JP5813430B2 - Connecting member for power supply body, bus bar module, and power supply device including the bus bar module - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connecting member of a power supply body that electrically connects a plurality of power supply bodies in a power supply apparatus used in, for example, a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle, and electrically connects batteries in a battery assembly constituting the power supply device The present invention relates to a bus bar module and a power supply device including the bus bar module.

  An electric vehicle that travels using an electric motor, a hybrid vehicle that travels using both an engine and an electric motor, and the like are equipped with a power supply device as a drive source of the electric motor. This power supply device includes a battery assembly (power supply body) composed of a plurality of batteries provided with a positive electrode at one end and a negative electrode at the other end, and a plurality of batteries are provided to obtain a desired voltage. Connected in series. The plurality of batteries are arranged along one direction with a positive electrode and a negative electrode adjacent to each other.

  The power supply apparatus described above includes a plurality of connection members (bus bars) that connect the positive electrode and the negative electrode of each battery adjacent to each other in the battery assembly, and the plurality of batteries of the battery assembly are connected by these connection members. Are connected in series (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such a plurality of connection members are generally installed in the battery assembly as bus bar modules housed in an insulator frame made of an insulating synthetic resin or the like. Moreover, in the power supply device described in Patent Document 1, the battery assemblies are separated into two rows and are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the plurality of batteries in each battery assembly.

  On the other hand, a connection structure using a wire harness (cable) or the like is used as a structure for electrically connecting a plurality of power supply bodies installed side by side (see, for example, Patent Document 2). As shown in FIG. 5, the power supply device described in Patent Document 2 includes a plurality (two) of power supply bodies (batteries) B arranged without contacting each other, and positive and negative electrode terminals C1 in the power supply bodies B of each other. , C2 are connected by a wire harness W. The wire harness W includes an electric wire portion W1 in which a conductive core wire is covered with an insulator, and a pair of terminals (for example, a thumb screw terminal and a round terminal) W2 crimped to the core wire at both ends of the electric wire portion W1. A terminal cover W3 that covers and insulates the crimped portion between the core wire and the terminal W2 is provided.

JP 2011-100619 A JP 2011-126396 A

  However, in the connection structure of the power supply body as shown in Patent Document 2 described above, since the electrodes of the power supply body B are connected using the wire harness W, there are the following problems.

  First, since the wire harness W is composed of the electric wire portion W1, the pair of terminals W2, the terminal cover W3, etc., the number of parts increases, and the man-hours such as the crimping process and the insulating process increase, which takes time. There is a problem that the manufacturing cost increases.

  Next, in the operation of connecting the wire harness W to the power supply body B, one terminal W2 is connected to one electrode terminal C1, and then the other terminal W2 is connected to the other electrode terminal C2. At this time, if the other terminal W2 comes into contact with another electrode or the like of the power supply body B, there is a possibility of a short circuit. For this reason, it is necessary to perform the connection work while taking appropriate measures so that the terminal W2 of the wire harness W does not come in contact with anything other than the electrode terminal C2, and there is a problem that the workability is reduced due to redundancy of the work procedure. . Here, in order to prevent a short circuit, it is conceivable to use a wire harness W having a connector in which the terminal W2 is covered with an insulating housing or the like. However, when such a wire harness W is used, a connector must also be provided on the electrode of the power supply body B, which further increases the manufacturing cost and requires a space for connecting the connectors. End up.

  On the other hand, a connection structure using a bus bar for connection instead of the conventional wire harness W is also conceivable. However, even when the electrode terminals C1 and C2 of each power source B are connected to each other by the bus bar for connection, the possibility that a part of the bus bar contacts other than the electrode terminal C2 and is short-circuited during the connection work is eliminated. It is still difficult to solve the problem of workability deterioration as described above. Furthermore, in the state where the electrode terminals C1 and C2 are connected to each other, the conductive portion in the middle of the bus bar is exposed, so when using a separate protective cap or the like having insulation to cover the conductive portion, The number of parts and the number of work steps will increase, and the cost required for manufacturing and parts management will increase.

