portion to which the sensor element is connected from being damaged due to contact with another member or the like. Moreover, since the conductive path structure is reinforced by the plate material, the workability of connecting the sensor element to the conductive path can be improved.

The plate material may be a metal plate material having high thermal conductivity.
According to such a configuration, the plate material exerts a heat collecting effect of collecting the heat of the object to be detected, so that the temperature of the object to be detected can be stably detected by the sensor element.

A resin protection portion may be provided between the pedestal portion and the sensor element to cover the sensor element.
According to such a configuration, since the sensor element is covered with the protective portion, it is possible to prevent the sensor element from being damaged by dust, water, other members, and the like.

The biasing member may be a spiral metal coil spring, and the biasing member may bias the outer peripheral edge of the sensor element.
According to such a configuration, the sensor element can be stably biased against the object to be detected, and deterioration in detection accuracy of the sensor element can be further suppressed.

The pedestal has an accommodating portion that accommodates a portion of the biasing member in the axial direction, and a lid portion that is attached to the accommodating portion in the axial direction of the biasing member. The lid portion may be configured to sandwich the biasing member in the axial direction.
According to such a configuration, it is possible to stably hold the biasing member so as to sandwich it in the axial direction between the accommodating portion and the lid portion.

The pedestal may be made of synthetic resin, and the biasing member may be formed of synthetic resin integrally with the pedestal.
According to such a configuration, the biasing member can be formed integrally with the pedestal, so the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In addition, there is no need to separately manage the pedestal portion and the biasing member, so the parts can be easily stored.

The urging member may be a pair of metal leaf springs held by a pair of spring holding portions provided on both sides of the sensor element on the pedestal portion.
With such a configuration, the temperature sensor can be urged against the object to be detected on both sides of the pedestal, so that the sensor element can be urged stably against the object to be detected. A decrease in detection accuracy can be further suppressed.

The pair of leaf springs may be configured such that portions that bias the base portion are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the sensor portion.
According to such a configuration, since the portions of the pair of leaf springs that urge the pedestal portions are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the sensor portion, for example, the pedestal portions of the pair of leaf springs can be urged. The sensor element can be stably biased against the object to be detected as compared with the case where the portion is biased with respect to the sensor section.

The power storage module disclosed in this specification may include the detected body and the sensor unit, and the detected body may be a power storage element.
According to the power storage module having such a configuration, the sensor unit is pressed against the power storage element by the elastic restoring force of the urging member, and it is possible to suppress the sensor unit from rising from the power storage element. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in detection accuracy of the sensor element with respect to the electric storage element.

According to the technique disclosed by this specification, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the detection accuracy of the sensor element with respect to the detection target.

1 is a plan view of an electricity storage module according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state before the temperature sensor unit is attached to the pair of holding parts; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the temperature sensor unit is attached to a pair of holding parts; Cross-sectional view of AA line in FIG. Top view of temperature sensor unit Front view of temperature sensor unit Side view of temperature sensor unit Cross-sectional view of the BB line in FIG. A perspective view showing a state before the upper housing is assembled to the lower housing. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the biasing member is accommodated in the lower housing; A plan view showing a state in which the biasing member is accommodated in the lower housing. Side view showing a state in which the temperature sensor unit is attached to the side surface of the power storage element main body. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a temperature sensor unit according to Embodiment 2; Front view of temperature sensor unit Top view of temperature sensor unit Cross-sectional view of CC line in FIG. Sectional view of DD line in FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the temperature sensor unit is attached to a pair of holding parts; FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which the temperature sensor unit is attached to a pair of holding parts; Sectional view of the EE line in FIG. A perspective view of a sensor unit according to Embodiment 3. Top view of temperature sensor unit Cross-sectional view of the FF line in FIG. A perspective view showing a state before the upper housing is assembled to the lower housing. Side view showing the state before the upper housing is assembled to the lower housing A plan view showing a state where the leaf spring member is attached to the lower housing. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state before the temperature sensor unit is attached to the pair of holding parts; FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which the temperature sensor unit is attached to a pair of holding parts; FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the temperature sensor unit is attached to the pair of holding parts, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the cross section of FIG. 23;

<Embodiment 1>
Embodiment 1 of the technique disclosed in this specification will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12. FIG.

This embodiment shows a power storage module 10 used as a drive source for a vehicle. The power storage module 10 can also be used, for example, as a power supply for industrial printers, industrial robots, and electronic devices and equipment.

The storage module 10 includes, as shown in FIG. It is configured to include a sensor unit 20 and the like.

The storage element 11 has a flat box-shaped storage element main body (an example of a “object to be detected”) 12 and a pair of connection terminals 13 protruding from the storage element main body 12 . The plurality of power storage elements 11 are stacked and arranged so that the power storage element bodies 12 are in close contact with each other in the front-rear direction.

The connection conductor B is made of, for example, a plate-shaped bus bar or the like, and is electrically connected to the connection terminals 13 of the adjacent storage elements 11 to connect the plurality of storage elements 11 in series.

