JP6631681B2 - Connection module - Google Patents

Description

  The technology disclosed in the present specification relates to a connection module.

  BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, as a power storage module having an external connection bus bar connected to an output electrode terminal of a power storage element group, for example, a power storage module described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-127229 (Patent Document 1) is known. A pair of output electrode terminals are provided at both ends of the power storage element group of the power storage module, and an external connection bus bar is connected to the pair of output electrode terminals. Each external connection bus bar is held by a locking piece provided on the resin protector together with the bus bar connecting the electrode terminals of the electric storage element.

JP 2014-127229 A

  By the way, when the power supply from the power storage element group is performed from the same end side of the power storage element group, an external connection bus bar connected to one of the pair of output electrode terminals is provided to extend to the other end of the power storage element group. There is a need.

  However, when the thickness of the external connection bus bar is formed thinner than the width dimension and the external connection bus bar is easily deformed so that both ends in the width direction are close to each other, the external connection bus bar is locked with the resin protector. When assembling to the piece, the external connection bus bar may be deformed by the locking piece, and the assembling property may be deteriorated.

  This specification discloses a technique for suppressing the deterioration of the assemblability of the external connection bus bar.

  The technology disclosed in this specification is a connection module attached to a power storage element group in which a plurality of power storage elements having positive and negative electrode terminals are arranged, and a plate-shaped extension extending in the direction in which the power storage elements are arranged. An external connection bus bar electrically connected to the electrode terminals arranged at the end of the power storage device group in the direction in which the power storage devices are arranged, and an insulating protector for holding the external connection bus bar. The insulating protector includes a mounting portion on which the extending portion is mounted, and a locking portion having a locking surface facing the mounting portion, wherein the extending portion includes the extending portion. And an extended locking piece that is formed so as to extend toward the locking surface of the locking portion and locks with the locking surface in a direction in which the external connection bus bar is separated from the insulating protector. Configuration.

  According to the connection module having such a configuration, the rigidity in the thickness direction at the portion where the extension locking piece is provided in the extension portion is increased, and the extension locking piece is larger than the locking surface of the locking portion. Inclination can be suppressed, and the locking between the locking surface and the extended locking piece can be strengthened. That is, the extension portion is prevented from being bent and deformed by the locking portion of the insulating protector. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the assemblability of the external connection bus bar from being deteriorated with respect to the insulation protector and to prevent the external connection bus bar from falling off the insulation protector.

The connection module disclosed in the present specification may have the following configuration.
A state in which the locking portion extends from the mounting portion in a direction orthogonal to the mounting surface of the mounting portion and is elastically displaceable in a direction along the mounting surface; and the locking surface. A locking projection protruding from the elastic piece, and the extended locking piece is provided so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the plate surface of the extending portion so as to be close to the elastic piece. May be adopted.

  According to such a configuration, since the extension locking piece is arranged so as to be close to the elastic piece of the locking portion, the extension locking piece is engaged when the extension portion is to be bent and deformed. It comes into contact with the elastic piece of the stop portion, and the bending deformation of the extension portion is suppressed. Thereby, it is possible to further suppress the deterioration of the assemblability of the external connection bus bar with respect to the insulation protector, and to further prevent the external connection bus bar from falling off from the insulation protector.

  The extension locking piece is provided so as to be continuous with a side edge in a width direction that is a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the extension part, and a part of the extension locking piece that is connected to the extension part has a rounded shape. The external connection bus bar may be formed to be bent so as to be in contact with the locking portion of the locking portion when the external connection bus bar is assembled to the insulating protector.

  According to such a configuration, when the external connection bus bar is assembled to the insulating protector, the rounded bent portion comes into contact with the locking portion and the elastic piece is elastically displaced. The extended locking piece of the external connection bus bar can be smoothly assembled to the locking portion of the insulating protector as compared with the case where the external connection bus bar is attached to the insulating protector. Further, by smoothly assembling the extended locking pieces of the external connection bus bar to the locking portions, it is possible to prevent the locking portions from being damaged. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the external connection bus bar from dropping from the insulating protector due to the damage of the locking portion.

  The extending portion has a locking hole in which the fitting locking piece provided in the placing portion is fitted, and a width direction equal to or more than a width dimension of the locking hole on a side of the locking hole. And the extension of the extension locking piece may be set to be equal to or less than the extension of the extension.