  In view of the above-described points, the present invention provides a connection member for a power supply unit that can secure good workability while suppressing the possibility of a short circuit when connecting the power supply units, and can suppress the manufacturing cost. An object of the present invention is to provide a module and a power supply device including the bus bar module.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the connection member of the power supply unit according to the first aspect of the present invention electrically connects the first electrode of one power supply unit and the second electrode of another power supply unit. A connection member of a power supply body, which is made of a conductive metal plate, one end side of which is connected to the first electrode, and the other end side of which is connected to the second electrode, and the one end side of the conductive member Excluding one end side insulating member capable of covering the end, the other end insulating member capable of covering the other end of the conductive member, and the one end and the other end of the conductive member. An intermediate insulating member that covers the intermediate portion, and the one end side insulating member and the other end side insulating member cover the end portions on the one end side and the other end side of the conductive member, respectively, and the end portions slide along the exposed position to the exposed, between the longitudinal direction of the conductive member Rotatably to said characterized in that it is supported on the intermediate insulating member.

  With the above configuration, the first electrode of one power supply body and the second electrode of the other power supply body are connected by a conductive member made of a metal plate material, so that the conductive member is compared with the case of connecting with a conventional wire harness. The manufacturing process can be simplified. Further, by covering the intermediate part of the conductive member with the intermediate insulating member, the intermediate part and each part of the power supply body do not contact each other, and the one end side insulating member and the other end side insulating member are respectively positioned at the covering positions, thereby Both ends can also be insulated from each part of the power supply body. Therefore, in the initial stage of connecting the conductive member, the short circuit via the conductive member can be prevented by covering the entire conductive member with each insulating member. Next, when one end side of the conductive member is connected to the first electrode, the connection work can be smoothly performed by moving the one end side insulating member to the exposed position, and the other end side insulating member is used during the work. Is maintained at the covering position, it is possible to reliably prevent the end of the other end side of the conductive member from coming into contact with the power supply body. After connecting the one end side of the conductive member, the other end side insulating member is moved to the exposed position and then the other end side is connected to prevent the conductive member from falling off. It is possible to prevent the conductive member from contacting a portion that is not supposed to be contacted (hereinafter, referred to as a contact non-permitted portion), and it is possible to more reliably prevent a short circuit during connection work.

The connection member according to claim 3 is the connection member according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the one end-side insulating member and the other end-side insulating member are connected to the intermediate insulating member at respective covering positions and exposed positions. A positioning portion for positioning is provided.

  With the above configuration, the insulating member on the one end side and the insulating member on the other end side are positioned at the covering position by the positioning portion, so that each insulating member is not unexpectedly moved to the exposed position and prevents contact with the battery assembly. Thus, the possibility of a short circuit can be surely eliminated. On the other hand, by positioning the one end side insulating member and the other end side insulating member at the exposed position by the positioning portion, the operator can insulate each end when connecting the one end side and the other end side of the conductive member to the electrode. There is no need to keep the member in the exposed position, and the connection workability can be further improved.

The connection member according to claim 2 is a connection member of a power supply body that electrically connects a first electrode of one power supply body and a second electrode of another power supply body, and is a conductive metal plate material A conductive member having one end connected to the first electrode and having the other end connected to the second electrode, an end insulating member capable of covering the end of the one end of the conductive member, and the conductive A second end insulating member capable of covering the other end of the member, and an intermediate insulating member covering an intermediate portion of the conductive member excluding the one end and the other end. The side insulating member and the other end side insulating member are respectively movable between a covering position covering the end portion on one end side and the other end side of the conductive member and an exposed position exposing the end portion. is supported on the intermediate insulating member, the conductive member is a flat bent shape from a metal plate material Made is, wherein the intermediate insulating member covers the intermediate portion of the conductive member including the bent portion is provided.

  With the above configuration, by providing the intermediate insulating member so as to cover the intermediate portion of the conductive member including the bent portion, the intermediate insulating member is restricted from moving with respect to the conductive member because it is caught by the bent portion. Parts or parts for fixing or locking can be omitted. Furthermore, since the one end side insulating member and the other end side insulating member are supported by the intermediate insulating member whose movement with respect to the conductive member is restricted, the position accuracy of the covering position and the exposed position of each insulating member can be improved. Insulation when moved to the position can be ensured, and connection workability in the state moved to the exposed position can be ensured.