Each predetermined number of storage elements 11 has a pair of holding portions 14 that hold the temperature sensor unit 20 on the upper surface 12A, which is the outer surface of the storage element main body 12 .

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 , the pair of holding portions 14 are formed in flat plate shapes elongated in the front-rear direction and protrude upward from the upper surface 12A of the storage element main body 12 . The pair of holding portions 14 are arranged to face each other in the plate thickness direction, and the temperature sensor unit 20 is attached between the pair of holding portions 14 . The upper end of each holding portion 14 is provided with a holding projection (an example of a “locked portion”) 15 that protrudes on both sides in the front-rear direction. It has a guide surface 15A facing downward and a holding surface 15B facing downward.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the temperature sensor unit 20 is installed from above the pair of holding portions 14, and is an example of a strip-shaped flexible printed circuit board (a "conductive path structure"). , hereinafter also referred to as "FPC") 30, a temperature sensor (an example of a "sensor element") 40 connected to the front end portion that is one end of the FPC 30, a plate 50 attached to the FPC 30, and the temperature sensor 40 and a biasing member 90 housed in the housing 60 (an example of a “pedestal”).

As shown in FIG. 1, the FPC 30 is formed by covering a pair of detection lines (an example of a “conductive path”) 33 made of copper foil with a strip-shaped insulating film 35 wider than the pair of detection lines 33. ing. Therefore, the FPC 30 has a configuration that is highly flexible and extremely space-saving compared to a covered wire. Further, the FPC 30 extends in the left-right direction from the position where the temperature sensor 40 is arranged, and is then bent in the front-rear direction and routed.
At one end of the surface 30A, which is the upper surface of the FPC 30, there is provided a pair of connection portions (not shown) in which the pair of detection lines 33 are exposed. A pair of connecting portions is formed by removing the insulating film 35 .

On the other hand, a control unit (not shown) that controls the storage element 11 is connected to a pair of detection lines 33 at the other end (not shown) of the FPC 30 .

The temperature sensor 40 has a substantially rectangular sensor main body 41, as shown in FIGS. A pair of lead portions (not shown) are provided at the lower end portion of the sensor main body 41 . The pair of lead portions are electrically connected to the pair of detection lines 33 by being connected to the pair of connection portions of the FPC 30 by soldering or the like. Therefore, detection signals from the temperature sensor 40 arranged on the surface 30A of the FPC 30 are input to the control unit through the pair of detection lines 33 of the FPC 30. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the plate member 50 is formed in a highly flat flat plate shape and attached to the rear surface 30B, which is the lower surface of the front end portion of the FPC 30. As shown in FIG. The plate material 50 is, for example, a metal plate material having excellent heat conductivity, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The length dimension in the left-right direction and the length dimension in the front-rear direction of the plate material 50 are set to be larger than the length dimension in the left-right direction and the length dimension in the front-rear direction of the temperature sensor 40, and the temperature sensor 40 has the FPC 30 interposed therebetween. is adhered, for example, by a known adhesive or the like, directly behind the position where the is arranged.

Therefore, the portion of the FPC 30 where the temperature sensor 40 is arranged is reinforced by the plate material 50, and the temperature sensor 40 is fixed to the FPC 30 by attaching the plate material 50 before mounting the temperature sensor 40 on the FPC 30. It's made easy.

The housing 60 is made of synthetic resin and, as shown in FIG. and an upper housing 80.

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, the lower housing 70 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is adhered to the surface 30A of the FPC 30 with a known adhesive, for example.

The upper half of the lower housing 70 has a spring accommodating portion (an example of a “accommodating portion”) 71 capable of axially accommodating the biasing member 90 therein.

The biasing member 90 is a metal coil spring formed by spirally winding a metal wire such as SUS, and is elastically deformable in the axial direction.

The spring accommodating portion 71 is tapered slightly upward, and the inside of the spring accommodating portion 71 is slightly wider than the outer diameter of the urging member 90 . The depth dimension of the spring accommodating portion 71 is such that when the biasing member 90 in its natural state, which is not elastically deformed, is accommodated in the spring accommodating portion 71, a part of the biasing member 90 is bent as shown in FIGS. It is sized to be exposed from the spring accommodating portion 71 .

On the other hand, the lower half of the lower housing 70 serves as a sensor accommodating portion 72 that accommodates the temperature sensor 40 . As shown in FIG. 11, inside the sensor accommodating portion 72, a rectangular cavity 73 narrower than the spring accommodating portion 71 is provided. A temperature sensor 40 is arranged at the center of the axis.

An inner wall of the sensor accommodating portion 72 is provided with a pair of retaining projections 75 protruding inward. A sealing material PM for protecting the temperature sensor 40 from water, dust, etc. is injected into the sensor housing part 72 , and the sealing material PM covers the temperature sensor 40 by hardening the sealing material PM. It is also designed to be retained by a pair of retaining protrusions 75 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, both ends of the sensor housing portion in the left-right direction have linear portions 72A forming straight lines, and the length dimension of the sensor housing portion 72 in the left-right direction is the same as that shown in FIGS. , it is set to be smaller than the length dimension of the spring accommodating portion 71 in the left-right direction. Accordingly, a holding surface 76 facing the FPC 30 side is provided at a position adjacent to the sensor housing portion 72 in the spring housing portion 71 of the lower housing 70 .