  If a hole or the like is provided in the extending portion, the cross-sectional area in the width direction of the extending portion is reduced. Therefore, by providing a projecting portion that projects in the width direction on the side of the locking hole, the width of the extending portion in the width direction is reduced. A cross-sectional area can be secured. Then, in the deployed state of the external connection bus bar before bending the bent portion, the extension locking piece is set to be equal to or smaller than the overhang dimension of the overhang portion.

  That is, when forming the overhanging portion provided for securing the cross-sectional area in the width direction in the extending portion by punching or the like, the extension locking piece can be provided by effectively utilizing the discarded portion. Thereby, for example, as compared with the case where the extension locking piece is formed in a region other than the portion to be discarded in the base material, for example, the extension dimension of the extension locking piece is larger than the projection dimension of the protruding piece. Waste can be reduced and the yield of the externally connected bus bars can be improved.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the technique disclosed by this specification, it can suppress that the assemblability of an external connection bus bar deteriorates.

Top view of power storage module 1 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 1. External plan view of the first protector with the bus bar attached Top view of the second protector to which the external connection bus bar is assembled Top view of storage element group Plan view of the second protector Top view of negative electrode external connection bus bar CC line sectional view of FIG. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG.

<Embodiment>
One embodiment of the technology disclosed in the present specification will be described with reference to FIGS.
The present embodiment exemplifies a power storage module 10 mounted on a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle and used as a power source for driving the vehicle. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the power storage module 10 includes a power storage element group 70 configured by arranging a plurality of power storage elements 71, and a connection module 20 attached to the power storage element group 70.

  Each power storage element 71 is, for example, a secondary battery, and as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of (five in this embodiment) power storage elements 71 are accommodated in a frame 75 having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. Thus, the storage element group 70 is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a pair of flat electrode terminals 73 are arranged at positions on the upper surface of each power storage element 71 near both ends in the left-right direction. One of the electrode terminals 73 is a positive terminal 73P, and the other is a negative terminal 73N.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the power storage element 71 is configured such that the electrode terminals 73 of different polarities are adjacent to each other in the two adjacent power storage elements 71 (that is, the positive electrode terminal 73P of one power storage element 71 and This is accommodated in the frame 75 in a state of being arranged in a line in the front-rear direction (so that the negative electrode terminal 73N of the adjacent electric storage element 71 is adjacent to each other).

  As shown in FIG. 6, a locked part 77 to which a not-shown fitting locking part provided on the connection module 20 is fitted is provided between the pair of electrode terminals 73 on the upper part of each power storage element 71. ing. The fitting / locking portion is fitted to the locked portion 77, and the fitting / locking portion and the locked portion 77 are locked in the vertical direction, so that the connection module 20 is held and fixed on the power storage element group 70. It is supposed to be.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the connection module 20 includes a plurality of bus bars 21 that connect the positive terminal 73 </ b> P and the negative terminal 73 </ b> N of the adjacent storage element 71, and an arrangement of the storage elements 71 of the storage element group 70. An end bus bar 25 connected to one of the electrode terminals 73 located at both front and rear ends in the direction; a pair of external connection bus bars 30 connected to the end bus bar 25 and connected to an external device (not shown); An insulating protector 40 for insulating and holding the bus bars 21 and 41 from each other is provided.

  The bus bar 21 is formed by, for example, pressing a metal plate having excellent conductivity, such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, and stainless steel (SUS), or a metal plate obtained by bonding an aluminum plate and a copper plate. It is formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate slightly longer in the left-right direction (see FIG. 4).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, bus bar 21 is sized to be mounted on electrode terminals 73 of adjacent power storage elements 71 so as to straddle electrode terminals 73 of adjacent power storage elements 71. In addition, both ends of the bus bar 21 in the front-rear direction and the respective electrode terminals 73 are electrically connected by welding or the like, so that the adjacent power storage elements 71 are connected in series.
In the present embodiment, the adjacent power storage elements 71 are connected in series by arranging the electrode terminals 73 of different polarities in the adjacent power storage elements 71 so as to be adjacent to each other. However, by arranging the electrode terminals 73 of the same polarity so as to be adjacent to each other in a part of the adjacent storage elements 71 in the storage element group 70, a part of the adjacent storage elements 71 of the storage element group 70 are connected in parallel. May be.