  The bus bar module according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is a bus bar module that electrically connects one battery assembly in which a plurality of batteries are stacked and another battery assembly in which a plurality of batteries are stacked. A plurality of first bus bars for connecting the electrodes of the batteries adjacent to each other in the one battery assembly, and a first connection body having a first insulator frame for housing the plurality of first bus bars; A plurality of second bus bars for connecting the electrodes of adjacent batteries in another battery assembly, a second connector having a second insulator frame for accommodating the plurality of second bus bars, and the one battery. A third connection for connecting a first electrode of a predetermined battery in the assembly and a second electrode of the predetermined battery in the other battery assembly, wherein the third connection is according to claims 1 to 3. Consists of the connection member described in any one of Characterized in that it has been.

  With the above configuration, the structure and manufacturing process of the conductive member in the third connection body can be simplified as well as the connection member of the power supply body described above, and one and other battery assemblies are connected by the conductive member. A short circuit through the conductive member can be reliably prevented during work or after connection.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power supply device according to the present invention, wherein one battery assembly in which a plurality of batteries are stacked, another battery assembly in which a plurality of batteries are stacked, and a plurality of battery assemblies in each of the battery assemblies. The bus bar module according to claim 4, wherein the batteries and predetermined batteries of the one and other battery assemblies are connected to each other.

  With the above configuration, the structure of the conductive member and the manufacturing process can be simplified as in the case of the bus bar module described above, and the conductive member can be conductive during and after the connection of one and other battery assemblies with the conductive member. It is possible to reliably prevent a short circuit through the member.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the structure and manufacturing process of the conductive member can be simplified, so that the manufacturing cost can be suppressed. In addition, the contact between the conductive member and the non-permissible contact portion of the power supply body can be prevented by the insulating member on one end side and the other end side at an appropriate time during the connection work, so the possibility of a short circuit is surely eliminated. However, good connection workability can be ensured. Further, by connecting one and other power supply bodies with a conductive member made of a metal plate material, even if there is a positional shift between the power supply bodies in the stage before connection, this positional shift can be corrected by the conductive member. .

According to the invention described in claim 3, by positioning each insulating member at the covering position and the exposed position, it is possible to ensure insulation and prevent short-circuiting, and to improve the workability of connecting the conductive members. .

According to the invention of claim 2, by restricting the movement of the intermediate insulating member relative to the conductive member, it is possible to increase the positional accuracy of the one end side insulating member and the other end side insulating member supported by the intermediate insulating member, Both reliable insulation and good workability can be improved.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the manufacturing cost of the conductive member can be reduced as described above, and good connection workability can be ensured while reliably eliminating the possibility of a short circuit via the conductive member. . Further, the bus bars in the first and second battery assemblies are connected to each other by the bus bar module including the first and second connection bodies and the third connection body including the conductive member, and the predetermined battery of each battery assembly is connected. Can be connected. Therefore, since the structure and connection method of each part of the bus bar module can be made common, the structure of each part and the connection procedure are standardized compared to the case where different types of connection structures (for example, those using wire harnesses) are used together. Therefore, it is possible to further promote the reduction of manufacturing cost and the improvement of work efficiency.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, like the above-described bus bar module, the manufacturing cost of the conductive member is suppressed, and good connection workability is ensured while reliably eliminating the possibility of a short circuit via the conductive member. Thus, the manufacturing efficiency of the power supply device can be improved.

It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the power supply device concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which expands and shows the principal part of the said power supply device. It is a perspective view which shows the connection member in the said power supply device. It is sectional drawing which shows the said connection member, (A) is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. 3, (B) is the sectional view on the BB line of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows one form of the conventional power supply device.

  Hereinafter, a power supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The power supply device 1 according to the present embodiment is mounted on an electric vehicle that travels by the driving force of an electric motor, a hybrid vehicle that travels by the driving force of both an engine and an electric motor, and supplies power to the electric motor. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply device 1 includes a plurality (two in this embodiment) of battery assemblies 2 (2 </ b> A and 2 </ b> B) and a bus bar module 3 attached to the upper surface of the battery assembly 2. ing. Each of the battery assemblies 2A and 2B includes a plurality of batteries 4 that are stacked in one direction (the direction indicated by the arrow X in FIG. 1), and these batteries 4 are bundled and fixed by a fixing member (not shown). Yes. The two battery assemblies 2A and 2B are juxtaposed in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the batteries 4 are stacked (the direction indicated by the arrow Y in FIG. 1). The bodies 2A and 2B are connected to each other.