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the upper housing 80 includes a cylindrical portion (an example of a “lid portion”) 81 covering the lower housing 70 from above, and a pair of laterally extending from the cylindrical portion 81 so as to face each other. and an elastic locking leg 82 .

The cylindrical portion 81 has a cylindrical shape with a ceiling wall 83 . The interior of the cylindrical portion 81 is formed slightly larger than the spring accommodating portion 71 of the lower housing 70, and the cylindrical portion 81 extends above the spring accommodating portion 71 of the lower housing 70 as shown in FIGS. It is said that it can be accommodated from

A pair of locking pieces 84 extending downward along the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 81 are provided at the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 81, as shown in FIGS. The pair of locking pieces 84 are arranged to face each other around the axis of the cylindrical portion 81 and are elastically deformable in directions away from each other.

A locking projection 85 projecting inward is provided at the lower end of each locking piece 84 , and the distance between the locking projections 85 in the pair of locking pieces 84 It is set slightly smaller than the dimensions.

Therefore, the locking protrusion 85 of each locking piece 84 comes into contact with the outer surface of the spring housing portion 71 when the spring housing portion 71 is accommodated in the cylindrical portion 81, and the locking piece 84 is elastically deformed to spring the spring. It rides on the accommodating part 71 and slides. When the spring accommodating portion 71 is accommodated in the proper position within the cylindrical portion 81, each locking piece 84 climbs over the spring accommodating portion 71 and engages with the holding surface 76 of the lower housing 70, as shown in FIG. The upper housing 80 is held with respect to the lower housing 70 by vertically engaging with the locking projections 85 of the stop piece 84 .

Further, when the spring accommodating portion 71 of the lower housing 70 is accommodated in the normal position within the cylindrical portion 81 , the biasing member 90 in the spring accommodating portion 71 is pushed toward the bottom surface 71 A of the spring accommodating portion 71 and the ceiling wall of the cylindrical portion 81 . 83 pushes it vertically and elastically deforms it. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the urging member 90 keeps the upper housing 80 and the lower housing 70 apart until the retaining surface 76 of the lower housing 70 and the locking projection 85 of the locking piece 84 are locked in the vertical direction. It is adapted to be biased away.

The ceiling wall 83 of the cylindrical portion 81 is provided with a positioning portion 86 protruding downward from the lower surface 83A of the ceiling wall 83, as shown in FIGS. The positioning portion 86 is provided in a substantially cross shape when viewed from the bottom. and an inclined ramp 88 .

When the spring accommodating portion 71 is accommodated in the cylindrical portion 81 , the positioning portion 86 moves inside the biasing member 90 so that the spring accommodating portion 71 is accommodated in the proper position within the cylindrical portion 81 . By arranging the straight portion 87 inside the upper end portion of the biasing member 90 , the biasing member 90 can be prevented from being inclined in the cylindrical portion 81 in an improper posture.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 7, the pair of elastic locking legs 82 are formed in flat plate shapes facing each other on both sides of the pair of locking pieces 84 .

The pair of elastic locking legs 82 extend in the opposite direction of the locking piece 84, and each elastic locking leg 82 is elastically deformable in a direction away from each other.

The distance between the pair of elastic locking legs 82 is set to be substantially the same as the longitudinal length dimension of the holding portion 14 in the storage element main body 12 . When the unit 20 is installed on the storage element main body 12, the holding portion 14 is inserted from below.

Therefore, when the temperature sensor unit 20 is installed on the storage element main body 12, the lower ends of the pair of elastic locking legs 82 abut on the holding projections 15 of the pair of holding portions 14 of the storage element main body 12 from above. By elastically deforming the pair of elastic locking legs 82 in directions away from each other, each elastic locking leg 82 rides on the holding projection 15 of the holding portion 14 .

Then, when the temperature sensor unit 20 reaches the normal position where the plate member 50 of the temperature sensor unit 20 and the upper surface 12A of the storage element main body 12 are in contact with each other, the pair of elastic locking legs 82 climb over the holding projections 15 and elastically return. do. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper surfaces 82A of the pair of elastic locking legs 82 and the holding surfaces 15B of the holding protrusions 15 of the holding portion 14 are locked in the vertical direction, and the storage element main body 12 is heated. A sensor unit 20 is attached.

Also, the length dimension D1 between the upper surface 82A of the pair of elastic locking legs 82 and the plate member 50 in a state where the holding surface 76 of the lower housing 70 and the locking projection 85 of the locking piece 84 are vertically locked. (see FIG. 8) is set larger than the length dimension D2 (see FIG. 4) between the holding surface 15B of the holding portion 14 of the storage element body 12 and the upper surface 12A of the storage element body 12 .