  The end bus bar 25 is formed into a substantially rectangular flat plate elongated in the left-right direction by, for example, pressing a metal plate having excellent conductivity such as copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, and stainless steel (SUS). As shown in FIG. 4, the length dimension in the front-rear direction is about half of that of the bus bar 21. In the present embodiment, the end bus bar 25 is disposed on the rear left side and the front end right side, and the end bus bar 25 disposed on the rear left side is provided with the power storage element 71 disposed on the rear end. A negative end bus bar 25N connected to the negative terminal 73N is provided, and the end bus bar 25 disposed on the right side of the front end is connected to the positive terminal bus bar 25P connected to the positive terminal 73P of the power storage element 71 disposed at the forefront. It has been.

  One of the pair of external connection bus bars 30 is a positive external connection bus bar 31 that is short in the front-rear direction, and the other of the pair of external connection bus bars 30 is a negative external connection bus bar that is long in the front-rear direction (“external connection”). One example) 41. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the positive external connection bus bar 31 is disposed on the right side, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the negative external connection bus bar 41 is disposed on the left side.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the positive external connection bus bar 31 includes a first bus bar connection portion 32 connected to the positive end bus bar 25P of the power storage element group 70, and a positive terminal TP provided on an external device (not shown). And a short connecting portion 33 that connects the first bus bar connecting portion 32 and the first terminal connecting portion 34 to each other.

  The short connecting portion 33 is formed at a position one step higher than the first bus bar connecting portion 32 so as to be continuous with the front end edge of the first bus bar connecting portion 32. On the other hand, the first terminal connection portion 34 is formed continuously from the front edge of the short connecting portion 33 so as to extend upward from the front end edge of the short connecting portion 33.

  The first bus bar connection portion 32 is arranged on the positive end bus bar 25P along the upper surface of the positive end bus bar 25P, and is electrically connected to the positive end bus bar 25P by welding or the like. Therefore, when connection module 20 is assembled to power storage element group 70 and a plurality of power storage elements 71 are connected in series by bus bar 21, positive power of power storage element group 70 is supplied to positive external connection bus bar 31P through positive terminal bus bar 25P. Will be output to

  The first terminal connection part 34 is arranged along the front surface of the insulating protector 40, and the first terminal connection part 34 is provided with a bolt hole 35 through which the fastening bolt BT can be inserted.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the negative external connection bus bar 41 includes a second bus bar connection portion 42 connected to the upper surface of the negative end bus bar 25N of the power storage element group 70, and a negative electrode provided on an external device (not shown). It is configured to include a second terminal connection portion 44 that is bolted to the terminal TN, and a long connection portion 43 that connects the second bus bar connection portion 42 and the second terminal connection portion 44.

  The second bus bar connection portion 42 is disposed on the negative end bus bar 25N along the upper surface of the negative end bus bar 25N, and is electrically connected to the negative end bus bar 25N by welding or the like. Therefore, when connection module 20 is assembled to power storage element group 70 and a plurality of power storage elements 71 are connected in series by bus bar 21, the power of the negative electrode of power storage element group 70 is applied to negative electrode external connection bus bar 41 through negative electrode end bus bar 25 </ b> N. Will be output to

  The second terminal connection part 44 is arranged along the front surface of the insulating protector 40, and the second terminal connection part 44 is provided with a bolt hole 45 through which the fastening bolt BT can be inserted.

  The long connecting portion 43 is longer than the short connecting portion 33 and has a form extending back and forth from the position of the negative end bus bar 25N to the end on the side where the positive end bus bar 25P is arranged. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the long connecting portion 43 includes an inclined portion 43A that extends obliquely forward from the front edge of the second bus bar connecting portion 42 to a position higher than the short connecting portion 33, and an inclined portion 43A. And an L-shaped portion 43B that extends upward from the front edge of the extending portion 46 and then bends and extends forward.

  The extending portion 46 has a longitudinally extending form extending back and forth from the position of the negative electrode end bus bar 25N to the position of the bus bar 21 arranged on the left front end, and the thickness of the extending portion 46 is shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 10, the width is set to be very small as compared with the width dimension of the extending portion 46 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the extending portion 46 is very thin, and easily bends and deforms in a direction in which both side edges of the extending portion 46 approach each other (a direction in which the extending portion 46 contracts in the left-right direction).

  The L-shaped portion 43B is connected to the upper end edge of the second terminal connection portion 44, and the L-shaped portion 43B is connected to the second terminal connection portion 44 so that the L-shaped portion 43B is formed together with the second terminal connection portion 44 as described later. The second protector 60 is assembled to the first bus bar holding portion 62 so as to cover the first bus bar holding portion 62 of the second protector 60 from above.