  Hereinafter, in the present specification, the direction in which the batteries 4 are overlapped (the direction of the arrow X) is referred to as a column direction X, and the battery assemblies 2A and 2B are arranged side by side perpendicular to the column direction X. The direction (the direction of the arrow Y) is referred to as a row direction Y, and the direction perpendicular to the column direction X and the row direction Y is referred to as a height direction Z. In the following description, of the two battery assemblies 2A and 2B, the battery assembly 2A shown on the upper left side in the row direction Y in FIG. 1 is defined as one battery assembly (one power supply unit). 1 will be described as another battery assembly (another power supply body).

  Each of the plurality of batteries 4 includes a rectangular battery body 5, a positive electrode (hereinafter referred to as a positive electrode) 6, and a negative electrode (hereinafter referred to as a negative electrode) 7. The positive electrode 6 is provided on one end side in the row direction Y of the battery body 5, and the negative electrode 7 is provided on the other end side in the row direction Y of the battery body 5. The positive electrode 6 and the negative electrode 7 are constituted by a bolt made of a conductive metal or the like, and are provided with a cylindrical shaft portion protruding upward from the battery body 5. Each positive electrode 6 and negative electrode 7 can be screwed with a fixing member 8 made of a conductive metal nut or the like. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the adjacent batteries 4 are arranged so that the positive electrode 6 and the negative electrode 7 are adjacent to each other. That is, the plurality of batteries 4 are stacked such that the positive electrode 6 and the negative electrode 7 are alternately positive and negative along the column direction X.

  Here, in order to simplify the following description, in the battery assembly 2A, the positive electrode 6 and the negative electrode 7 arranged in a line along the column direction X on the upper left side in FIG. 1 are referred to as a first electrode line E1, The positive electrode 6 and the negative electrode 7 arranged in a line along the column direction X on the lower right side are referred to as a second electrode line E2. Further, in the battery assembly 2B, the positive electrode 6 and the negative electrode 7 arranged in a line along the column direction X on the upper left side in FIG. 1 are denoted as a third electrode line E3, and along the column direction X on the lower right side thereof. The positive electrode 6 and the negative electrode 7 arranged in a row are referred to as a fourth electrode row E4. Further, in the second electrode row E2, one negative electrode 7 at the right end in the column direction X in FIG. 1 is used as a connecting negative electrode 7A as the first electrode, and among the third electrode row E3, the column direction in FIG. One positive electrode 6 at the right end of X is defined as a connecting positive electrode 6A as a second electrode. Furthermore, one positive electrode 6 at the left end in the column direction X in FIG. 1 in the first electrode row E1 is used as an output positive electrode 6B, and one at the left end in the column direction X in FIG. 1 in the fourth electrode row E4. The negative electrode 7 is an output negative electrode 7B, and the output positive electrode 6B and the output negative electrode 7B are connected to the electric motor.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the bus bar module 3 includes a first structure 3A attached to the first electrode array E1 and a second connection body as a first connection body attached to the second electrode array E2 excluding the connecting negative electrode 7A. The structure 3B, the third structure 3C as the second connection body attached to the third electrode array E3 excluding the connection positive electrode 6A, the fourth structure 3D attached to the fourth electrode array E4, and the connection A fifth connecting body 3E as a connecting member, which is a third connecting body attached to the negative electrode 7A and the connecting positive electrode 6A.

  The first structural body 3A and the fourth structural body 3D have substantially the same configuration, and are accommodated in the bus bar housing frame 10 formed in a long frame shape along the column direction X and the bus bar housing frame 10, respectively. A plurality of bus bars 11 are provided. The second structural body 3B and the third structural body 3C have substantially the same configuration, and are each formed in a long frame shape along the column direction X, and the bus bar housing frames 12, 13 And a plurality of bus bars 14 and 15 accommodated in the housing. Here, the first insulator frame is configured by the bus bar housing frame 12 of the second structural body 3 </ b> B, and the plurality of first bus bars are configured by the plurality of bus bars 14. Further, the second insulator frame is configured by the bus bar housing frame 13 of the third structural body 3 </ b> C, and the plurality of second bus bars are configured by the plurality of bus bars 15.