Therefore, when the temperature sensor unit 20 is held by the pair of holding portions 14 of the electric storage element main body 12 , the biasing member 90 in the spring accommodating portion 71 is pressed against the bottom surface 71 A of the spring accommodating portion 71 and the ceiling wall 83 of the cylindrical portion 81 . is pressed further in the up-down direction and elastically deformed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4 , the outer peripheral edge of the temperature sensor 40 on the plate member 50 of the temperature sensor unit 20 is biased so that the plate member 50 is pressed against the upper surface 12A of the storage element main body 12 .

This embodiment is configured as described above, and the action and effect of the temperature sensor unit 20 will be described next.

When attaching the temperature sensor unit 20 to the pair of holding portions 14 of the storage element main body 12, the cylindrical portion 81 of the upper housing 80 is arranged above the pair of holding portions 14 of the storage element main body 12, as shown in FIG. Align so that

Next, the temperature sensor unit 20 is attached to the storage element body 12 by inserting the pair of holding portions 14 between the pair of elastic locking legs 82 of the temperature sensor unit 20 .

Here, when each holding portion 14 is inserted between the pair of elastic locking legs 82 , the guide surfaces 15 A of the holding projections 15 of each holding portion 14 abut against the lower ends of the pair of elastic locking legs 82 . Further, when each holding portion 14 is inserted between the pair of elastic locking legs 82 as it is, the pair of elastic locking legs 82 are elastically deformed in the direction of separating from each other, and the pair of elastic locking legs 82 move toward the holding protrusions 15 . ride up on Then, when the temperature sensor unit 20 reaches the proper mounting position, the pair of elastic locking legs 82 climbs over the holding protrusions 15, and the pair of elastic locking legs 82 are elastically restored. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper surfaces 82A of the pair of elastic locking legs 82 and the holding surfaces 15B of the holding protrusions 15 are locked in the vertical direction, and the temperature sensor unit 20 is held by the storage element main body 12. .

Further, when the temperature sensor unit 20 is held in the storage element main body 12 , the biasing member 90 in the spring accommodating portion 71 is vertically sandwiched between the bottom surface 71 A of the spring accommodating portion 71 and the ceiling wall 83 of the cylindrical portion 81 . 4, the temperature sensor unit 20 is urged against the upper surface 12A of the storage element main body 12. As shown in FIG.
That is, the biasing member 90, which is a spiral coil spring, can be stably held between the lower housing 70 and the upper housing 80, and the temperature sensor unit 20 can be pressed against the upper surface 12A of the power storage element body 12.

That is, when the temperature sensor unit 20 is attached between the pair of holding portions 14 on the storage element main body 12, the biasing member 90 accommodated between the spring accommodating portion 71 in the lower housing 70 and the cylindrical portion 81 in the upper housing 80 , the temperature sensor 40 arranged on the FPC 30 is urged toward the storage element main body 12 with an appropriate pressure. As a result, the temperature of power storage element main body 12 can be stably transmitted to temperature sensor 40 via FPC 30 and plate member 50 .

That is, for example, it is possible to prevent the temperature sensor 40 of the temperature sensor unit 20 from being lifted from the storage element main body 12 due to manufacturing tolerances, assembly tolerances, etc., and to prevent the detection accuracy of the temperature sensor 40 from deteriorating.

Further, according to this embodiment, the plate material 50 of the temperature sensor unit 20 is made of a flat metal plate material having excellent thermal conductivity, so that the temperature of the storage element main body 12 is collected and transmitted to the temperature sensor 40. be able to. As a result, the temperature sensor 40 can stably detect the temperature of the storage element body 12 and the temperature sensor 40 can detect the temperature more stably than when the plate material has low thermal conductivity or the bottom surface of the plate material has unevenness. A decrease in detection accuracy can be suppressed. In addition, since the plate material 50 reinforces the FPC 30, connection workability can be improved when connecting the temperature sensor 40 to the FPC 30. FIG.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, simply by attaching the temperature sensor unit 20 to the pair of holding portions 14 of the power storage element main body 12 , the FPC 30 and the plate member 50 of the temperature sensor unit 20 are pushed back by the elastic restoring force of the biasing member 90 . It is pressed against the storage element main body 12 . Thereby, it is possible to prevent the plate member 50 of the temperature sensor unit 20 from rising from the storage element body 12 .
In other words, according to this embodiment, the temperature sensor 40 can be brought into contact with the storage element main body 12 via the FPC 30 and the plate member 50 while the temperature sensor 40 is protected from other members in the housing 60. 12 can be suppressed.

Further, according to this embodiment, the temperature sensor 40 is arranged at the axial position of the biasing member 90, and the biasing member 90 can bias the outer periphery of the temperature sensor 40 over the entire circumference. 50 can be stably brought into contact with the upper surface 12A of the storage element main body 12, and deterioration in the detection accuracy of the temperature sensor 40 can be suppressed.

By the way, the temperature sensor unit 20 is installed in every predetermined number of storage elements 11 . Therefore, in the power storage module 10 including a plurality of power storage elements 11, a plurality of temperature sensor units 20 are connected to the control unit.