The insulating protector 40 includes a first protector 50 that holds a plurality of bus bars 21 and a pair of end bus bars 25, and a second protector 60 that holds a pair of external connection bus bars 30.
The first protector 50 is made of a synthetic resin insulating member, and has a protector body 51 having a substantially rectangular frame shape. The inside of the protector main body 51 is provided with a bus bar holding portion 55 which is separated by a partition wall 53 and holds the plurality of bus bars 21 and the pair of end bus bars 25 individually.

  The bus bar holding portion 55 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, opens vertically, and holds the bus bar 21 or the end bus bar 25 therein. An upper end opening of the bus bar holding portion 55 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape substantially the same as the outer shape of the bus bar 21 or the end bus bar 25, and the bus bar 21 is supported by the supporting portion 56 provided at the bottom of the bus bar holding portion 55. 55.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the same number of busbar holding parts 55 are provided on both sides in the left-right direction with reference to a wiring path 52 extending in the front-rear direction provided at a substantially central part in the left-right direction of the protector body 51 (three in this embodiment) Each).

  The bus bar holding portion 55 disposed on the right side of the wiring path 52 among the bus bar holding portions 55 has a bus bar holding portion 55 at the right front end holding the positive end bus bar 25P, and two bus bar holding portions 55 at the rear side having the bus bar holding portions 55B. 21 are respectively held. On the other hand, among the bus bar holding portions 55, the bus bar holding portion 55 arranged on the left side of the wiring path 52 is configured such that the bus bar holding portion 55 on the left rear end holds the negative end bus bar 25 N and the two bus bar holding portions 55 on the front side. Respectively hold the bus bars 21.

  Therefore, the bus bar holding portion 55 of the first protector 50 is arranged such that the bus bar holding portion 55 is shifted forward and backward with respect to the wiring path 52, and the bus bar holding portion 55 held by the plurality of bus bar holding portions 55 of the first protector 50. 21 allows a plurality of power storage elements 71 to be connected in series.

  The second protector 60 is made of an insulating member made of a synthetic resin, and is formed separately from the first protector 50 as shown in FIG. The second protector 60 has a first busbar holding portion 62 on which the front end portion of the negative external connection bus bar 41 and the positive external connection busbar 31 are mounted, and a long connecting portion 43 of the negative external connection busbar 41. The second bus bar holding section 65 is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the first busbar holding portion 62 has a shape that is long in the left-right direction, and includes a pair of front locking pieces 62 </ b> A provided at both ends of the first busbar holding portion 62. The second protector 60 is fixed to the first protector 50 by being vertically locked by a locked portion (not shown) of the one protector 50.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, a pair of busbar locking pieces 62 </ b> B is provided on the left side of the substantially central portion in the left-right direction of the first busbar holding portion 62. The pair of bus bar engaging pieces 62B are disposed above both side edges of the front end of the extending portion 46 in the long connecting portion 43 of the negative electrode external connection bus bar 41. Accordingly, the pair of bus bar locking pieces 62B and both side edges of the front end of the extension portion 46 are locked in the vertical direction, so that the front end portion of the extension portion 46 is prevented from floating with respect to the first bus bar holding portion 62. ing.
A positive external connection bus bar 31 is attached to the right side of the substantially central portion in the left-right direction of the first bus bar holding portion 62 from below and is fixed by fixing means (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a bolt hole 35 in the first terminal connection portion 34 of the positive external connection bus bar 31 and a second terminal of the negative external connection bus bar 41 are provided at both ends in the left-right direction of the first bus bar holding portion 62. A nut N coaxial with the bolt hole 45 in the connection portion 44 is assembled. By arranging the positive terminal TP and the negative terminal TN provided on the external device on the front surface of these nuts N and tightening the fastening bolts BT, the power storage module 10 and the external device are electrically connected. I have.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 7, the second bus bar holding portion 65 is formed separately from the first bus bar holding portion 62, and the extension portion 46 of the negative electrode external connection bus bar 41 is placed thereon. The mounting portion 67 includes a pair of fixing pieces 68 extending left and right from both left and right edges of the mounting portion 67.

  The mounting portion 67 is formed in a flat plate shape extending in the front-rear direction from the position of the first bus bar holding portion 62 to the position of the negative end bus bar 25N. The mounting portion 67 is formed to have a larger width in the left-right direction than the extending portion 46 of the negative electrode external connection bus bar 41, and the extending portion 46 of the negative electrode external connection bus bar 41 is mounted on the mounting portion 67. Then, the mounting portion 67 insulates the space between the bus bar 21 and the extending portion 46.