  The bus bar housing frames 10, 12, and 13 are each made of an insulating synthetic resin such as polypropylene resin, and have a bottom surface portion 16 that has an opening that holds the bus bars 11, 14, and 15 and is exposed downward, and the bottom surface portion. 16 and a side wall portion 17 erected around the four circumferences. The bus bars 11, 14, and 15 are each made of a conductive metal plate material. Except for the bus bar 11A attached to the output positive electrode 6B and the bus bar 11B attached to the output negative electrode 7B, each of the other bus bars 11, 14, and 15 has two insertion holes 18 respectively. The positive electrode 6 or the negative electrode 7 is inserted, and the positive electrode 6 and the negative electrode 7 are connected in series. On the other hand, each of the bus bars 11A and 11B has one insertion hole 18 through which the output positive electrode 6B or the output negative electrode 7B is inserted, and is connected to the electric motor via an output terminal, a wire harness, or the like (not shown).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the fifth structure 3E of the bus bar module 3 includes a connection bus bar 20 as a conductive member, an intermediate cover 21 as an intermediate insulating member, and an end-side insulating member. A first end cover 22 and a second end cover 23 as the other end side insulating member are provided. The fifth structure 3E connects the battery assembly 2A and the battery assembly 2B electrically in series by connecting the connection negative electrode 7A and the connection positive electrode 6A by the connection bus bar 20. .

  The connecting bus bar 20 is made of a conductive metal plate, and includes a first straight portion 20A on the battery assembly 2A side which is one end side, a second straight portion 20B on the battery assembly 2B side which is the other end side, and these. The bent portion 20C is connected at a substantially right angle, and is formed in a substantially L shape as a whole in plan view. An insertion hole 24 through which the connecting negative electrode 7A is inserted is provided at the distal end side of the first straight portion 20A, and an insertion hole 25 through which the connecting positive electrode 6A is inserted is provided at the distal end side of the second linear portion 20B. . The connecting bus bar 20 is attached in such a direction that the bent portion 20C protrudes outward in the column direction X in a state where the connecting negative electrode 7A and the connecting positive electrode 6A are inserted into the insertion holes 24 and 25, respectively.

  In the connecting bus bar 20, an end portion 26 on one end side is constituted by a peripheral portion of the insertion hole 24 which is the distal end portion of the first linear portion 20A and the fixing member 8 overlaps, and is fixed at the distal end portion of the second linear portion 20B. An end portion 27 on the other end side is constituted by a peripheral portion of the insertion hole 25 where the member 8 overlaps. The intermediate portion 28 of the connecting bus bar 20 is constituted by the first straight portion 20A excluding the end portion 26, the second straight portion 20B excluding the end portion 27, and the bent portion 20C.

  The intermediate cover 21, the first end cover 22, and the second end cover 23 are each made of an insulating synthetic resin such as polypropylene resin. The intermediate cover 21 is provided so as to cover the intermediate portion 28 of the connecting bus bar 20, and is formed in an overall L shape in a plan view bent substantially at a right angle, like the bent portion 20 </ b> C of the connecting bus bar 20. The one end side covering portion 21A and the other end side covering portion 21B of the intermediate cover 21 are formed shorter than the first straight portion 20A and the second straight portion 20B of the connecting bus bar 20, respectively. It is comprised so that the edge parts 26 and 27 of 20 may be exposed.

  The first end cover 22 is provided so as to surround the one end side covering portion 21A of the intermediate cover 21, and is supported so as to advance and retreat along the one end side covering portion 21A. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 (A), the first end cover 22 advances in the distal direction of the one end side covering portion 21A and covers the end portion 26 of the connecting bus bar 20; As shown to (B), it is comprised so that sliding movement is possible between the exposure position which reverse | retreats to the base end side of 21 A of one end side coating | coated parts, and exposes the edge part 26 of the bus bar 20 for a connection.