However, according to the temperature sensor unit 20 of the present embodiment, the FPC 30 that connects the temperature sensor 40 and the control unit is more flexible than the coated wire and has a very space-saving configuration. Even in the case of wiring, the space can be saved and the weight can be reduced as compared with the case of wiring the covered electric wire.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the temperature sensor unit 20 has the temperature sensor 40 and the housing 60 arranged on the side surface 12B of the storage element body 12, and the FPC 30 is directed from the side surface 12B of the storage element body 12 toward the top surface 12A. In the case of wiring, the FPC 30 can be wired along the surface of the power storage element main body 12 as well.

As a result, the amount of overhang of the FPC 30 from the storage element body 12 can be reduced, for example, as compared with the case where the covered electric wire is bent and routed along the storage element body. Furthermore, the reaction force of the FPC 30 when the FPC 30 is bent is smaller than the reaction force when the coated wire is bent. The reaction force in the direction in which the temperature sensor 40 floats can be reduced as compared with the case where the temperature sensor unit is configured using .

<Embodiment 2>
Next, Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 20. FIG.

In the second embodiment, the pair of holding portions 14 of the electric storage element main body 12 in the first embodiment is changed, and the plate member 50, the housing 60 and the biasing member 90 of the temperature sensor unit 20 are changed. Since the configurations, actions, and effects that are common to , are redundant, descriptions thereof will be omitted. Moreover, the same code|symbol shall be used about the same structure as Embodiment 1. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 18 to 20 , each holding portion 114 in the second embodiment includes a flat plate-like standing wall 115 rising upward from the upper surface 12A of the storage element main body 12, and an upper end portion of the standing wall 115. A flat plate-like eaves portion 116 provided and a pair of support portions 117 provided in series with the eaves portion 116 and the standing wall 115 are provided.

The standing walls 115 of the pair of holding portions 114 are arranged to face each other, and the temperature sensor unit 120 is mounted between the pair of standing walls 115 .

Each eaves portion 116 protrudes inward from the upper end portion of the standing wall 115 toward each other.

The pair of support portions 117 are arranged at a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction, and each support portion 117 is connected to the inner surface 115A of the erected wall 115, the lower surface 116A of the eaves portion 116, and the upper surface 12A of the storage element main body 12. It is formed in a flat plate shape so as to be continuous with.

A portion surrounded by the standing wall 115, the eaves portion 116, and the pair of support portions 117 serves as a recessed engaging portion 118 to which a resin spring portion 191 of the temperature sensor unit 120 (to be described later) engages. .

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 14, 16 and 17, the plate member 150 in the second embodiment is formed in a substantially rectangular shape that is larger in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction than the plate member 50 in the first embodiment. The length dimension in the front-rear direction and the length dimension in the left-right direction are substantially the same as the length dimension in the left-right direction of the FPC 30 .

As shown in FIGS. 13 to 17, the housing 160 is formed in a substantially rectangular tubular shape that can be arranged between the pair of holding portions 114, and is arranged between the pair of holding portions 114 from above. .

A cavity 173 having an angular shape in plan view is provided inside the housing 160 , and the temperature sensor 40 is arranged substantially in the center of the cavity 173 in plan view.

The housing 160 is filled with a sealing material (an example of a “protective portion”) PM for protecting the temperature sensor 40 from water, dust, and the like. It is retained by a pair of retaining projections 175 that are aligned.

The biasing member 190 is composed of a pair of resin spring portions 191 provided at both ends in the left-right direction of the upper surface 160A of the housing 160 . The pair of resin spring portions 191 are made of synthetic resin and formed integrally with the housing 160 .

As shown in FIG. 14, each resin spring portion 191 extends obliquely upward from the upper surface 160A of the housing 160 so as to slightly separate from the housing 160 as it goes upward, and then obliquely downward so as to separate from the housing 160. The tip portion 192 is bent obliquely upward so as to move away from the housing 160 . Each resin spring portion 191 is elastically deformable so as to contract in the lateral direction starting from the bent portion, and is also elastically deformable in the vertical direction between the root portion of the housing 160 and the tip portion 192. It is said that

A height dimension D11 (see FIG. 17) between the extending end 191A of the resin spring portion 191 and the lower surface 150A of the plate member 150 is the height dimension from the upper surface 12A of the storage element main body 12 to the lower surface 116A of the eaves portion 116. It is set larger than D12 (see FIG. 20). Further, the distance between the extending ends 191A of the pair of resin spring portions 191 is greater than the distance between the projecting ends 116B of the eaves portion 116 of the pair of holding portions 114, and the pair of standing walls of the pair of holding portions 114 It is set smaller than the distance between 115.

Therefore, when the temperature sensor unit 120 is assembled to the pair of holding portions 114 from above, the tip portion 192 of each resin spring portion 191 hits the eaves portion 116 of the pair of holding portions 114 from above. By coming into contact with it, it elastically deforms so as to shrink toward the housing 160 side.