  A pair of fitting and locking pieces 69 are provided at the center of the rear end of the mounting portion 67 in the width direction (left-right direction). The pair of fitting and locking pieces 69 are configured to stand upward from the mounting portion 67, and are elastically displaceable in the width direction so as to approach each other. At the tip of each fitting locking piece 69, there is provided a fitting projection 69A projecting in the width direction so as to be separated from each other. The rear end locking surface 69B locks the extended portion 46 of the negative electrode external connection bus bar 41 from above.

  On the other hand, a locking hole 47 into which a pair of fitting locking pieces 69 can be fitted from below is provided at the rear end of the extending portion 46. The locking hole 47 is provided so as to penetrate the extending portion 46 in the vertical direction which is the plate thickness direction, and has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view as shown in FIG. When assembling the negative external connection bus bar 41 to the second protector 60, the pair of fitting engagement pieces 69 enter the engagement holes 47 while being elastically displaced by riding over the opening edges of the engagement holes 47. Then, when the negative external connection bus bar 41 is assembled to the second protector 60 at the regular position, the fitting projection 69A of each fitting locking piece 69 passes through the locking hole 47 and the rear end of the fitting projection 69A. The locking surface 69B is arranged on the opening edge of the locking hole 47, and the rear end locking surface 69B of the fitting projection 69A and the opening edge of the locking hole 47 are locked in the vertical direction, so that the first bus bar is locked. The lifting of the rear end of the long connecting portion 43 with respect to the holding portion 62 is suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the extending portion 46 has projecting portions 48 that project in the width direction on both side edges of the rear end portion. The overhanging portions 48 are provided on side edges of the extension portion 46 which are located on the side of the portion where the locking holes 47 are provided. Is set to approximately half of the width dimension L2 of FIG. That is, the cross-sectional area in the width direction of the portion where the locking hole 47 is provided in the extension portion 46 is substantially the same as the cross-sectional area in the width direction of the portion where the locking hole 47 is not provided in the extension portion 46. . Thereby, the extending portion 46 can maintain the cross-sectional area in the width direction to be equal to or more than a certain value over the entire length in the extending direction, and can prevent an increase in heat generation in a part of the negative electrode external connection bus bar 41. It has become.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the fixing piece 68 extends from the rear part of the mounting portion 67 to both left and right ends of the first protector 50. Is provided with a pair of rear locking pieces 68A that can be locked in the vertical direction with a locked portion (not shown) of the first protector 50. The pair of rear locking pieces 68A, together with the pair of front locking pieces 62A of the first bus bar holding portion 62, are locked to the locked portion of the first protector 50, and the second protector 60 is connected to the first protector 50. It is designed to be fixed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a pair of locking portions 66 are provided at substantially the center in the front-rear direction of the mounting portion 67 in the second holding portion, and the extended portion of the negative electrode external connection bus bar 41 is provided. A pair of locking portions 66 and a pair of extended locking pieces 49 that can be locked in the vertical direction are provided at substantially the center in the front-rear direction of 46.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 7, the pair of locking portions 66 are provided at widening portions 67 </ b> A that are widened in the left-right direction substantially at the center in the front-rear direction of the mounting portion 67. As shown in FIG. 9, each locking portion 66 has an elastic piece 66 </ b> A extending upward in a direction orthogonal to a mounting surface 67 </ b> B on which the extending portion 46 is mounted on the mounting portion 67. A locking projection 66B is provided at the upper end of the elastic piece 66A, which is the extending end.

  The distance between the elastic pieces 66A of the pair of locking portions 66 is set substantially equal to the width dimension of the extending portion 46 of the negative electrode external connection bus bar 41, and each elastic piece 66A is oriented in the direction along the mounting surface 67B. It can be elastically displaced in the left-right direction.

  The locking projections 66B of the pair of locking portions 66 project inward so as to face each other, and each of the locking projections 66B has an inclined surface 66C inclined downward toward the inside, and a mounting surface. 67B and a locking surface 66D facing in the vertical direction.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the pair of extension locking pieces 49 are provided continuously with side edges in the width direction, which is a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction, which is the direction in which the extension portion 46 extends. As shown in FIG. 7, the extending portion 46 extends upward in the direction in which the extending portion 46 is detached so as to be orthogonal to the plate surface 46A of the extending portion 46. Therefore, the side edge of the extension portion 46 provided with the pair of extension locking pieces 49 has higher rigidity in the plate thickness direction than the side edge not provided with the extension locking piece 49.