  The second end cover 23 is provided so as to surround the other end side covering portion 21B of the intermediate cover 21, and is supported so as to be movable forward and backward along the other end side covering portion 21B. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 (A), the second end cover 23 is advanced in the distal direction of the other end side covering portion 21B to cover the end portion 27 of the connecting bus bar 20, and As shown in FIG. 3 (B), it is configured to be slidable between an exposed position where the end portion 27 of the connecting bus bar 20 is exposed by retreating to the base end side of the other end side covering portion 21B.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the one end side covering portion 21A and the other end side covering portion 21B of the intermediate cover 21 are in contact with the first end portion cover 22 and the second end portion cover 23 slid to the exposed positions, respectively. A contact protrusion 31 is formed. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, a first end cover 22 and a second end cover 23 are provided in the vicinity of the respective leading edges of the one end side covering portion 21A and the other end side covering portion 21B, as shown in FIG. Locking protrusions 32 for positioning are formed. The first end cover 22 and the second end cover 23 have a locking hole 33 that is locked to the locking protrusion 32 at the covering position, and a locking that is locked to the locking protrusion 32 at the exposed position. A hole 34 is formed. That is, the locking projection 32 and the locking holes 33, 34 constitute a positioning portion, and the locking hole 33 is locked to the locking projection 32, whereby the first end cover 22 and the second end cover 23. Are positioned at the covering positions, and the locking holes 34 are locked to the locking protrusions 32, whereby the first end cover 22 and the second end cover 23 are positioned at the exposed positions.

  Hereinafter, a method for assembling the power supply device 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.

  First, the bus bar housing frames 10, 12, 13, the bus bars 11, 14, 15, the connecting bus bar 20, the intermediate cover 21, the first end cover 22, the second end cover 23, etc. are separately provided in advance. Make it. On the other hand, the battery assemblies 2A and 2B are arranged in the row direction Y and fixed with an appropriate jig or fixing member.

  Next, a plurality of bus bars 11 are fitted in the two bus bar housing frames 10, a plurality of bus bars 14 are fitted in the bus bar housing frame 12, and a plurality of bus bars 15 are fitted in the bus bar housing frame 13, 1st-4th structure 3A-3D is comprised. Further, the connecting bus bar 20 is inserted into the intermediate cover 21, and the first end cover 22 and the second end cover 23 are attached to the intermediate cover 21 to constitute the fifth structure 3 </ b> E. Each bus bar 11, 14, 15 may be integrally provided by insert molding in the bus bar housing frames 10, 12, 13, and the connecting bus bar 20 is insert molded in the intermediate cover 21. It may be provided integrally.

  Next, the first to fourth structures 3A to 3D are placed on the first to fourth electrode rows E1 to E4 of the battery assemblies 2A and 2B, respectively, and the positive electrode 6 and the corresponding positions of the positive electrode 6 and The negative electrode 7 is inserted through the insertion holes 18 of the bus bars 11, 14, 15. Further, the fixing member 8 is screwed to the positive electrode 6 and the negative electrode 7 other than the connecting positive electrode 6A and the connecting negative electrode 7A, and the bus bars 11, 14, and 15 are sandwiched by the fixing member 8, whereby the first to fourth components 3A to 3D are fixed to the battery assemblies 2A and 2B.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (A), the first end cover 22 and the second end cover 23 are each slid to the covering position, and the entire connection bus bar 20 is covered with the covers 21, 22, 23. The covered fifth structure 3E is positioned on the battery assemblies 2A and 2B. At this time, the first end cover 22 and the second end cover 23 are positioned at the covering position with respect to the intermediate cover 21 by the respective locking holes 33 being locked by the locking projections 32, and connected. End portions 26 and 27 of the bus bar 20 are covered.

  Next, the first end cover 22 is pressed to unlock the locking hole 33 by the locking projection 32, and the first end cover 22 is slid to the exposed position to contact the contact protrusion 31. The locking hole 34 is locked to the locking projection 32. As a result, the first end cover 22 is positioned at the exposed position, and the end portion 26 of the connecting bus bar 20 is exposed. Next, the connecting negative electrode 7A is inserted into the insertion hole 24 of the exposed end portion 26, and the connecting bus bar 20 is temporarily fixed to the battery assembly 2A.