Then, when the plate member 150 of the temperature sensor unit 120 reaches the proper mounting position where it contacts the upper surface 12A of the power storage element main body 12, the distal end portion 192 of each resin spring portion 191 climbs over the eaves portion 116, and the resin spring portion 191 are elastically restored, the respective tip portions 192 enter into the engaged portions 118 . Then, as shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, the lower surface 116A of the eaves portion 116 and the extending end 191A of the resin spring portion 191 of the locked portion 118 are locked in the vertical direction, and the temperature sensor unit 20 is locked. It is held by the storage element main body 12 . Moreover, the housing 160 is urged to be pressed onto the storage element main body 12 with an appropriate pressure by the elastic restoring force of the resin spring portion 191 to elastically return. Thereby, temperature sensor 40 can be brought into contact with power storage element body 12 via FPC 30 and plate member 50 .

In other words, in the present embodiment as well, the temperature sensor 40 is protected from other members inside the housing 160, and the temperature sensor 40 is prevented from rising from the power storage element body 12 due to manufacturing tolerances and assembly tolerances. 40 can be suppressed from deteriorating in detection accuracy.

Moreover, since the resin spring portion 191 is formed integrally with the housing 160, it can be formed at the same time when the housing 160 is formed. As a result, the number of parts of the temperature sensor unit 120 can be reduced compared to, for example, the case where the housing and the resin spring are separately provided, and there is no need to store the housing 160 and the resin spring portion 191 separately. Excellent parts controllability.

<Embodiment 3>
Next, Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 29. FIG.

In Embodiment 3, the pair of holding portions 14 of the storage element body 12 in Embodiment 1 are changed, and the housing 60 and biasing member 90 of the temperature sensor unit 20 are changed, and is common to Embodiment 1. Since the configurations, actions, and effects are redundant, descriptions thereof will be omitted. Moreover, the same code|symbol shall be used about the same structure as Embodiment 1. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 27 to 29, the pair of holding portions 214 in the third embodiment includes locking walls 215 that rise upward and are wide in the front-rear direction, and support walls that rise upward and are narrow in the front-rear direction. 216.

The locking wall 215 and the supporting wall 216 of each holding portion 214 are arranged linearly in the front-rear direction, and the locking wall 215 of one holding portion 214 and the supporting wall 216 of the other are opposed to each other. The locking wall 215 and the supporting wall 216 are arranged in such a manner that the locking wall 215 and the supporting wall 216 are reversed in the front-rear direction.

At a position on the support wall 216 side of the upper end portion of the locking wall 215, a holding projection 217 protrudes toward the support wall 216 side. It has an inclined guiding surface 217A and a downwardly facing holding surface 217B.

A guide surface 216</b>A that slopes downward toward the locking wall 215 is provided at a position on the locking wall side of the upper end of the support wall 216 .

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, the housing 260 in Embodiment 3 is formed in a flat, substantially rectangular shape that can be arranged between the pair of holding portions 214. is arranged from above between the holding portions 214 of the .

The housing 260 is made of synthetic resin and, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, comprises a lower housing 270 fixed to the surface 30A of the FPC 30 and an upper housing 280 assembled to the lower housing 270 from above. It is

As shown in FIGS. 24 to 26, the lower housing 270 includes a rectangular tubular sensor accommodating portion 272 and spring holding portions 274 provided on both side surfaces 272A of the sensor accommodating portion 272 in the left-right direction. there is

As shown in FIG. 26 , inside the sensor accommodating portion 272 , a cavity 273 having an angular shape in plan view is provided, and the temperature sensor 40 is arranged substantially in the center of the cavity 273 in plan view.

The sensor accommodating portion 272 is filled with a sealing material PM for protecting the temperature sensor 40 from water, dust, and the like. It is retained by retaining protrusions 275 .

As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, each spring holding portion 274 holds a biasing member 290. A pair of spring holding portions 274 protrude laterally from the front and rear end portions of the lower end portion of the sensor housing portion 272. It is composed of a lower holding portion 276 and an upper holding portion 277 projecting between the pair of lower holding portions 276 and slightly above the lower end portion of the sensor accommodating portion 272 .

As shown in FIGS. 24 to 26, the biasing member 290 is a so-called leaf spring formed by bending a narrow metal plate material such as SUS. The biasing member 290 includes a base portion 291 extending linearly in the front-rear direction, a pressing piece 292 bent obliquely upward from the base portion 291, and a folded portion 293 bending the upper end of the pressing piece 292 obliquely downward. configured with.

The biasing member 290 is elastically deformable in a direction in which the pressing piece 292 approaches the base portion 291 .

As shown in FIGS. 23 to 25, the upper holding portion 277 and the pair of lower holding portions 276 are flat plate-shaped and are arranged with their plate surfaces in the horizontal direction.

The height dimension between the lower surface 277A of the upper holding portion 277 and the upper surface 276A of the pair of lower holding portions 276 is set to be substantially the same as the plate thickness dimension of the base portion 291 of the biasing member 290. By arranging the base portion 291 of the biasing member 290 between the portion 277 and the pair of lower holding portions 276 , the biasing member 290 is held by the respective spring holding portions 274 . .