  Further, a portion of the extension locking piece 49 that is continuous with the extending portion 46 is a bent portion 49A that is bent so as to be rounded. In the unfolded state before bending the bent portion 49A, the overhang length of the overhang portion 48 overhangs from the extension portion 46 is set to be equal to or less than the overhang dimension. FIG. 8 shows the extended locking piece 49 of the negative electrode external connection bus bar 41 in a deployed state before bending the bent portion 49A. The extended dimension L3 of the extended locking piece 49 is The overhang length L1 is set to be approximately the same as the overhang length L1.

  In other words, when forming the projecting portion 48 provided for securing the cross-sectional area in the width direction of the extending portion 46 by punching or the like, the extension locking piece 49 is provided by effectively using the discarded portion. Can be done. Thereby, for example, compared with the case where the extension locking piece is formed in a region other than the portion to be discarded in the base material, for example, the extension dimension of the extension locking piece is larger than the projection dimension of the protruding piece, Waste of a certain base material can be reduced, and the yield of the negative electrode external connection bus bar 41 can be improved.

  Further, the distance between the pair of extension locking pieces 49 is set to be larger than the distance between the locking projections of the pair of locking portions 66, and the length of each extension locking piece 49 in the front-rear direction. The length is set to be larger than the length in the front-rear direction of the locking portion 66 of the mounting portion 67.

  Therefore, when assembling the negative electrode external connection bus bar 41 to the second protector 60, each of the extended locking pieces 49 comes in contact with the corresponding inclined surface 66C of the corresponding locking projection 66B and runs up when the bent portion 49A is mounted. Is elastically displaced outward. Then, when the negative electrode external connection bus bar 41 is assembled to the second protector 60 at a regular position, as shown in FIG. 9, each extended locking piece 49 fits below the locking surface 66D of the locking projection 66B. At the same time, the extension locking piece 49 is disposed so as to be close to the inside of the elastic piece 66A of the locking portion 66, and the extension end of the extension locking piece 49 and the locking projection 66B are locked. The surface 66D is opposed to the upper and lower directions.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the length of each extension locking piece 49 in the front-rear direction is set to be larger than the length dimension of the locking portion 66 in the front-rear direction. Even if the arrangement of the negative electrode external connection bus bar 41 with respect to the mounting portion 67 is slightly displaced in the front-rear direction due to manufacturing tolerance or assembly tolerance, the extension end of the extension locking piece 49 and the locking protrusion 66B are not provided. The locking surface 66D can be opposed in the vertical direction.

  As a result, the extending end of the extending locking piece 49 and the locking surface 66D of the locking projection 66B are securely locked in the vertical direction, and the extending portion 46 is mounted on the mounting portion 67 of the second busbar holding portion 65. Can be suppressed.

The present embodiment is configured as described above. Next, the operation and effects of the connection module 20 will be described.
The extended portion 46 of the negative electrode external connection bus bar 41 in the present embodiment is long in the front-rear direction, and the plate thickness of the extended portion 46 is formed to be extremely thin as compared with the width in the left-right direction. For this reason, the negative electrode external connection bus bar 41 is easily bent and deformed in the direction in which the left and right side edges of the extension portion 46 are brought closer to each other (the direction in which the extension portion 46 contracts in the width direction).

  Therefore, for example, when the side edges of the extending portion 46 where the pair of extending locking pieces are not provided are locked from above on the locking surfaces of the pair of elastic locking pieces, the extending portion 46 When an external force that presses the elastic member in the left-right direction is applied, the extending portion 46 bends and deforms in a direction in which the left and right lateral edges are brought closer to each other. Is greatly inclined, and there is a concern that the locking between the locking surface and both side edges of the extending portion 46 is released.