  Next, the second end cover 23 is pressed to unlock the locking hole 33 by the locking projection 32, and the second end cover 23 is slid to the exposed position to contact the contact projection 31. The locking hole 34 is locked to the locking projection 32. Thus, the second end cover 23 is positioned at the exposed position, and the end portion 27 of the connecting bus bar 20 is exposed. Next, the connecting positive electrode 6A is inserted through the insertion hole 25 of the exposed end 27 while rotating the connecting bus bar 20 around the connecting negative electrode 7A.

  Next, the fifth structural body 3E is fixed to the battery assemblies 2A and 2B by screwing the fixing member 8 into each of the connecting positive electrode 6A and the connecting negative electrode 7A and sandwiching the connecting bus bar 20 with the fixing member 8. To do. As a result, the entire bus bar module 3 is attached to the battery assemblies 2A and 2B, and the power supply device 1 is assembled. Moreover, after connecting the bus bar 20 for connection, you may attach the insulating cover etc. which are not illustrated so that the whole bus-bar module 3 or each upper side of 1st-5th structure 3A-3E may be covered.

  According to the present embodiment, when connecting battery assemblies 2A and 2B arranged side by side in series, a connection structure using a conventional wire harness is used by using the connection bus bar 20 made of a conductive metal plate material. The manufacturing cost of the connection member can be reduced as compared with. Further, after connecting the connecting positive electrode 6A and the connecting negative electrode 7A with the connecting bus bar 20 of the fifth structure 3E, the intermediate portion 28 of the connecting bus bar 20 is covered with the intermediate cover 21, so that Therefore, the number of parts and the number of work steps can be reduced. Further, during the connection work by the fifth structure 3E, the end portions 26 and 27 of the connecting bus bar 20 may be covered with the first end cover 22 and the second end cover 23 as necessary, or the first end cover 22 and the second end cover 23 are slid to expose the end portions 26 and 27, so that the end portions 26 and 27 of the connection bus bar 20 unexpectedly come into contact with other than the connection positive electrode 6A and the connection negative electrode 7A. It is possible to prevent contact with the non-permitted portion. Therefore, it is possible to provide the power supply device 1 that can secure good connection workability while reliably suppressing the possibility of a short circuit during the connection work while suppressing the manufacturing cost by the connection bus bar 20 having a simple structure.

  Further, the first end cover 22 and the second end cover 23 are locked to the locking protrusions 32 of the intermediate cover 21 through the locking holes 33 and 34, and are positioned at the covering position or the exposed position. Thereby, in the state positioned at the covering position, it is possible to reliably prevent contact with the contact non-permitted portion, and in the state positioned at the exposed position, the attachment work to the connecting positive electrode 6A and the connecting negative electrode 7A is performed. It can be easily implemented.

  In addition, between the battery assemblies 2A and 2B arranged side by side, the battery assembly 2A and 2B in the column direction X of the battery assemblies 2A and 2B can be obtained by the error of the thickness dimension of each of the batteries 4 stacked and the error when overlapping. Even when the connecting positive electrode 6A and the connecting negative electrode 7A are misaligned due to differences in length, the misalignment can be achieved by adjusting the rotation angle of the connecting bus bar 20 as appropriate. Can be absorbed. Further, when the positional deviation between the battery assemblies 2A and 2B is large, the connection positive electrode 6A and the connection negative electrode 7A are attracted by the connection bus bar 20 made of a metal plate material, for example, so that the connection between the battery assemblies 2A and 2B. Thus, the battery assemblies 2A and 2B can be positioned within a predetermined tolerance.

  In the above embodiment, the battery assemblies 2A and 2B constitute one and other power supply bodies. However, the power supply body may be constituted by a single battery.

  In the embodiment, the power supply device 1 in which the power supply bodies (battery assemblies 2A and 2B) are electrically connected in series has been described. However, the present invention is also applicable to the case where the power supply bodies are electrically connected in parallel. The connection structure of can be applied.