In addition, by arranging the biasing members 290 in the spring holding portions 274 on both sides in the left-right direction, the biasing members 290 are arranged so that when the lower housing 270 is viewed from above, as shown in FIG. The temperature sensor 40 is arranged between the upper ends 292A of the pressing pieces 292. As shown in FIG.
In other words, the upper ends 292A of the pressing pieces 292 of the pair of biasing members 290 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the temperature sensor 40 .

Therefore, since the pair of urging members, which are leaf springs, are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the temperature sensor 40, the temperature sensor 40 is positioned with respect to the storage element main body 12 on both sides in the left-right direction of the temperature sensor 40. can be properly biased. As a result, for example, the temperature sensor can be stably biased against the power storage element main body, and the detection accuracy of the sensor can be improved, compared to the case where the pair of biasing members are biased with respect to the temperature sensor. A decrease can be further suppressed.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 , a locking protrusion 278 to which the upper housing 280 is locked is provided on the side surface 277B of the upper holding portion 277 at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction.

The locking protrusion 278 is formed in a prism shape with rounded corners, and further protrudes laterally from the side surface 277B of the upper holding portion 277 .

As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the upper housing 280 has a flat box shape, and includes a ceiling plate 281 that is substantially rectangular in plan view, front and rear plates 282 provided on both side edges of the ceiling plate 281 in the front-rear direction, A pair of side plates 284 are provided on both lateral side edges of the ceiling plate 281 .

Each side plate 284 has a plurality of vertically extending slits 285 at three locations, ie, both end portions in the front-rear direction and a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction. The slit 285 at approximately the center in the front-rear direction serves as a center slit 286, and the length in the front-rear direction of the center slit 286 is set larger than the length in the front-rear direction of the locking protrusion 278 of the lower housing 270. there is

An inner wall 286A of the central slit 286 is provided with a locking projection 287 protruding into the central slit 286. As shown in FIG. In the central slit 286, the distance between the inner wall 286B facing the locking projection 287 and the projecting end 287A of the locking projection 287 is set smaller than the longitudinal dimension of the locking projection 278 of the lower housing 270. The upper surface of the locking projection 287 is a locking surface 287B facing upward.

A pair of guides that incline inwardly from the lower end of the side plate 284 are provided on the lower end of the projecting end 287A of the locking projection 287 and on the inner wall of the lower end facing the locking projection 287 in the central slit 286. A ramp 288 is provided.

The pair of guide inclined surfaces 288 guides the locking protrusion 278 of the lower housing 270 into the central slit 286 when the upper housing 280 is assembled to the lower housing 270 from above.

Therefore, in the process of assembling the upper housing 280 to the lower housing 270 from above, the locking projections 278 of the lower housing 270 come into contact with the pair of guide inclined surfaces 288 and the locking projections 278 move into the central slit 286 . You will be guided When the locking projection 278 slightly enters the center slit 286, the locking projection 278 rides on the locking projection 287, and the side plate 284 provided with the locking projection 287 is elastically deformed. When the upper housing 280 reaches the proper mounting position, the locking projection 278 climbs over the locking projection 287, and the side plate 284 is elastically restored, thereby engaging with the locking projection 278 as shown in FIG. The locking surface 287B of the stop protrusion 287 can be locked in the vertical direction. Thereby, the upper housing 280 is held with respect to the lower housing 270 .

Further, when the upper housing 280 is assembled to the lower housing 270 from above, the upper ends 292A of the pressing pieces 292 of the pair of biasing members 290 are pushed by the ceiling plate 281 of the upper housing 280 as shown in FIGS. It is pressed downward and the biasing member 290 is slightly elastically deformed.

In other words, the upper housing 280 and the lower housing 270 are urged in the direction of being separated from each other by the urging member 290 to the position where the locking projection 278 and the locking projection 287 lock in the vertical direction. .

The distance between the front and rear plates 282 in the upper housing 280 is set slightly smaller than the distance between the locking wall 215 and the support wall 216 in the holding portion 214 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 24 , the front and rear plates 282 are provided with engaging portions 289 capable of being engaged with the holding projections 217 of the engaging walls 215 of the pair of holding portions 214 of the storage element main body 12 .

A notch 283 that communicates with the slit 285 in the side plate 284 is provided in a portion of the front and rear plates 282 above the engaging portion 289 where the engaging portion 289 is provided. The front and rear plates 282 provided with 289 are elastically deformable in the front-rear direction.

The locking portion 289 has a pair of flat plate-shaped locking plates 289A extending in the front-rear direction away from the side plates 284. When the upper housing 280 is assembled to the lower housing 270 from above, A locking wall 215 is arranged between a pair of locking plates 289A.

Therefore, when assembling the temperature sensor unit 220 to the pair of holding portions 214 of the power storage element main body 12 from above, first, the guide surfaces 217A of the holding projections 217 of the locking walls 215 of the respective holding portions 214 are engaged with each other. The lower ends of the portions 289 come into contact with each other, and the front and rear plates 282 provided with the locking portions 289 are elastically deformed.

Then, when the temperature sensor unit 220 reaches the proper assembly position, the front and rear plates 282 are elastically restored, and as shown in FIG. The upper surface 289B of the portion 289 is engaged with the upper surface 289B in the vertical direction, and the temperature sensor unit 20 is attached to the storage element main body 12. As shown in FIG.