However, according to the present embodiment, the extended locking pieces 49 are provided at positions corresponding to the pair of locking portions 66 in the second bus bar holding portion 65 in the extending portion 46.
In other words, the portion of the extension 46 where the pair of extension locking pieces 49 are provided has a higher rigidity in the plate thickness direction in the extension 46 than in the other extensions 46. For example, even when another member abuts and an external force that presses the extending portion 46 in the left-right direction is applied when the member is conveyed, the extending portion 46 moves the left and right side edges closer to each other (the extending portion 46 extends in the width direction). (In the direction of contraction), it is possible to prevent the negative external connection bus bar 41 from being attached to the insulating protector 40 from being deteriorated. Also, the extension locking piece 49 is prevented from being greatly inclined with respect to the locking surface 66D of the locking portion 66, and the locking between the locking surface 66D of the locking portion 66 and the extension locking piece 49 is prevented. Since the release can be suppressed, it is possible to prevent the negative electrode external connection bus bar 41 from falling off the insulating protector 40 due to the bending and deformation of the extending portion 46.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the negative external connection bus bar 41 is assembled to the second protector 60 at the regular position, each extended locking piece 49 becomes an elastic piece of the locking portion 66 as shown in FIG. It is arranged so as to closely follow the inside of 66A. Therefore, when the extending portion 46 is to bend and deform in a direction in which the left and right side edges are brought closer to each other (a direction in which the extending portion 46 contracts in the width direction), the extension locking piece 49 abuts against the elastic piece 66A from inside, and the extending portion 46 can be suppressed from being deformed. Thereby, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the assemblability of the negative electrode external connection bus bar 41 with respect to the insulating protector 40 and further prevent the negative electrode external connection bus bar 41 from falling off from the insulating protector 40.

  By the way, the portion of the extension portion 46 where the pair of extension locking pieces 49 are provided has a higher rigidity in the thickness direction of the extension portion 46 than the other extension portions 46, so that the second protector 60 When the negative external connection bus bar 41 is assembled, a large external force acts on a portion where the second protector 60 and the negative external connection bus bar 41 slide.

However, according to the present embodiment, when assembling the negative electrode external connection bus bar 41 to the second protector 60, the rounded bent portion 49A rides on the inclined surface 66C of the locking protrusion 66B of the locking portion 66. The elastic piece 66A is elastically displaced outward. Thereby, for example, as compared with the case where the bent portion is angular, the work of assembling the negative electrode external connection bus bar 41 to the second protector 60 can be performed smoothly, and the locking projection 66B of the locking portion 66 is damaged. Can be suppressed.
That is, the assemblability of the negative external connection bus bar 41 to the insulating protector 40 can be improved, and the negative external connection bus bar 41 is separated from the insulating protector 40 due to the damage of the locking projection 66B of the locking portion 66. Dropping can be suppressed.

  According to the present embodiment, the extension L3 of the pair of extension locking pieces 49 extending in the vertical direction is set to be substantially the same as the extension L1 of the extension 48 extending from the extension 46. I have.

  That is, when forming the overhanging portion 48 provided for securing the cross-sectional area in the width direction of the extension portion 46 by punching or the like, the extension locking piece 49 is provided by effectively utilizing the discarded portion. I have. That is, for example, compared with the case where the extension locking piece is formed in a region other than the portion to be discarded in the base material, for example, the extension dimension of the extension locking piece is larger than the projection dimension of the projection piece, Can be reduced, and the yield of the negative electrode external connection bus bar 41 can be improved.

By the way, in the present embodiment, the front end portion of the extension portion 46 is provided on the first bus bar holding portion 62 without providing the pair of extension locking pieces 49, unlike the substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the extension portion 46. Since the floating is suppressed by the pair of bus bar locking pieces 62B, there is a concern that the locking between the bus bar locking piece 62B and the extending section 46 may be released due to the bending of the extending section 46.
However, in the present embodiment, the L-shaped portion 43B extending upward is formed continuously at the front end edge of the extending portion 46, and the rigidity in the thickness direction is increased at the front end of the extending portion 46. Also, in the first bus bar holding portion 62, it is possible to prevent the assemblability of the negative electrode external connection bus bar 41 from deteriorating, and it is also possible to prevent the bus bar locking piece 62 </ b> B and the extension portion 46 from engaging due to the bending of the extension portion 46. The release of the stop can be suppressed.

Further, at the rear end of the extending portion 46, the rear end locking surface 69 </ b> B of the fitting projection 69 </ b> A of the pair of fitting locking pieces 69 and the opening edge of the locking hole 47 are locked in the vertical direction. 2 The lifting of the rear end of the extending portion 46 with respect to the protector 60 is prevented, and the locking position between the rear end of the extending portion 46 and the substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the extending portion 46 is in the width direction of the extending portion 46. Switching is performed between the center portion and both side edges in the width direction.
That is, according to the present embodiment, for example, in the rear end portion of the extension portion 46 and the substantially central portion in the front-rear direction, the rear half portion of the extension portion 46 is Deflection and deformation in a direction in which both side edges in the left-right direction approach each other (a direction in which the extending portion 46 contracts in the width direction) is suppressed. Thus, it is possible to prevent the assemblability of the negative external connection bus bar 41 from being deteriorated with respect to the second protector 60 and to prevent the negative external connection bus bar 41 from dropping off from the second protector 60.