  Furthermore, the connection structure of the present invention is not limited to the one used as the bus bar module 3, and includes the connection bus bar 20, the intermediate cover 21, the first end cover 22, and the second end cover 23 in the above embodiment. The fifth structural body 3E can be used as a connection member configured independently.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the bus-bar 20 for a connection as a electrically-conductive member was comprised from the planar view L-shaped metal plate material, the shape and raw material of a electrically-conductive member can be selected arbitrarily. Along with the shape of the conductive member, the shape of the intermediate insulating member (intermediate cover 21), the one end side insulating member (first end cover 22), the other end side insulating member (second end cover 23), etc. It can be changed as appropriate.

  The power supply unit connection structure, the bus bar module, and the power supply device including the bus bar module according to the present invention can be used as a drive source for supplying power to an electric motor used in, for example, a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle.

1 Power supply unit 2, 2A, 2B Battery assembly (power supply unit)
3 Busbar module 3B Second component (first connector)
3C Third component (second connector)
3E Fifth structure (third connection body, connection member)
4 battery 6A positive electrode for connection (second electrode)
7A Negative electrode for connection (first electrode)
12 Busbar housing frame (first insulator frame)
13 Busbar housing frame (second insulator frame)
14 Bus bar (1st bus bar)
15 Busbar (second busbar)
20 Bus bar for connection (conductive member)
20C Bent part (bent part)
21 Intermediate cover (intermediate insulation member)
22 First end cover (one end side insulating member)
23 Second end cover (insulating member on the other end)
26, 27 End portion 28 Intermediate portion 32 Locking protrusion (positioning portion)
33, 34 Locking hole (positioning part)

Claims (5)

A connection member of a power supply body for electrically connecting a first electrode of one power supply body and a second electrode of another power supply body,
A conductive member made of a conductive metal plate, one end connected to the first electrode, and the other end connected to the second electrode;
One end side insulating member capable of covering the end of the one end side of the conductive member;
The other end side insulating member capable of covering the other end side of the conductive member;
An intermediate insulating member that covers an intermediate portion excluding end portions on the one end side and the other end side of the conductive member, and
The one end-side insulating member and the other end-side insulating member includes a covering position for covering the end portion of the one end and the other end of the conductive member, respectively, said conductive and exposed position, between the exposing the end portion A connecting member for a power supply body, wherein the connecting member is supported by the intermediate insulating member so as to be slidable along the longitudinal direction of the member. A connection member of a power supply body for electrically connecting a first electrode of one power supply body and a second electrode of another power supply body,
A conductive member made of a conductive metal plate, one end connected to the first electrode, and the other end connected to the second electrode;
One end side insulating member capable of covering the end of the one end side of the conductive member;
The other end side insulating member capable of covering the other end side of the conductive member;
An intermediate insulating member that covers an intermediate portion excluding end portions on the one end side and the other end side of the conductive member, and
The one end side insulating member and the other end side insulating member are movable between a covering position covering the end portion on one end side and the other end side of the conductive member and an exposed position exposing the end portion, respectively. Supported by the intermediate insulating member ,
A connecting member for a power supply unit, wherein the conductive member is formed from a metal plate in a plane bent shape, and the intermediate insulating member is provided to cover the intermediate portion of the conductive member including the bent portion. 3. The connection member according to claim 1, further comprising a positioning portion that positions the one end side insulating member and the other end side insulating member with respect to the intermediate insulating member at each covering position and exposing position. . A bus bar module that electrically connects one battery assembly in which a plurality of batteries are stacked and another battery assembly in which a plurality of batteries are stacked,
A plurality of first bus bars for connecting the electrodes of adjacent batteries in the one battery assembly, and a first connection body having a first insulator frame for housing the plurality of first bus bars;
A plurality of second bus bars that connect the electrodes of the batteries adjacent to each other in the other battery assembly, and a second connector having a second insulator frame that houses the plurality of second bus bars;
A third connector for connecting the first electrode of the predetermined battery in the one battery assembly and the second electrode of the predetermined battery in the other battery assembly;
The said 3rd connection body was comprised with the connection member as described in any one of Claims 1-3, The bus-bar module characterized by the above-mentioned.   One battery assembly in which a plurality of batteries are stacked, another battery assembly in which a plurality of batteries are stacked, a plurality of batteries in each of the battery assemblies, and a predetermined battery of the one and other battery assemblies A power supply apparatus comprising: the bus bar module according to claim 4 that connects each other.

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