Further, the height dimension D21 (see FIG. 27) between the lower surface 50A of the plate member 50 and the upper surface 289B of the locking portion 289 of the upper housing 280 in the state where the upper housing 280 is held by the lower housing 270 is It is set larger than the height dimension D22 (see FIG. 27) between the upper surface 12A of the main body 12 and the holding surface 217B of the holding protrusion 217 on the locking wall 215 of the holding portion 214. As shown in FIG.

Therefore, when the holding protrusions 217 of the locking walls 215 and the upper surfaces 289B of the locking portions 289 of the respective holding portions 214 lock in the vertical direction, the pressing pieces 292 of the biasing member 290 elastically deform toward the base portion 291. However, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the plate member 50 of the temperature sensor unit 220 is urged to be pressed against the upper surface 12A of the storage element main body 12 with an appropriate pressure.

Therefore, in the present embodiment as well, the temperature sensor 40 can be attached to the storage element main body 12 via the FPC 30 and the plate member 50 by simply assembling the temperature sensor unit 220 to the pair of holding portions 214 of the storage element main body 12 from above. Contact can be made by pressure. As a result, the temperature sensor 40 is protected from other members inside the housing 260, and the temperature sensor 40 is prevented from rising from the power storage element body 12 due to manufacturing tolerances and assembly tolerances. It is possible to suppress the decrease.

<Other embodiments>
The technology disclosed in this specification is not limited to the embodiments described by the above description and drawings, and includes various aspects such as the following, for example.

(1) In the above embodiment, the plate material 50 is attached to the rear surface 30B of the FPC 30 . However, as a reference example, a protective film may be attached to the back surface 30B of the FPC 30, and the thickness of the insulating film on the back surface side of the FPC may be increased.

(2) In the above embodiment, the temperature sensor 40 is used as the sensor element. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and a configuration using various sensors such as a vibration sensor and an angle sensor may be employed as the sensor element.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the FPC 30 is used as the conductive path structure having flexibility. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and a flexible flat cable or the like may be used as the conductive path structure.

10: Electricity storage module 11: Electricity storage element (an example of "object to be detected")
12: Power storage element main body (an example of "object to be detected")
20: Temperature sensor unit (an example of "sensor unit")
30: FPC (an example of a "conductive path structure")
33: Detection line (an example of a "conductive path")
40: Temperature sensor (an example of a "sensor element")
50: plate material 60, 160, 260: housing (an example of a "pedestal")
90, 190, 290: biasing member 71: spring accommodating portion (an example of the "accommodating portion")
81: Cylindrical part (an example of "lid part")
274: Spring holding part PM: Sealing material (an example of "protection part")

Claims (12)

A sensor unit attached to an object to be detected,
a flexible strip-shaped conductive path structure disposed on the object to be detected and having a conductive path formed thereon;
a sensor element connected to the conductive path on the surface of the conductive path structure;
a pedestal provided on the conductive path structure so as to cover the sensor element;
It is held by the pedestal portion in an elastically deformable state, and by urging the pedestal portion toward the object to be detected by an elastic restoring force, the portion on the back side of the conductive path structure is brought into contact with the object to be detected. a biasing member that causes
with
The pedestal has a biasing surface biased by the biasing member,
The sensor housing portion for housing the sensor element is composed of the conductive path structure on which the sensor element is mounted and a portion of the pedestal portion closer to the conductive path structure than the urging surface,
A sensor unit, wherein the sensor accommodating portion is provided with a protective portion made of resin that covers the sensor element. 2. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein a portion of said pedestal portion forming said sensor housing portion and said conductive path structure are fixed by adhesion. 3. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein an inner wall of said sensor accommodating portion is provided with a retaining projection covered with said protective portion together with said sensor element. The sensor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensor element is a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the object to be detected. The pedestal has an engaging portion that can be engaged with a holding portion provided on the object to be detected,
The biasing member is elastically deformed in a direction in which the locking portion and the holding portion are locked to each other by locking the locking portion and the holding portion. The sensor unit described in . The sensor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the biasing member is a spiral metal coil spring. The pedestal portion includes a spring accommodating portion that axially accommodates a portion of the biasing member;
a lid portion assembled in the axial direction of the biasing member with respect to the spring accommodating portion,
7. The sensor unit according to claim 6, wherein the spring accommodating portion and the lid portion sandwich the biasing member in the axial direction. The pedestal is made of synthetic resin,
The sensor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the biasing member is formed integrally with the pedestal from a synthetic resin. The sensor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the biasing member is a resin spring portion made of synthetic resin. 6. The urging member according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member is a pair of metal plate springs held by a pair of spring holding portions provided on both sides of the sensor element on the base portion. 2. The sensor unit according to item 1. 11. The sensor unit according to claim 10, wherein the pair of leaf springs are arranged such that portions that bias the base portion are symmetrical with respect to the sensor element. the detectable body;
A sensor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The power storage module, wherein the object to be detected is a power storage element.

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