<Other embodiments>
The technology disclosed in the present specification is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings, and includes, for example, the following various aspects.

  (1) In the above embodiment, the extended portion 46 of the negative electrode external connection bus bar 41 has the rear edge of the opening edge of the locking hole 47 and the pair of fitting locking pieces 69 locked in the vertical direction, and At a substantially central portion, the pair of extended locking pieces 49 and the pair of locking portions 66 are configured to lock vertically. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pair of extended locking pieces and the pair of locking portions are locked in the vertical direction at the rear end of the extending portion, and the opening of the locking hole is formed substantially at the center in the front-rear direction of the extending portion. A configuration in which the edge and the pair of fitting locking pieces are locked in the vertical direction may be adopted.

  (2) In the above embodiment, in order to arrange the second terminal connection portion 44 of the negative external connection bus bar 41 at the front end of the second protector 60, the negative external connection bus bar 41 is moved in the front-rear direction with respect to the positive external connection bus bar 31. It is configured in a long form. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the positive external connection bus bar is formed to be longer in the front-rear direction than the negative external connection bus bar, and the first terminal connection portion of the positive external connection bus bar is arranged at the rear end of the second protector. Is also good. That is, by changing the arrangement of the electrode terminals in the power storage element, the external connection bus bar that is long in the front-rear direction may be configured as the positive electrode external connection bus bar.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the length of the extension locking piece 49 in the front-rear direction is larger than the length of the locking portion 66 in the front-rear direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If the extension locking piece and the locking portion can be locked in the up-down direction, the length dimension of the extension locking piece in the front-rear direction is longer than the length of the locking portion in the front-rear direction. You may comprise so that it may become below a height dimension.

20: Connection module 30: External connection bus bar 31: Positive external connection bus bar 40: Insulation protector 41: Negative external connection bus bar (an example of “external connection bus bar”)
44: extension portion 47: locking hole 48: projecting portion 49: extended locking piece 49A: bent portion 66: locking portion 66A: elastic piece 66B: locking projection 66D: locking surface 67: mounting portion 67A. : Mounting surface 69: fitting and locking piece 70: storage element group 71: storage element 73: electrode terminal 73 N: negative electrode terminal (an example of “electrode terminal”)
73P: Positive electrode terminal (an example of "electrode terminal")
L1: overhang dimension L3: overhang dimension

Claims (4)

A connection module attached to a storage element group in which a plurality of storage elements having positive and negative electrode terminals are arranged,
An external connection bus bar that has a plate-shaped extending portion, and makes the power storage element group and a terminal provided in an external device electrically connected.
An insulation protector that holds the external connection bus bar,
The insulating protector includes a mounting portion on which the extension portion is mounted, and a locking portion having a locking surface facing the mounting portion side,
The extension portion is formed so as to extend from the extension portion toward the locking surface of the locking portion, and the external connection bus bar is locked with the locking surface in a direction in which the external connection bus bar is separated from the insulating protector. A connection module provided with a locking piece. A state in which the locking portion extends from the mounting portion in a direction orthogonal to the mounting surface of the mounting portion and is elastically displaceable in a direction along the mounting surface; and the locking surface. Having a locking projection protruding from the elastic piece,
2. The connection module according to claim 1, wherein the extension locking piece is provided so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to a plate surface of the extension section so as to be close to the elastic piece. 3. The extension locking piece is provided continuously to a side edge in a width direction that is a direction orthogonal to an extending direction of the extending portion,
A portion of the extended locking piece connected to the extending portion is formed so as to be bent so as to be round, and comes into contact with the locking portion of the locking portion when the external connection bus bar is assembled to the insulating protector. The connection module according to claim 1, wherein the connection module is a bent portion. The extending portion has a locking hole in which the fitting locking piece provided in the placing portion is fitted, and a width direction greater than a width dimension of the locking hole on a side of the locking hole. And has an overhanging part
4. The connection module according to claim 1, wherein an extension dimension of the extension locking piece is set to be equal to or less than an extension dimension of the extension.

Images